12 Best Scopes For 308 Bolt Action Rifle of 2026 That Hold Zero

1

Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope- 3-9x40MM BDC,black

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• ARS Mark

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  9.6
• Brand
  Sig Sauer

Key specs2

Reticle Utility

The integrated BDC reticle provides holdover references that assist with elevation adjustments when shooting at varying yardages.

Bolt Handle Clearance

The 40mm objective bell leaves adequate room above standard bolt rifle receivers to avoid interference with low to medium ring setups.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• 3-9x variable magnification handles close-in timber shots out to mid-range distances
• 40mm objective lens allows standard medium rings for bolt clearance
• Built-in BDC reticle offers holdover marks to compensate for bullet drop

Cons

• Eye relief specification is omitted and must be verified to prevent scope bite
• Does not state whether mounting rings are included in the package

2

Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope- 3-9x50mm BDC

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  9.4
• Brand
  Sig Sauer

Key specs2

Light Collection

The 50mm front bell pulls in ambient lighting during early morning or sunset hours when game movement is highest.

Mount Height Consideration

The larger bell housing requires medium to high rings so the objective does not make physical contact with the rifle barrel contour.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• 50mm objective lens gathers more ambient light than smaller front bells
• 3-9x zoom span matches typical hunting situations from brush to open fields
• BDC reticle markings aid in calculating holdovers at extended yardages

Cons

• 50mm objective diameter requires higher mounting rings to clear the rifle barrel
• Scope weight, tube diameter, and eye relief figures are not listed by the maker

3

Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm Riflescope with Deadhold BDC Reticle

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  9.4
• Brand
  Vortex

Key specs2

Holdover Calibration

The Deadhold BDC reticle uses specific hash marks designed to reduce guesswork on bullet drop and wind drift at extended distances.

Low-Light Objective

The wide 50mm objective lens channels incoming light during overcast days, though it adds front-end bulk to the rifle build.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Deadhold BDC reticle provides clean hash marks for accurate holdovers
• 50mm objective bell optimizes ambient light gathering for open-field shooting
• 3-9x magnification covers dense brush scenarios up through longer target distances

Cons

• Higher mounting rings are required to clear the large 50mm front objective
• Exact eye relief and tube dimension numbers are not supplied in the listing

4

Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope with Truplex Reticle

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  9.0
• Brand
  Simmons

Key specs3

Recoil Protection

3.75 in eye relief

Turret Calibration

The audible 1/4 MOA sure-grip turrets provide 60 inches of total adjustment range at 100 yards to dial in precise zero.

Field of View Range

• 31.4 ft at 100 yards on 3X magnification
• 10.5 ft at 100 yards on 9X magnification

Pros & cons42

Pros

• 3.75-inch eye relief provides ample brow cushion against harsh .308 recoil
• Recoil-proof and waterproof construction keeps internal zero locked in rough weather
• Audible 1/4 MOA click adjustments deliver precise zeroing adjustments
• Wide exit pupil up to 16.6 mm allows quick eye alignment through the QTA eyepiece

Cons

• 50mm objective bell demands higher rings to prevent touching the rifle barrel
• 14-inch overall length takes up considerable mounting space on short receivers

5

Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Riflescope, Dusk & Dawn Hunting Riflescope with

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  9.0
• Brand
  Bushnell

Key specs3

Eye Relief Clearance

6 inches extended eye relief

Weather Sealing

Argon purging and IPX7 submersion protection ensure internal glass will not fog or collect moisture during heavy downpours.

Optical Coating System

Dusk & Dawn multi-coated optics cover all air-to-glass surfaces to maximize image contrast during dawn and twilight hours.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Extended 6 inches of eye relief prevents painful brow contact from heavy recoil
• IPX7 waterproof housing withstands water immersion up to 3 feet for 30 minutes
• Dusk & Dawn fully multi-coated lenses enhance visibility in early morning light
• Circle-X reticle draws the shooter eye quickly to center target mass

Cons

• 6 inches of eye relief requires forward mounting that may demand an extended rail
• Circle-X reticle lacks numbered BDC elevation hash marks for long-range drops

6

UUQ 4-16x50 AO Rifle Scope Red/Green Illuminated Range Finder Reticle

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  8.8
• Brand
  UUQ

Key specs2

Parallax and Focus Control

The adjustable objective AO mechanism lets you dial out target parallax error across varied shooting distances.

