Best 300 Win Mag Scopes – 2022 Top Picks and Upgrades

| Last Updated:
September 25, 2023

The 300 Win Mag is one of the best cartridges for those that need power and long-distance performance. But you’ll need a pretty heavy-duty scope to make the most of this cartridge. Here, we’ll walk you through what you should look for when pairing a scope with a 300 Win Mag.

Best 300 Win Mag Scopes Comparison Chart 

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Excellent Long-Range Optics
  • Ultra-Forgiving Eye Box
  • Generous Warranty
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  • Twilight Max Light Management for Performance in All Light Conditions
  • Quick Sighting for Easy Target Acquisition
  • Leupold’s Classic Lifetime Warranty
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  • ACSS HUD DMR Reticle Gives Excellent Sighting
  • 14x Max Magnification
  • Rugged and Durable Build
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  • Multi-Coated Lens for Clear, Bright Images
  • Dead-Hold Reticle Performs at Various Distances
  • Solid Aluminum Body With Full Fog and Waterproofing
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  • Quick Sighting for Easy Targeting
  • Crisp and Clear Images
  • Leupold’s Classic Lifetime Warranty
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  • Max Magnification of 20x for Elite, Long-Distance Performance
  • Nearly indestructible Build
  • Lifetime Limited Warranty
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  • Excellent Light Transmission for Consistent Image Quality
  • Turrets Allow for Easy Zeroing
  • One of the Most Affordable Scopes Out There
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What is the Effective Range of the 300 Win Mag?

The 300 Win Mag is a favorite of big game hunters because of its power and effectiveness at long ranges.

The effective range of a 300 Win Mag will depend on more than just the round. It will also depend on the rifle and the scope. In general, the 300 Win Mag is one of the flattest shooting cartridges out there, giving it a long effective range.

If you are using a powerful rifle with a top-of-the-line scope, a 300 Win Mag could still be effective at over 1000 yards. This makes it an excellent choice for those that need a cartridge that allows for big game hunting at long distance.

Features of Our Favorite 300 Win Mag Scopes

You’ll need a heavy-duty scope to handle a 300 Win Mag. Here are some features you should look for to find the right scope:

Construction

A 300 Win Mag can pack quite the punch. That’s why you’ll need a scope that has a sturdy construction so that it can absorb the recoil of this powerful round.

Range

Most people using a 300 Win Mag will be using a scope with long-distance range. When you’re picking out a scope, make sure the focal length and magnification are appropriate for the round you plan to use.

Eye Relief 

If you’re using a 300 Win Mag, you’re going to need a scope that gives you plenty of eye relief. The recoil with this round can be quite hard, so find a scope that will keep your eye safe.

Review of the Best 300 Win Mag Scopes

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best scopes out there for a 300 Win Mag. There are a lot of scopes to choose from. To save you some time, we’ve chosen some of the best. Remember, there’s not one scope that will be right for every user. Keep in mind the type of hunting or shooting you will be doing as you choose a scope.

Best Overall:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II

Pros

  • Generous Eye Relief
  • Clear and Bright Images
  • Great Fog and Waterproofing

Cons

  • Poor Performance at Short Distances

What makes this scope particularly well suited for a 300 Win Mag is its long-range performance. It has excellent magnification, so you’ll get a clear image from far away. And the long focal length means that its field of view is perfect for long distance shots.

The turrets are well-constructed and easy to adjust. The scope also has some of the best zeroing that you’ll find for the price.

The Crossfire II has a durable aluminum casing that holds up well in rugged terrain. And the fog and waterproofing are excellent, so you shouldn’t have to worry about using it in wet conditions.

What’s not to like about the scope? It won’t perform well at shorter distances. Its field of view is too narrow and image quality may be blurry. However, if you are hunting with a 300 Win, you probably aren’t taking many short distance shots, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

The scope features a moderate price and comes with a full lifetime warranty

Bottom Line

Those looking for the perfect scope for a 300 Win Mag will need great long distance performance and that’s exactly what you get with the Crossfire II. It has excellent optics, so you’ll get clear images even when maxing out the magnification, and the sturdy build can take the heavy recoil of the round. It’s also quite affordable.

