8 Best Rifle Scopes Under 300: Affordable & Budget-Friendly

Finding the perfect rifle scope for hunting can be a bit overwhelming.

There are just different considerations to think about. Rifle scopes come in different sizes, functions, and prices that you can choose from.

The price range of scopes is also something to consider. The good news is that you can buy several rifle scopes for under $300!

In this article, I’ll show you 8 of the best rifle scopes you can buy without breaking the bank.

Best Value

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-16×50

• Magnification: 4-16x
• Diameter: 50mm
• Eye Relief: 3.7 in

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Best Overall

Nikon PROSTAFF P5 3-12×42

• Magnification: 3-12x
• Diameter: 42mm
• Eye Relief: 3.7 in

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Budget Pick

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Diameter: 40mm
• Eye Relief: 3.7-4.2 in

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8 Best Low Budget Rifle Scopes Under 300

1. Nikon PROSTAFF P5 3-12×42 SF Riflescope 16620

BEST OVERALL

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Nikon offers a variable zoom rifle scope, a MULTI-PURPOSE scope that can be used in different scenarios.

The Nikon P5 has a BDC 600 reticle for aiming points and hash marks from 100 to 600 yards. 

I appreciate this type of reticle because it creates a more open feel.

It also has zero-reset turrets, which offer an option to adjust the windage and elevation.

As for magnification features, this comes with a variable magnification from 3x to 9x.

With a 40mm objective lens, this scope has fully multi-coated optics that create a light transmission of 98%, giving me amazing image quality.

This superior optical system makes it among the BEST rifle scopes for me to use in low-light conditions.

This Nikon P 223 scope also has a 100-yard focus Parallax adjustment, which makes this scope the perfect choice for shooting at ranges close to 100 yards.

Another impressive benefit is the standard eye relief with a size of 3.6 inches and an exit pupil range of 3.3-10mm, which is perfect for long-range shots.

Unfortunately, this scope has been discontinued, so you can only find it from third-party sellers.

Is Nikon the Right Choice for You?

If you are looking for an impressive hunting rifle scope under 300 bucks, perfect for long-range shooting while remaining lightweight and compact, this is the one for you.

2. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-16x50mm

BEST VALUE

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The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is an amazing choice for an entry-level riflescope, thanks to its HIGH-QUALITY materials.

With a 4-16x magnification range, this scope is useful for any kind of hunting situation.

The Vortex Optics scope comes with an adjustable objective lens, which helps with focusing on the image of your target.

This also comes with a Dead-Hold BDC reticle – perfect for hunting and shooting at different ranges.

In addition, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is equipped with an eye relief of 3.7 inches and a fast-focus eyepiece that helps you to detect your target fast and take shots easily for wild game.

An image will be brighter because of its big exit pupil size. Hence, this best rifle scope’s exit pupil has a range of 3.2 up to 12.5mm, which makes an image brighter under low light conditions.

Not to mention, this low-light scope offers a fast-focus eyepiece that will help keep the image quality CLEAR.

Equipped with fully multi-coated optics, this Vortex Crossfire II scope has the ability to capture images that are vivid.

Now, what about the material grade?

I think the fact that I’ve dropped my scope several times goes to show that the aircraft-grade aluminum body really does its job!

Additionally, the main tube has a matte finish to prevent any glare.

Be warned that the images may appear blurry at first. It is also quite heavy and bulky.

Is Vortex Optics the Right Choice for You?

This Vortex Optics Crossfire II scope is truly impressive! This scope, under 300 bucks, is packed with amazing features that’ll surely win you over.

3. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 1in Riflescope

BEST BUDGET PICK

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Leupold is a brand known for making gears with quality and ruggedness.

I’d say the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 is your best bet if you’re looking for best-in-class optics and clear image quality.

With a 3:1 zoom ratio, this offers an erector system suitable for a wide range of shooting situations.

Aside from that, this scope makes use of a second focal plane reticle in which the it will always stay the same size even with different magnifications used.