Accessory Array

• Holographic reflex red dot sight for quick target acquisition
• Integrated green laser for fast point shooting
• Weapon flashlight with 5 brightness output modes

Pros & cons43

Pros

• 4-16x magnification provides extended reach for target observation and holdover
• Adjustable objective AO ring helps eliminate target blur and parallax shift
• Illuminated red and green range finder reticle boosts reticle contrast in low light
• Multi-optic setup includes an auxiliary reflex red dot, laser, and flashlight

Cons

• Multiple mounted attachments add excessive bulk and top-heavy weight to a bolt gun
• Large 50mm objective lens requires tall scope rings to clear the rifle barrel
• Eye relief and recoil shock resistance ratings are not specified in the listing

7

CVLIFE 3-9x40 Optics R4 Reticle Crosshair Scope with 20mm Free

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  8.6
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Mounting Interface

Includes 20mm rail mounts

Scope Profile

• Overall length of 12.28 inches
• Total weight of 0.76 pounds
• 40mm objective lens diameter

Pros & cons33

Pros

• 40mm bell profile keeps the optic low to maintain proper cheek weld on bolt stocks
• Bundled 20mm mounts attach directly to standard Picatinny receiver rails
• Lightweight 0.76-pound build avoids making hunting rifles excessively heavy

Cons

• Included 20mm mounts will not fit standard 11mm dovetails or drilled receiver holes
• Eye relief specification is omitted and must be confirmed prior to firing heavy loads
• Crosshair reticle lacks ballistic drop holdover references for extended shots

8

CVLIFE 2.5-10x40e Red & Green Illuminated Scope with 20mm Mount

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  8.6
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Variable Zoom Range

2.5-10x magnification

Reticle Illumination

Selectable red and green reticle lighting provides visual contrast against dark animal silhouettes and wooded backdrops.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• 2.5-10x magnification span supports close timber hunting and mid-range target work
• Dual red and green illuminated reticle sharpens aim against dark brush backgrounds
• Includes 20mm mounting hardware for direct attachment to Picatinny receiver rails

Cons

• Centerfire recoil shock rating is unlisted and must be verified for .308 rounds
• Eye relief measurement is not provided, creating uncertainty around scope bite
• 20mm mount is incompatible with traditional two-piece bolt-action scope bases

9

UUQ Tactical 4X32 Compact .223 .308 Scope Rangefinder Reticle/w Ring

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  8.4
• Brand
  UUQ

Key specs2

Fixed Magnification

Fixed 4x power with 32mm objective

Platform Suitability

Caliber-rated design supports .223 and .308 rifles while the compact bell leaves plenty of clearance for upward bolt throws.

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Designated compatibility for .308 rifles ensures tolerance for centerfire recoil
• Fixed 4x magnification simplifies shooting with no moving zoom ring to adjust
• Compact 32mm front bell sits low for clear bolt handle clearance and quick cycling
• Rangefinder reticle offers built-in points for estimating target distance

Cons

• Fixed 4x power lacks high magnification needed for precise long-range target work
• 32mm objective lens gathers less ambient dawn light than 40mm or 50mm optics
• Scope length, weight, and eye relief figures are omitted from manufacturer data

10

Hi-Lux Optics Long Eye Relief 2-7x32 Rifle Scope, 308 Reticle

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  8.4
• Brand
  hi-lux

Key specs3

Brow Protection

Up to 13 inches eye relief

Caliber Match

The dedicated .308 BDC reticle provides holdover graduation lines calibrated specifically for .308 Winchester bullet drops.

Chassis Construction

• 1-inch aluminum main tube
• 13-inch overall length
• DiamondTuff Lifetime Guarantee

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Up to 13 inches of eye relief eliminates any danger of recoil bite to the shooter brow
• Dedicated .308 BDC reticle matches common .308 ballistic trajectories for quick drops
• Compact 32mm objective sits very low without interfering with bolt throw rotation
• One-inch aircraft aluminum tube backed by DiamondTuff Lifetime Guarantee

Cons

• Extended 13-inch eye relief requires a forward scout mount or extended rail base
• 32mm objective lens offers modest twilight light gathering compared to 50mm lenses

11

Hunting Rifle Scope R/G/B Illuminated Riflescope, Adjustable Objective (LT4-16X50)

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  8.4
• Brand
  Sniper

Key specs3

Tube Durability

• Single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum 1-inch body
• Nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for shockproof build
• Covered by manufacturer lifetime warranty

Reticle Illumination Modes

The Mil-Dot reticle includes red, green, and blue illumination settings to preserve sight picture contrast across varying light levels.