Best Leupold Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Pros

  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Excellent Light Transmission
  • Lens Has Tough Anti-Abrasion Coating
  • Clear, Bright Images With Excellent Contrast
  • Sturdy, Durable Build That Holds Up Over Time

Cons

  • A Bit More Expensive Than Other Options

Leupold makes a wide range of high-performance, affordable scopes. The VX-3i is the best of this line of scopes, offering bright and clear optics in a durable body.

The scope has the optical quality you’d expect from Leupold. Images are bright and clear and have excellent contrast. The reticle is simple but effective and has quick sighting so that you can always find the target.

The lens is coated with DiamondCoat 2, giving it some of the best light transmission you’ll find in a scope of this price. No matter what lighting conditions you are using the scope in, you’ll still get a clear, bright image.

The coating also has excellent anti-abrasion protection. No matter how rugged the terrain, the lens will hold up well.

The scope has generous eye relief, which is great when you’re using a powerful round like a 300 Win.

It’s a bit more expensive than other scopes in the VX line. And it doesn’t perform as well as shorter distances. But the excellent optics, durable body, and forgiving eye relief make it worth the investment. And it also comes with Leupold’s famous lifetime warranty.

Bottom Line

This is one of the best scopes for those that need high-end Leupold performance for a rifle using a 300 Win Mag. The sturdy build can take the impact from the powerful round and the eye box keeps you safe. With some of the best magnification of any entry-level Leupold scope, it’s perfect for long range hunting with a 300 Win Mag. If this wasn’t already enough, it comes with a full lifetime warranty.

Best Scope for Long Range:
Primary Arms 4-14x44 FFP Rifle Scope

Pros

  • Durable Build
  • Water and Fog Proof
  • One of the Best Reticles in Its Class
  • Great Image Quality at Max Magnification

Cons

  • Warranty is Only Three Years

This scope features some of the best magnification you’ll find at this price. At 14x, you’ll still get clear, bright images. This makes it an excellent option for those that want to use a 300 Win Mag for long-range shots.

The light transmission isn’t quite as good as what you’ll find in some of the Leupold models. However, the scope still performs well in a variety of light conditions. And the reticle has excellent sighting, helping you to quickly engage with a target at a variety of distances.

The scope also has excellent durability, so it will hold up in rough terrain and against repeated shots. This makes it a great scope for a rifle using a 300 Win round, as it can have quite the recoil. The fog and waterproofing are great as well, so you won’t have to worry about wet conditions.

What’s the downside of this scope? Unlike Leupold scopes, you only get a three-year warranty. Although this scope is durable, you won’t get a replacement if anything breaks after a few years.

Bottom Line

This scope from Pro Arms has excellent optics, a great reticle, and a sturdy build. But where it really stands out is with its magnification. You won’t get blurry images, even at 14x, making this the best option for those that want to use a 300 Win Mag for long distance shooting.

Best Vortex Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Vortex Optics Diamondback

Pros

  • Zeroing is Easy
  • Generous Warranty
  • Rugged Build Holds Up
  • Magnification is Excellent  
  • Great Clarity, Brightness, and Contrast

Cons

  • Stiff Dials

Vortex makes some of the best scopes for the money, with a wide variety of options depending on how you want to shoot. If you need a Vortex scope to use with a 300 Win Mag, you should go for the Diamondback. It has the toughness to stand up to the recoil of the round and the long-distance capability you’ll need.

The turrets on the scope are great for zeroing, which means you’ll get consistent accuracy. The turrets can be a bit stiff, however.

The multi-coated lenses have great clarity and brightness. They won’t beat the Leupold scopes, but they aren’t far behind. You’ll get excellent image quality at all of the magnification levels, although some users report blurring at higher magnification.

The Diamondback has a tough build that will stand up to the heavy kick of a 300 Win round. And the waterproofing and fog proofing are about as good as you’ll get for a scope in this class.

Possibly the best part about this scope? It has one of the lowest price tags you’ll find on any of the scopes reviewed here.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a Vortex scope to use with a 300 Win Mag, the Diamondback won’t let you down. It has a tough build that withstands the recoil force, excellent eye relief, and 14x magnification for long distance shooting. And it’s one of the most affordable Vortex scopes.

