Best Scope for 270 Winchester Rifle: Top 5 Picks

Want to use .270 Winchester ammo at long ranges?

In my experience, you can only use 270 Winchester rifle ammo accurately up to 400 yards at most.

For long-range target shooting, you’ll need a rifle scope to land accurate and precise shots at 600 yards and beyond.

In this article, you’ll get to know the best rifle scopes for 270 as well as their respective pros and cons.

I’ve also included a guide on choosing the right scope for you!

Best Value

Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 SFP Riflescope

• Magnification: 4-12x
• Diameter: 40mm
• Eye Relief: 3.1-3.4 in

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Best Overall

Leupold VX 3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope

• Magnification: 6.5-20x
• Diameter: 50 mm
• Eye Relief: 3.6-4.4 in

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Budget Pick

BARSKA 6.5-20×50 AO Varmint Riflescope

• Magnification: 6.5-20x
• Diameter: 50 mm
• Eye Relief: 3.6 in

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Best Scopes for 270 Winchester

#1 Leupold VX 3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope

BEST OVERALL

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My pick for the overall best scope is the Leupold VX 3i. This rifle scope for 270 is a second focal scope with a duplex reticle.

This is a high-end scope that comes with 6.5-20x magnification which will allow you to cover 600 yards easily.

It has an eye relief that ranges between 3.62 and 4.41 inches, depending on your desired magnification power.

Its ULTRA-lightweight design is a huge plus for me so my arms don’t get tired while out on the field.

Despite its lightweight design, the aircraft-grade aluminum body is built for even the toughest outdoor conditions.

I also appreciate its parts. They’re sealed and nitrogen purged, making the scope waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof.

It’s made out of quality glass, giving you a bright and clear image, even at its HIGHEST magnification level.

Leupold’s Twilight Max Light Management System gives ADDITIONAL light transmission and glare reduction.

This essentially adds up to 20 minutes of shooting light! Its objective lens is fully multi-coated, while the scope has a matte finish to reduce glare.

This Leupold scope has a throw lever for adjusting its magnification level, allowing me to switch to any magnification level quickly.

I think it also stands out from other common scopes thanks to its adjustable zoom ring.

It comes with Long Range Precision (LRP) adjustments. It has a dial and revolution indicator for precise settings for windage and elevation.

Leupold offers a lifetime warranty for this scope, so you won’t have to worry about scope repairs and maintenance.

#2 Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 SFP Riflescope

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If you need VERSATILITY, the Vortex Optics Diamondback is the scope for you.

It comes with a fully multi-coated 40mm objective lens and a dead-hold BDC reticle, which provided me with bright and clear images at all parts of the day.

Besides its superior brightness, it’s also HIGHLY durable! It feels indestructible!

The Vortex Optics Diamondback is a solid one-piece tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum.

I’ve used it in different light conditions, and it’s stood up to different weather conditions!

What makes this scope stand out to me is its impressive BDC Reticle, which allows you to adjust windage and elevation for longer-range shots easily.

The scope model design includes a glide erector system, ensuring precise repeatability and tracking.

Combined with its impressive BDC Reticle, it makes focusing quick and easy.

Besides all these versatile features, the scope is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, which makes the Vortex Optics scope fog proof and waterproof.

The scope also has XR fully multi-coated lenses.

This design allows MAXIMUM shooting light. Its XD extra-low dispersion glass improves color fidelity and image resolution.

True enough, it almost felt like looking through a camera!

The overall design of this scope allows me to see my target clearly and aim without trouble.

This Vortex Optics scope can last for many years, giving you a seamless hunting and tactical performance!

#3 BARSKA 6.5-20×50 AO Varmint Riflescope

BUDGET PICK

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If you’re a new hunter looking for a first scope to add to your personal collection, this Barska scope might be for you!

I recommend the Barska AO Varmint scope if you’re looking for the best scope for 270 Winchester-equipped rifles and are on a BUDGET.

This scope is specifically designed for varmint hunting, meaning it has a HIGHER magnification range than any of the other scopes.

You get a second focal plane fine crosshair reticle, giving you a CLEAR and BRIGHT image. 

I can also use this scope for long-range shooting as well!

Its 6.5-20x50mm scope gives you an optimal sight picture even in low light conditions.

I’ve been shooting at dawn and dusk lately, and this scope has been a huge help!

Its optical system offers a quick-access magnification zoom ring. It’s a versatile scope that can be used for all types of shooting, including:

• Long or mid-range shooting
• Hunting
• Tactical shooting

Besides its versatility, it has a generous eye relief of 3.6 inches, making the scope a good pick for a hunter who wants improved safety, like me!