This type of focal plane is ideal when it comes to shooting your target at a close range.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 has a 1/4 MOA Finger Click feature for windage and elevation turrets.

The majority of the scopes being sold have this 1/4 MOA Finger Click feature.

In case you weren’t aware, the Minute of Angle (MOA) is a helpful tool you use to calculate the adjustment you need to hit the target at any distance, whether on the field or shooting range.

While there is quite some math involved, I’ve found it to be very helpful in realigning my scope to the target.

In addition to that, this Leupold scope comes with a Fast-Focus Eyepiece, making its reticle focus more quickly.

This budget scope also has an objective lens diameter of 40mm, an exit pupil of 3.4mm, and an eye relief of 4.9-3.7 inches.

This Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 scope also has a one-inch tube which makes it more LIGHTWEIGHT, and features a matte finish as well.

Had enough? I’m not done yet! That’s not all this budget rifle scope has to offer.

It even has scratch-resistant lenses that are on par with military standards in my book.

It’s also waterproof and fog proof making it the PERFECT rifle scope for tough conditions.

However, I would not recommend this scope for far distances.

Is Leupold the Right Choice for You?

Overall, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 is one of the top rifle scopes under 300 dollars, which impresses me with its high-quality material and usefulness.

For more from Leupold, I have a list of some of their best 308 scopes.

4. Nikon Prostaff P3 Predator Hunter 3-9X40 Bdc Predator Riflescope

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When I get something from the Nikon Prostaff P3 line, I know I can expect AMAZING quality.

This riflescope with a one-inch tube size was designed by the brand with a serious hunter in mind.

This Nikon Prostaff 5 scope comes with a BDC reticle with Spot on Ballistic Match technology.

I prefer this type of reticle when I need to make precise shots at longer ranges.

What’s even more amazing is you could also use the phone application called “Spot On” to know precise aiming points.

You will be needing a rifle, a Nikon riflescope, a range finder, and this application. This application will help you in displaying shot possibilities.

Aside from that, this also has an eye relief of 3.8 to 4 inches which helps in providing a clear field view.

The objective size of this scope is 40mm, with a field of view of 9.9 -40.4 feet.

This scope also has zero-reset turrets, which makes it ideal for fast aiming and makes the turrets easy to adjust.

It also has fully multi-coated optics that are also anti-reflective, which helps in giving you an almost-HD sight picture with less eye strain.

Also, this is a waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof scope, making it a perfect companion for a variety of situations.

I’m sort of nitpicking at this point, but I wish the parallax knob wasn’t made of plastic, as it does not feel as secure.

Since Nikon has discontinued their scope line, you can only find this product from third-party sellers.

Is Nikon Prostaff the Right Choice for You?

If you are looking for an amazing rifle scope under an affordable price range, this best rifle scope under 300 bucks is the one for you.

This Nikon gear also comes in a matte finish.

5. Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12 x40

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This is also one of the best scopes under Vortex that offers a magnification range of 4x-12x.

Just like the Vortex Optics Crossfire II, this riflescope also offers a Dead-Hold BDC Reticle.

This type of reticle is ideal for lessening the bullet hold-over at long-distance shooting, which is why this effective reticle is used in different firearms.

It also has a second focal plane scope, which means that the reticles should always stay the same size even if you change the magnification.

With a 4-12×40 scope, this scope offers an adjustable objective lens to provide better and more accurate windage and elevation adjustments.

In addition to that, this scope also has an eye relief of 3.1 inches, an exit pupil size of 3.3-10mm, and a field of view of 32.4- 11.3 ft. at 100 yards.

Just like the other rifle scopes, this also offers multi-coated lenses that help in producing a vivid and clear image quality.

Finally, this scope comes with a tube size of 1 inch. Its tube is also made from aircraft-grade aluminum that can withstand any condition.

However, a few issues I had with this scope were the eye relief, which was not enough, and the sometimes blurry images.

