The .308 Winchester rifle, or just .308 as it is referred to, is a widely used rifle for hunting and target shooting. Despite the introduction of the AR-15, many people still prefer using .308 rifles with the best Leupold scopes for 308 rifles because of their excellent performance.
Some of the crucial features that make the .308 rifle more preferred include;
- It has a comfortable weight that is easy to handle
- It is very well performing within its parameters
- It offers aerodynamic shooting
- It has an economic power consumption
- It is compatible with all but the heaviest .308″ bullets
- It can be used for different capabilities in several settings
Having the right scope for your .308 caliber rifle is a plus in achieving significant results.
The right scope will offer aerodynamic shooting, comfortable weight, economic power consumption, and multiple-use capabilities.
Leupold has a wide range of scopes that offer unmatched quality and specs. This review shall provide you with top picks of the best Leupold scopes for 308 rifles.
Best 308 Leupold Scopes Reviews
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope
Many hunters and shooters prefer the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope for its performance and dependability. It is designed with a rugged design featuring a Hunt-Plex reticle and matte finish for maximum durability.
The lightweight Aluminum housing also ensures excellent durability and ruggedness without adding unnecessary weight.
This scope boasts an advanced optical system that offers tried and actual light transmission for extended glassing sessions, glare reduction in harsh light, and high resolution and clarity.
In addition, the best-in-class optics offer unbeatable accuracy in all lighting conditions.
The riflescope is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog-proof performance. In addition, it comes with scratch-resistant lenses with extreme military-standard scratch resistance for added protection.
Key features
- It is made of solid materials in an ultra-lightweight design
- It has an advanced optical system for clear, bright pictures
- The scope has scratch-resistant lenses ideal for rugged use
- Features an ergonomic power selector
- The 3:1 zoom ratio gives you 3 times more magnification at high power than at low power
- It is 100% Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- It has high-contrast adjustment markings for easy access
- It has a fast-focus locking eyepiece
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Features standard finger click adjustments
2) Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Rifle Scope
The 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum is used in making the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope. The scope is also punisher tested to withstand a lifetime of performance even under the harshest recoil.
This scope boasts military-standard scratch-resistant lenses with an added bikini-style lens cover that provides durability and lens protection when in use and during storage.
It features Precision 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for windage and elevation, which provide repeatability and dependability over a lifetime of extreme use.
It offers 100% Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof performance with a Duplex reticle and Matte finish. In addition, it has a DiamondCoat Ion-assist lens coating on the exterior lenses for higher light transmission and abrasion resistance.
Key features
- It is made with an ultra-Lightweight Design
- 100% Waterproof, Shockproof, and fog proof
- It has Twilight Max Light Management System for reliable use in low-light conditions
- The scope has a magnification range of 3.5x-10x
- The zoom ratio is 3:1
- Lightweight: 12.60oz. /357.00 g
- Length (in): 12.60
- Objective Diameter (in): 1.60
- Eye Relief (in) – Low: 4.4
- Eye Relief (in) – High: 3.6
- Linear FOV (ft. /100yd.): Low 29.8
- Linear FOV (ft. /100yd.): High 11.00
3) Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Compact Waterproof Fogproof Riflescope
The VX-1 3-9x40mm features Leupold’s proprietary Nitrogen sealing process, making it rugged and completely waterproof.
It has 1/4 MOA, and precision finger click adjustments for windage, and elevation to offer absolute repeatability and dependability over a long time of continued use.
The scope is made of a durable yet light aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction with a versatile 3:1 zoom ratio erector system ideal for virtually any situation.
In addition, the 30mm main tubes are spacious enough for lots of features, including wide adjustment ranges.
The riflescope has a multicoat 4 lens system for extreme clarity from edge to edge of the visual field, outstanding contrast, and a bright sight picture even in extremely low-light conditions.
Key features
- This scope is made of durable materials
- It features a versatile 3:1 zoom ratio that lets you adapt to different distances
- It is O-ring sealed for complete waterproof performance
- It is also gas-filled to ensure fog-proofing for clear images
- Optical surfaces have a coating for reduced glare and authentic color transmission
4)Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Side Focus Riflescope
This Leupold scope is made to cater to different outdoor activities, with a 3-15 magnification range that fits into any situation. It allows you to bring the power down to three for thick timber hunting or up to 15 for your trek across the open plains for some long-range shooting.
The VX-5HD 3-15×44 comes with a Custom Dial ZeroLock that simplifies longer shots by eliminating the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations using a dial customized to your gear. In addition, the CDS-ZL2 provides two revolutions of elevation adjustment while eliminating accidental dial movement with the push-button ZeroLock system.
The scope features Side Focus Parallax Adjustment, which adjusts the scope’s parallax for less perceived movement when engaging targets at longer distances. It also has highly durable lenses thanks to the Guard-Ion Hydrophobic lens coating, which is scratch resistant and helps prevent water, dirt, and fingerprints.
Key features
- 100% Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof construction
- Lightweight: 19.2 oz.
- Unparalleled low-light performance
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- It has a magnification range of 3x-15x
- Maintube diameter: 30mm
- It is 13.53 inches long
- Eye Relief – Low: 3.7 in
- Eye Relief – High: 3.82 in
- Linear FOV – Low: 38.3 ft. /100 yds.
