Best Scope for 0.223 Bolt Action Rifle

A Comprehensive Guide

Do you want to be the best hunter in your entire state? Do you want your scoped rifle to provide crystal clear vision and target accuracy? Well, it’s time for a new scope. I know what you’re thinking: “Why should I listen to this guy when I’ve been using my old scope for years?” However, all those choices and options can get confusing so we have compiled this list of the best scopes for 0.223 Bolt Action Rifle that you can buy. Make sure you read to the end to find out the factors that you need to consider when buying a scope. 

ATN ThOR 4 1.25-5x, 384x288, Thermal Rifle Scope w/Ultra Sensitive Next Gen Sensor, WiFi, Image Stabilization, Range Finder, Ballistic Calculator and IOS and Android Apps , Black

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Last update was on: Oct 07, 2023 06:51:12 PM

This is why you need a brand spanking new scope for your 0.223 bolt action rifle because there are so many choices on the market today that can help take your hunting skills from good to great! That’s right – just one of these high-quality lenses will have an amazing impact on how accurate and successful of a hunter you are.

Table of Contents

If you are in a hurry to purchase the best scope for 0.223 bolt action rifle, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:

Top 3 Best Scope for 0.223 Bolt Action Rifle

6 Best Scope for 0.223 Bolt Action Rifle (Ranked And Reviewed)

1. ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope

ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope
$1549 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
17 new from $1549

Specifications

The ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope is the most versatile, compact, and lightweight thermal rifle scope on the market. This next generation of thermal riflescope has a high-performance 60Hz image sensor that offers superior sensitivity to detect animals’ heat signatures at long range. The ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope also features multiple viewing modes, including Black Hot, White Hot, and various color palettes for various environments. It is furnished with advanced digital noise reduction technology that enhances image clarity in all conditions.

 

The ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope is a revolutionary new way to enhance your target acquisition. The ATN Thor 4 Thermal Rifle Scope allows you to record video at 60 FPS, dual-stream via Wi-Fi, and has a ballistic calculator that allows you to set up 6 profiles. Account for range, angle to target, temperature, humidity, and more for a perfect shot every time! A 3″ eye relief makes the scope comfortable when aiming at long distances. The smart rangefinder will tell you how far away your target is so you can make an accurate shot.

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2. Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Riflescope

Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Riflescope
$1136.53 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$1180.99 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$1789.19 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$0 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $

Specifications

The ACOG 3.5×35 is the smallest and lightest of the Trijicon ACOG line of riflescopes. The wide field-of-view, coupled with low-light performance and a dual illuminated reticle makes the 3.5×35 ACOG ideal for close-quarters combat and tactical situations where targets appear at short ranges. The TA01 ACOG sight offers a bullet drop compensator (BDC) that allows you to quickly determine your holdover or hold under for any given distance in yards by using the 100-, 200-, 300-yard marks.

 

The Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Riflescope is the ideal optic for close-quarters combat, featuring a Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) reticle that allows shooters to engage targets both with and without their eye’s open. This feature makes it easier to maintain situational awareness when engaging multiple targets or scanning an area for threats. Additionally, this scope features fully coated lenses, bullet drop compensation out to 800 meters for 5.56 (.223 cal), and easy-to-adjust knobs.

Trijicon ACOG 3.5×35 Riflescope.

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3. Vortex Optics Viper Riflescope

Vortex Optics Viper Riflescope
$899.99 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$899 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
12 new from $899

Specifications

The Viper is the first focal plane riflescope designed for long-range shooting. The Viper features a side focus parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity and target turrets that track in MOA (1/4″) per click. It also has the XLR reticle, which is a hash marked MOA-based long-range reticle with wind drift dots and 1 MOA wind reference suspension. Good for long-range shooters dialing for bullet drop or holding drop while using the reticle. The Viper has 6x to 24x magnification and an objective lens diameter of 50 Millimeters. Zero Stop allows you to get back to referencing zero even after coming up with several revolutions on the turret.