It has a fairly lower price range than the other scopes, but it’s the best scope when you’re on a budget, thanks to the neat features I’ve discussed.

#4 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Adjustable Objective Riflescope, 4-12x40mm

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The Bushnell Banner Dusk scope for 270 has a good reputation for being very versatile and easy to adjust.

And after trying it myself, I can say they live up to that reputation.

I was surprised by how precise and accurate I was while hunting, and I have this scope to thank for that!

This scope is 100% waterproof and fog-proof with an aircraft-grade aluminum body.

Unfortunately, the Bushnell scope is a bit HEAVIER than most, weighing over 1.5 pounds.

It wouldn’t be my first choice when prepping for a full day in the field.

Though it might sound HEAVY-DUTY with its waterproof and fog-proof properties, it’s NOT the most durable option.

Be careful! The internal components of this scope may break easily if dropped.

The highlight of this Bushnell scope is that it comes with a Multi-X reticle and precise windage and elevation adjustments.

It offers generous eye relief (3.3 inches) that quickly focuses on the target and protects you from injury caused by heavy recoils of the rifle scope.

Its adjustment turrets are finger adjustable, and I’ve found that its windage and elevation adjustments hold pretty well, even under heavy recoil.

I have to give MAJOR points for its outstanding magnification!

It has a wide magnification range of between 4 and 12 times, which I recommend for mid and long-range shooting.

This Bushnell scope is built with multi-coated lenses and a large 50mm objective lens, which allows the scope to have BETTER light transmission than most.

This design enables top-tier brightness and clarity in low-light conditions. Not bad for a budget scope!

These features for a budget entry-level scope definitely qualify it as one of the best scopes for a .270 rifle.

#5 Bushnell Trophy Xtreme X30 6-24×50 Riflescope

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This scope also has a wide magnification range, making it an IDEAL CHOICE for hunters who want medium and long-range accuracy.

It’s another runner-up pick for the best scope for 270, as the scope is versatile, giving you great value for its price.

This high-powered magnification scope has a waterproof and shockproof optics system which makes it great for long-term use.

This scope also has a rain guard on its lens so that you can maintain a clear view even in the midst of extreme conditions.

However, most hunters say that this scope is bulkier than its competitors.

Despite that, I think this scope’s four times magnification and high image clarity make up for it.

Maximizing Your Shooting Range: Quick Review of the 270

The Winchester .270 is a rifle cartridge that’s mostly used for hunting.

With the right parts and scope, a .270 Winchester can reach up to a MAXIMUM of 500 yards. It’s ideal when you’re hunting wild animals in a vast forest.

.270 rifles can shoot up to 150 yards with less than 1 MOA. Adding a scope will triple this distance and maximize your shooting range.

A scope is a MUST-HAVE for big game hunters because they’ll need greater range. This distance is ideal for taking down their prey undetected.

The right scope for a 270 will give you more shooting power while handling it comfortably.

First things first, you need to know what to expect from your 270 hunting cartridges. How far will your bullet go?

• Long Range: 350 yards and up
• Medium Range: 150 to 350 yards
• Close Range: 150 yards or less

I recommend that you keep these measurements in mind when you’re customizing 270 rifles.

You can customize 270 cartridge rifles depending on how it will be used. Each part can change the range of a .270.

Barrel length, scope magnification, the type of scope, and reticle can heavily influence the 270’s shooting range.

Before you choose a scope, decide how you will use it.

Choosing the Best Scope for Your 270 Winchester

Now that you know what you will do with your scope, how will you compare your choices? Consider the features you want and your budget.

In my experience (and like with most things), scopes packed with top-notch features will be pricier.

Likewise, some scopes may be a bit cheaper with fewer fancy features, but they have what you need in high quality.

Here’s a list of features I think you should look at when choosing a scope:

Eye Relief

One of the first things I look at is EYE RELIEF.

Eye relief refers to the distance of the objective lens from your eye. This distance is measured when you’re sighting in or when your eye is aligned on the scope.

You should still be able to see a FULL SIGHT picture at all magnification settings.

Having longer eye relief allows you to mount the scope a bit more forward on your rifle.

The eye relief of the scope will ensure your SAFETY from heavy recoil, as it can cause injuries.

Make sure to compare the different measurements of each scope and see what’s the ideal distance for you.

Firing a .270 Winchester will create moderate recoil, so you might not need much distance.

Still, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with your rifle’s recoil, the scope, and anything else you’ve attached to it.

