FFP scope for 308
The.308 Winchester is one of the most popular cartridges, for medium to long-range shooting. Some of the reasons that make it popular include;
- Compatibility– it’s compatible with the common, 7.62x51mm NATO round because it’s based on its architecture. This also means that it can be fired from a wide range of rifles and machine guns chambered in 7.62x51mm
- Availability– unlike rounds such as the 300 BLK the .308 is easily available and produced by many manufacturers.
- Versatility– even though it’s mostly preferred for hunting small and big game like; deer, elk, and moose, it can also be used for target shooting, and military and law enforcement applications. It’s powerful enough at the same time with relatively low recoil.
- Accuracy– Some shooters prefer the .308 over any other round owing to its accuracy.
This article discusses the best scopes for use with a .308 cartridge to provide the best performance regardless of how the round is used.
It only considers scopes with a first focal plane because they are a popular choice among many shooters.
First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes
A First Focal Plane (FFP) rifle scope has a reticle that appears to change size as the magnification is adjusted. In other words, because the reticle is in front of the magnifying lenses, it appears to grow or shrink in size along with the image of the target.
Although these types of scope are usually more expensive compared to the ones with a second focal plane (SFP), they also carry some advantages which include; providing a more accurate estimation of the target range, more precise holdover corrections at any magnification, and not obscuring the target at lower magnifications when the image of the target appears small.
Best FFP Scope for .308-Top Picks
Before the detailed reviews here is a brief summary of the best FFP scope you can get for your 308 cartridge
| Product | Best Price |
| Primary Arms SLx 4-14 x 44mm | |
| Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm | |
| Burris Xtreme Tactical 3-15x50mm | |
| Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm | |
| Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50mm |
The detailed reviews…
1. Primary Arms SLx 4-14 x 44mm Rifle Scope
Not only is this FFP scope affordable it packs good performance and the reticle is purposely tailor-made for the 308 Winchester cartridge.
The scope has a magnification range of 4-14x, making it ideal for medium to long-range targets, and with enough light outside, the image clarity is excellent.
The reticle is a traditional MIL-Dot design and gives a shooter a significant advantage when aiming at long-range targets. This reticle also reduces the need for constant dialing because the hash marks can be used to accurately estimate windage and holdover, for targets at varying distances.
Despite this, the scope incorporates an easily adjustable turret with a tactical design. In addition, a side parallax adjustment knob is easily accessible and comes in handy over long distances when parallax typically tends to arise.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4X – 14X
- Objective Diameter: 44mm
- Click Value: 0.1 Mil
- Reticle: MIL-Dot
- Reticle Type: MRAD
- Exit Pupil: 3.30-11.2 mm
- Eye Relief: 3.14-3.22mm
- Field View @ 100ft: 7.85-27.2 ft
- Focal Plane: First Focal Plane
- 23.9 Oz
Pros
- Very affordable for an FFP
- Perfect for both medium and long-range targets
- A convenient MIL-dot reticle
- Gives a decent image quality
- Value for money
2. Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm Rifle Scope
Not only is this rifle scope dependable it’s also popular, mainly because of the reputation it brings from Vortex.
Vortex is well renowned for developing high-quality optics devices and this is no different. The image quality is excellent thanks to the high-quality glass that is fully multi-coated to reduce the reflective loss of light. The glass even includes a scratch-resistant coating to ensure that the harshness outside doesn’t interfere with the clarity.
The glass is paired with a wide objective lens of 56mm that allows optimal light and enables good performance even under low light.
Vortex strike eagle 5-25x56mm comes with the option of two reticles, an MOA and MRAD, both of which have sub-tension lines and floating wind holds hash marks for holdover and windage correction, to minimize dialing
Another stand-out feature is the built quality of this rifle scope. On the casing, it uses solid aluminum and everything feels like it has been put well together. Moreover, high-quality O-rings prevent dust moisture, and debris from ever getting in, and nitrogen purging on the lens prevents internal fogging
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- 2 reticle options.
- MOA/ MRAD reticle
- Exit Pupil: 2.24 – 11.2 mm
- Field of View: 5.2 – 24 ft at 100 yds
- Dimensions: 14.6 x 4.5 x 3.75 in.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 in
- Weight: 30.4 oz
Pros
- Excellent image clarity
- Generous eye relief
- Versatile 5-25x magnification
- Durable with an excellent build quality
- 2 reticle options MOA /MRAD
3. Burris Xtreme Tactical 3-15x50mm Rifle Scope
This scope has been designed for making precision long-range shots and is suitable for both tactical and competitive shooting.
The Burris FFP’s 50mm objective lens allows for optimum transmission of light which results in a brighter image, and also a wider field of view. In addition, the lens has a proprietary High Lume coating that minimizes glare for better low-light performance.
The varying size of the reticle with magnification allows the shooter to easily and accurately calculate and adjust for holdover when using a 308 cartridge.
