A rifle scope acts exactly like a telescope, but on a smaller, more portable scale. It helps you locate your target faster. It also allows you the power to shoot with more precision and reliability.
In this article, we’ll be walking you through the best rifle scopes for 6.8 SPC.
Stay tuned – or check out many of our other rifle scope reviews!
What Is 6.8 SPC?
In 2002, Remington Arms together with members of the US Army Marksmanship Unit designed the 6.8 SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge), also known as the 6.8 mm Remington SPC. It was made to replace its predecessor, the 5.56 mm, which was lacking in power and reliability.
This type of cartridge is an intermediate rifle cartridge. It’s known for its rimless bottle-necked shape and design. The 6.8 SPC is best used for tactical and hunting purposes, as well as self-defense.
Features of the 6.8 SPC
- Has just the right amount of balance between recoil and stopping power
- Lightweight
- Efficient
- Great for deer, hog, as well as other medium and large-sized game
- Its best shooting distance is anywhere from 300 to 500 yards
It is designed to work best with magazines sized for AR-15 (ArmaLite) platform. It can also perform well with the M-16 platform. It delivers 44% more power than other types of rounds. It performs better with short barrels and is better at retaining its energy.
What Are the Basics for a Riflescope for a 6.8 SPC?
Scopes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and features. More expensive scopes don’t necessarily mean you’re getting a better product. But it does mean you’re investing in something that will last longer.
The best 6.8 SPC scopes have to be durable to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of outdoor hunting. They have to be durable, waterproof, shock-proof, as well as fog-proof.
Here are some other features to help you pick the best rifle scope for a 6.8 SPC.
Lenses
The most important parts of a scope are the lenses. That is true for any scope, including ones for the 6.8 SPC. – What else do you need to know when you want to buy a scope?
There are two types of lenses. The one closest to your eye is known as the ocular lens, which is placed in the eyepiece. The one at the farther end is called the objective lens and it is situated in the objective bell.
Ocular Lens
The ocular lens can be found on microscopes, telescopes, as well as rifle scopes. It’s the lens you peer through when you use your device. It is also referred to as an eyepiece lens. Ocular lenses are placed in the objective bell.
The purpose of an ocular lens is to re-magnify the image after it passes through the objective lens. They are waterproof and fog-proof.
Objective Lens
The objective lens sends light to the ocular lens, which magnifies it to clarify the image you are looking at. It is responsible for the brightness and clarity of your image. That is why typically the bigger the objective lens, the clearer you will see the image. Depending on your needs, e.g. long-range shooting vs hunting, you need to have your 6.8 SPC scope come with a large objective lens to let more light into the scope tube.
Objective lenses come in different diameters. Some come with the size of the objective lens being 28 mm diameter or lower. They are great for rifles with little recoil and short-distance shooting but won’t usually be in the selection as the best 6.8 SPC scope.
Diameters of the objective lens ranging from 30 to 44 mm are best for high-powered scopes and rifles with a bit more recoil like the 6.8 SPC. They’re also useful for hunting in low-light conditions. They are a good fit as an all-around best 6.8 SPC scope.
The last type is the objective lens with a diameter of 50 mm and higher. These are best used when there’s very low light and for shooting at long-range targets. Some of the best 6.8 SPC scopes come with an objective lens as large as 56 mm in diameter making them a great choice for low-light conditions.
While it does sound compelling to have a 6.8 SPC scope with a large objective lens, the downside is that such a scope adds more weight. As a rule of thumb you can keep in mind that the larger the objective lens, the higher the weight will be. A heavy scope can impact the balance of your 6.8 SPC rifle negatively.
What are the best scopes when you’re shooting long-range of 1,000 yards? Have a look at our review!
Looking for scopes under $500 to $600? Find our take on the best scopes at that price here!
Scope Lens Coatings
Most scopes have an ocular and objective lens that is coated with a thin layer of synthetic material. This helps reduce glare from sunlight and other bright lights.
Many high-quality scope manufacturers produce their own proprietary lens coatings. These are then applied to the objective lens and the ocular lens to reduce glare and increase light transmission into and through the scope tube.