Is Diamondback the Right Choice for You?

The Vortex Optics Diamondback is a reliable, solid choice when it comes to buying a great rifle scope under 300 bucks.

It’s affordable, lightweight, and great for long-distance targets. However, it’s not as clear as I would have liked.

If you’re looking for a scope that’s great for both long and close-range shooting, I suggest checking out other products first.

6. Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm

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Easy to use with impressive features, the Leupold VX-2 3 is a riflescope that is sure to STAND OUT.

This VX-2 features a high-quality 50mm objective lens that provides a bright and clear resolution.

This scope’s tube size is 1 inch and also offers a 3.5x to 10x magnification range.

You will surely be able to choose the magnification setting you want and adjust the zoom size with this riflescope.

This VX-2 scope also comes with an eye relief size of 3.7 inches to 4.2 inches, which is more than enough for me!

In addition, these Leupold scopes also have an 11ft. field of view.

This pertains to the size of the area you will see at 100 yards or meters when using a VX-2 riflescope.

This VX-2 scope also features a Duplex Reticle, a popular style of the reticle that has longer posts on the top and sides and a shorter bottom post.

Aside from that, this duplex reticle gear also features DiamondCoat2 Ion-assist coatings which are used for higher light transmission that is scratch-resistant.

The Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm comes with a 1/4 MOA clicks and a 3:1 zoom ratio.

This is also a VERY lightweight scope in its category, with a weight of 10.8 ounces.

However, I would’ve appreciated a parallax adjustment knob. This scope is also discontinued by Nikon, unfortunately.

Is Leupold the Right Choice for You?

This is an outstanding rifle scope under 300 bucks that is lightweight and made of high-quality materials.

Although it doesn’t give off impressive features or marks compared to my top 3 picks, it’s a solid rifle scope under 300 that gets the job done.

Check out this list of the best scopes for your .270 Winchester rifle!

7. Nikon P-Tactical .223 3-9×40 Matte BDC600

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Nikon’s P-tactical riflescope series offers outstanding brightness and clarity that comes with its multi-coated lenses.

Aside from that, this hunting scope also comes with a BDC reticle, which is perfect for long-range shooting.

The BDC reticle has see-through aiming circles to help you view your target through the dots.

With this type of reticle, you could make use of Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology.

This also features a 40 mm objective lens, while the exit pupil is at 4.4mm up to 13.3 mm.

The magnification of this riflescope ranges from 3x to 9x, which is an ideal range to see your target from a distance.

Meanwhile, this scope has a tube size of 1 inch, and you will also get an eye relief of 2.8-3.6 inches and a field of view of 11.3 -33.8 at 100 yards.

This scope also offers spring-loaded instant zero-rest turrets, which would enable you to lift the turret and put it back to the zero mark after sighting in.

I particularly like this scope because it makes turret adjusting easier.

Turrets are the little knobs on top, often situated at the left side of a riflescope, and are responsible for the windage and elevation of your gear.

Windage adjustment refers to the left and right movements, while elevation adjustment refers to the up and down movements.

I noticed that the eye is a bit shorter than other scopes, which is unfortunate. An illuminated reticle would’ve been a big help as well.

Like the other Nikon scopes on this list, this product is also discontinued, so you will have to find one from a third-party seller.

Is P-Tactical the Right Choice for You?

I think this riflescope is an amazing hunting and long-range rifle scope under 300 that you can consider, especially if you’re interested in the BDC reticle.

8. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP

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This scope comes from the Primary Arms SLX scope line.

What’s revolutionary about this scope is that it is Primary Arms’ first foray into the first focal plane (FFP) optics.

The brand introduces its HUD DMR reticle with this scope.

According to Primary Arms, this reticle promises to “solve the problems when engaging targets of opportunity and limited exposure at unknown ranges.”

I found that this type of reticle can be extremely fast and accurate, even at its highest magnification level of 14x.

