Best scope for .243 Win. Rifles – 2022 Complete Buyer’s Guide

The .243 Winchester (metrically 6×52mm) caliber is a very versatile hunting round for both hunting and shooting. Hunters trust it out to 200 yards regularly with iron sights. When you add a good scope, you can triple that distance for shooting at paper. I wouldn’t recommend shooting at game at that range, though. You want to find a scope that will maximize your range and accuracy so that you can use your new .243 rifle to its full potential and we can help

IMAGEPRODUCT 
  • Best overall
  • Hunts many different kinds of game
  • Works well at dawn and dusk
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  • Easy to use
  • Dead-Hold BDC reticle
  • Shockproof and fog proof
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  • Best value for the money
  • Very low price for the features you get
  • Lightweight and compact for easy storage
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  • Best coyote hunting scope for .243
  • Works well in low light
  • Lockable fast-focus eyepiece
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  • Switch between zooms quickly
  • Set your favorite brightness level
  • Illuminated reticle for low light
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  • Clear reticle with varying brightness
  • Easy to adjust for wind
  • Works well at close range
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Are Scopes for .243 Universal?

Any scope that works on your .243 will work on another caliber rifle with similar recoil and the reverse is true. New gun deserves a new scope, though. Reticle marks specifically for .243 may not translate, though.

What Should I Look For When Buying a Scope for .243? 

When looking for the best scope for .243, some specific features can help you determine if the scope is valuable. Here are some of the most important things to consider when shopping for a scope. 

The Right Tool for the Right Job

To pick the right scope you have to determine what you’ll be using it for. Will you be using this scope for hunting or target shooting? For targets, quick zoom changes and tracking will be less critical features. 

If you are using it for hunting, is it for big game or vermin? If it is big game, distance and accuracy should be the primary concern. For vermin, you will be looking for something that can adjust quickly and track well. 

Will you be hunting in the middle of the day or at dawn and dusk? Does the scope work well at that light level? Consider these questions when searching for the best scope for you.

Range and Accuracy

You want to maximize range and accuracy in nearly any situation. For close-range firing, under 150 yards, you’ll only need 1-4x magnification. For medium ranges between 150 and 300 yards, you’ll want 4-9x magnification. 

When using the scope for long-ranges over 300 yards, you’ll need over 9x magnification. At long ranges, you will want to have a scope that adjusts for all your variables. 

Quality Optics

Scopes work based on their optics. You want to make sure that the lens is waterproof and fog proof. It is critical to ensure that the scope can allow light to pass through the optics unencumbered. Scopes work by reflecting light. If the optics don’t allow enough light in, you will get unclear images. 

Review of the Best Scope for .243

Each of these scopes has features that make them unique and extraordinarily useful in specific conditions and circumstances.  You may just find what you’re looking for in our best scope for 243 reviews!

Top Pick

Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO Hog Hunter Riflescope

 

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Users love how well this scope handles low light situations. It works great for early morning or evening shooting. If there is any light, this scope will use it to get you an accurate sight. Most shooters love the clarity you can achieve with the scope, but there are some fogging complaints in cold weather.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Vortex Crossfire II offers a ton of functionality at a very affordable price point. It’s not the cheapest scope out there, but you won’t find one with this many features at a lower price.

The scopes V-Brite reticle feature puts an illuminated dot in the center of your sight. The V-Brite combined with its 11 light sightings, allows you to maximize this scope for low light situations.

Bottom Line

When you want to hunt early in the morning or late into the evening, this is the scope. It offers flexibility to hunt many different animals, and the V-Brite reticle is a unique and useful feature.

Runner Up

Vortex Diamondback 4-12×40 Matte Riflescopes 

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers love the range and sight quality on this scope. Good in low light, but exceptional for extreme distance. It is smooth to track game with, and it can adjust quickly.  

There are some complaints with packaging, and it seems that you can get one that isn’t as finely tuned or tested as others.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Diamondback allows you to get up to 4x magnification while still being able to track your game. It can adjust quickly and easily for maximum use.

You will find this scope to be very useful when you are firing at long distances. The reticle helps you sight in on faraway targets and enables you to hit them more accurately.  

Bottom Line

When you plan on firing your weapon at a distance, this scope will be a lot of help. However, if you want to switch quickly from far to close up, there are better options out there. This scope is easy to use when you know you’ll be long-distance shooting.