- Linear FOV – High: 7.7 ft. /100 yd.
5) Leupold VX-2 4-12x40mm Compact Waterproof Fogproof Riflescope
Leupold VX-2 4-12x40mm riflescope is quality built for durability and is O-ring sealed to provide a complete waterproof performance. It has a tight fit of all details with durable materials that fit into any season of field use.
The optical surfaces are coated to provide reduced glare and authentic color transmission for a vivid, high-contrast picture even in poor lighting. It also has a versatile zoom ratio that lets you switch between the bigger picture and the finer details with one turn of the power selector.
Key features
- It has distant finger clicks for quick and easy parallax adjustment
- It has 1/4 MOA precision finger click adjustments for windage and elevation
- It is waterproof and fog proof
- Covered by Leupold full lifetime guarantee
- It features a 3:1 zoom ratio
6) Leupold Mark MOD 1 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Leupold Mark MOD 1 3-9x40mm Riflescope is made with high-quality glass for the best rifle performance.
It offers a wide field of view with a large objective lens. In addition, it comes with a Duplex CDS reticle and a matte finish that offer the performance any shooter craves.
This Leupold scope is ideal for long-range shooting, as it provides variable magnification settings to suit different shooting needs.
Key features
- Features a one-inch main tube for weight-saving and durability
- This scope is made with high-quality materials for durable performance
- It is 100% waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof
- It features Cods turrets that simplify longer shots by eliminating the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations with a dial customized to your rifle and ammo
- The scope’s multi-coated lenses deliver extreme clarity from edge to edge of the visual field, outstanding contrast, and a bright sight picture even in extreme low-light conditions
7) Leupold Mark 6 1-6x20mm Riflescope
Leupold 1-6x20mm is exceptionally accurate, lightweight, compact, and easy to use. It gives you a vivid, bright, and clear target image in a wider variety of lighting conditions with an added 30 minutes of shooting light.
The lenses have military-standard scratch resistance to keep them safe through rugged use in the field. The front focal plane provides magnification along with the image so you can estimate the range at whatever magnification settings. This scope disperses recoil energy for unbeaten durability and performance with the light construction and design.
The scope features Leupold’s Twilight Max HD Light Management system that adds up to 30 minutes of shooting light, exceptional glare reduction, and HD lens clarity.
Key features
- It is made of a lightweight design
- It has a matte finish for durability
- 100% Waterproof, fog proof, & shockproof
- It features scratch-resistant lenses
- M6C1 Turrets – Tactile and audible 2/10 Mil per click dials and 11 mill radians of elevation travel in a single revolution
- Front Focal Plane (FFP) -The reticle magnifies along with the image so that you can estimate range at all magnification settings
- Magnification Range: 1x-6x
- Maintube Diameter: 34mm
- Weight: 17 oz.
- Length: 10.3 in
- Eye Relief (in) – Low: 3.7
- Eye Relief (in) – High: 3.7
- Linear FOV (ft./100 yd.) – Low: 105.8
Choosing the Best Leupold Scopes for 308 Rifles
Magnification
When looking for a scope for your .308, it is very crucial to check the magnification power. Depending on your planned use, you will need a scope with a certain level of magnification.
For example, you might not need ultra-high magnification power when using the rifle for deer, game, or elk hunting. In these cases, the magnification should allow you to capture targets fast and easily.
Weatherproofing
This is very crucial if you will be using your rifle primarily for hunting. Most hunting activities occur in the early morning or late evening when there is rain, thick fog, or a combination of both.
You should look for a scope that can handle whatever mother nature throws at it. It should be waterproof, dustproof, fog-proof, and also a bit shockproof.
Lens coating
This helps to minimize reflection and glare with maximum light transmission.
Lens coating comes in coated (single coat, single external lens only), fully coated (single coat, both external lenses), multi-coated lenses (multiple coats, single external lens), and fully multi-coated optics (multiple coats, both external lenses).
Eye relief
Although there is not much recoil in the .308 Winchester, the rifle can shake up new, inexperienced users. It is therefore essential to get a scope with adequate eye relief.
You can consider one with at least a 3 ½” to 4″ eye relief.
Weight
Weight is also significant to consider when purchasing a scope. The weight of the scope is influenced by many factors, including the size of the lenses.
A scope with a fixed 9x zoom and a 42mm objective lens is the perfect choice when looking for a lightweight scope.
Reticle
If you intend to shoot long distances, a BDC reticle could be the best option for you.
The reticle offers bullet drop compensation and windage and elevation adjustments with every shot.
Objective Lens
Big objective lenses tend to result in maximizing weight. The objective lens of your scope should provide image quality with a manageable weight.
For hunting, you can opt for a 42mm objective lens to 50mm.
Final Thoughts
Winchester .308 rifle is a well-built rifle that serves any hunter well in many situations. Even so, the rifle is more valuable with a good quality scope. The best Leupold scopes for 308 rifles help to get the best experience with the rifle.
This review discussed riflescopes with high-quality materials and improved weatherproof features for the best lifelong performance.
In addition, they are easy to use with easily accessible adjustment features and magnification to suit cater to any shooter’s needs.
See also; Leupold Scopes for Deer Hunting