There are four types of lens coating:
Coated
A single layer of coating covers only one surface of the ocular and objective lens.
Fully-coated
This is the standard option on most rifle scopes. All glass surfaces of the ocular and objective lens are covered with only one layer of coating.
Multicoated
This is the more expensive option. It’s when only one surface of the ocular and objective lens is covered with multiple layers of coating.
Fully Multicoated
This option can be found on more expensive scopes. It’s usually for the seriously dedicated hunters. The best 6.8 SPC scopes will have fully multi-coated lenses where all external glass surfaces are covered with several layers of coating.
Reticles
As you look through the eyepiece, you’ll notice there is a crosshair, or what’s known as a reticle. This clearly tells the shooter exactly where his shot will go once he pulls the trigger. Some can estimate the distance to make aiming faster and shooting even easier.
The reticles are either positioned on the first or second focal plane. A 6.8 SPC scope with a first focal plane reticle is usually more expensive. When positioned on the front focal plane, the reticle stays proportional in size to the target when you zoom in or out. This is usually a good option for long-range target shooting as it provides consistent hold-over points.
Second focal plane reticles in 6.8 SPC scopes are more commonly used for hunting. Rear focal plane scopes keep the reticle the same size when you zoom in or out. This is a good option when hunting but can be problematic when you’re shooting long-range.
Reticles come in various types with the most common being:
Duplex
This is the default type of reticle. It’s easy to use, great for quick aiming. It’s usually recommended for beginners.
Mil-Dot
The Mil-Dot reticle helps estimate the distance of the target. It’s mainly used by law enforcement and military personnel.
BDC
This type of reticle is the best choice for long-range hunting. It estimates bullet drop, holdover, and more.
Different Types of Rifle Scope Reticles for Hunting and Tactical Shooting
Additional Features
Other features include two types of turrets for scopes for 6.8 SPC, which are knobs that turn left or right. The windage turret adjustment fine-tunes the scope’s horizontal settings. There is also an elevation turret feature that tweaks the scope’s vertical settings.
The main body of the scope is called a tube. The scope tube comes in two diameters, 1 inch or 30 mm. Some newer models for long-distance shooting come even with 34mm tube diameters. Almost all riflescopes are waterproof and fog-proof.
Sighting-in is what hunters call the process of aligning your scope. Be patient and take your time practicing how to sight-in a scope correctly.
You must know whether your rifle has a lot of recoil. If it does, you have to make sure you have enough space between your eye and the end of the scope. This is referred to as eye relief. The standard is at least 3.5 to 4 inches of eye relief.
Rifle scope eye relief – What you need to know about scope clearance
Have a look at our Vortex Strike Eagle riflescope evaluation!
What Magnification Do You Need for the Typical Use of a Riflescope for a 6.8 SPC?
Generally, there are two types of magnification features for your scope, fixed and variable. – How do distance and magnification correlate?
A fixed magnification feature is your better pick for one of the best 6.8 SPC scopes if you are used to shooting fixed targets and don’t need to change your magnification. Red dots for 6.8 SPC rifles also come with a fixed magnification of 1x which can then be increased by combining them with a magnifier.
Going with a variable magnification scope is more practical if you usually change your targets and shooting distances. Most hunters and target shooters will choose variable scopes for their 6.8 SPC. – Is there a best power range and magnification for scopes?
Fixed and Variable Scopes
Rifle Scopes can either be fixed or variable. Fixed scopes have one magnification. They’re cheaper, help you aim faster, and are usually of a higher quality than variable scopes.
Variable rifle scopes use a power ring to enable you to adjust the level of magnification setting. This magnification can go from 3x your normal vision all the way to 24x in some scopes.
Let’s say you buy a scope with a variable magnification power ring and you set it at 3x. This means the lens makes objects appear three times closer than they would if you were looking at them without the help of your magnification scope.
The range of magnification for the best 6.8 SPC scopes that you need depends on what type of target you’ll be hunting. A medium-sized game may require 6x magnification to accurately pinpoint them. A larger-sized game may not require such high magnification.
You also have to take into consideration the terrain and your shooting distance. If you’re going to be shooting at around 100 yards, a scope with a range of magnification of 1 – 4x should do quite well.
