The 300 Blackout is a new, versatile kind of weapon that’s here to stay. But what makes it worthwhile, and are there good scopes to use with this new weapon and cartridge? Let us explain what exactly makes the Blackout worth all the talk and show you some great examples of optimal scopes to use alongside it.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Scope for Blackout 300
- OUR TOP PICK: Trijicon VCOG 1-6x24 Riflescope Ballistic Reticle
- BEST BUSHNELL SCOPE: Bushnell AR91424BI Optics Main Tube Drop Zone 300 Blackout Illuminated Scope, 1-4 x 24mm/30mm, Matte Black
- BEST NIKON SCOPE: Nikon INLINE XR BDC 300 Riflescope, Matte Black, 3-9x40
Comparison of the Best 300 Blackout Scopes
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What is the Effective Range of a 300 Blackout?
The 300 Blackout cartridges were originally developed as a replacement for certain round types that were being retired from military use. Rounds for M4 rifles and similar weapons were developed to meet the growing needs of versatile firefights, with an emphasis on sub-sonic engagements and versatility.
The result of years of design were 300 Blackout rounds, designed to be versatile cartridges for use with common rifle platforms such as an M4. These cartridges, combined with a 300 Blackout weapon, produce little recoil.
To use 300 Blackout rounds, you’ll need to convert an existing AR-15 or M4 rifle by replacing the barrel for use with these different bullets. However, the rest of the rifle can remain the same. You’ll gain the ability to shoot with a suppressor and improved barrel life.
You will also be able to hunt because the cartridges are larger than .308 and can thus, get by hunting regulations. The powder charge from a 300 Blackout is phenomenal. A 300 Blackout can at shoot supersonic or sub-sonic speeds.
While it is not designed specifically for long-range use, it is possible to reliably hit targets with a 300 Blackout at ranges up to 460 meters. However, 100 meters or less is definitely the sweet spot or optimal firing distance for this rifle. The 300 Blackout was designed for urban combat, such as the kind currently facing the United States military. As such, scopes with around 1-6x magnification will suit its purposes best.
How to Choose a 300 Blackout Scope
Before we get into specific scopes, there are a few things you need to keep in mind while choosing a scope. These features are key to look for in any sight that catches your eye.
Magnification
Don’t go for a scope that has long magnification, as this weapon is designed for short-distance combat and hunting and won’t make effective use of long magnification levels. You’ll essentially be wasting money that you could spend on other areas. Instead, try to find scopes that have around 6x or less magnification as their maximum.
Eye Relief
This is the distance from which you rest your eye from the scope. Anything around 3-4 inches is a good distance and any closer runs a slight risk of damaging your eye when your rifle bucks from recoil. However, farther eye relief can affect your accuracy negatively.
Lens Quality
A good lens affects the rest of the scope. You’ll want to be careful and find a scope with a high-quality lens that can withstand long use and lots of recoil without cracking or fracturing. In addition, some lenses have a scratch-resistant coating and other materials that improve light diffusion; these are always good perks to look for.
Construction
Finally, get a scope that’s built to last. It’s always better to pay a little more up front and get a good scope than to have to go back and buy another one once the cheap model breaks. You'll save yourself time and money by getting a sturdy, quality-made scope the first time.
Review of the Best 300 Blackout Scopes
Now let’s get into the best 300 Blackout scopes on the market. We’ll explain what makes them exceptional, as well as any flaws they might have.
Best Overall:
Trijicon VCOG Riflescope
Pros
Cons
The best scope to use with a 300 Blackout is the VCOG scope. For starters, its magnification levels are perfect. They can go between 1x and 6x magnification, which is the sweet spot for close quarters, urban, or tactical shooting. However, this magnification can still provide value for hunters, too.
The scope’s reticle is illuminated by LED lights via a long-lasting battering that can give you 700 hours of red light or 1400 hours of green light, depending on your preference. The scope’s optics are made from superior glass that boasts zero light distortion and makes your sight picture perfect every time.
The size and shape are perfect for an M4 or AR-15 platform and installation is easy with the mount that comes with the purchase. The scope is expensive, but if you want the highest possible quality, you won't need to look further than the Trijicon VCOG.
Bottom Line
This premium scope has it all; excellent optics, red or green LED reticle, and superior glass that produces an amazing sight picture. Its mount and construction are both very sturdy and durable, and the battery lasts for an amazing amount of time before it needs replacement. The magnification settings are ideal, too.
Best Bushnell Scope:
Bushnell AR91424BI
Pros
Cons
This scope makes use of a first focal plane reticle to work for each of its four magnification settings. The Bushnell’s reticle will shrink or grow based on what magnification you’re on, keeping your measurements accurate no matter how far or close you’re looking.
