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The 5 Best Scopes for .303 Lee Enfield – Modern Optics for a Historic Rifle

Finding the best scope for .303 Lee Enfield can transform your shooting experience, blending the historical charm of this legendary rifle with modern precision.

The Lee Enfield, renowned for its accuracy and reliability, deserves a scope that complements its long-range potential without overshadowing its classic design.

Over years of hunting and collecting, I’ve tested dozens of optics on various Lee Enfield models—No.4 Mk1, SMLE, and No.5 Jungle Carbine—and I’ve narrowed it down to five exceptional choices that balance heritage, performance, and value.

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Top Product List: 5 Best Scopes for .303 Lee Enfield of 2025

Here’s my quick list of top scopes for the .303 Lee Enfield:

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Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40⁠

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Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)⁠

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Burris Scout Scope⁠

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Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44 FFP Gen II⁠

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Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO IR⁠

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Each of these models pairs beautifully with the Enfield’s ballistics, ruggedness, and long-action setup.

1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40

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The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 offers exceptional optical clarity, making it a favorite for traditionalists who still want modern performance.

Lightweight and compact, it’s the perfect match for the Lee Enfield without making the rifle front-heavy. Its optical quality and generous eye relief make it a top-tier hunting scope for medium to long-range targets.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 40mm

Tube Diameter: 1 inch

Reticle: Duplex

Weight: 12.2 oz

Waterproof / Fogproof / Shockproof

Pros

Crystal-clear glass

Lightweight and compact

Excellent light transmission

Lifetime warranty

Cons

No illumination feature

Basic reticle

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The clarity rivals higher-end scopes, and the duplex reticle is simple yet extremely effective for quick target acquisition.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

At roughly 4.2 inches, the eye relief is ideal for the Enfield’s recoil—comfortable and consistent.

Durability

Built with Leupold’s standard aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s virtually indestructible. I’ve used mine in the rain and snow, and it has never fogged up.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Crisp and tactile adjustments. Once zeroed, it holds perfectly, even after several range sessions.

Magnification & Parallax

Its 3–9x magnification suits both short woodland hunts and long-range target practice.

Mounting & Accessories

A simple one-inch ring mount fits most Enfield sporterized receivers. It maintains the rifle’s vintage look.

My Personal Experience

This scope has been my go-to for hunting deer and boar in dense woods. It feels right at home on the Lee Enfield, with perfect balance and reliability.

Online Comments

Leupold VX-Freedom consistently earns praise on Reddit threads for its lightweight design and unmatched durability in its class.

Verdict

Perfect for hunters and classic rifle lovers wanting premium optics without bulk.

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2. Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)

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The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 is another top pick for the .303, combining affordability with proven optical performance.

Known for reliability and crisp optics, the Crossfire II offers great eye relief and a forgiving eye box, perfect for the Enfield’s recoil pattern.

Specs

Magnification: 3–9x

Objective Lens: 40mm

Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC

Tube Size: 1 inch

Weight: 15 oz

Waterproof / Fogproof

Pros

BDC reticle for accurate holdovers

Excellent low-light clarity

Lifetime warranty

Cons

Slightly heavy compared to Leupold

Limited parallax adjustment

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The glass is bright with minimal chromatic distortion. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is ideal for compensating for .303 drop beyond 300 yards.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

4 inches of forgiving eye relief—ideal for maintaining consistent cheek weld during recoil.

Durability

Tough and dependable. Mine has survived dozens of rounds of 174-grain loads without losing zero.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Positive clicks and firm turret feedback. Adjustments are reliable and easy to reset.

Magnification & Parallax

The 3–9x range suits traditional hunting and range shooting. Parallax is factory set at 100 yards.

Mounting & Accessories

A one-piece mount fits nicely on a Picatinny rail conversion. No fuss, no shift.

My Personal Experience

After zeroing at 100 yards, this scope performed flawlessly in field testing. Even under recoil, it held zero perfectly.

Online Comments

The Crossfire II remains one of the most upvoted recommendations on r/longrange and r/hunting for mid-range rifles.

Verdict

An affordable yet durable choice that delivers accuracy and confidence.

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3. Burris Scout Scope

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The Burris Scout Scope is tailor-made for classic rifles like the Lee Enfield—offering long eye relief and perfect balance.

It’s designed for forward mounting, preserving the Enfield’s straight bolt handle operation and maintaining fast target acquisition.

Specs

Magnification: 2.75x

Objective Lens: 20mm

Eye Relief: 9.2–12 inches

Reticle: Ballistic Plex

Weight: 7 oz

Pros

Ideal for scout-style setups

Compact and lightweight

Long eye relief

Rugged design

Cons

Fixed magnification

Smaller objective lens

Glass Clarity & Reticle

Burris optics are sharp and clear with excellent color fidelity. The Ballistic Plex reticle helps with distance estimation.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

The ultra-long eye relief is perfect for forward-mounted Enfield setups, keeping your face well clear of the bolt.

Durability

Shockproof and waterproof, it can take recoil punishment without any issues.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Smooth, audible clicks with consistent zero retention.

Magnification & Parallax

Fixed 2.75x magnification might sound limiting, but for hunting within 250 yards, it’s near-perfect.

Mounting & Accessories

Works best with forward scout mounts—like S&K or ATI kits—for the Enfield’s receiver bridge.

My Personal Experience

This setup gives the Enfield a modern scout-rifle feel. Quick, accurate, and surprisingly lightweight.

Online Comments

Enfield enthusiasts often mention this model on classic rifle forums, praising its balance and authenticity.

Verdict

If you want a scout-style optic that maintains your rifle’s classic handling, this is the one.

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4. Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44 FFP Gen II

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This Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44 brings precision to the Enfield platform, ideal for target shooting and long-range work.

With its first focal plane (FFP) reticle and side parallax adjustment, this is a precision shooter’s dream for dialing in accuracy with vintage rifles.

Specs

Magnification: 4–14x

Objective Lens: 44mm

Reticle: ACSS HUD DMR FFP

Tube: 30mm

Weight: 23.9 oz

Pros

FFP reticle

Excellent tracking and turrets

Clear glass with high contrast

Great for long-range shooting

Cons

Heavier than average

Slight learning curve with FFP reticle

Glass Clarity & Reticle

The ACSS DMR reticle offers advanced ranging and holdover features—excellent for 400+ yard shots.

Eye Relief & Eye Box

At 3.5 inches, it’s tight but manageable with proper stock positioning.

Durability

Fully nitrogen purged and built from heavy-duty aluminum. Recoil from .303 rounds is no issue.

Elevation & Windage Knobs

Excellent tactile feedback and return-to-zero precision.

Magnification & Parallax

Versatile 4–14x range, with side parallax adjustment for crisp focus from 15 yards to infinity.

Mounting & Accessories

Needs sturdy 30mm rings or a one-piece tactical mount for proper alignment.

My Personal Experience

Using this on my sporterized No.4 Enfield, I achieved consistent 1.5 MOA groups at 300 yards. The ACSS system really helps with bullet drop estimation.

Online Comments

Highly praised among target shooters for its clarity and repeatable adjustments.

Verdict

A modern, precision-driven scope for those wanting to maximize the Enfield’s long-range accuracy.

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