If your shooting distance is around 200 yards, use a 5 – 8x range of magnification. If your distance is greater than 200 yards, you’ll need a more powerful scope with a 9 – 12x magnification range.
The 6.8 SPC can handle any target at a maximum distance of 800 yards. It’s accurate and provides deep penetration power with exceptional overall performance. The only downside is that the field of view becomes narrower.
What Are the Best Rifle Scopes for 6.8 SPC?
Finding the best 6.8 SPC scope doesn’t have to be a challenge. We made a list of some of the most reliable scopes available on the market to make it easy to find the scope that best fits your shooting needs.
Trijicon TA31H-68-G ACOG 4×32 mm Scope
The Trijicon TA31H-68-G ACOG 4-32mm scope features dual illumination options within the illuminating reticle and is perfectly designed to allow you to aim with both eyes open. This feature is exclusive to Trijicon and is known as the Bindon Aiming Concept. This hassle-free no battery feature guarantees efficiency and reliability.
Please also check out our review of the Trijicon 4-16×50 Accupoint scope!
This design feature on the Trijicon ACOG scope for the 6.8 SPC is what illuminates the reticle with the help of two lighting systems, one for daylight and another for nighttime. The fiber optics provide illumination during the day, while the tritium optics provide illumination at night. The level of brightness on the reticle self-adjusts according to the surrounding lighting conditions.
The Trijicon ACOG 6.8 SPC scope weighs 9.9 ounces (280 gm) and is 5.8 inches (147 mm) long. It’s known for its ‘Both Eyes Open’ aiming feature to boost situational awareness and quick reactions (How to shoot with both eyes open?). Its fixed magnification provides a clear image even as far away as 900 yards. Realistically, it will require a lot of experience and expertise to predictably shoot at such a distance with a 6.8 SPC scope like the Trijicon ACOG, which has a 4x fixed magnification.
The lenses of the Trijicon ACOG are made from high-quality glass and are multi-coated. This gives you clarity and precision while you’re shooting, and prevents image distortions. Plus, it enhances target acquisition.
This Trijicon ACOG scope is durable and sturdy. It’s designed to withstand all types of weather and shooting conditions and is without a doubt one of the best 6.8 SPC scopes you can get.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Shock-proof
- Fog-proof
- Fixed magnification at 4x
- Eye relief is 1.5 inches (38 mm)
- Field of view is 36.8 feet at 100 yards
- 32mm objective lens
Cons
- Very short eye relief
Are Trijicon ACOG clones any good? Check out the best ACOG alternatives!
HOLOSUN HS510C Reflex Red Dot Sight with HM3X 3X Magnifier
The HOLOSUN HS510C red dot sight is designed with advanced LED technology that allows for up to 50,000 hours of activity using the same battery. The optic is powered by a battery as well as solar energy.
This sight is designed to fit both Picatinny and Weaver rails. The magnifier can be easily flipped to the side using either your right or left hand. The HOLOSUN HS510C scope has a reticle with 12 levels of brightness. Its exclusive Circle Dot Scope feature is easy to use. The turrets are firm and allow for quick adjustments.
The HOLOSUN HS510C weighs 8.3 ounces (235 gm) and 3.58 inches (91 mm) long. This 6.8 SPC scope is compact, lightweight, and durable. Its sturdy aluminum alloy housing protects the scope from dust and debris.
It’s a reliable optic that provides you with precise shooting during all types of lighting conditions and shooting distances. It’s also sturdy and durable to withstand harsh weather conditions and the heaviest of calibers.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Shock-resistant
- Comes with a lens cloth, a storage box, and 3 SONY CR2032 batteries
- Eye relief is 2.75 inches (69.8 cm)
- Field of view is 37 feet at 100 yards
- Powered by one CR2032 battery
Cons
- The magnification is fixed
We reviewed the Paralow HS503 RDS from Holosun. Have a look!
ZEISS Conquest V6 3-18×50 Riflescope
This German-made riflescope from Zeiss has a sleek, modern matte design. It’s one of the best super zoom scopes built for durability and precision. It’s great at every distance, from close shooting to mid and long-range shooting.
