Bolt action rifles have been in the industry for a long time and we know we can’t deny our love for it, especially when you are a hunting lover. Among all the bolt-action names you have heard, I’m sure you have come across the name of this British Legacy, the one and only .303 Lee Enfield.
This rifle has supported the British Empire through its thick and thin and now resides as a permanent member of the British Military. But that does not mean you can’t like it if you are not British. Because this firearm will demand your attention no matter what!
Having said that, when you own this rifle there is no doubt that you will need an appropriate companion for your 303 British rifle. And what can be a better companion than a good quality scope right?
Well if you think just as I do then you are at the right place. I have the best scope recommendations for your 303 Lee Enfield which you don’t want to miss. But before that, let’s take a good look at the buying list for the Lee Enfield rifle scope so that you know what to expect from these products before choosing the best one for your rifle.
Buying Guide For 303 Lee Enfield Scope
Choosing a good scope for rifles mainly depends on the personal preference of every shooter, aligning with his shooting purpose and needs. However, there are some specific points or rather parts that you need to look for when purchasing a scope. Because these portions will declare whether the scope is good enough for your money. Then let’s find out together what these qualities are!
Magnification
First things first, you need to make sure you have a scope with the perfect magnification range. You can find two different kinds of magnification on a scope. One that is fixed meaning you will get only one zooming option with this kind of scope. On the other hand, variable magnification will allow you to zoom in and out whenever you need it.
Also, there are different ranges of magnification systems in the scope. This will solely depend on the purpose of your shooting. With rifles like 303 Lee Enfield, it is best to go for variable magnification ranging between 3x to 9x which will be perfect for any mid to long-range targeting.
Reticle
Another important part of a scope is the reticle. You can find different styles of reticles such as Duplex, BDC and Mil-Dot. The major difference that you have to understand is the crosshair positions of these reticles. I find it best to decide what kind of crosshair and reticle style you want in your scope or which style would be perfect for your shooting needs.
FFP vs SFP
It is also important to know whether your reticle is placed on the first focal plane or on the second focal plane. This way you will know the magnification quality of your scope. Mainly, with the FFP reticle, it enlarges with a zooming level which works best when you are using it for long range targeting.
On the other hand, when your scope’s reticle is on the second focal plane, it stays the same throughout the zooming process. This one works great for both long and short distance targeting. That’s why, for maintaining versatility you should check out the reticle position as well.
Objective Lens
The next important point to check out is the objective lens quality. A good and large objective lens will give you a wider window which will then help you get a clearer picture of your target. Usually, a 30mm to 40mm diameter objective lens works best for 303 rifle shooting. However, you also need to keep in mind that the larger the objective lens the more expensive it will be.
Lens Coating
When talking about the quality of an objective lens, you also need to think about the quality of the lens coating of it. The coating on the lens will tell you about the picture quality and color contrast of the target. That means if you get a good quality lens coating the visibility will be better and more reallike. Getting a fully multi-coated objective lens will work best for your firearm.
Durability
Durability I think is more important than anyone gives credit to it. Your scope needs to be able to survive the harsh environment you will face in the field. That includes the calibration of the rifle, resistance to impact, water, and shock. For this reason, you will need a scope that has the best quality housing material and scratch resistant lens glass.
Eye Relief
Most of the shooters do not care for the eye relief of the scope they use. But you need to understand the distance between your eye and the eyepiece can determine a future accident if not taken seriously. Therefore, always look for scopes that have enough eye relief to comply with the firearm you are using. In the case of the 303 Lee Enfield, you will need a minimum of 3 inches of eye relief in your scope.
Mount
Last but not least, since the 303 Lee Enfield rifle does not come with an inbuilt mounting system, you will need a good quality Picatinny mounting adapter to install the scope rings which will then mount the scope. You can either choose the adapter you already have or you can go for this Low Profile Picatinny Scope Rail for Lee Enfield to mount your scopes.
As you have learned about the important points of scope, it’s time to dive right into the reviews and see what these products have to offer.
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
With variable magnification from 3x to 9x and a large 40mm objective lens, the Leupold VX-Freedom Riflescope has the qualities to charm every shooter that comes its way. And I can assure you that you won’t be able to escape its charm as well when you set it on your 303 Lee Enfield rifle.
The scope has a reticle that features a ballistic plex, well known for its distance compensation while having bullet holdover. Its Custom Dial System (CDS) gives you the freedom to customize ballistic solutions as you can adjust the turret according to your shooting needs.
There is also an Advance Optical System in the 40mm objective lens which puts out the best picture of your targets with high quality true light transmission. And when you mix it with the 3 times more magnification level, the visibility just gets higher.
Its ergonomic design keeps it on the low weight range which the aluminum housing compliments by adding high strength to the scope. You will get a waterproof, shockproof, and durable product with this Leupold Freedom rifle scope which truly makes you free.
What is the eye relief of this scope?
This Leupold VX-Freedom Riflescope gives you 4.2 inches to 3.7 inches of eye relief.
What is the usable length of the 1-inch tube for the scope mounts?
You are getting a total mounting space of 5.39 inches where the front side is 2.32 inches long and the rear side takes 1.85 inches of space.
Does the scope come with a scope cover?
No. unfortunately, the Leupold VX Freedom scope does not come with a scope lens cover. However, you can check out the Leupold Flip Back Lens Kit which is compatible with the 40mm objective lens.
2. Burris Fullfield II Hunting Scope
When it comes to reliability and accuracy, Burris Fullfield II sets the standard for every other rifle scope since its launch in 1975. The high performance optical glass provides you with the clarity that you will not see in any ordinary scope.
