Best Scope for .270 Win. Rifles – 2022 Full Review

The .270 Winchester caliber is a popular bullet to use for big game hunting. It’s claim to fame is a point and shoot with high-quality performance and widespread availability. The .270 Win. shoots flat up to 300 yards. Even with perfect eyesight, it is difficult to see details at that far a distance. Choosing the best scope for your .270 hunting rifle will improve the accurate range at which you can take an ethical shot.

IMAGEPRODUCT 
  • Best overall
  • Twilight Max Lens System for unequaled light management
  • DiamondCoat 2 lens coating for durability and clarity
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  • Audible turrets for easy, accurate adjustments
  • Automatic zeroing makes it easy to use and adjust
  • Backed by a reputable company warranty
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  • Best value for the money
  • Easy adjustments with audible turrets
  • Easy zeroing and accurate adjustments for elevation and windage
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  • Good quality components
  • Good optics, plenty of light, and a clear field of vision
  • Tactile adjustments for magnification, return to zero, windage, and elevation
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  • Super Fine Reticle
  • Improved turrets (the previous generation felt mushy)
  • 4x magnification provides greater zoom than most competitors
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How Does a Scope for a .270 Work? 

A rifle scope works similar to a telescope. It has an objective lens at the far end and an ocular lens near the eye. The objective lens transmits light back to the ocular lens, magnifying the viewable image.

Most manufacturers set their rifle scopes to a field of view of 100 yards. This means that your shot will be accurate up to 100 yards. However, many scopes are adjustable and can provide an accurate field of view up to 500 yards.

Are Scopes for a .270 Universal?

Most scopes for a .270 will work on any rifle with a caliber with similar recoil. However, pay close attention to the eye relief distance. A .270 has moderate recoil, and some rifles may require special adjustments to allow enough distance to protect your eye from being bruised.

Characteristics of Our Favorite Scope for a .270

When you get into the nitty-gritty, some scopes have a lot of bells and whistles. Measurements like length, weight, optical strength, and eye relief are touted as marks of quality among scope makers. 

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the end of the scope. Rifles with more recoil are famous for producing ‘scope eye,’ the black eye resulting from being hit in the face by the end of a poorly paired scope. The .270 has moderate recoil so this is INCREDIBLY important.

For your safety, look for a scope that provides a generous eye relief distance. Distances of one to four inches are typical.

Ruggedness

There is one thing that us manly men like to brag about, and its toughness. The same is true when we are talking about the strength and durability of a riflescope. The recoil force alone, repeated with each shot, is enough wear and tear to break down a cheaply made scope. 

Scope Power

Optical zoom’s scope power or strength is more or less important depending on your preferred hunting spot. If you hunt in the woods with good cover, you are likely to get closer to your prey and therefore need a less powerful zoom. 

Out in the open, the story is much different. The best scope for 270 will provide an accurate field of view for up to 500 yards.

Size

Adding tech to your rifle will add some weight. How much weight depends on the size and weight of the scope that you choose. More bells and whistles usually mean more weight, so weigh the features’ benefits against the added weight to the rifle.

Review of the Best Scopes for .270

Riflescopes range from compact sizes and set the zoom to fully-customizable settings. The best choice depends on the skill level of the hunter. There is a clear margin for error if you have too many features to play with.

Top Pick

Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope

Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm Riflescope

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CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

The crowds overwhelmingly favor this scope for its bright optics that perform well in low light situations. The Leupold brand is well known for quality, and this scope does not disappoint. But more impressive than the quality is the ease of use. Everything from mounting the scope to your rifle to making simple adjustments is intuitive and easy.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Our favorite feature of the Leupold VX-3i is the easy set and easy zero. You can move between different ranges without doing a lot of calculations and still shoot with dead-on accuracy. It has extremely clear optics worthy of top billing on our list and a duplex reticle that is easy to locate and center your eye.

This scope does the job at 100 or 150 yards well, but longer ranges need a more powerful magnification. It has adjustments for windage and elevation, which are accurate but not as clear as some competitors.

Bottom Line

The Leupold VX-3i is a good scope for the price. It is far from the cheapest option on the market, but it performs well where it counts in accuracy, optics, and ease of use.

Runner Up

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 Riflescope

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What Recent Buyers Report

Hands down, a favorite feature of this scope is the audible turrets that you can hear click into place when making adjustments. The quality is pretty good, too, with many buyers commenting on clear optics and amazing clarity in details. The size and weight of the scope are average, and the company seems to provide good warranty coverage in case you encounter any issues.

Why It Stands Out to Us

We like a company that produces quality products and puts their name where the money is. The company’s warranty coverage gives us great confidence in buying this product.

But more than just a good quality scope with some bells and whistles, we also like that it is easy to use. The adjustments are marked, turrets are audible, and the reticle is illuminated. The only feature that is a little tricky is the mechanical zero stop.