Best Hunting Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Riflescope

Pros

  • Great Value for the Money
  • Excellent Fog and Waterproofing
  • Lens Gives Clear and Bright Images
  • Lifetime Warranty Gives Full Protection
  • Quick Sighting for Easy Target Acquisition

Cons

  • Blurry at Close Distances

Leupold makes some of the best hunting scopes you can find, and the VX-1 is no exception. It offers some of the best hunting performance you’ll find at this price range and is the perfect companion to a 300 Win Mag.

Where the VX-1 stands out is with its quick sighting. The scope will allow you to easily focus in on a target at a wide range of distances. This makes it perfect for those that plan on hunting with a 300 Win Mag at medium to long distances.

As this is a Leupold scope, you can expect some of the best optics you’ll find in a hunting scope. The lens has a multi-coat system that gives it excellent light transmission. This means it performs well in just about any light conditions.

Although one of the best all-around hunting scopes you can find, it performs best at a range starting around 150 yards. If you plan on short distance hunting, this won’t be the best choice.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a high-end hunting scope with excellent optics and a durable build, you’ll find everything you need in the VX-1. Its lens gives great brightness and clarity, and its sturdy body can take the high impacts that come from using a 300 Win Mag. You get all of this performance in a scope that is moderately-priced and that comes with a full lifetime warranty.

Best Nightforce Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Nightforce Optics 5-20x56 SHV Riflescope

Pros

  • A Great Warranty
  • Super-Durable Build
  • Top-of-the-Line Magnification
  • Smooth Sighting MOAR Reticle
  • Sharp and Bright Images at Long Distances

Cons

  • Doesn’t Come Cheap

Nightforce makes scopes that offer some serious performance. If you need a Nightforce scope for use with a 300 Win Mag, the 5-20x56 SHV is your best choice. The huge lens gives you great performance at long distance and the sturdy build can handle the power of the round.

The first thing you’ll notice about this scope is the lens. It’s a big piece of glass, and it makes full use of its size.

You can get magnification up to 20x, making this the best long-distance scope reviewed here. The image quality still holds up even at the highest magnification levels, so you won’t get any blurring at long distances.

The scope features a MOAR second plane reticle that offers excellent sighting. And it’s visible in a wide variety of lighting conditions.

The scope offers durability to match its performance. This thing is built to last, with a solid aluminum casing that is airtight. It can easily take the recoil from even the most powerful rounds. And it comes with a lifetime limited warranty.

What’s the downside of this scope? It’s a lot more expensive than the other options here. However, if you need elite performance and want a scope that will last you for years, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Bottom Line

Sometimes, performance is all that matters. If you need one of the best scopes money can buy, this is one of your best options. It’s 20x magnification means it pairs perfectly with a long distance round like a 300 Win. And the durable body means it stands up to just about anything. It’s quite the investment, but worth it if you want one of the best scopes out there.

Best Nikon Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Nikon Buckmasters II, 4-12x40mm

Pros

  • Transmits 98% of Light
  • Reticle Gives Quick Sighting
  • Solid, Fog and Waterproof Build

Cons

  • Long-Distance Performance Not Ideal

Nikon is better known for their photography gear. But they also use that expertise to craft quality scopes. If you want a Nikon scope that goes well with a 300 Win Mag, you should choose the Buckmasters II.

The lens on the Buckmasters II will transmit around 98% of light. This is better than just about any other scope reviewed here. You’ll get great image quality no matter what the light conditions are.

The multi-coated lens gives you a bright, crisp, image with excellent contrast. And it has excellent anti-abrasion properties, so it holds up well in the roughest terrain.

The turrets can be resetted, making it easy to zero. This keeps the scope accurate and makes the scope really user-friendly.

The reticle on the scope allows for excellent sighting, helping you engage targets at a wide variety of distances. And it also serves as a bullet drop compensator, adding even more functionality.

Bottom Line

The Buckmasters II is one of the best options out there for those that want a moderately-priced scope to pair with a 300 Win Mag. It has a tough build that can hold up to the recoil and excellent optics that give you a clear and bright image.

Conclusion

There are a lot of great scopes out there. But not all of them will be right for a rifle with a 300 Win Mag. You’ll need a scope that has a sturdy build and optics built for long range shooting. With our guide and reviews, you can find the scope that is perfect for you. 

Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.

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