The reticle comes in two options either a Mil-dot or MOA with properly placed hash marks that the shooter can use to calculate the distance to the target. As well as make precise adjustments for bullet drop and windage. The reticles can also be had with illumination which is a great advantage when shooting under low light.
Finally, the exposed turret is simple to adjust, with a zero-click lock to easily return to its original yardage after adjusting for a shot.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 15 x
- Exit Pupil: 3.3 – 11 mm
- Field of View: 7.5 – 36 ft at 100 yds
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 55/110 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 4.25 in
- Weight: 30.9 oz
Pros
- Gives a wide field of view
- Generous eye relief
- Delivers High-quality images
- Available with different reticle options
- Covered under Burris lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy and unwieldy
4. Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Rifle Scope
This is a scope that is perfectly suited for medium and long-range targets. It uses a variable 3.6-18x magnification that is paired with an advanced optical system to deliver to the shooter the highest level of clarity when aiming at a target.
The mark 5 stands out for its good ergonomics, it’s fairly lightweight weighing only 1.4 lbs. moreover it has a low profile helped by the capped turret that streamlines its design.
The turret gives the shooter audible feedback with every click and has large numbers inscribed on the dial to make them visibly clear to the shooter.
The reticle of the Mark 5HD comes in different options and you can opt for one with a MIL, or MOA with carefully placed hash marks for ranging and holdover precision when firing at targets.
Overall, this is a dependable rifle scope that works perfectly with a 308 cartridge, it’s well-built and has one of the highest levels of accuracy. It is also popular and preferred by many shooters mainly for its ability to withstand heavy recoil and impact.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
- Magnification: 3.6 – 18 x
- Exit Pupil: 2.4 mm
- Field of View: 5.8 – 28.3 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 3.8 in
- Weight: 26 oz
Pros
- Rugged high-quality construction
- Fairly lightweight
- Withstands heavy recoil and impact
- High-quality optics
- Perfect for medium and long-range targets.
Cons
- Pricey
5. Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50mm scope
This is the most affordable vortex scope with an FFP reticle it comes with a versatile 6-24 magnification as well as 2 different reticle options.
It stands out for great image clarity owing to its wide objective lens and high-quality glass with anti-reflective coatings that maximize the amount of light that gets in through the lens.
Another stand-out feature is the exposed turret that makes adjustment easily accessible and fast. It also has a zero-reset feature that allows it to easily go back to zero. Without having to manually count the number of clicks needed to return to zero.
Overall, this scope gives excellent performance at an affordable price, it’s also durable and covered under the Vortex lifetime warranty.
Specifications
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 24 x
- Tube Diameter: 30 mm
- Exit Pupil: 2.08 – 8.33 mm
- Field of View: 4.5 – 18 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief: 3.9 in
- Weight: 24.6 oz
Pros
- It is fairly lightweight
- Generous eye relief
- Exposed easy-to-adjust turret
- Bright images with good quality
- comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- The dials are too stiff
Buying a FFP Scope for a .308 Winchester
Magnification- This is dependent on the type of shooting you intend to do. Because magnification causes a target to appear closer, it is ideal for use on distant targets. Variable magnification is a good choice because of the versatility it provides, allowing the shooter to take both long-range and close-range targets.
Objective lens diameter-because the .308 excels on medium and long-range targets it is appropriate to consider a scope with a fairly wide objective lens say something greater than 40mm. This is because a wide objective lens allows optimum light through the lens and makes the image brighter. This aids with the proper identification of the targets.
Reticle– This is the aiming point of a scope that is aligned with the targets before the shooter takes the shot. Reticles come in different designs and configurations, and the appropriateness of each depends on individual preference as well as the surrounding conditions.
An illuminated reticle, for example, has the advantage of making it easier to aim and shoot in low-light situations.
Mil-dot, duplex, crosshair, and Horus reticles are other examples of reticles. The crosshair is the most basic design, consisting of a horizontal and vertical line intersecting to provide an unobstructed view of the target.
Adjustments– The scope must be adjusted several times before shooting. Windage elevation, parallax, and magnification adjustments are some of the major adjustments that improve a scope’s performance when aiming at a target.
A good scope has accurate and repeatable variable adjustment. The knobs for the adjustments should also be easily accessible.
Durability- A good scope should be able to last regardless of the conditions under which it is used. This means that the manufacturer should include protective mechanisms such as impact resistance, waterproofing, fog proofing, and dust resistance. Any additional safeguard on a scope increases its value and performance outdoors.
CONCLUSION
This review takes you through the best FFP scopes that you can pair with your rifle and a 308 cartridge to get a perfect performance. In addition, it gives a summary of characteristics that you should consider when buying a FFP rifle scope for a .308. This summary will be of great help when picking a scope from our list. It’s noteworthy that these scopes are available at different prices and your choice will also depend on your budget.
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