Top 10 Best Scope For 243 Rifle – Reviews
The long guns chambered in .243 Winchester belong to the mainstream firearms and deserves attention when it comes to choosing the best scope for .243 rifle. Initially, a wildcat, the .243 Winchester or 6.2x52mm appeared in the early fifties as a far superior caliber to boring old .25-caliber rounds.
Developed as a modification of the .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm), the .243 Win was intended to be used in light deer rifles, but it also found fertile soil in the world of varminters.
With a potential, if necessary, to bring down larger game such as wild boar or black bear, the .243 Winchester round quickly gained popularity among hunters worldwide. Anyway, the .243 has adequate killing power for the small to medium sized game with the fastest kills being produced inside 200 yards.
Since the .243 Winchester would still have, the advantages of the high-velocity .22-calibers for long-range varmint hunting most hunters would advise a specific scope to complement the .243 rifle.
The quality riflescope with large objective bell is mandatory as it can help you observe predators clearly during the early morning or evening hours when they are most active.
Besides that, as an all-around best scope for .243 Win, we would advise the variable power riflescope with low-end magnification in the 4-8x range while the higher end magnification of 12 to 25x will be the best.
There are many available scopes on the market compatible with the .243 rifle, so choosing one can be quite difficult. Because it is almost impossible to read all the online reviews, we have prepared this overview to let you alone figure out which of these ten riflescopes from different price ranges would be the most appropriate to your needs and shooting style.
Here are the Top 10 Scopes for .243 Winchester Rifles:
Name | Magnification & OL | Reticle | FOV | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescope | 3-12x56 | V-Brite Illuminated (MOA) | 36.7-9.2 ft/100 yd | |
Leupold VX-2 Compact Riflescope | 4-12x40mm | Duplex Reticle | 20.40-9.70/ft 100 yd | |
Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20x50 PA Riflescopes | 6.5-20x50 | Mil Dot Reticle | 17.4-6.2 feet/100 yards | |
Nikon MONARCH 3 BDC Riflescope | 4-16x42 | BDC Reticle | 6.3 - 25.2 ft @ 100 yds | |
Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes | 3-15x44 | EBR-2C (MOA) | 41.2-8.6 feet/100 yards | |
RITON Scope Review: RT-S Mod 3 | 1-4x24 | RITON BDC Reticle | 112/34.1@1x - 27/8.23@4x(ft@100yds/m@100m) | |
BARSKA IR Tactical Rifle Scope | 6-20x50 | Mil-Dot | 16/5.3@6x-5/1.7@20x(ft@100yds/m@100m) | |
Bushnell Trophy XLT Review | 3-9x40 | Multi-X reticle | 3x-40ft&12mt(@100ft/@10mt) | |
NcStar Scope Review: Red Illuminated | 3-9X42 | P4 SNIPER | 37.7-12.5(feet at 100 yards) | |
LEUPOLD VX-2 Review: 1.5-4x28 IER Scout Scope | 1.5-4x28 | Duplex Reticle | 41.70ft-17.30 ft(@100 Yards) |
Our Picks
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> V-Brite Illuminated Reticle (MOA) <
Score: 5 Andrew Garfield
The Vortex riflescopes from Crossfire II series are completely redesigned and built for hard-core shooters while at the same time their price will not break the bank.
This Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO Rifle Scope with- V-Brite Illuminated Reticle delivers performance and durability that exceeds standards of similarly priced riflescopes.
The Vortex mission-specific Hog Hunter Riflescope is a purpose-made scope made just for what the name suggests – hog hunting.
Built around 30mm single-piece of aluminum housing, the tube is nitrogen- purged for water and fogproof performance in extreme conditions.
Thanks to over-sized 56 mm objective lens designed for use in low-light conditions, avid hog hunters can now place shots at dusk, dawn or in heavy cover, when hogs are most active.
Features:
- The most common complaints consumers relate to is a poorly designed battery cover that can fly off at times and slight fish eye at minimum power.
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-12 x 56 is built for hunting big game, it fits well on the .243 as expected, and the 56mm objective brings in a lot of ambient light, making it great for shooting in a low light hunting situation.
This particular scope is a great option if you plan to hunt sitting in a blind or heavy cover/brush and shoot at short to intermediate ranges at dusk.
Score: 4.8 Andrew Garfield
If you want a good general purpose scope for your .243 rifle than it is hard to go wrong with a 3-9x scope. However, if you want to broaden your capabilities with a wider magnification range, the perfect choice would be Leupold VX-2 with 4x to 12x power range.
Featuring a versatile 3:1 zoom ratio and moderate size 40mm objective bell, the Leupold VX-2 4-12x40mm is appropriate for a wide range of shooting conditions and game.
With a length of 12.4” and weight14 oz., the 1" main tube justifies the word Compact in its name. The two-piece scope body is built of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum, sealed against moisture, and nitrogen filled to provide fog proof and waterproof virtues, the qualities so appreciated by the hunters.
Features:
- However, the wide range of eye relief is not so convenient because it makes finding the sweet spot behind the scope pretty hard, especially at low power.