 

Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy housing is lightweight yet built tough enough for a lifetime of abuse in the field or on duty. The hard anodized finish protects against scratches and corrosion while looking good and adding to the appearance of your weapon. Vortex’s Viper riflescope is built to suit the needs of hunters, shooters, and law enforcement professionals. The scope features an ultra-hard, scratch-resistant Armortek coating on every exterior lens surface that protects it from scratches, oil, and dirt. Argon purging provides fog-proof and waterproof performance up to 100 feet. A hard-anodized matte black finish makes this scope look awesome too!

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4. Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Riflescope

Vortex Optics Strike Eagle Riflescope
$344.52 $399.99
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
25 new from $344.52
$399.99 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$399.00 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $
$399.00 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $

Specifications

The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Riflescope is a true 1x on the low end with an illuminated reticle for fast target acquisition. The magnification ring has been updated and now includes a thread-in throw lever, and the magnification indicators can now be seen without coming off the scope. The 30mm tube offers plenty of elevation adjustment to take you from 1x all the way up to 6x. Even at 6 power, there’s enough eye relief to get behind this scope when shooting with both eyes open. The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Riflescope is a high quality scope that you can use to hunt for longer distances.

 

It has a lot of features that make it possible to have better accuracy and precision when shooting at long distances. The illuminated BDC3 reticle focuses the shooter’s eye to the target faster and holdovers allow for immediate use out to 650 yards for targets of known distance. This rifle scope from Vortex Optics also comes with an adjustable eyepiece, which allows you to focus according to your eyes.

Positive

Negatives

5. Nikon P-Tactical .223

Nikon P-Tactical .223
$0 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $

Specifications

The Nikon P-Tactical .223 riflescope is a true 1x power optic that offers the versatility of a red dot sight, but with the added benefit of a reticle for precise shot placement. The BDC 600 reticle offers shooters unique open circle aiming points and hash marks from 100 to 600 yards. With a one-inch main tube, spring-loaded instant zero resets turrets, and tone of voice: engaging and witty. The P-Tactical .223 is a high performance, ruggedized riflescope designed for tactical shooters and hunters.

 

The P-Tactical .223 features Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology with custom ballistic matched reticles to take the guesswork out of compensating for bullet drop. Elevated windage and elevation turrets provide quick and easy adjustments to make sighting in your rifle faster than ever before. Generous consistent eye relief provides a comfortable shooting experience from 0-600 yards. 

Positive

Negatives

6. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescopes

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescopes
$279 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
18 new from $279
$299.00 $0
07 10 2023
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new from $

Specifications

The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is good for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern. The adjustable objective provides image focus and parallax removal to the shooter while anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views. With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you’ll be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. The fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing. The Vortex Crossfire II is a great scope for any type of shooting.

 

It offers a generous 4-12x magnification range, a 50 mm objective lens, and a wide field of view. The capped reset turrets allow you to make adjustments with the caps on and then just push them back down to lock your zero in place. The single-piece tube construction from aircraft-grade aluminum ensures strength and shockproof performance. O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, the Crossfire II is not affected by any environmental factor no matter how harsh the conditions are out there.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescopes.

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What To Consider While Buying The Best Scope for 0.223 Bolt Action Rifle?

When it comes to scopes, the more you pay the better quality and accuracy of scope you get. But can you really afford such a high price? It is not easy for everyone to buy expensive rifle scopes, so they should consider some other alternatives before actually buying something. A scope is one of the most important parts of any rifle. You might be thinking of using one that was bought a long time ago when you were in your teens or before. But when it comes to scopes, there are many things you need to consider before buying one.

 

If you are an experienced shooter this article will not be helpful for you because most experienced shooters already know what they want in a rifle scope. However, if you are a beginner(or when you’re buying your first rifle), it’s important to understand what really matters and why you need to purchase riflescopes in particular. Using the best hunting scopes is very important because they improve the accuracy of your shots and also help with sighting through any disturbance such as fog, haze, or dust.

What is the Correct Magnification?

If you are a beginner, the answer is not much. The more power your riflescope has, the further it can see and the range will be longer than if you use lower power scopes. But when it comes to beginners, most of them do not want to shoot targets that are far away. That is why they don’t need high magnification power scopes. The nominal power of scope(in other words, the stated magnification) is not enough to tell you how much range it has.

