When brands like Hornady and Ruger collaborate, you get a cartridge like 204 Ruger. It’s a rimfire cartridge based on the .22 Remington Magnum. While I could talk for days about the cartridge itself, you are not here for that.
The topic for today is scopes for 204 Ruger. While 204 Ruger is not the most powerful cartridge in the world, it still packs a good punch with good guns. There are quite a few guns available that fire this cartridge. If you own one, it’s about time you give the gun the glow-up it deserves.
Let’s talk about what you are here for. Finding the best scope for 204 Ruger. Let’s get started with the task on hand.
Best 204 Ruger Scopes – [Editor’s Choice]
1. Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Zeiss is one of the most well-known lens makers in the world. Their lenses are used in cameras and other optics as well. They have been making riflescopes for a long time now. You probably have heard of Zeiss from your smartphone manufacturer as well.
The one I have here is from the Conquest series. Conquest V4 is not the most expensive Zeiss. It’s not a cheap scope either. If you want the best you could get for a Ruger 204 rifle, this is it.
The Conquest V4 is made out of high-quality aluminum. The same type of aluminum you see in 3000$ or more scopes. The internal of the tube is also purged with chemicals. Chemical purging makes the scope immune to moisture and prevents fogging.
In terms of lens, you can’t top the lens in this price range. Whether you are taking this for the Ruger 204 or any other cartridge, you simply can’t top the quality of the lens Zeiss produces.
The lenses are fully multi-coated. They are the most color-accurate and vibrant lens you will ever see in this price range. Their sheer range is something else. The light transmission capabilities are on another level as well.
Does this scope come with any mounting rings?
Unfortunately, no. I know it’s not a cheap scope. But you have to realize most expensive scopes don’t come with mounting rings either. Simply, they don’t know what kind of mounting rails your gun has.
Does Zeiss provide a warranty?
Yes, Zeiss provides an industry-standard lifetime warranty. On top of that, Zeiss also provides a 5-year no-fault policy on Conquest and Victory models.
Is this worth it?
It will always come down to you. Do you think you can utilize a scope of this caliber? If the answer is yes, then you already know whether it’s worth it for you or not. For everyone else, yeah, it’s 100% worth the price you are paying.
2. Sightron SIII SS 6-24×50 Long Range Riflescope
S3 by Sightron is a long-range offering from the company. Sightron is not a new name to most folks out there. They have been here for a good while. While their scopes are not the cheapest, they do have a good reputation among users.
S3 is made out of durable aluminum. The kind of aluminum you see is 2x the price of this scope. It’s a single-piece tube design. Inside of the tube is purged with nitrogen to make it fogproof. The inside is also immune to moisture. The outside is shockproof and waterproof. You will have a fun time using this in any given weather.
The lenses are really good. Crisp, vivid, colorful, and highly accurate. That’s all thanks to the multiple layers of coating and how good of a glass they used with this. The lenses are fully multi-coated. They will serve you for a long time without getting scratchy or fading colors over time. Just based on the lenses alone, it’s a worthwhile investment.
204 Ruger rifles are quite common nowadays. Almost all of them will support a scope like Sightron SIII. If you are looking for a good long-range scope for Ruger 204, then this is one of the best options you could come up with.
Does this come with mounting rings?
No, it doesn’t come with any mounting accessories. You will need to buy the rings and equipment to install the rings separately. Sightron does sell the rings as well. But you could go for other brands as well.
Is the reticle illuminated?
No, the reticle is not illuminated. You can buy this scope with two different reticles. But neither is illuminated.
Is the reticle in FFP?
No, neither variant has an FFP reticle. Both of them are in the second focal plane. It’s kind of a deal breaker for many but could be a good deal for others.
Read More Scope Blogs:- Ruger Gunsite Scout | Ruger Mini 14 | Ruger Mini 30
3. Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Scope
Leupold is an American brand that has been around for years. They make scopes for all sorts of guns and cartridges. VX-3i is not the cheapest Leupold out there. But it’s not the most expensive either. For the price, it’s an incredible mid to long-range riflescope.
VX-3i is constructed from high-quality aluminum. There are no complaints regarding the durability of this scope.
The internal is purged with nitrogen as well. The exterior is rugged and shockproof. It is also rated as waterproof. Given all the proofing this scope has, it’s safe to assume you can use this in any given weather and environment.
Lenses are one of the best if not the best part of this scope. Leupold has always scored the home run with their lens. That remains true here as well. Fully multi-coated lenses are amazing, to say the least. The color contrast and light transmission of the lenses are really good.