This was also built with an aircraft-grade aluminum body and comes in a matte black finish.

In addition, this scope also comes with a variable 4-14 magnification scope.

With a first focal plane reticle, the size of the reticle will change once the scope’s magnification is changed, allowing for quicker and more accurate shooting in long-range situations.

This scope has a tube diameter of 30mm. It also offers an exit pupil size of 11.2 mm to 3.3.mm, while the eye relief is at 80 mm to 82mm.

Meanwhile, the coated lens used in this scope is multicoated to prevent any glare.

Aside from that, this scope also offers partial red illumination with 5 brightness settings.

However, I would not recommend this scope for close-range shooting. I also wish it had a fully multicoated lens.

Is Primary Arms the Right Choice for You?

Overall, this scope from Primary Arms is one of the best riflescopes out there.

However, I should mention that it’s a long-range rifle scope designed more for advanced shooters.

How Much Should You Spend on a Rifle Scope?

I cannot answer this question with a definite answer, unfortunately.

It’s not just with scopes; anything you buy requires you to look at your specific needs and purposes first and THEN allocate a budget for it.

You don’t want to spend too much on a scope wherein you don’t need all the features.

At the same time, you also don’t want to resort to a cheap scope that does not last long or has poor quality.

To help you with this, ask yourself, “What kind of shooting do I want to do?”

Long range? Short-range? Will I go hunting?

Different scopes are catered to different needs and come at different prices, so deciding what you want to do first is key.

What To Expect From With A 300-Dollar Budget

With only 300 dollars, you can already find a super high-quality scope!

This list would not exist if I said otherwise.

Even some of the highest-end brands, like Leupold and Vortex, have wallet-friendly scopes that perform just as well as the expensive ones.

Almost all of the scopes on this list have several benefits to them, such as being waterproof, crystal-clear images, and the right magnifications for different ranges.

Why spend $1000 on a scope when everything you need can be found don a $300 one?

Buying Guide: Key Considerations When Choosing a Riflescope

There are still many things you need to consider when looking for a riflescope.

Aside from considering the price range that fits your budget, here are some things I think you need to consider before purchasing a scope.

Identify the Purpose of Your Scope

This is the first important step because you need to identify what purpose you will be using the rifle scope.

You can use one for hunting, for competition, and target shooting.

This is why there are several scopes available. Examples of these scopes are target rifle scope, hunting rifle scope, and tactical rifle scope.

If you’re a first-timer, I think it’d be best to look for scopes that are ideal for beginners and easy to use.

You can also learn more about how a rifle scope works here!

Choose a Magnification According to Your Shooting Needs

If you are aiming for long-distance shooting, choose a riflescope with a higher magnification level that you can adjust to.

For an instance, a riflescope with a scope of magnification of 4x means that it will create an image that appears 4 times closer and larger.

A target that may appear 400 yards will appear as if it is just 100 yards away if you use a magnification level of 4x.

1×4 scopes are great for close-mid-range targets, but they won’t be the most effective at longer distances.

On the other hand, also consider the size of your target.

A riflescope with a variable magnification scope is your best bet if you are a hunter who wants to zoom in and zoom out, depending on the size of your target.

Meanwhile, another important consideration concerning your target is when you are hunting any game that is constantly on the move.

Scopes with a lower magnification, such as 1×6 scopes, are ideal because these targets require a scope with a wider field of view.

A higher magnification gives a smaller field of view, thus making it harder to focus on the target.

As you can see, the level that you will be needing depends on your own preference and needs when shooting.

Consider the Size of the Objective Lens

The objective lens size refers to the diameter of the lens, which is responsible for the amount of light that comes into the scope tube.

The larger the diameter of the lens, the more light there will be that comes into the scope tube.

Thus, the bigger the diameter of the lens, the clearer the image quality will be.

For several hunting conditions, scopes with an objective lens size of 32mm to 44mm are good options to consider since these have a good light-gathering capability and image quality together.