The reticle can be illuminated via 11 different stages, so you can utilize it on either bright days or in dim nighttime conditions without harming your eyes. The optics are also multi-coated to make the glass scratch-resistant and are great at bringing light to your eye without diffusing it and making your sight picture blurry.
The dials along the sides and top adjust the values above and are also for adjusting for windage and elevation. While they are precise, they're packed so closely together that it's too easy to unintentionally change more than one at a time.
The scope is relatively tough and durable and we really like its overall size and weight. It’s so light you’ll almost not notice it once it’s been installed.
Bottom Line
The Bushnell scope is perfect for use throughout the day or night and its reticle will provide optimal assistance throughout each of its magnification levels. The optics are crisp and clear and the scope is tough for use outdoors or in rough situations.
Best Nikon Scope:
Nikon INLINE XR BDC 300 Riflescope
Pros
Cons
Nikon brings an excellent riflescope to the table with its INLINE model. This has a special reticle that is see-through at the top, allowing you to more easily track game or targets as they move or shift with a crowded background. Magnification levels can go from 3x to 9x, which is a little long-range for a 300 Blackout but still manageable, and it makes good use of this scope’s reticle.
The turret keeps everything stable and secure and makes your adjustments more precise; this is great to pair with rapid-fire shooting since recoil is compensated for very well.
In addition, the large amount of eye relief – five inches – ensures that you won’t be harmed even if recoil climbs to dangerous levels since you’ll be keeping your brow far away from the scope.
The windage and elevation adjusters are very smooth and easy to manipulate. The overall shape of the scope is appealing and compact, although it’s somewhat long and bulky, which might make it difficult to install on smaller rifles.
Bottom Line
Nikon’s scope is meant for farther-ranged combat with the 300 Blackout and can magnify up to 9x. The scope is well-suited for this kind of shooting and its reticle makes tracking targets easier than ever. A stable turret and precise adjusters continue to adjust for potential recoil and generous eye relief protects your brow under any circumstances.
Best Vortex Scope:
Vortex Optics Strike Eagle
Pros
Cons
The Strike Eagle scope can magnify up to 6x, right in the perfect zoom range for 300 Blackouts. The reticle is very crisp and clean, far better than the busier reticles of cheaper models. It can be illuminated with 11 different settings, allowing you to utilize it in bright or dark environments.
The lens is in the second focal plane, which means that it does not grow or shrink as you change the magnification level. This can make on-the-fly measurements or adjustments tricky, but with some practice, you'll be able to compensate and estimate the difference between the settings. The optimal zoom setting for this reticle is 3x.
The glass of the lens is multi-coated to bring you exceptional brightness and color quality. These factors combine to provide a perfect sight picture in any of the magnification levels.
The scope’s battery is long-lasting, but even if it wasn’t, you could compensate thanks to the storage slot conveniently located near its top. This can hold a spare battery for easy switching in a hurry or emergency.
The scope is very durable and is totally weatherproof, so you can safely take it out into any element without worrying about it breaking down during a fight or hunt.
Bottom Line
The Strike Eagle scope is great for use outdoors, both thanks to its illumination settings and its weatherproof construction. Its sight picture is superb and the reticle is very precise and easy to utilize. However, you’ll have to learn how to compensate for distance and range adjustments when not on the 3x magnification level.
Best for Hunting:
Leupold VX-3i Rifle Scope
Pros
Cons
This is the premium choice if you want to take your versatile rifle out hunting. The Leupold is built to last, as it’s totally weatherproof and its lens is coated for abrasion-resistance. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and tested for durability. You can take this scope into the wild without fear of it becoming damaged or broken.
It has features to compensate for battery loss, too; the Twilight System gives you 20 extra minutes of shooting light and reduced glare to improve your image quality as the battery goes down, allowing you to extend the duration of your hunt even if your resources are running low.
The DiamondCoat lens allows extremely-high light transmission, improving your sight picture quality and keeping color and contrast levels popping; this is crucial when hunting in thick, crowded environments like forests.
The magnification levels of this scope are a little high for the optimal range of the 300 Blackout, but hunting often requires some distance between you and the target so it’s not a real flaw, but more of a thing to keep in mind before purchasing.
Bottom Line
The Leupold is a good choice for hunters due to its longer operational distance and excellent durability. This scope is sure to last even during long voyages into the wild. Furthermore, its lens is of a premium quality that gives you the accuracy and clarity you need to land the shots that count and which make a successful hunt.
Conclusion
The 300 Blackout allows for amazing versatility in so many situations that its value can be found in almost any shooting activity. We hope this guide has helped you recognize how fun and interesting the 300 Blackout is and has given you some great scopes to choose from to go along with your rifle. Happy hunting!