Since the VX-2 is the lineal descendant of the famous Vari-X II line, it is one of the more popular budget scope series in the Leupold line with all glass surfaces protected by proprietary Multicoat 4 anti-reflective lens coatings.
VX II hunting scopes are a good match for most big game rifles and dual-purpose calibers such as .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts or 6mm Remington.
Score: 4.8 Andrew Garfield
Vortex Optics has their product range spanning all pockets and needs, from the top end Razor to an inexpensive Crossfire riflescope from China. The Viper line is made in the Philippines and offers a vast choice of models and magnifications.
Combination of the 30 mm tube and 50mm objective bells allows long-range capability, but it will also be useful in the dark adding several minutes of hunting time in both morning and evening hunts.
The Viper housing is provided with waterproof and fogproof features utilizing O-ring seals and Argon gas purging. The 30mm body tube is the single-piece construction of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with a long and tapering objective bell.
Features:
- While the Viper 6.5-20x is very clear even at 20 power, many users have found that eye relief, ranging from 3.3-3.1 inches, beyond 16 power becomes very critical.
However, close eye relief should not present a treat to your eyebrow even at x20 when you are shooting a light recoil .243 Win rifle.
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 represents a great choice for hunting or tactical shooting with a couple of caveats. This particular scope shares many of the same characteristics as much more expensive riflescopes offering at the same time merely optical quality and reliability at an affordable price.
Score: 4.5 Andrew Garfield
The Nikon offers MONARCH 3 line in eight different magnifications making it currently the single largest riflescope series in the Nikon lineup.
All members of Nikon Monarch 3 family include 1-inch main tubes and a 4X zoom system that allows 4 inches of eye relief throughout the entire power range.
These all-purpose riflescopes are suitable for light-duty hunting or shooting activities and should be on any list of the best optics for .243 Win rifle.
With being said that all the optics in this line are water, fog and shock proof, this Monarch 3 is particularly popular optic among whitetails hunters.
Features:
- Two minor things disappoint some users about this scope. While the smaller 42mm lenses diameter is promising low mounting, its objective bell is almost two inches in diameter, requiring that you need medium-profile rings to mount the scope.
- Another gripe refers to side knob for Parallax adjustment. It has the distance ranges that are not marked correctly, meaning that the numbers on it do not really tell you the true distance.
Anyway, The Monarch 3 4-16X42 is offering almost anything, what an average deer hunter or shooter is requesting from optics, making this riflescope an excellent compromise between the price and quality.
Score: 5 Andrew Garfield
We are going to end up with the most expensive riflescope on the list, a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15x44 with reticle located in the First Focal Plane.
The Viper PST 3-15x scopes are ideally suited to provide you in close quarters combat as well as designed for engagements at long-range distances in the very harsh environments.
The Viper PST (Precision Shooting Tactical) Gen II series riflescopes are the successor of the Vortex Viper PST generation 1 riflescopes, the bestselling and the most favored series of Vortex tactical riflescopes.
The more affordable PST line has been modeled upon the Vortex highest quality class Razor HD series riflescopes featuring nearly all the virtues of its distinguished predecessor.
Features:
- However, all the Gen 2 enhancements draw some negatives such as heavier weight and very stiff dials for the magnification, illumination and parallax adjustment.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best scopes for .243Win considering rifle-cartridge combo and your needs. With maximum 15x magnification, Vortex 3-15x44 offers plenty of zoom for the .243 Winchester and the distances appropriate for this caliber.
If you are considering an extended range variable scope at an excellent price, the Vortex PST Gen II 3-15x44 FFP is a great choice.
Score: 5 Andrew Garfield
The RT S is constructed specifically for the 243 and other rifles. It has multi coated optics and that enhances the image you see. The scope is solidly built, as it is comprised of aluminum that’s been certified aircraft ready.
A lot of attention has been placed on the scope’s clarity and it delivers. The lens transmits light so images are even if there is little light, i.e. dusk or dawn. The field of view is good and complements the objective lens.
Aiming and locking in on a target is easy and accurate. The eye relief and exit pupil are effective and makes the scope simple to use. While the scope runs fine as is, you can make adjustments until the target is at the right spot. We also have to take note of its waterproofing as it’s very good.
Features:
Pros
Cons
The RT S is one of the most versatile riflescopes you can buy right now. It is very accurate and the range is exceptionally good. With its wide field of view and clear optics, the RT S is a riflescope that you’ll be using for a long time.
Score: 4 Andrew Garfield
Barska manufactures a lot of good riflescopes, and the 6-20×50 belongs on this list. It comes ready with fully multicoated optics, and you’ll see the difference as images appear clearer and sharper.
The excellent light transmission boosts clarity even in low light environments. The scope has no shortage of adjustment options and the incremental changes you make ha have an impact on the accuracy and range.
The lens output quality is sill good even if there is limited light. The scope is also one of the best when it comes to dealing with recoil. Even when mounted on a 243 or another rifle, the scope doesn’t shake.
