Best Scopes for 243 Rifles

A Comprehensive Guide

What are the best scopes for 243 rifles? The answer to this question may be different depending on the shooter’s experience and skill level. For beginners, a 3-9x40mm scope with an illuminated reticle might be a good option.

Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle (MOA) , Black

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This type of scope will allow you to see better in low-light conditions without costing too much money. If you are more experienced, it might make sense to invest in something like a red dot or holographic sight which would give you greater accuracy at longer ranges. In any case, it can’t hurt to do some research before making your purchase.

Table of Contents

If you are in a hurry to purchase the best scopes for 243 rifles, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:

Top 3 Best Scopes for 243 Rifles

What’s even better is the fact that you don’t have to do any research. We have done that and compiled a list of the best scopes for 243 rifles. What you are about to read is a list of the best scopes you can use on these rifles followed by a comprehensive buyer’s guide. But before we start, here’s why you need a scope. Believe us you do no matter how good of a marksman you are.

Why Spend Time and Money Buying a Scope?

What’s the point of having a firearm if you don’t have the proper gear? One of the most important pieces of equipment is your scope. A good scope can make or break your hunt, so it pays to invest in a quality setup. You know that feeling when you see a deer from 400 yards away? You can tell it’s a buck, but the antlers are too far away to make out. It might as well be a white blob with horns sticking out of it. If only you had some way to zoom in and get those details! That’s where rifle scopes come in. 

 

With the right scope, you’ll have no problem identifying your target at any distance and for many different purposes: hunting, military duty, law enforcement work or just putting holes in the bull’s eye. There are all sorts of reasons why someone would want to invest in a quality scope if you want to get the best out of your 243 rifles. Let’s now have a look at the best 243 Rifle Scopes that money can buy. Please note that all these scopes are available in different magnification configurations. You can choose the one that best meets your needs.

5 Best Scopes for 243 Rifles (Ranked And Reviewed)

1. Vortex Optics Diamondback

Vortex Optics Diamondback
$239.41 $0
18 05 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.
29 new from $239

Specifications

The Diamondback delivers the ideal blend of optical performance and rugged durability for a variety of hunting scenarios. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle provides fast target acquisition in close quarters, while the 5x magnification makes it easy to get on target at longer ranges. All the lenses in the Diamondback are multi-coated with anti-reflective coatings that boost light transmission and increase brightness, which results in crisp images even when conditions are less than ideal.

 

This scope is fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof making it an excellent choice for all your hunting needs. Vortex Diamondback riflescopes are packed with features normally found on scopes costing twice as much. Diamondback riflescopes are built around a one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube. This provides absolute rigidity, ensuring that your zero stays zeroed in any weather condition. The windage and elevation knobs use finger adjustable ¼ MOA click adjustments to make getting to your next shot quick and easy.

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2. Leupold VX-Freedom

Leupold VX-Freedom
$528.99 $0
22 05 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
18 05 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 VX-Freedom is a riflescope that will help you reach your hunting goals. It features an advanced optical system, which includes our HD lens coatings and DiamondCoat 2 lens surfaces. The VX-Freedom has been designed to be rugged and reliable, so it can withstand the harshest conditions on earth. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and has o-ring seals that make it waterproof and fog proof. The Leupold VX-Freedom riflescope offers amazing value in a high-performance scope that’s packed with features usually found only on scopes costing much more.

 

Leupold VX-Freedom riflescope is a perfect choice for hunters and shooters looking for a versatile, high-performance scope that delivers the features they need at an affordable price. The 3x90x20mm VX-Freedom delivers a wide field of view with a forgiving eye box that makes it easy to get on target quickly, even when shooting from awkward positions or under less than ideal conditions.

Leupold VX-Freedom.

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3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescope

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescope
$149 $0
18 05 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.
21 new from $149

Specifications

The Vortex Crossfire II Riflescope is a great scope for hunters who want to spend less time aiming and more time shooting. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle increases accuracy by holding your point of aim where it is during the bullet’s flight. This riflescope has an ultra-forgiving eye box that makes it easy to acquire targets quickly, especially when you are on the move. With its long eye relief, fast focus eyepiece, and fully multi-coated lenses, this riflescope ensures superior light transmission for the best visibility in difficult or tricky lighting conditions.

 

The Vortex Crossfire II Riflescope is a multi-purpose riflescope that’s ideal for hunting or shooting at the range. The scope features an adjustable objective lens. It also has fully multi-coated lenses and Max Elevation Adjustment of 60 MOA, so you can shoot with ease in any situation. The capped reset turrets are finger adjustable and the single-piece tube is constructed of aircraft grade.

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4. Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope

Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope
$0 $0
18 05 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.
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Specifications

The Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope is the best rifle scope for hunting. It features fully multi-coated optics, a 1-inch tube construction, and is 100% waterproof. The scope features a rugged one-piece tube with nitrogen purged to eliminate internal fogging. It also has an O-ring sealed lens housing to protect the lenses from moisture, dust, or debris. The Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope is ideal for deer hunting, hog hunting, or any other type of rifle shooting sport.