The Zeiss Conquest V6 3-18×50 scope weighs 22.2 ounces (630 gm). It’s 13.3 inches (34 cm) long and with a tube body diameter of 30 mm. This scope for 6.8 SPC comes with a magnification power of 3 to 18x.
The turrets are capped to protect them from bumps and dents. The turret adjustment knobs provide accurate and reliable handover and elevation adjustments.
The second focal plane reticle is specifically designed with the Zeiss Rapid-Z feature. The lenses are made of high-quality glass. They’re fully multi-coated using Zeiss’ exclusive anti-reflective (AR) LotuTec and T* coating.
The Zeiss Conquest V6 is one of the best 6.8 SPC scopes you can find. It’s a great all-around option for many hunting situations.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fog-proof
- The magnification power range is 3 – 18x
- Eye relief is 3.54 inches (9 cm)
- Field of vision is 37 – 6 inches (12.4 – 2.1 m)
- The size of the objective lens measures 50 mm
Cons
- The reticle is not illuminated
Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 mm Riflescope
This Leupold VX-5HD riflescope has a matte finish. It weighs 19.2 ounces (544 gm). It has a length of 13.53 inches (345 mm) and a main body tube diameter of 1.81 inches (30 mm). It is a lightweight scope. Nonetheless, it is capable of withstanding all types of weather conditions and recoil.
The second focal plane reticle is combined with Leupold’s Fine Duplex CDS (Custom Dial System). It has 7 brightness levels. Another great feature is the MST (Motion Sensor Technology). With this technology, the illuminated reticle goes into standby mode after 5 minutes of inactivity.
The CDS system on the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 can also be found in the ZeroLock feature. ZeroLock allows for easier shots, especially at long distances. It uses a dial that is customized to your rifle and ammo types. This reduces the need for ballistic calculations and holdovers.
The Leupold VX-5HD scope for 6.8 SPC has a unique Twilight Max HD Light Management system to give you an extra 30 minutes of shooting during low-light conditions. This system reduces glare by up to 80%. It provides you with a clear and bright sight image. The lenses are also scratch-resistant.
The Leupold VX-5HD is the overall best scope for 6.8 SPC for hunting. The low-light capabilities are great and the Leupold quality and lifetime warranty is famed.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Fog-proof
- The magnification range is 3 – 15x
- Eye relief is 3.7 – 3.82 inches (94 – 97.2 mm)
- Field of view is 38.3 – 7.7 feet at 100 yards
- Objective lens measuring 44 mm in diameter
- Powered by one CR-2032 coin cell battery which comes with the scope
Cons
- Elevation turret limits the capabilities of the scope
Burris Optics XTR II 5-25×50 mm Riflescope
The Burris Optics XTR scope is versatile and durable and one of the best scopes for 6.8 SPC rifles. The body tube is 1.33 inches (34 mm) in diameter, 16.31 inches (409 mm) long, and weighs 32.1 ounces (910 gm).
The lenses of the Burris Optics XTR II scope are made with high-grade optical glass. They provide you with clear viewing of long-distance targets, as well as durability. The lenses are multicoated with Index-matched Hi-Lume coating. This helps during dim lighting conditions and reduces glare.
The First Front Plane (FFP) reticle is designed to increase as the magnification range increases. It is also illuminated, making it easier to pinpoint all kinds of targets in all lighting conditions.
This Burris Optics XTR II rifle scope for 6.8 SPC comes with 11 brightness settings. The best part is that there is a battery-saving position between each setting, which is a reliable and handy feature.
Its reliable windage and elevation adjustment turrets are firm, accurate, and quick. These knobs provide easier target identification and turret adjustments.
This scope for 6.8 SPC rifles also has a zero stop feature that is quick and easy to use. It allows you to quickly return to your yardage setting quickly.
