As a shooter, you will need one of the best Scopes for 223 Rifle to get the most satisfying hunting and tactical shooting experience. The best scope for this rifle should have a suitable magnification range, either short-range or long-range shooting, and with a great reticle like a BDC or mildot.
The magnification you choose for your rifle is mainly about personal preferences. A scope with a great optical system not only makes it easy to mount but also offers precision with a clear and vivid sight picture of the target.
Additionally, the best scopes for .223 are constructed with high-quality and durable materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and have an easy-to-use parallax adjustment.
They are also nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed to ensure a fog-proof and waterproof performance. Below are our top choices for the best scopes for .223 rifles available in the market.
Best Scopes for .223 Rifle Review
1) Vortex Optics Crossfire II SFP, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes
The 2-7×32 Crossfire II riflescope is a clear, tough, and bright scope that is specially designed for performance. The single-piece tube is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum for strength and shockproof performance.
It is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to ensure waterproof and fog-proof performance. It features the Dead-Hold BDC reticle which is good for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
The Vortex scope has a long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, allowing you to be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. The included fast-focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
The scope is made with anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses to provide bright and clear views. The capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in.
Key features
- It has a long eye relief
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece
- It features fully multi-coated lenses
- Has improved, resettable MOA turrets
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 60 MOA
2) Bushnell Optics, Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope
This Bushnell scope is made with a small, compact design with high durability aluminum alloy, anodized finish, and sealed to protect the inside from elements that make it sleek and light, weighing in at just over one pound.
It is crafted from high-durability aluminum alloy and paired with an anodized finish, then sealed to protect it from the elements.
The AR Optics 1-4×24 gives superior close-to-midrange accuracy, giving you an edge in close quarters while also allowing you to reach out farther if needed. The scope comes with a drop zone 223 BDC ballistic reticle that is calibrated for 55 to 62 grain, 223 REM/5.556 loads with aiming points out to 500 yards.
The Optics 1-4×24 features capped turrets, offering a lower profile as well as precise pinpoint adjustments. It is designed to be sighted in at 100 yards, with aiming points every 100 yards, up to 500 yards.
It is also Nitrogen purged to eliminate chances of internal moisture and O-ring sealed to prevent the entry of dust or moisture.
Key features
- It features a 30-millimeter tube dial
- It has a Drop zone reticle
- Target turrets (0.1 mil click value) offer pinpoint precise adjustments
- Field of view (feet at 100 yards) 90 feet at 1X to 23 feet at 4X
- It has fully multicoated optics
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece
3) Sig Sauer Bravo3 Battle Sight, 3X24mm
Sig Sauer Bravo3 Battle Sight offers a wide-field battle sight. It is designed for professional and civilian MSR/AR shooters, to deliver an industry-leading 42% wider field of view than current battle sights. The scope offers a flat, distortion-free image with unprecedented edge-to-edge clarity through a combination of Low Dispersion (LD) glass and aspherical lens design.
The scope comes with a lightweight yet durable magnesium housing with an integrated Picatinny top rail for additional accessories such as MRDs and lasers. It has an adjustable eyepiece with +/- 2 diopter correction. It offers a dependable IPX-8 waterproof (to 400 bar or 13 ft.) and fog-proof performance.
Key features
- It has a lightweight design with protective features for snag points
- The M1913 Picatinny rail interface allows night vision compatibility
- It has removable Picatinny rails for accessories
- Weight: 1.19 Kg
- Dimensions: 11 L X 14.9 W X 21.8 H (Cm)
- It features 556-762 Horseshoe Dot Illum Reticle’p
4) Bushnell 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ 223 Reticle
The Bushnell 3-9×40 Riflescope features a throw-down power change lever that can be set to two different heights, making it as customizable as the rifle you mount it on.
The scope has a 3-9x magnification range and 40mm objective that is very much appreciated by mid-range shooters. It features a side focus parallax that goes down to 10 yards, allowing you to take close shots as well as long ones.
The scope has exposed target turrets which allow you to dial for windage and elevation adjustments quickly and accurately. It also has fully multi-coated (FMC) optics and waterproof construction to avoid fogging for crisp, clear images.
Key features
- Waterproof Construction for use in rugged conditions
- Fully Multi-Coated optics offer bright, clear views of the target
- Trusted 3-9x magnification range ideal for mid-range shooting
- Adjustable length throw lever provides fast magnification changes even while wearing gloves
- Ballistic Drop Compensated reticle for easy holdover shooting to 600 yds.
5) Vortex Optics Viper Parallax Adjustment SFP Riflescopes
Designed and engineered for those who want it all, this Vortex scope offers strength, durability, and XR fully multi-coated lenses for incredible light transmission. It is built on a 30mm main tube with a hard anodized finish for a rugged, tough hunting experience.