 

The Bushnell Trophy Rifle Scope has an impressive 91% light transmission, making it one of the most powerful scopes on the market today. This scope has a 3-9X magnification, multi-x reticle, 4-inch eye relief, fast focus eyepiece, and 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments. The best thing about this scope is that it offers a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty meaning once you buy it, you’ll not have to buy a new one no matter what happens to it.

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5. Simmons Whitetail Classic Black

Simmons Whitetail Classic Black
$65.46 $0
22 05 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
18 05 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 Simmons Whitetail Classic Black is the most trusted scope for deer hunting. Fully multi-coated optics provide incredible brightness and color reproduction in all lighting conditions, while the classic black granite texturing provides a non-slip grip and camouflage. The Simmons Whitetail Classic Black is a great choice for avid hunters. It has a large field of view and is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof. The rugged quality of the sight makes it ideal for outdoor uses of all manners. This scope is the ideal one for the people who are starting their hunting journey. You can start practicing on this one before you go for the more advanced, pricier options.

Simmons Whitetail Classic Black.

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What To Consider While Buying The Best Scopes for 243 Rifles?

Optics that are used for 243 rifles should be quick and easy to use, as well as being lightweight. When compared with other rifle calibers such as 308 and 270, 243 has relatively less recoil. It is important to choose the right type of optics when it comes to 243 cartridges. The factors to consider when buying a scope include:

Magnification 

A 243 rifle requires a scope with high magnification. It should have a variable magnification of 5-25x. The best 243 scopes are usually those that can allow you to focus on an object without affecting the stability of the image, which is especially important for a brighter, clear, and detailed image.

Zero-Reset

The best riflescope for 243 rifles should have zero-reset features because it is important to go back to the original setting when you plan to re-use the rifle scope again in the future. This will ensure that your shot accuracy does not get affected due to incorrect settings of the scopetant when using higher magnifications such as 25x and above. However, it is advisable not to use a scope with magnification above 20x unless you are an expert.

Exit Pupil Size

The exit pupil is the size of the light beam coming out of the eyepiece. Basically, if you wear spectacles, choose a riflescope with a larger exit pupil because it will allow more light to enter the eye thus making it easier to see through the image.

Light Transmission

With a light transmission of 95-99%, you should be able to take down an animal at 500 meters without any problems. If the scope has less light transmission, it will not be easy for you to make a shot in low light (dawn and dusk) conditions. Also, choose a scope that has a high light transmission because it will allow you to make an accurate shot regardless of the time.

Reticle

The reticle should be durable and foolproof. It should be visible even in low light conditions or when there is direct sunlight on the lens. The yardage markings should be clear and easy to read. There should also be illumination control features, which will allow you to make an accurate shot even in low light conditions.

Eye Relief

The distance between your eye and the scope, while you are making a shot, is the eye relief. The standard length of eye relief for 243 scopes is about 3 inches. However, some riflescopes have an eye relief of about 4 inches. It is advisable to choose a scope with high eye relief because it will come in handy when you want to take down an animal at close range.

Turret

Screw-on turrets are the best for 243 rifles. The knobs should be big enough and easy to adjust, yet not prone to being moved by accident. When adjusting, the rotation should be a mild-mannered click.

Tube Diameter

The best 243 rifle scope should have tube diameters of 30mm and above. The reason for this is so that the light passing through the lenses has more area to pass through. This will ensure a brighter image.

Price

If you are a beginner, it is advisable to choose the best 243 rifle scope that has features such as good optics, high magnification, and is not too expensive. However, if you are an expert hunter who hunts on a regular basis, then higher-priced scopes with advanced technology will be the best option for you.

Material of Construction

The lenses should be multi-coated and made of high-quality material. Also, the tube should be made of aircraft-grade metal for optimum durability while the turrets and knobs should either be steel or coated titanium. In addition, the best rifle scope will also have a sealed body that is filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging of the lenses.

Warranty

It is important to choose a rifle scope that comes with a warranty of at least five years in case you find any defects after purchase. Also, make sure that the warranty covers both parts and labor in addition to unlimited repair costs during this period. In case there are any problems with your rifle scope.

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.

Aiming through a scope at night can be tricky. If you want to use a scope at night, it needs to have two qualities. The objective lens should be large enough to gather sufficient light to make the field visible and it should have an illuminated reticle to make the point of aim and crosshairs apparent against the dark of the night.

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 243 was designed as both a light deer hunting rifle and a varmint cartridge. It competes with the high-velocity .22 guns and can easily take down large animals.

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 243 is fairly accurate and carries enough energy to 1000 yards. If you are using the correct ammo, a 243 can easily kill a deer at 1000 yards.

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.

That depends on what type of shooting you want to do with the rifle. If you intend to use the rifle for short range, any 3-9×40 can suffice and for long range you will need more expensive ones like the 6.5-20×40 scopes.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a new scope for your 243 rifles, we hope that this article has helped to make your decision easier. Of course, there is always more research and consideration to take into account when making such an important purchase. In addition to our reviews on top 243 rifles scopes, be sure to also check out other articles from Ballachy.com. We will continue updating with content about guns and hunting so that you can have all of the information necessary before finding yourself at the gun store or online shopping site. Till next time – keep coming back for amazing content!

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.