The Burris XTR II 5-25×50mm is the best scope for 6.8 SPC for long-range shooting. The maximum magnification power of 25x in combination with the excellent lenses enables you to reliably acquire and hit targets across long distances.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fog-resistant
- Shockproof
- Comes with a lens cloth, lens cover, and sunshade
- The magnification range is 5 – 25x
- Relief of the eye is 3.5 – 4.25 inches (89 – 108 mm)
- Field of vision is 21 – 4.3 feet at 100 yards
- Good light transmission due to the large 50 mm objective lens
- Powered by one CR2032 battery
Cons
- Turrets are too stiff
- Eye relief may be too long for some
Nikon Black FX1000 4-16×50 Riflescope
The Nikon Black riflescope offers 10 levels of brightness settings. It’s controlled by a side-mounted illumination control feature. The scope shuts down after one hour of not being in use.
Nikon’s exclusive FX-MOA reticle is designed specifically for the First Focal Plane (FFP) optical system. It is used to estimate target size, holdover, wind drift, and distance at each magnification range. This reticle also corrects windage, holdover, and range.
Another great feature of the Nikon Black FX1000 4-16×50 scope is its ability to quickly return to zero stop, even after making several changes. This provides accurate shooting. It also helps you adjust quickly between targets and shooting distances. The Nikon Black riflescope offers high-speed turrets.
The scope’s main body tube is 1.3 inches (30 mm) in diameter. It weighs 23.8 ounces (647.7 gm) with a length of 14.8 inches (37.5 cm). It is durable, reliable, and accurate in all weather conditions and at any magnification.
The Nikon Black FX1000 rifle scope offers a rubberized eye guard. This allows for a crisp and clear image and makes it easy to quickly pinpoint your target. This sealed rubberized O-ring prevents moisture, dirt, and dust from entering.
Pros
- Comes with a sunshade
- Waterproof
- Fog-proof
- Shockproof
- The magnification range is 4 – 16x
- Eye relief is 4 – 3.6 inches (101 – 91 mm)
- FOV is 27.2 – 6.8 feet at 100 yards
- The size of the objective lens measures 50 mm
- Powered by one CR2032 battery
Cons
- Some users complained of eye fatigue as a result of the low-quality glass lenses
Steiner H4Xi 4-16×56 mm Hunting Riflescope
The Steiner riflescope is lightweight and compact. It offers a wide field of view, plus high-contrast optics. It boasts of over 90% light transmission, which means you have a clear sight at any time during the day, from dawn to dusk.
With the Steiner H4Xi 4-16×56 mm 6.8 SPC hunting scope, you will get precise adjustments with its features. One great feature of the Steiner scope is the coated lenses made with precision-ground German glass.
The coating protects the lenses from dirt, dust, and debris. It also shields the glass from weather conditions, such as fog, moisture, and humidity. This allows you to see clearly no matter what the weather is like.
Its tube diameter is 1.3 inches (30 mm). The scope weighs 25 ounces (708 g) and is 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) long.
The reticle on this rifle scope is the Steiner exclusive Plex S1. It is illuminated in red by turning a knob. This helps boost visibility and accuracy when the terrain is dimly lit.
This is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) riflescope, which means the reticle is positioned behind the magnification lens within the scope. In other words, the size of the reticle stays the same at all ranges making it a great scope for 6.8 rifles when used for hunting.
Pros
- Comes with lens cloth and lens cover for added protection
- Waterproof
- Magnification range from 4 – 16x
- Powered by one 3-volt Cr 2032 battery
- Relief of the eye is 3.8 inches
- Field of view at 100 yards is 13 – 3 feet
- Oversized objective lens measuring 56 mm in diameter
Cons
- The battery isn’t included
NightForce SHV 4-14×50 mm F1 Riflescope
The NightForce SHV (Shooter Hunter Varminter) scope weighs 30 ounces (850 g). It comes with a 1.3 inches (30 mm) main tube with a length of 14.8 inches (37.6 cm).
Is the Vortex Viper HST an option instead? Have a look at the review!
This is a First Focal Plane (FFP) scope, which is also sometimes referred to as a Front Focal Plane. What this feature does is that it allows the reticle to adjust its size according to the magnification setting. This is the first FFP riflescope in the SHV product line.