Magnification

A significant scope feature to take note of is the magnification range. A scope’s magnification power will determine its effectiveness in aiding sight.

Having a wide range of magnification capabilities will help you see your target at various shooting distances, which will aid your precision and accuracy in shooting.

Again, it’s crucial to know what you will use your scope for.

Remember the different bullet ranges I mentioned earlier?

To know what magnification you’ll need, you need to know how far you’ll be firing.

Your purpose will determine the magnification that you need.

How to Determine the Magnification You Need

Long Range (350 Yards and Above)

If you’re going to participate in long-range hunting, I’d suggest getting a scope with higher magnification settings.

Smaller targets will require a scope that has higher magnification with better clarity. Conversely, larger targets might not need much.

My ideal magnification when I want to reach a range of around 500 yards is about 8x and above.

It’s BEST paired with a 40mm lens with a reflective system to give you the best light transmission.

Mid Range (150 Yards to 350 Yards)

The 270 alone can reach this comfortable distance without any magnification from a scope.

The impact and power of it alone can take down some big-game middle-range shooting sessions.

To ensure more precision and accuracy, the ideal magnification needed for this range is 4x to 8x.

Close Range (150 Yards and Below)

The 270 works well without a mid-range scope, so most hunters don’t use one at close range.

If you do use a scope, I suggest decreasing your magnification to around 3x to 7x.

It’s essential to remember these details in choosing a scope to have the ideal precision and accuracy you need.

Brightness

Now for brightness. An ideal scope should have a multi-coated lens to ensure optimal light transmission.

This lets you see clear and bright images at all times, even in low-light conditions.

These are only the basic characteristics of a good quality scope. Finding the right scope will still depend on how you’ll use it!

Lens Size

The main reason why you’d need a scope is for the lens.

The lens is the main component that gives you a clear view of your target, regardless of magnification level.

Having a clear view can help you get a precise and accurate shot while reading the wind speed. Only a high-quality objective lens can do this.

The size of the lens controls the light transmission entering your scope. This controls the clarity of your sight depending on which condition you’re in.

If you don’t want any distractions when targeting, I recommend looking for low-dispersion lenses with XR coatings.

This will give you RAZOR SHARP resolution!

If you’re mostly out at dusk and dawn during deer-hunting season, you should always check for lenses that are usable in low-light conditions.

But how is light distributed within the scope?

How Does a Scope Work?

You’ll need to know how scopes really function to determine the best type of lens needed.

There are three main parts of a scope:

• Objective Lens
• Erector System
• Ocular System

Light will enter through the objective lens, which is protected by the objective bell. Having a larger lens will give you MORE light transmission.

Most objective lenses I’ve tried have lens coatings that help filter wavelengths of light, giving you a balanced light transmission.

Bright enough for low light conditions but NOT too bright when noon strikes.

After the light gets focused and filtered through the lens, it enters the main body and travels through the erector system.

This erector system contains the reticle and magnification lens.

Focal Plane

There are two types of focal planes:

• First focal plane
• Second focal plane

The reticle size can be changed on the first but stays static on the second.

Hunters usually opt for the first focal plane scope instead of a second focal plane due to the dots and unchanged hash marks.

Reticle

Another critical feature is the reticle. You need to have the right reticle for your scope.

The reticles have single dots spreading VERTICALLY and HORIZONTALLY, sometimes with hash marks too.

Hash marks are ideal for windage and elevation to add MORE PRECISION to the scope.

If you’re a beginner, I recommend getting reticles with dots or hash marks. Remember that it’ll require a lot of practice to get used to.

The most common reticle that hunters use are the following:

• Duplex reticle
• Mil-dot reticle
• BDC reticle

Body Durability

When investing in a scope, I recommend something that can handle LONG-TERM use.

The durability of the scope usually depends on its construction.

The ideal scope should have a solid and compact body, as this can affect your accuracy and precision.

Look for a scope that has a one-piece construction. I find that these types are built for heavy-duty performance.

Keep an eye out for features like O-ring sealing and nitrogen purged. These usually ensure that the scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.

Since hunting is an outdoor activity, you’d want all your rifle parts to be durable and able to withstand any extreme weather situations.

Easy Adjustment

I recommend always checking if your scope’s easy and quick to adjust.

Look for the following turret adjustments:

• Objective Lens
• Windage and Elevation Adjustment Knobs
• Magnification Adjustment Ring
• Fast Focus Eyepiece
• Reticle Focus

Make sure that it will be easy for you to adjust these knobs. Whether it’s wet or you’re wearing gloves, you should still be able to adjust these knobs smoothly.