As the lenses also feature the Leupold twilight light management system, it’s fabulous under low light. You probably haven’t experienced something like this yet.
Does this scope come with mounting rings?
It doesn’t. You will need to buy the mounting rings separately from Leupold themselves. Or you can buy them from a different vendor if you wish. Remember to buy the one that supports your gun’s rail.
Is it really American-made?
Yes, Leupold is as American as it gets. Sure, they may import materials from the outside of the country. But their design, manufacturing, and customer service are all done in America. Rest assured, they are what they say they are.
Is this night vision compatible?
It’s not a night vision riflescope and you can’t turn it into one either. You are stuck in daytime usage. While the low light of them are exceptionally good, it’s still not night vision.
4. ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope
Looking for a night vision riflescope? You got one. ATN is one of the largest night vision optic manufacturers on the planet. If you search for the best night vision riflescopes, you will find ATN at the top of that list. X-Sight 4K Pro is one of their mid-range and mid-budget offerings. It’s also really user-friendly.
Despite using a processor to render real-life images, the X-Sight 4K pro still uses lenses. Those lenses are fully multi-coated as well. They give enough sunlight to the processor to work flawlessly under any given weather. The scope is shock and fog-proof. There is a built-in ballistic calculator present in the scope. It accounts for range, angle to target, humidity, etc.
The HD sensor is capable of streaming footage at 4k resolution. It can record videos at that resolution as well. It features an enhanced brightness mode to work during the night. You can see clearly during the night thanks to the ATN X-sight. It also has a focus system that will automatically help you focus on the target instantly.
With all the features it’s offering, without a doubt, it’s one of the best Ruger 204 scopes. And it’s the best night vision optic for Ruger 204. It’s the best night vision in this price bracket. It simply can’t be beaten.
Is this a smart night vision scope?
Yes, it’s a smart night vision scope. It doesn’t work based on an IR light like Gen-1 night-vision scopes. It uses a processor to process and show real-life images to the user. It also features a recoil-activated video and smart recording system.
Does this scope come with mounting rings?
Yes, it comes with a 30mm quick detach mounting base. If you want ring-based mounting, then you can buy 30mm mounting rings separately and use those rings to mount your gun.
How long does the battery last?
It lasts around 18 hours of SOT with a single charge. As the battery is rechargeable, you can recharge it on the go with the help of a portable power supply.
5. Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 SFP Riflescope
Vortex has a lot of scopes under different names. Viper is one of the largest names Vortex has. Under this banner, they also released other optical devices as well. Such as spotter, binoculars, sights, etc. This is a medium to long-range riflescope from Vortex.
The Viper is made out of tough and durable aluminum. It is also lightweight. The durability is not questionable at all. While it is rugged, the scope feels premium at the same time.
There is no anodization error visible on this either. The inside of the tube is purged to make it fogproof. The outside is shock and waterproof as well.
The lenses are fully multi-coated. They are vibrant, bright, and extremely sunlight efficient. They gather a really good amount of light to work with. You will get crisp and clear vibrant views throughout the day. Low-light performance will stand out the most. Vortex made these lenses to last and I’m sure they will last you for a good while.
Does this scope come with mounting rings?
They don’t come with any kinds of mounting accessories. Vortex sells them separately. Depending on what kind of mounting rails your gun has, buy the correct pair of mounting rings.
Is this scope capable of night vision?
It’s not capable of night vision in the slightest. The low light performance is good, but it’s still not nearly as good to call it capable of night vision.
Is this scope capable of doing 1000 yards?
It actually can do 1000 yards without even maxing out the magnification. If you know how to read for bullet drop and compensate it, you will hit long-range shots like you never did before.
6. UTG 4-16X44 AO 36-color Mil-dot 30mm Scope
If you are a budget enthusiast like me, you know how well UTG has done for us. They are providing quality scopes for a fraction of the price. I’m not saying they are the best thing ever, but they are really good for a young guy starting on this journey and just wants something usable.
The scope itself is made out of durable aluminum alloy. It’s a mixture of two durable rust-free materials. The inside of the scope is purged with nitrogen. It makes the scope fogproof and immune to any kind of moisture leaking inside. The outside of the scope is surprisingly shock and waterproof. While it’s not submergible by any means, it’s really good against light rain.
The lenses are coated as well. You will get a good view of whatever you are doing with this scope. Let it be hunting, plinking, or casual target practicing, you can do it all. It’s not good for big-game hunting.