Bottom Line

You cannot go wrong with a reputable company willing to offer good warranty coverage. We think that the optics are good, the quality is up to snuff, and it is pretty easy to use.

Best Budget Option

Vortex Diamondback 4-12×40 Matte Riflescope

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What Recent Buyers Report

An overwhelming number of recent buyers are satisfied with high-quality optics at an affordable price. Vortex is well-known for supporting its products with comprehensive warranties, and this product is no exception. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

There truly is no room for poor quality optics when it comes to riflescopes. Everyone’s safety within range is at play, so the shooter must have an accurate scope with a clear field of vision and good range. Vortex delivers quality products; you can often tell by the look and feel of their accessories that they are of good quality.

A good quality scope that doesn’t break the bank is essentially what most hunters are looking for, and this Vortex scope fits the bill. We like that it is easy to use and has audible turrets, so there is no guesswork when making adjustments. 

Bottom Line

There are more expensive, fancier options on the market. If you are looking for a good quality scope that does the job, this one is worth a look. Just be careful about what rifle you are pairing with, as the eye relief is a bit short.

Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10×44 Waterproof Riflescope

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What Recent Buyers Report

Vortex is well-known for its quality parts and comprehensive warranties. Buyers appreciate shopping with peace of mind knowing that the company will stand behind its products if something should go wrong. Overall the scope exceeds expectations for optical clarity and ease of use.

Why It Stands Out to Us

We like that this is a no-fuss, easy-to-use scope. The manufacturer has it set to shoot with dead-on accuracy at 100 yards. Adjustments are available for other uses, and they seem to be easy to maneuver. The clicks are audible, and the levers are not too stiff.

We also like that you don’t have to shell out a lot of cash to get a functional riflescope. Good quality components, good optics, and a good design earn this scope good reviews and a spot on our list. And, best of all, it is waterproof, which is pretty important for being out in the elements while hunting.

Bottom Line

You can expect the same good quality of products and service from Vortex with this budget-friendly choice. But buyers should keep in mind that this model can be difficult to focus on.

Athlon Optics Argos BTR Gen II 6-24x50mm MOA Riflescope

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Feedback from buyers on this scope has been overwhelmingly positive. The additional magnification power allows for longer ranges up to 600 yards. The design features improved turrets and easy zero stop as improvements over the first-generation model. While the optics are not as good as some top-line models, most users gave them a passing grade.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Athlon Optics receives a notable mention on our list because the manufacturer has gone out of their way to listen to user feedback and improve their product. The first release of this scope featured mushy turrets and grainy magnification; both improved on the current model.

The lenses feature a special coating that protects from dirt, grease, and weather-related elements. And, the military-grade aluminum construction is durable for heavy use. We appreciate the effort that the manufacturer has put into making a good quality product at an affordable price.

Bottom Line

We like this scope for its good optics and durable quality, especially for the additional zoom capacity. Most budget-friendly options peak at 100 – 150 yards.

Benefits of a Quality Scope for a .270

When it comes to optics, there really isn’t any room for cheap materials. It is common for hunters to spend as much or more on a good quality scope as they did for the rifle. A good scope will improve your performance, self-confidence, and safety. 

Low light levels and weather conditions affect the field of view for any hunter. Plus, there is a natural limit to the distance the naked eye can see details. Even hunters with perfect eyesight find it more comfortable to shoot with a scope to magnify their field of view.

Better optics means better performance. With the right scope, you can shoot at distances of 300 or 500 yards accurately whereas the naked eye might only be accurate up to 150 yards. With a better shot, you will feel more confident as a hunter. The ego boost and safety features of using a scope should be enough to convince any novice that a scope is a worthwhile investment. 

Conclusion

A .270 caliber rifle is popular among big-game hunters. It can shoot levels up to 300 yards, but the naked eye cannot always see clearly at these distances. Nor can many big game hunters stealthily sneak up on their prey. 

The best scope for .270, like the Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm, takes care of both problems by providing an accurate view from a greater distance, while offering the safety and comfort of the person behind it.

People Also Ask 

Now that you are all but convinced to invest in a scope for your .270 rifle, let us touch on some common questions that are likely to come up while shopping.

What is a good scope for a .270?

Our favorite scope for a 270 is the Luepold VX-3HD which provides unparalleled optical quality, easy setup and use, and a generous eye-relief. It is dead accurate at 100 yards and features plenty of adjustments for distance, windage, and elevation.

How far can you shoot with a .270?

Distance is more about accuracy than actual distance. How far can you shoot a .270 accurately? Manufacturers say distances up to 300 yards without windage. Experienced hunters argue that anything over 200 yards requires some skill and calculation, but it is possible.

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.