Elevation Calibration

1/4 MOA QTA click adjustments

Pros & cons43

Pros

• One-piece aircraft aluminum 1-inch tube is nitrogen-purged and shockproof against recoil
• 4-16x zoom range with adjustable objective AO eliminates parallax error at distance
• Red, green, and blue illuminated Mil-Dot reticle delivers clear aiming points
• QTA turrets feature crisp 1/4 MOA click values for precise zeroing adjustments

Cons

• Heavy 1.63-pound weight and 15.75-inch length add noticeable bulk to hunting rifles
• 50mm objective lens requires taller scope rings to clear the rifle barrel
• Eye relief measurement is not stated and needs verification for heavy loads

12

CVLIFE 3-9x40 Compact Rifle Scope Crosshair Reticle with Free Mounts

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  8.4
• Brand
  CVLIFE

Key specs2

Optical Design

3-9x variable magnification

Bolt Throw Clearance

The streamlined 40mm bell allows for medium-height rings, leaving enough space for unobstructed upward bolt cycling.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• 3-9x magnification covers common hunting ranges from close timber to open clearings
• 40mm objective keeps the profile sleek for comfortable bolt clearance
• Includes free mounting hardware for rapid installation out of the box

Cons

• Specific rail compatibility for included mounts must be checked against rifle base
• Eye relief, tube diameter, and centerfire recoil ratings are not listed by maker
• Simple crosshair reticle does not provide ballistic drop compensation hash marks

Last update on 2026-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Will an optic withstand repeated .308 recoil without losing zero?

An optic must carry a dedicated recoil rating or centerfire rifle design to withstand the repeated shock of a .308 bolt action. Models like the Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm are built recoil proof, waterproof, and fog proof, using 1/4 MOA audible click turrets to keep adjustments firm. Options like the UUQ Tactical 4X32 Compact scope specifically list .223 and .308 compatibility to endure heavy recoil impulse. When a product listing does not state a recoil rating, check the manufacturer manual to confirm caliber ratings before mounting, and verify that all ring screws are torqued evenly to prevent the tube from slipping under recoil.

How much eye relief do you need on a .308 bolt action to prevent scope bite?

Safe eye relief varies by shooting stance and stock dimensions, but your optic must provide sufficient distance to keep the ocular bell from striking your brow during recoil. For forward-mounted scout setups, an optic like the Hi-Lux Optics 2-7x32 provides up to 13 inches of eye relief, keeping your face clear of the eyepiece entirely. For traditional receiver-mounted optics where eye relief dimensions are not published, check the manufacturer specification sheet to confirm the clearance matches your rifle setup. Verifying eye relief on your rifle before tightening the rings ensures you can view a full sight picture without creeping too close to the glass.

Will a large objective lens or low scope mount block your bolt throw?

An optic with a wide objective bell or a bulky rear ocular housing can easily interfere with the sweep of a bolt handle or contact the rifle barrel. Scopes fitted with a 50mm objective lens, such as the Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 3-9x50mm or the Hunting Rifle Scope LT4-16X50AOL, sit lower toward the barrel contour and frequently require medium or high mounting rings. You should confirm proper barrel clearance and measure the upward lift of your bolt handle before choosing rings. If rings are too low, the bolt handle can bind against the ocular housing during cycling, or the front bell may touch the barrel and cause point-of-impact drift.

How do you confirm included ring mounts will fit your bolt action rifle?

You must check the base profile of your rifle receiver against the mount size supplied in the optic box. Several packaged scopes, such as the CVLIFE 3-9x40 Optics R4 Reticle scope, supply 20mm mounts designed specifically for standard 20mm rails. Most traditional bolt action receivers come drilled and tapped for two-piece bases or feature proprietary dovetails, which will not accept standalone 20mm mounts without an adapter. Measure the rail or base installed on your rifle action, and verify whether you need to acquire separate 1-inch or 30mm scope rings that match your receiver footprint.

Which reticle designs help with shot placement and holdovers on a .308?

Reticles featuring dedicated drop compensation markings help you account for bullet drop at extended distances without turning elevation turrets. Scopes like the Vortex Optics Crossfire 2 feature the Deadhold BDC reticle, while the Hi-Lux Optics LER27X32BDC includes a dedicated 308 Reticle calibrated for downrange elevation. For shooters who prefer standard grid holdovers, the Hunting Rifle Scope LT4-16X50AOL provides an illuminated Mil-Dot reticle with red, green, and blue settings. Reviewing reticle subtensions for accurate holdovers lets you match hash marks to your ammunition trajectory so you can aim with certainty.

What lens features improve visibility during early morning and late evening hunts?

Multi-coated glass treatments increase light transmission to maintain optical clarity during low-light dawn and dusk periods. The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm uses Dusk & Dawn Brightness coatings to provide clean contrast against shadows, while the Hunting Rifle Scope LT4-16X50AOL uses superior multi-coated lenses to suppress reflection and glare. Larger objective lenses, such as the 50mm bells found on the Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS or Simmons 8-Point models, gather more available light than compact objectives. Adding an illuminated reticle with adjustable red or green brightness settings also prevents your crosshairs from disappearing when aiming at dark targets in heavy timber.