Scope for 30-06?

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Kirk_Ferentz

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
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589
I've browsed some of the many scope threads. Not sure any one of them is directly on point to what I'm after.

I just picked up a Savage 30-06 -- now it's time for the glass.

It would be nice to have something that does well in long range (let's say 500 yards or more) shooting, although I think for me that would be more of a fun thing at the range. I suppose I could become a lot better than I am now, and I suppose that some of the game that I may eventually (hopefully) get to hunt such as elk or bighorn or who knows what might be of a sort that requires very long shots, but for now, I think of 300 yards as being about the limit of the shots that I take at game. So I'm thinking that 400 yards and under is really the range that I am most concerned about.

Another concern is weight. I got a light rifle and I'd prefer not to have a huge, heavy optic on top of it. This is a field gun, not a range gun. I don't want to carry a lot of glass that I don't need, and I want to be able to hold it study when I don't have a rest.

Since I am not looking to make thousand meter shots and the weight factor probably eliminates a lot of the more complex, heavy scopes, I'm thinking that I should probably be able ti find something that isn't an arm and a leg. The one thing that might jack the price up to some degree is that I want something that is rugged and tough.

Anyway, I know next to nothing about gun optics, other than a good optic makes all the difference. I do know a lot about photographic lenses, so maybe that helps.

Let me hear your recommendations!
 
I'd go for a leupold 3.5x10 also check out nikon you want a clear scope because you can't hit what you can't see. Its better to spend more on the optics than the gun most of the time. You want crystal clear optics not some fuzzy out of focus optic imho.
 
yeah leupold and nikon are the names I expect to see a lot of. but it took me many months to learn about camera lenses ... I don't have that luxury with my rifle scope, so relying on you all.
 
I should add, by the way, that while I don't want a massive range scope, I do not necessarily need an ultra light one either. I'm looking for a good compromise among a powerful, well lit optic that is not overly heavy but is also rugged.
 
I have a Leupold Veri X ll 3-9x40 on my Remington Mohawk. Nice simple scope ,not to heavy, Good for a walking gun. They are just shy of 3 bills .
 
Heres a photo of it cause photos are good;

A6305207-2.jpg
 
A leupold 2.5x8 is a relatively small lightweight scope if thats what your after. You can also checkout the zeiss conquest line very clear optics. Myself i prefer the west german zeiss's but they are quite a bit higher in price. There really are a lot of good optics on the market these days. You may want to check out SWFA they have a section called optics talk. They discuss the merits and good and bad points of different optics there. Good Luck in your quest.
 
I'd suggest a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40, or a Mueller APV 4.5-14x40.

I've got the Leupold on my Remington 700 BDL LH .30-'06 and the Mueller on some of my other rifles.
 
For a nice scope without breaking the bank look at the new Redfield series of scopes. 3-9x40 or the 4-12x40 should fit nicely for you.
 
I have used both Nikon and Leupold scopes, but I think the Nikon is the better value. For shooting out to 4-500 yards you need some magnification, but the 30-06 Spfd. is an excellent brush cartridge, too, so you need some field of view for up close. I recommend the Nikon 3-12x. Here's a link:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-monarch-3-12x42sf-riflescopes.html

If you don't want to spend that much, the 3-9x Nikon or new Redfield would be a good choice.
 
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If your current rifle has iron sights on it, I'd recommend the 'figure 8' over/under scope mounts so you can use both. I have almost all my rifles rigged that way. A big advantage is in case of an accident in the field that damages your scope. With the over/under setup you're not out of action. As for scopes, I second the motion for a Nikon and unless you're a really big time shooter/hunter, spending megabucks for top of the line optics isn't necessary---especially if those pricey optics will spend most of their time in the gunsafe or closet.
 
I have two .30-06 rifles. The bolt action winchester wears a Leupold Vari-x II with a high-end magnification of 7X. The Browning semi-auto wears a Leupold fixed 4X.

My Merkel KR-4 6.5x55 also wears a Leupold Vari-x 11 2-1/2-7X.

I like the lower power scopes. They are lighter in weight, more proportional visually to the rifles, are more than enough magnification for any deer I have ever taken, and they help me avoid the temptation to take ridiculously long range shots that shouldn't be attempted.
 