However, if you’re hunting in low light situations, I think it’s better to have a hunting scope with a larger lens size like 50mm to 56mm.

Besides, the size of the objective lens also affects your mounting position.

So if you have a larger size of lens, your objective bell will also be larger.

The downside of this option is the need for higher mounting rings so that your objective bell won’t interfere with the barrel.

If you choose a smaller-sized objective lens, this will lead to a low profile and you can choose to use the standard mount scope rings available on the market.

Choose the Right Type of Reticle

There are also different types of reticle that comes with every best scope.

The reticle is also known as a crosshair or the aiming point of the scope.

The type of reticle you have will play a huge impact on your best scope and shooting experience. This is what gives you a centralized aiming point.

For example, there’s the Mil-Dot Reticle, which, as I previously mentioned, is comprised of dots uniformly spaced from one another.

The Mil Dot reticle allows you to calculate the size and distance of your target. Because of that, this is recommended for long-distance hunters or shooters.

There is also the Non-Illuminated Reticle, which is ideal for daytime use since it has no illumination.

On the other hand, there is also the Illuminated Reticle type, which is typically powered by a small LED center dot, with the colors varying from red, green, or amber.

These illuminated reticle colors were chosen because they can be used in low light conditions without making your eye’s pupil contract so much.

I’ve also listed down a few Nikon scopes in this article that have a Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) reticle.

With this type of reticle, the hash marks are placed at a six o’clock position.

What makes the BDC reticle special is that it can provide different aiming points to gauge the distances without really making other adjustments.

This BDC reticle is ideal for long-range shooters.

Next is the Duplex Reticle, which is a type of reticle I’ve commonly seen used in hunting rifle scopes.

The duplex reticle is known as a simple and all-purpose type of reticle. This simple, uncomplicated choice is ideal for various hunting situations.

Choose the Right Focal Plane Scope Suitable for Your Needs

Two types of focal planes are available for riflescopes – First Focal Plane and Second Focal Plane.

With the First Focal Plane (FFP), the reticle will change once the magnification size is changed.

For example, the reticle’s size will become larger once the magnification is adjusted to a larger size.

This type of focal plane is often seen on long-range scopes meant for shooting long distances.

However, the downside of using the FFP is that it is easy to lose smaller reticle lines when using it in a dark background on close-range shooting.

Meanwhile, with the Second Focal Plane, the reticle will stay the same size even if you adjust the magnification size of your scope.

This type of plane is best to consider in terms of visibility and shooting your target at close range.

In addition to that, the second focal plane is also easier to manufacture. Thus, there are more scopes available that feature this type of plane since it is also cheaper.

These two types of focal plane are very different, and they both offer something special that you may be looking for.

Consider the Type of Optics in a Scope

This is an important factor since it involves light transmission.

The lens coating used in scope is very useful since it reduces the glare and loss of sight caused by reflection.

I’ve found that when a scope has more coatings, it’ll typically translate to better light transmission.

• Coated optic means that there is a single layer of coating on at least one surface.
• Fully coated optic refers to having a single layer on all air-to-glass surfaces.
• Multi-coated optic means that there is more than one later of coating on at least one surface.
• Fully Multi-coated optic refers to multiple layers of coating on all surfaces for better light transmission.

Fully multi-coated lenses are the best choice because of the high-quality glass it offers.

Even if this is the most expensive choice of lenses out there, lots of riflescopes I’ve listed in this article offer a fully multi-coated lens!

Check the Size of the Eye Relief

Eye relief refers to the distance between your eyes and the rear lens of your scope.

There are two types of eye relief available – standard eye relief and long eye relief.

The standard eye relief has a size of 3.5 to 4 inches. This is what I’d consider ideal for long-range rifle scopes and it also offers the highest magnification available.

However, the downside of this eye relief is that it does not offer a large field of view.

Meanwhile, the long eye relief has a size of 4.5 inches and above.