 

Nevertheless, there are some things you should know before buying your first rifle scope or for any future needs you might have. The first thing you need to know is that the magnification of any riflescope starts with 1x. For example, 8x42mm means that your rifle scope starts with 8 power and it can magnify to 42 times. If you want to shoot 300 yards using this riflescope, you will see the target as if it was only 6 inches in diameter.

How Important is Durability for a Bolt Action Rifle Scope?

Yes, it does. If you are a beginner, you might not know much about riflescopes, so let me tell you this: even good scopes break if they are made of inferior materials. Some manufacturers have built their reputation by making durable scopes that last for many years. If you buy a scope from those manufacturers, their riflescopes will almost never fail you. One of the most common reasons why people go to gunsmiths is because their rifle scopes are either unusable or not as precise as they want them to be.

 

Being a beginner, I know that you’ll want to buy the best riflescope for your rifle. That is why I am telling you that even higher-priced scopes sometimes don’t meet the expectations of their buyers. It doesn’t mean they are not good, but when it comes to hunting, most shooters just can’t afford to buy something expensive and then lose their game because of low-quality riflescopes. So no matter what you are buying, do some research before making a decision to buy it. And this includes rifle scopes because you will spend much time behind them shooting.

Objective Lens Size

When you are buying your first rifle scope, one of the most common questions is how big the should be objective lens. The bigger its size, the further it can see. But, a magically big objective lens can be a problem too. If you are a beginner, this is not something you should care about now. But believe me, there will come a time when you will have to think about it because it affects everything in your hunting. For example, carrying riflescopes that have big objective lens takes much space in your bag and they are heavy too.

Build Material

Not all materials are created equal when it comes to riflescopes. One is almost surely not better than others, but most experienced shooters prefer aluminum rifle scopes because they hold zero well and are durable. However, like everything else in this world, they also have disadvantages they are less shockproof than steel scopes. As you can imagine, no rifle scope is indestructible and they will eventually fail even if they are made of the most durable materials in the world.

 

So far, no one has made a riflescope that would be perfect for everyone’s needs. Manufacturers know this too so there is a solution that everyone should be happy with. Riflescopes made of stainless steel are less durable but they weigh almost nothing and don’t add much weight to your rifle. On the other side, aluminum scopes are heavier and they add a bit more weight to your rifle.

Price 

As you probably know, the price of a product is not always an indicator of its quality. This is true for rifle scopes too and even though they can be expensive, some might be good and others bad although they look exactly the same. If you want to make sure that your money won’t go wasted (and I think everyone wants that), you need to know how to pick the right scope for your rifle. I already told you that you will have to consider all of the things I mentioned in this article if you want to buy something good for your rifle. It doesn’t mean that it is impossible, but it requires more time than most people can afford so they just go to stores and buy the first scope they see. If you’re not one of those people, good for you. I hope that now you’re getting closer to buying something that will serve you well for many years.

FAQs

Important Note:

Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.

The 223 round is too light for big games like deer and hogs at an extended range. The terminal velocity and energy are not enough to place a fatal shot. The 556 is a better option for the big games, especially at longer ranges.

Important Note:

Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.

If the shooter is accurate and then the weapon and scope are correctly calibrated, the 223 can be used to shoot deer, elk, and moose at medium range.

Important Note:

Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.

Bolt Action Rifles are mainly used as sniper weapons. Their main attributes include superior accuracy, reliability, lesser weight, and the ability to control loading. However, they do not have the fast rate of fires as provided by assault rifles.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a hunter or not, we can all agree that it’s important to choose the best scope for your 0.223 bolt-action rifle. This is why we’ve put together this list of some of our favorite scopes and reviewed them in detail so you know which one will fit perfectly with your needs and abilities as a shooter. We’ll be adding more resources about hunting and outdoors every day so keep coming back for amazing content! Which type of scope do you think would work best on your gun?

Our Research Process

Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.

Author Profile

Gabriel Tackett
Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.