But it can do a bit of light hunting during the daytime. The low-light performance is decent. It’s nothing to write home about. But when a scope costs this much money, there usually isn’t much to write about besides the incredible value proportion.
Does this scope come with mounting rings?
Yes, finally a scope that includes mounting rings. But they will only be useful if your gun has picatinny/weaver mounting rails. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use this scope on your gun with the default mounting sets.
Is this scope good for long-range shooting?
No, it’s not good at long-range. It’s suitable for short to medium range. Yes, the maximum magnification is 16x. But it’s not 100% accurate in a range like 1000 yards. You will need to compensate for the bullet a lot.
Is the reticle illuminated?
Yes, the reticle is illuminated. With the help of the EZ-TAP illumination enhancing system, it can illuminate in two colors. You can use green or red color as illumination if you want to. It also works in all weather and light conditions.
7. BARSKA 6-24×50 Varmint Mil-Dot Riflescope
Are you looking for the cheapest riflescope for your 204 Ruger? But you also don’t want to compromise on the brand part and want a decent sales service? You will end up here, with a Varmint from Barska. Barska is mostly known for its budget offerings. They make fun scopes that are usable with rimfire rifles.
The Varmint is made out of durable aluminum. While it’s not the same material as a 3K USD scope, it’s not as cheap as plastic either. It’s durable enough to withstand bolt-action rifles. The scope is a single-piece tube design. The tube is internally purged as well. It makes the scope immune to internal fogging. If you ask me, even the cheapest scope in existence should be fogproof.
The lenses are good. They are not great, they are good. You can get by using them for a good while. They’re coated. They are not plastic. The lens is bright and color-accurate. This is something lower-end scopes struggle a lot with.
It’s a good starting scope. Even if you have something like a 204 Ruger, it’s a good starting point. By the time you learn to read reticle and use the gun completely, you will know more about scopes to upgrade to a better one.
Is this scope good for hunting?
It’s made for hunting. The name Varmint stands for varmint hunting. So, you can guess it’s good for short to medium-range hunting. And it can hunt any varmint-sized animals.
Does Barska provide a warranty?
Yes, they do. Barska has a limited lifetime warranty. You need to send it to Barska to avail warranty. They will fix your scope for you or replace it if necessary.
Does this come with mounting rings?
No, it doesn’t come with any kind of mounting accessories. You will need to purchase them separately for your rifle.
How to Choose The Best Scope For 204 Ruger?
You need to know what you want from a scope. What do you expect from the scope? Do you want higher magnification? Do you want a solid structure? Or perhaps you want both? Ask yourself the question about what you need from it. Besides, keep a couple of pointers in mind that will make the decision easier.
Build Quality
It’s one of the most important parts of a scope. A durable optic will last you for a long time. While cheaply made one will break in a month or two. Nobody wants that. Stick to a solid-made scope.
Warranty
I feature a ton of budget scopes now and then. There are a lot of budget scopes that don’t provide any warranty. Those types of scopes won’t be that good in the long run. Warranty comes in super hand in a pinch.
Lens Quality
Probably the most important part. You want this to be as good as possible. Don’t cheap out on the lens or you will seriously regret it a lot.
Summary
Well, look at that. It didn’t take long to finish. I do sincerely hope you found the scope you were looking for. There are tons of other scopes available for 204 Ruger that didn’t cut.
After all, I’m supposed to suggest to you the best scope for 204 Ruger, and I hope I succeeded in that. That’s all for now, I hope you will tune in for more soon. Take care of yourself. And keep hunting.
Scopes:- 17 HMR | 17 WSM | 224 Valkyrie | 22 Magnum | 243 Winchester | 257 Weatherby | 270 Winchester | 3 Gun | 300 PRC | 338 Lapua | 350 Legend | 375 HH | 44 Magnum | 450 Bushmaster | 50 BMG | 6.5 Creedmoor | 6.5 Grendel | 6.8 SPC | 7.62.39 | Benjamin Marauder | Henry H001 | M1a | Marlin 336 | Marlin 795 | Marlin Model 60 | MK12 | Ruger Gunsite Scout | Ruger Mini 14 | Ruger Mini 30 | Savage 220 | Scar 20S | Sig 716
Scopes & Sights:- 11.5 SBR | 300 Blackout | M4 | MK18 | Ruger Charger | S&W M&P 15&22 | S&W M&P 15 Sport 2
Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