The scope works best on the 243, but it is also compatible with a lot of other rifles. As long as it’s fit then the scope should run fine. The scope is also shockproof so it’s got what it takes to withstand heavy duty use. Even if the weather gets damp the accuracy isn’t affected.
Features:
Pros
Cons
The Barska 6-20x50 IR Scope is reliable, heavy duty and accurate. The scope handles recoil well and holds zero even after a hundred rounds.
Score: 4.6 Andrew Garfield
The XLT says it is built for hunting big game, and it lives up to that. It fits well on the 242 as expected, and it is also compatible with a bunch of other hunting rifles.
Mounting is easy and it doesn’t get rattled even when you’re firing rifles packed with a lot of power. The optics are clear and crisp. Images are clearest in daylight of course, but there is enhanced light if conditions are less than ideal.
It is fog proof and waterproof so your vision won’t be affected. Sometimes as clear as a scope is, the target is just too far too see. In this case, you just use the 3-9x magnification until the target clears up.
Features:
Pros
Cons
The XLT is a good riflescope, easy to adjust and works in various weather conditions and settings. If you are not satisfied with the performance of your riflescope, the XLT is worthy upgrade that will enhance accuracy.
Score: 4.2 Andrew Garfield
The NcStar is compatible not just with the 243 rifle but other hunting firearms. The difference between the NcStar and the ordinary scope is the objective lens here does a better job of transmitting light.
When you look in the scope, images come out crisp, colors are produced accurately and there is contrast. The magnification is 3-9x, and that is more than adequate for zooming in and seeing more detail.
Even if you zoom in a lot, there is no blurring. The scope is also more effective in dealing with recoil than other scopes. The illuminated reticle is also helpful in many cases though it could be brighter.
Overall the performance is steady and reliable. If there are adjustments to be made, it is easy to do so. From the magnification to the field of view, it is easy to fine tune.
Features:
Pros
Cons
The NcStar has the features you’ll need for hunting game and varmint. It is also very accurate so you will find this useful for target shooting in general. If your 243 is not as precise as you want it to be, consider the NcStar.
Score: 4.5 Andrew Garfield
The VX 2 is one of the more popular scopes in the Leupold line, and deservedly so. The scope is of good quality and the optics are sharp. The amount of light transmitted is very high so you can see the target even under low lighting.
The objective lens is also well made and is complemented by the magnification. You can set the scope at maximum zoom in and there is no major distortion. As you may have guessed, the glass is fog proof, waterproof and shockproof so you can take this along hunting.
We also like its eye relief as it is long enough to keep the scope comfortable even with prolonged use. Overall, the VX 2 offers reliable performance and its accuracy level is exceptional even among Leupold rifle scopes.
Features:
Pros
Cons
The VX 2 is as good as advertised, giving you excellent range while still being effective to use. It is also the kind of riflescope you can rely on for hunting and other activities that longtime and new 243 rifle owners will appreciate.
How We Wrote This Review
The 5 reviews on this guide were written to help buyers find the right scope for their rifle, which in this case is the 243. There are many other reviews online, but we set ourselves apart by focusing only on scopes that are built specifically for this rifle.
By limiting the reviews to these, you no longer have to concern yourself with compatibility. These reviews are also written so new and advanced shooters can easily understand what it is about.
We cover all the pertinent details so you don’t have to look elsewhere to get the data you are looking for. The pros and cons are also included so you will know what the scope can and cannot do well.
The emphasis is on making these reviews as informative and accessible as possible. To ensure this is the case we did extensive research and performed many tests.
What is the Advantage of a Best Scope for 243 Rifle?
If you have been using an ordinary riflescope for your 243, the difference is like night and day. The most important benefit is these scopes are constructed from the ground up to function with the 243 rifle.
In an idea world you just put a scope on and you can shoot straight and true. But that is not how it works. You need to consider the light transmission, clarity, weight, magnification and so on. You also have to think about how easy it is to make adjustments on the go.
What does this all mean? Quite simply that there are a lot of factors that a buyer needs to look into, and if any of these are not up to par there will be problems. If you’re going to buy a scope, might as well get one that is certified to work with your riflescope.
How We Choose the Top 10
Our selection was made by comparing each product’s features to make sure that they match our standards. Not all riflescopes for the 243 are capable of delivering quality results or aiming accurately. To ensure the quality of the selection we used the following guidelines.
Who Should Buy These Scopes?
These riflescopes are aimed at 243 rifle owners. If you own this rifle and unhappy with the scope you’re using, any of these scopes will suffice as replacement. But these scopes are also for you if:
Conclusion
A riflescope is an integral part of the 243, as it leads to more accurate shots and easier target acquisition. The reason we came up with these products is to shorten the process of selection so you will be more productive.
With a well made riflescope, all those problems with accuracy, lack of range, inconsistency and so on will no longer bother you. By reading these reviews, you can determine what features are most applicable for your 243.
The nice thing about these scopes is they’re versatile and can handle different situations. As these reviews above have shown, all of these scopes are of exceptional quality. Of course while all ten are for the 243, their features and capabilities differ.
Since your needs will be different from that of the other user, it is best if you’re the one who choose which is the best scope for 243 rifle.
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