The NightForce SHV 4-14×50 mm F1 riflescope comes with a tactical MOA turret. Its exclusive Elevation Feature ZeroSet turret makes it easy to return to the scope’s ‘zero’ setting, even after making several changes. It also comes with a clamp-on NightForce’s unique Power Throw Lever, which boosts the speed of your magnification adjustments. It is easy to use in any condition and from any shooting distance.
The NightForce F1 scope is great for a wide range of applications and it’s a great scope for 6.8 SPC’s. Its wide field of view and high magnification range makes viewing adjustments quick and precise. It offers 12 brightness settings for illuminating when it is dim, shaded, or cloudy. – What should you consider when you’re looking to buy a long-range scope?
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fog-proof
- Magnification range of 4 – 14x
- Illuminated reticle
- Eye relief is 2.8 – 3.1 inches (70 – 80 mm)
- Field of view is 7.4 – 25.1 ft at 100 yards
- Large 50mm objective lens
- Powered by 1 Lithium-ion battery which comes with the scope
Cons
- The red reticle isn’t clearly visible
EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight – 518-2 with G33 Magnifier
The EOTech HHS scope weighs 25 oz (708.8 g). It’s 9.5 inches long, 2.3 inches wide, and 3.3 inches high (234 × 59 × 83.9 mm). This scope offers quick transitions between targets at a close range and those farther away. This quick transition is done with the help of the G33 Magnifier.
Another great feature that helps with the quick transition process is the easy-to-use Switch-to-Side mount. This mount is made up of a lever that you can quickly attach and remove. It’s designed to best fit the 1-inch Weaver side mount and MIL-STD 1913 Rails.
The EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight’s side button operation is compact and easy to use. It takes little space on the rail. This scope offers great wide-field optical performance. It adjusts from dim to bright light easily and efficiently.
It has 20 brightness settings in its standard operating mode. The EOTech scope is durable to withstand the rigorous demands of serious shooters.
This hybrid sight scope comes with the EOTech HWS (Holographic Weapon Sights) Prestige Warranty of 10 years. HWS uses the latest technology for its sighting systems. They provide quick, natural sightings for accurate shooting.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- 3x field magnification range
- Offers 2.2 inches (5.58 cm) of eye relief
- Has a FOV (field of view) of 7.3 degrees
- Powered with two 1.5 AA batteries (alkaline, rechargeable, CR123), included with the scope
Cons
- No night vision features
Check out our comparison of the EOTech 512 and the EOTech 518!
We reviewed the EOTech EXPS2 holographic weapon sight!
Final Thoughts
The 6.8 SPC has proven itself to be reliable, accurate, and effective. Its popularity has been increasing, and it’s now a favorite among civilian gun communities.
The best scope for the 6.8 SPC will bring out its best features. This is why pairing a sturdy, reliable, and accurate scope with the 6.8 SPC will improve and boost your shooting performance and abilities.
Our top pick is the Trijicon TA31H-68-G ACOG 4×32 mm Scope. This high-tech scope features an illuminated reticle for both daytime and nighttime shooting. It has many features and technologies that make it stand out as one of the leading rifle scopes on the market.
For hunting purposes, you won’t be let down by either of the variable scopes we show above. The overall best hunting scope for 6.8 SPC is for most the Steiner H4Xi 4-16×56 mm. It provides good magnification with a large objective lens to have great performance in low-light conditions.
The best 6.8 SPC scope for long-range is in our opinion the Burris Optics XTR II 5-25×50 mm Riflescope. It provides long-distance aiming capabilities with additionally good low-light capabilities that make it a great choice as a 6.8 SPC scope.
If you are looking for a reliable red dot sight for a 6.8 SPC, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, then we recommend the HOLOSUN HS510C Reflex Red Dot Sight with HM3X 3X Magnifier. This scope is a great value for its price. It boasts scratch-resistant, high-quality lenses and a sturdy frame. Its reticle is illuminated using both a CR2032 battery, as well as a solar cell.
The ultimate choice with regards to an electronic sight is for sure the EOTech HHS III Holographic Hybrid Sight. It combines the EOTech 518-2 with their G33 Magnifier to provide a holographic 6.8 SPC red dot sight with a 3x magnification. For tactical situations like home defense, this is something like the ‘gold’ standard.
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