Not only that, this Fullfield model features a variable magnification ranging from 3x to 9x. With the larger 40mm objective lens, targeting at a long range becomes quite easier and effortless. In case this does not satisfy your needs, Burris also has options with larger objective lenses and more magnification levels, going up to 20x.
You get a traditional hunting ballistic plex reticle to help you compensate for distance, which will prove to be a perfect companion for your 303 British on a hunting trip. Along with better light transmission, you are getting Index-matched Hi-Lume multi coating for giving a true color contrast of the targets.
Its integrated eyepiece design gives a non-slip grip so that you can be ready with this scope during any critical moment. Besides, the scope comes with positive steel on steel adjustments, assuring more accuracy. The Nitrogen filled tube will keep the lens glass fog free even in extreme weathers.
What is the difference between Plex and Ballistic Plex reticles?
The Plex reticle has simple crosshair lines that gives a simple layout for targeting. Whereas, with the Ballistic Plex reticle you are getting crosshairs with graduated hash marks. These marks are there to help you compensate for distance.
Does this scope have an adjustable objective?
Yes, the Burris Fullfield II scope features an adjustable objective that goes up to 500 yds.
What is the fixed parallax set on this scope model?
With this 3-9x40mm scope model, the parallax is fixed to 100 yds.
3. Valiant Optics Lynx 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
Another great scope recommendation for the Lee Enfield rifle would have to be the Valiant Lynx rifle scope. You are not just getting a variable magnification of 3x to 9x zooming quality, but also the large objective lens of 40mm diameter which is perfect for high quality light transmission.
The Green lens coating will ensure better visibility along with anti-reflection and glare reduction for more clarity. The rifle scope is perfect when you are targeting medium distance shooting with your 303 Lee rifle. Besides, the ¼ MOA adjustments make the point of aim more precise while increasing the accuracy level.
In addition, you are getting a 24x Mil-dot reticle for keeping the traditional quality for shooters who feel more comfortable with the simple Mil-dot setting. There is an option of choosing almost eleven degrees of red color on the reticle so that you never miss any target in any light condition.
And what can I say about the construction quality of the scope? This Valiant Lynx rifle scope has an aluminum housing construction which keeps the product lightweight without compromising on the quality. It is waterproof and shockproof. Therefore, you can easily take this scope with your 303 Lee Enfield rifle on a long ride.
What is the eye relief you get from this scope?
The Valiant scope comes with an eye relief of 104 to 96 mm.
Is the scope illuminated?
Yes, the Valiant Optic Lynx scope features both red and green illuminated reticles. Each of the illuminations comes with five intensity levels.
Do you need a separate lens cover for this model?
No, this scope model comes with solid flip-up lens covers. So, you don’t need to purchase separate ones.
4. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40mm Riflescope
In order to justify the name “Dusk & Dawn” Hunting Riflescope, Bushnell has come with this new model which features a Multi-X reticle system. What this reticle does is, it uses the crosshair on the reticle for better visibility in a low light condition.
Being placed in the second focal plane, this reticle stays true to its magnification level which ranges from 3x to 9x, giving you the freedom to work through any medium to long distance shooting. These facilities make the Bushnell scope a powerful product that you can use in any lighting situation.
The turrets of this scope are adjustable and capped in order to save from any external harms. You can navigate through the elevation and windage adjustments using the 0.5 MOA dials which also gives you a more precise aiming point. Besides, the fast focus eyepiece allows you to quickly and swiftly adjust the reticle to your eye.
The 40mm objective lens is fully multi-coated to provide you with clear and crisp picture quality. The Aluminum housing is waterproof and shockproof so that you can survive in any condition with your Lee 303 gun.
Which sun shade can you get for this scope?
Bushnell does not have a stand-alone sunshade compatible with this scope. However, you can check out these Down Under Outdoors Silicon Rubber SunShades for this model.
What size of scope rings will fit this Bushnell scope?
The scope has a 1-inch diameter tube. Therefore you will need scope rings compatible with the 1 inch tube scopes.
How close can it sight in an indoor range?
You can sight in an indoor range within a minimum of 15 yards with this rifle scope.
5. Tasco World Class 4-12×40 Rifle Scope
Our last friend is in the higher magnification category. With this price point, it is a miracle that you are getting a magnification of 12x which will cover any long distance shooting.
The 40mm objective lens might seem a bit on the lesser with the higher magnification level, but this can also work wonders. This fully coated lens puts out more visibility and high light transmission quality for increased accuracy.
Coming to the reticle. You are getting a 30/30 Duplex reticle on the second focal plane which works for different shooting needs because of the versatility it provides. That’s why you can use this reticle target for deer hunting or take your 303 rifle on a mission. This Tasco scope will support you for all.
With the 26 to 9 inches of Field of View, the precision level is far better than any normal rifle scope. This does not end here. You are also getting 9 holes Weaver style Aluminum scope rings so that you do not need to worry about mounting this on your Lee Enfield.
What is the water resistance level of this scope?
The Tasco Scope has a water resistance level of IPX7 which means you can submerge the scope under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without damaging it.
What is the eye relief of this scope?
You will get a minimum of 3.3 inches of eye relief with this Tasco scope.
Is the scope too heavy for rifles?
No, the weight range of this scope is very minimal. It weighs only 1 oz.
Conclusion
To conclude, this 303 British rifle has been in the weapon business for longer than we can imagine. Its legacy speaks for itself and so it has become sort of like your responsibility to find the best scope possible for this firearm.
Now you don’t need to stress out because I have got you covered. The buying checklist I have given will give the overall picture of a rifle scope so that you can look for these points while purchasing one for your 303 Lee Enfield. But it does not end here. I have also reviewed the top 5 best Lee Enfield scopes you will find in the market.
All you need to do is go through the reviews and find the one that matches your shooting needs the most and you have got yourself the best companion you can possibly find for your British friend.