Best Scope for .243 Winchester: Vortex Optics, Bushnell or UUQ is The Winner?

It is clear that the .243 Winchester is by far one of the most popular rifles among hunters.

The cartridge has been a staple for both small hunting games as well as dealing with animals from all sizes, such as coyote, hog, deer, black bears and elks.

With that being said, our top 3 best scopes for .243 Winchester reviews will guarantee that your beloved rifle can receive the best equipment it deserves.

How To Choose The Best Scope For .243 Winchester?

Rifle scopes, especially those for hunting, can come in spectrums of styles and features.

They vary in types for different hunters with different hunting styles.

So, it’s important to know what model of product you should be looking for and what’s not.

By sorting out all the essential features, our comprehensive guides would surely benefit you when choosing the suitable scope.

Firing Range

Although the .243 Winchester is capable of firing long shots from an impressive distance, not all hunters can do it.

You’ll need certain skills in order to pull that off, and of course, the right scope with suitable magnification.

And don’t think that short-range shooting is easy, as when in close distance, your movement must be quick and precise if you want to hit the target.

- Under 150 Yards 

Targets at this range are usually close enough for the standard 2-4x scopes to make accurate fire.

And if you are confident in your skills and abilities, it’s possible to take down the target at this range without any scope as the .243 Winchester is an accurate modern rifle.

- 150 to 350 Yards

With scopes that have magnifications ranging from 5-8x, most hunters would be capable of hitting their targets in this shooting range

But if the targets are too small, you might need the help of a 9x scope in some cases.

- 350 yards and more

For this kind of distance, 9x should be the minimum magnification for a scope if you want to your target.

Preferably, higher magnification scopes would be more efficient for the job, but you’ll also need to consider your shooting skills.

Optical Features

- Light Absorption

Aside from the already-familiar magnification specs, light levels can also have serious effects in your ability to locate the target.

You can lose a significant amount of vision and clarity when staying in cloudy condition or having bushes and trees block all the lights.

So, having scopes with good light transmission would be the key for a good hunting session.

- Holding Zero

It’s simply known as the ability to retain accuracy when aiming at targets at varying distances. The better your scopes have it, the less time being wasted on adjusting your magnification.

- Aiming Speed

Great hunters can execute their targets within seconds after holding up their rifles, this can be explained due to their ability to aim quickly.

By having the “quick focus” features on your scopes, you can save time by performing fast focus adjustment right when putting your eye up to the eyepiece.

Weight

Usually, when going hunting, you would want to minimize the amount of weight being carried to save energy.

And since scopes with higher magnifications are often heavier than those with less zooming option, having a 9x or above is not necessary when going for a small hunting session.

Only choose scopes that can fit your requirements comfortably.

Build Quality

For most of the time, you’ll get what you pay for, especially with rifle scopes. So as much as we love to save our money, it’s recommended to choose the best scope for .243 Winchester whenever you have the chance.

Products that are made from low-quality materials and have poor design will not stand the test of time or mother nature.

There could be dirt and moisture penetrating the lens and optics after extended use, thus reducing the clarity as well as the vision.

Not to mention that poorly-made scopes can be easily damaged when being dropped or withstanding impacts. This could result in distorted vision and low-quality images.

With that being said, your scopes should come with decent fog proof and waterproof features.

Products that are made with sturdy materials are also recommended as they are capable of withstanding abusive shootings or sudden impacts in the events of dropping and mishandle.

Top 3 Best Scope for .243 Winchester Reviews

Based on the deciding features when choosing a hunting rifle scope, we’ve selected the top 3 best scopes for .243 Winchester that excels others in many perspectives.

#1. Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescopes

With an optic magnification of 1.75-5x32, the scope is no doubts a great combination for your .243 Winchester.

By featuring the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, the Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescopes ensure you good aims even for targets at multiple distances.

This really helps to reduce the hold-over which has always been a concern for many hunters.

Reticle focusing is optimized due to the fast focus eyepiece that easily concentrating your eye on the target.

Not to mention that the fully multi-coated optics are ensured to deliver clear images throughout the day.

The turret features a metal-on-metal design that allows you to have the holding zero after sight-in. The precision glide erector system can ensure accurate tracking of different targets in a short amount of time.

Having been argon purged and O-ring sealed, the scope is prompted to deliver effective fog proof and waterproof. Moreover, the solid tube also comes with a hard anodized finish that ensures its shock absorption and durability.

We’ve tried quite a few scopes before putting our hands on this one but is still impressed with the quality of the scope. The BDC reticle makes it great to shoot from a long distance and the high-quality glasses deliver clear images even in bad weather conditions.

If what you mostly do is deer hunting like we are, it will not be easy to find a better scope than this Diamondback.

Pros

• Clear vision
• Good pricing
• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to use
• Solid and durable

Cons

• Eye relief needs improvement
• Not fond of recoil

#2. Bushnell Trophy XLT

The Bushnell Trophy XLT is equipped with a 3 to 9x magnification, more than enough to work perfectly on your .243 Winchester. The one-piece tube design and the solid construction give the scope impressive shockproof ability.

Moreover, the scope also comes with a 40-millimeter objective and multi X aiming reticle that is deadly for any target. Along with that, the fast-focus eyepiece enables users to perform quick shots with superb accuracy.

With 91 percent of light transmission and fully multi-coated optics, users are ensured to receive crystal clear images.

Our overall experience on the scope was quite satisfying, mostly with the quality of the glass. We took the scope out for a test in an overcast and slightly rainy day, but the 9x has nothing to offer but crystal clear images, especially with targets at 100 yards and below.

The dry nitrogen filled scope is capable of having 100% waterproof and fog proof, which is really helpful when hunting in different weather condition. Plus, you’ll receive the Butler Creek flip-open scope covers to protect it from scratches.

Pros

• Great vision
• Good price
• Comes with lens covers
• Impressive hold zero
• Good in low-light conditions

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Eye relief is not as advertised (but still ok)

#3. UUQ 4-16x50 Tactical Rifle Scope

This tactical riflescope is designed to excel in normal shooting and at a close range even when dealing with moving targets.

The tubeless design that features a 33mm reflex lens aperture allows users to have a wider view, thus increases the chance of successfully hitting their targets.

With an efficient 4-16 magnifications, hunters can easily find their targets within the distance of 100 yards. Not to mention the 4 different sizes of dots and the detachable green laser sight would ensure a perfect hit on any animal being point at.

We had no problem firing with the scope as the adjustments are crisp and responsive. Adding the holographic sight and laser would make the machine work even more effective.

You can easily spot the holographic dot sight at the range of 25 yards. And the green laser can be seen from 200 yards away with decent clarity.

Due to its flexible built-in rail, the scope can fit comfortably on any 22 & 11mm rails with little adjustment needed. You can mount it on your .243 Winchester or use it on any other rifle with ease.

The UUQ 4-16x50 Tactical Rifle Scope is 100% waterproof as well as shockproof making it one of a few best scope for .243 Winchester.

Pros

• Easy installation
• Good clarity
• Impressive holographic and laser sight
• Simple adjustments
• Good price

Cons

• 16x isn’t quite powerful

Best Pick

These are all great scopes that we’ve selected from hundreds of different ones.

And the UUQ 4-16x50 Tactical Rifle Scope, in our opinion, is the best scope for .243 Winchester as it is the most versatile and efficient scope for various type of shootings.

Thanks for reading, hope you benefit from our reviews, and we’ll see you in our future posts.