The long eye relief is ideal for close-range shooting. It also helps in finding the target easily.

The downside of this eye relief is it offers smaller magnification on your scope.

These two types of eye relief both have their advantages and disadvantages, which is why it’s important to consider the type of eye relief you need best for your scope.

Consider the Windage and Elevation Turrets

There are commonly two turrets found in a scope, but I’ve seen some scopes that have three turrets as well.

Turrets are commonly located at the top left part of the scope.

The windage and elevation turrets are responsible for the horizontal and vertical adjustments in a scope.

This is why it’s vital to look for a scope that has turrets you can rely on.

There are different types of turrets you can find in riflescopes.

The first type is target turrets, which are considered to be the most precise since they would allow you to make small and precise adjustments.

The second type is ballistic turrets, which are better at making larger adjustments.

These types of turrets are ideal for tactical shooters who need to hit their target fast.

The last type is the capped turrets, which are fingertip adjustable. It also comes protected with a metal cap.

These are some of the things to keep in mind when considering the turrets of your scope.

But at the end of the day, it all boils down to your preference and your needs when it comes to shooting.

See our guide on how to zero a rifle scope at 100 yards!

Look for Other Specifications

Your scope needs to be waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof so that it can withstand tough conditions when you are finally using one for shooting and hunting.

The good news is that all of the budget scopes I’ve listed in this article have these features.

In addition to that, also check on the warranty that is available for the scope you want.

Some brands do offer a lifetime warranty on their scopes, but other scopes do not, so you might want to look into those.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does BDC Mean in Rifle Scopes?

BDC stands for bullet-drop compensation and is a reticle type used to calculate how much a bullet drops over a given distance.

As the bullet flies out of the rifle, it will eventually descend because of gravity, and a BDC reticle helps determine the point of impact.

These types of scopes are useful for longer distances as the shooter has to compensate for the distance by adjusting their barrel (called holdover), so the bullet hits where they want it to.

Is a Rifle Scope Under $300 Still Good?

Of course!

As mentioned earlier, you can find a high-quality, top-tier scope for only $300, even from popular brands.

It’s easy to assume that a cheap price means cheap quality, but trust me, all the scopes on this list (and many more) come at under $300 and perform exceptionally.

When Will I Need the Parallax Adjustment?

You may need to adjust for parallax when the crosshair appears to align with your target.

More often than not, this alignment is an optical illusion, and parallax helps control that and shows you where the reticle is really aligned with.

Top Picks

In this article, I’ve presented some of the best rifle scopes under $300. Here are some of the top choices that stood out.

Best Overall – Nikon Prostaff P5

The Nikon Prostaff P5 is the overall pick since it has so many amazing features that can be used in different shooting or hunting scenarios.

To name a few, this features a Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, zero-reset turrets, and several magnification options to choose from!

Runner-Up & Best Value – Vortex Optics Crossfire II

The Vortex Crossfire II budget scope is a worthy winner to be named the best rifle scope under 300 dollars.

It is a close runner-up since this is a rifle scope that is impressive compared to other scopes, even for being entry-level.

Some outstanding features of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II worth noting are the 4-16x magnification range, Dead-Hold BDC reticle, and an adjustable objective.

This rifle scope is also best for low-light hunting situations. In addition to that, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II makes it easier to find your target and take your shots.

This low-light scope also deserves to be considered the best rifle scope under 300 dollars.

For more scope options, I have a list of the best scopes for your 30-06 cartridges!

Final Verdict

The scopes presented here are recommendations that aim to help you choose the ideal rifle scope without wasting too much money.

Hopefully, this makes you realize that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have an impressive riflescope. There are several amazing scopes from an affordable price range, after all!

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a perfect riflescope.

There are also many considerations to think about before purchasing one. With that in mind, the best rifle scope is really the best one that will work best for your needs.

FINAL TIP: If your budget still persists, you can also take a look at my guide on the Best Riflescopes Under $500 for the Money for more options.