Likewise, it should also be impossible to adjust and move these knobs by accident.

The magnification ring should move SMOOTHLY, while the elevation and windage knobs should be TACTILE.

It should also be easily noticeable for you when certain adjustments are made.

Your scope should already be focused properly before you use it.

Type of Scope

There are two main types of scopes for the 270 rifle.

These are the hunting scope and target scope. Each one has a different design based on its purpose.

It’s vital to determine what you’ll be using your 270 for so that you’ll know which scope to get.

Hunting Scope

The 270 Win rifle is mostly used as a big game hunting rifle, so most 270 win users buy hunting scopes.

Compared to target scopes, hunting scopes have less powerful magnification.

Some might advertise their hunting scopes as having HIGHER than normal magnification.

But in my experience, these still don’t reach the same magnification that a target scope possesses.

Hunting scopes with higher magnifications are usually used for hunting smaller game at longer distances.

Having a wider field of view in your sight picture makes it easier to follow and spot a moving target. Hunting scopes tend to have a larger field of view than target scopes.

Most hunting scopes have a simpler reticle since it can be distracting to have a mil-dot and bullet drop compensator reticle laid over an already busy forest background.

Hunting scopes usually have a crosshair or duplex reticle. But if you prefer, some are equipped with a dead-hold BDC reticle.

Target Scope

The main difference between hunting scopes and target scopes is how much they prioritize precision.

If you’re on a larger field with moving targets for hunting, precision won’t be your priority.

With a target scope, precision is your main concern.

A target scope has stronger magnification, allowing you to extend your range and get the closest possible look at your target.

Ideally, your target is unlikely to move or run around a wide field.

Thankfully, these high-powered magnification scopes have a more focused sight picture.

These powered scopes are usually equipped with a bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticle and mil-dot reticle.

Having these types of reticle provide extra information for the shooter to make more precise shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a .270 Winchester More Powerful Than a 6.5 Creedmoor?

The .270 Winchester packs more of a punch regarding velocity and energy.

However, the 6.5 Creedmoor has the 270 Winchester beat in recoil, wind deflection, and compatibility with smaller rifles.

How Far Can a .270 Shoot?

You can shoot a standard .270 Winchester at least 500 yards, but that will also depend on the barrel length and caliber of your rifle.

At What Distance Should I Sight My 270?

You can sight your .270 at 1.5 inches high at 100 yards, which is what I do.

However, 150-200 yards is another good range.

What’s Stronger, a .270 Winchester or 30-06?

Between these two cartridges, I say that the 30-06 is stronger as it hits harder at longer ranges and can take down larger targets than the .270.

However, the .270 has better, more moderate recoil and a flatter trajectory.

A Recap of the Top Picks

Best Budget Pick: BARSKA 6.5-20×50 AO Varmint Riflescope

If you’re looking for something a little less pricey, I recommend the BARSKA Varmint Riflescope.

It has all the essentials you’ll need at a high quality for its price point. These include:

• Second focal plane for brightness
• The multi-use magnification zoom ring
• Safe and user-friendly 3.6-inch eye relief

The Barska scope also possesses precise adjustments to give you a BETTER sight of the target, even at long distances.

Best Value: Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope

The Vortex Optics’ BDC Reticle strips all the guesswork out of your shooting game, making it my best-value scope! 

From dusk until dawn, whichever light conditions you find yourself in, the Vortex Optics Diamondback is the scope you need!

You can utilize this scope on different muzzleloaders, long-range rifles, and slug shotguns.

All you have to do with this scope is to line up your shot with the BDC Reticle that matches the distance you’re shooting at.

Just pull the trigger, and you’re good to go!

Best Overall: Leupold VX 3i LRP

This scope might be on the pricey side. But its high-end features definitely make the Leupold VX 3i LRP my best scope for .270-equipped rifles.

It has all the high-end features and checks all my main categories for the best scope.

The Leupold VX 3i scope allows you to cover at most 600 yards which makes it great for any range.

It also has its own light management system giving you an HD resolution of your target.

Final Words

The best scope for 270 Winchester rifles is still the one that will suit your needs. That’s why it’s important to determine the purpose of your scope.

Will you use it for wide-range deer hunting? Or will you prioritize precision for a focused target?

Enhance your 270 Winchester with the RIGHT SCOPE to give it the precision and accuracy that you need!

There are endless options for a rifle scope in the .270 market, so choose WISELY!

Hopefully, this guide helped you choose the right scope.

If you’re looking for quality scopes with a specific budget, you can also take a look at my Guide on the Top Scopes under $500 for Your Rifle.