Best Budget Option

Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm Riflescope 

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Users love the price point of this scope and what they are getting for that price. The sight is clean and very easy to use, without adding anything to complicate the experience. The adjustment knobs can be stiff but relax more with use.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Burris Fullfield is an easy to use scope that offers magnification and clarity without many extra features that can intimidate some people. You get exactly what you are looking for in a scope, such as ease of use and portability, and you get it at a fair price.

Bottom Line

When you are looking for a no-frills scope that will still get the job done, this is a great option. There aren’t additional add-ons, but it delivers what you need from a scope in an easy to use package. The price is incredible for the value.

Best Coyote Hunting Scope for 243

Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

People are blown away by how clear this scope is when they use it. It works well in low light settings, but it also remains clear in the middle of the day. The turrets and settings can be a little tricky to get used to, especially at first, but once you have that down, this is a useful scope.

Why It Stands Out to Us

This scope works well in low light settings, and the clarity of the image you get makes it easy to hunt with. It allows you to see clearly enough to track hard to see targets. This makes it a  great scope for hunting larger prey, such as coyotes.

Bottom Line

This is an excellent scope for when you need to clear out vermin and coyotes. It can work in any weather condition, and it does well in low light. It can be a little difficult to master, but once you have it down, it can be effective.

UTG 4-16X44 30mm Scope

UTG 4-16X44 30mm Scope, AO, 36-color Mil-dot, w/ Rings , Black

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers love how many customizable features this scope offers. The magnification and clarity are great, and they work well. It can add some weight to your 243, but most don’t seem to mind that.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Being able to set favorites for brightness, the color of the reticle, and other features, make this gun very useful and unique. If you want to be able to maintain customization and accuracy, this scope is for you.

Bottom Line

Overall this is a good scope, and its customizability can make it a great asset if you don’t want to have multiples. It can adjust to different situations very fast, making it incredibly useful for any kind of prey. If weight isn’t an issue for you, this is a solid scope.

Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder Illuminated Optical Rifle Scope

Pinty 3-9X40 Red Green Rangefinder Illuminated Optical Rifle Scope

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Users are blown away at how well this scope works for its price. Many bought it, planning on replacing it quickly, and they are amazed at how well it functioned and how long it lasted. There are some durability issues, and it isn’t great at long distances, but for close range, it is a great option.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The price is affordable. It may not have the most features, and it may not hold up to continuous use. However, if you want to try a scope out and don’t want to commit much money to uncertainty, this is a reasonably good scope for the price.

Bottom Line

It isn’t the best scope out there, but it will get the job done. It does more than you would expect at this price point, but it may need to be upgraded as you advance. There are better options out there, like the Vortex Crossfire II or the Burris Fullfield.

Advantages of Investing in a Quality Scope for 243

When you invest in a quality scope for your 243 you will add value to every experience you have with the rifle. It will increase its usefulness and fun. If you know you enjoy your 243 already, a good scope will make it even better.

Increased Range

The first thing a scope does is increase the range of your rifle. The 243 already has a decent range of about 200 yards, and a scope will increase that range up to three times as far. When you get the best scope for 243, you will notice how much the range increase affects your accuracy.

More Accurate

You will not only be able to shoot further, but you will also be more accurate at any distance. When you take a shot, you want to hit what you are aiming for. A good scope will allow you to grow in accuracy, which saves you time and money.

More Confidence

A scope will make you more confident every time you have to use the 243. This will make the rifle more fun for you to use. The added confidence will have you using this rifle more often. 

Conclusion

When you are looking for a scope for your .243 it is essential to figure out what you plan on doing with the rifle. There are many good scopes out there, and one of the only ways to narrow down your options is by determining what you will use your scope for. 

Our top pick is the Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56mm AO, because it combines functionality and accuracy. It works at any light level, and it is great for hunting different types of game, making it a versatile scope for any shooter’s needs.

People Also Asked

Are you still learning a lot about your .243 rifle? Here are a couple of answers to questions people had about the .243.

At what distance should I zero my rifle?

Your shooting style will greatly influence this. However, if you are new to the sport, you should start at 25 yards. This will allow you to hit targets at 250 yards dead center. That puts you in the middle of the medium range.  You can test other zero distances, but this is a good starting point.

What is the best scope magnification for 200 yards?

When you want to aim for 200 yards, a 3-9x magnification is needed. This magnification will give you the clearest view of what you are aiming for.

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox writes on a variety of topics ranging from reloading ammunition to gun cleaning. He has been featured on various publications like thetruthaboutguns, Sofrep & many more. Joseph is also the founder of Gunloading, where he reviews different types of reloading & firearm products available on the market.