I have a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on my Remm 30-06 and a Leupold 3x9x40 on my T/C muzzleloader. I must admit I wasn't planning on anything close to 500 yds. when I bought them. The quality of the lenses and coatings is very good on both w/ the Zeiss being a bit better IMO. Of course, the Zeiss cost twice as much as the Leupold. (about $230 and $400 retail IIRC) of course you'll also need rings. Good rings are important. The Zeiss came with plastic with rubber bands lens caps. I bought threaded metal caps for my Leupold. If you want to get crazy you could go with Leica or even Swarovski. If you want to spend a lot less then you could look at Bushnell or Bass Pro brand (Redhead, maybe, I forget the name. For 500 yards you will probably want a magnification of >10.
 
I like a Leupold 2-7 or 3-9


Set it low when walking so you can find the game in the scope if you jump something

Crank it up for the rested long shots.
 
d762nato said:
A leupold 2.5x8 is a relatively small lightweight scope if thats what your after. You can also checkout the zeiss conquest line very clear optics. Myself i prefer the west german zeiss's but they are quite a bit higher in price. There really are a lot of good optics on the market these days. You may want to check out SWFA they have a section called optics talk. They discuss the merits and good and bad points of different optics there. Good Luck in your quest.
Click to expand...

I agree :thumbup::thumbup:

The 3X10 is heavier, longer, and just a wee bit to big for my taste on that rifle.
 
Thanks everyone, some great recs. I am starting to learn about them. I think I have a good handle on the magnification.

For the objective lens, does anyone have any opinion on, say, 40mm vs. 50mm? Looks like a larger OL will bring a good chunk of weight with it, as I know from my camera lenses. But guessing it lets in a lot more light?
 
More objective means much more expensive. Unless you plan on shooting mostly at dawn or dusk, it's probably not worth it. But, if it is a hunting rifle, lots of kills are made around dawn or dusk.
 
The shape of your stock makes a difference, too. If the 50 mm bell causes you to need high rings, then you might be looking at the bottom edge of the lens when you shoulder the rifle quickly. Either that, or you have to crane your neck up higher to get a good view, and that can mess up accuracy. Unless your rifle has a very high comb, or you have a very full cheek, the 40 mm objective lens works out better, in medium or low rings.
 
If your current rifle has iron sights on it, I'd recommend the 'figure 8' over/under scope mounts so you can use both. I have almost all my rifles rigged that way. A big advantage is in case of an accident in the field that damages your scope. With the over/under setup you're not out of action. As for scopes, I second the motion for a Nikon and unless you're a really big time shooter/hunter, spending megabucks for top of the line optics isn't necessary---especially if those pricey optics will spend most of their time in the gunsafe or closet.



I thought about this more because it would be nice to have iron sights in case i have something running at me. The rifle doesn't have iron sights, but I was thinking about maybe getting them installed at some later date. I think I will cross that bridge in the future. It seems like it might make for a more cumbersome and less user friedly scope profile, but sounds like you don't mind it.
 
Under 300 yards and over 400 yards are two different animals when shooting. If this is a hunting gun, bear in mind that the vast majority of whitetail deer killed in the last 50 years average 75yds or less.

In a hunting gun, a Nikon, Leupold, Redfield, Millet or even a Simmons / Bushnell fixed 4*40 is a great, light optic. Certainly enough for shots on deer inside 300 yds.

For shooting in the 40)+ range, you need a better optic, a well bedded rifle and a good trigger. I would look minimally at a Nikon Buckmaster in 6-18*40. Side Focus is probably going to be a benefit. You also need either a range finder or mil dots to be able to accurately judge range.

Forget about 500 yards for a while. It is a whole other animal. At that range, even if your gun shoots MOA, it will open your groups up to 5-6" at 500 yds. You also have about 45" of bullet drop at 500 with a 30-06. Add in wind and other environmental factors... the ability to make clean, ethical shots on game at 500 yards is very difficult and requires a very well tuned rifle, lots of practice time and finding the right ammo combination for the gun. (likely handloads)
 
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