The scope also has a Dead-Hold BDC reticle that is good for any hunting or shooting at varying ranges where estimating hold-over would be a concern.
It is ideal for shooting long-range, predator/varmint, and target applications. The O-ring sealing and argon purging help to provide a fog-proof and waterproof performance.
Key features
- Fully multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses offer excellent resolution and color fidelity
- The XR coatings provide an enhanced light-gathering capability
- Capped reset turrets allow quick re-indexing of the turret to zero after sighting in the riflescope
- Side knob parallax adjust allows quick and easy parallax adjustments with range numbers visible while in the shooting position
- Armortek coating help protect the lenses
- Fast-focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing
- MAG-Bar allows rapid, easy changes in magnification
6) Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14×40
Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14×40 comes with an Illuminated Boone & Crockett CDS reticle and features a matte finish. The illuminated Boone & Crockett is ideal for large game applications because it provides accurate aiming points out to 500 or 600 yards.
The scope has ZeroLock CDS (Custom Dial System) which simplifies longer shots by eliminating the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations by using a dial that is customized to your gear.
It features Leupold’s Elite optical system that provides unparalleled light transmission, glare reduction, and resolution for superior performance in any condition.
Key features
- Made from the highest quality domestic, aerospace-grade aluminum material
- 100% Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- 2nd Generation Argon/Krypton Waterproofing
- Has a generous eye box and longer eye relief
- Blackened lens edges
- 3:1 Zoom ratio
7) Primary Arms SLX 1-8x24FFP Rifle Scope
Primary Arms SLX 1-8x24FFP Rifle Scope features a 6061-aluminum scope body and anodized matte black finish and is nitrogen purged for IP67 waterproof and fog-resistant performance.
It features the first focal plane reticle with automatic ranging out to 600 yards and moving target leads designed to excel at close quarters out to mid-range engagements.
The first focal plane construction allows for a small red-dot style reticle without sacrificing the features and accuracy of the reticle with increased magnification.
This scope has full red illumination with 11 brightness settings that are powered by a common CR2032 battery. It offers an expansive magnification range with an eight-time zoom ratio in a compact, lightweight, and affordable package. It also features a quick-focus eyepiece and low profile, finger-adjustable turrets topped by our new turret caps.
Key features
- Aluminum-grade construction
- Variable 1-8x magnification
- The first focal plane features the ACSS Raptor reticle for 5.56/5.45/.308
- Supported by a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects, materials, and workmanship
8) Monstrum Alpha Series 1-4×24 FFP Rifle Scope
This Monstrum Alpha Series riflescope is designed for shooters that want reliable first focal plane optics without the bells and whistles or the costs that come with them. It comes with a fully multi-coated lens to reduce glare and loss of light due to reflection.
The lenses help with maximum light transmission and sharper contrast while the coating helps to prevent scratches on the lens.
The scope is fully Sealed and nitrogen-filled for completely waterproof and fog-proof performance. Functionally designed first focal plane MOA reticle has easy-to-read ranging information that remains constant regardless of magnification, for faster range estimation and holdover correction.
Key features
- Made of an Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- It has a rugged MIL-STD 8625 type III hard anodized outer finish
- Has 1-4x magnification for close to mid-distance shooting out to 300+ yards
- Comes with a set of spring-loaded flip-up lens covers to protect your scope lenses when not in use
Choosing the Best Scopes for .223 Rifle
Construction and durability
The material used in the construction of the rifle scope should be strong to offer maximum durability. For example, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy is used in many scopes for a long time of performance. It should be nitrogen-purged to ensure that protection against elements.
Magnification
Check the magnification range of the scope you wish to purchase. The magnification you settle for will be determined by the shooting range you want in your riflescope.
Eye relief
Having a consistent and generous eye relief in a .223 rifle scope is important. It helps to prevent accidents on your eyebrows or eye due to high recoil calibers or lightweight weapon use.
Tube size
Other than the magnification range, the tube size is also important when choosing a scope. One with at least between 25 and 30 mm is ideal depending on your budget.
Lens and light transmission
High-quality lenses provide excellent light transmission for clear, crisp images regardless of the time of day or weather condition. A scope with multicoated lenses is more suitable as it offers high levels of light transmission of at least 90%.
Warranty
Most manufacturers of riflescopes for the .223 offer a lifetime warranty on defaults. This relieves you of worries regarding replacements.
Final Thoughts
Your 223 performance can be maximized by attaching a good rifle scope to it. Not just any scope though, but a high-quality rifle scope suitable for the .223 offering great features for clear bright images for precision and accuracy.