New scope for a 30/06

[sigpros]

Picked up a 30/06 for my son to hunt out west. What’s a good scope for it? Thinking Leupold

We are at the Tulsa gun show and thought about tonics one up tomorrow
We found a few varixiii 3.5-10x40 used and a vx3 hd 4.5-14 cds $525 new

Looking to see what power range you guys out west like?

I have a 3.5-10 on my 7mm mag and love it but I do like the cds dial for him

 

[MTLabrador]

The old style VX3 3.5-10x40 without CDS is my favorite hunting scope. I love them.

 

[mtmuley]

The old style VX3 3.5-10x40 without CDS is my favorite hunting scope. I love them.

I think the early VX-2 scopes are really underrated. I have a few and would buy more. mtmuley

 

[EastTNHunter]

I think the early VX-2 scopes are really underrated. I have a few and would buy more. mtmuley

I agree that they were a great balance of size/weight/clarity/value. I definitely like them better that the VX Freedom line.

The VX3HD is definitely a nice scope. I love mine in 3.5-10x40 with CDS and 1” tube. Clear and light. It resides on my Tikka 30-06

 

[Dave N]

I agree that they were a great balance of size/weight/clarity/value. I definitely like them better that the VX Freedom line.

The VX3HD is definitely a nice scope. I love mine in 3.5-10x40 with CDS and 1” tube. Clear and light. It resides on my Tikka 30-06

Just got one myself. So far I like it!

 

[Jnasa]

I got a VX3 with CDs last year. I went with the 4.5-14. If I were to do it for my other rifle I’d stick with the 3-10.

I have two old Vari x II that are nearly as old as I am. They still work great. One quite tracking but Leupold replaced the spring on warranty and I’m good to go.

 

[Jbotto]

I like simplicity. Still getting used to a CDS but really like the VX3i 3.5-10x40mm. Pretty useful scope for me.

 

[sigpros]

I have always been happy with my Leupold 3.5-10 Vari x iii. I also like my old busnell elite 2.5-10 also. So 50mm or 40mm? And whats the advantage to a 30mm tube? Also any reticle preferance? I have never shot one but the B&C reticle looks pretty handy

 

[noharleyyet]

I like the VX3HD 3.5x10x40 and the 4.5X14x40 in 30mm tubes...prefer the 3.5x10x40 because firedot is available. Were the 3HD 30mm 4.5x14x40 offered illuminated, IMO, it'd be the perfect western mountain optic.

But definite yes's on the 30mm tube w/ 40mm objective.

..buy em from @schmalts

 

[EastTNHunter]

I have always been happy with my Leupold 3.5-10 Vari x iii. I also like my old busnell elite 2.5-10 also. So 50mm or 40mm? And whats the advantage to a 30mm tube? Also any reticle preferance? I have never shot one but the B&C reticle looks pretty handy

30mm objective offers more travel for adjustments on windage and elevation. If you aren’t into long range shooting then it has no advantage

 

[sigpros]

I’m thinking 400 yards would be the limit. Saying that my son has taken a few deer at 250-300 yards. I think with the right load and bullet the 30-06 will be good to 400. I fully believe in shooting within your limits and knowing them. But I also think as long as you have practiced and know your equipment you can and should take your shot.

 

[B&CTom]

The last few I’ve bought have been Leupold VX3HD with the CDS, 4.5-14 x40. I’ve taken game out to 520 yards this year, and the CDS has been spot on. They do have a VIP program, so if you’re military, LE, or a Hunter’s Ed instructor, you may qualify for some savings there

 

[EKYHunter]

While I’m not “out west”, I don’t see how you could go wrong with the VX5, 3X15X44 with the Firedot reticle. Message @schmalts for the best price. He took care of me and many others on here.

 

[Don Fischer]

Picked up a 30/06 for my son to hunt out west. What’s a good scope for it? Thinking Leupold

We are at the Tulsa gun show and thought about tonics one up tomorrow
We found a few varixiii 3.5-10x40 used and a vx3 hd 4.5-14 cds $525 new

Looking to see what power range you guys out west like?

I have a 3.5-10 on my 7mm mag and love it but I do like the cds dial for him

I have never felt the need or desire to shoot much beyond 300yds. For that a 2-7x scope works fine. Most mine are 2-7's. By the way, I live out west!

 

[ImBillT]

Depends on your demands.

For hitting stuff a fixed 4X or 6X is very difficult to beat. You don’t need high power to hit a deer in the vitals, even out to 500+ yards. Fixed power scopes in the 4-6X range will be brighter and clearer than a variable for the money, and a good one will be brighter and clearer than any variable.

All that said, I hunt with a 4-20X50, two 5-20X50’s, a 6.5-20X50, and a 6-24X50. Why? Because I shot the wrong buck with a fixed 6X42 once. I had higher power glass with me, but not on the rifle. Since then, I like to be able to have the best view of the antlers that I can get. It entirely possible that something less than 20X would please me. But 10X is not enough for me to judge antlers at longer ranges(still under 500). I carry 10X or 8X binos and 10X isn’t always enough to judge an animal. I have to go to the spotter, and I’m glad to have more than 10X in the scope.

 

[Boarmaster]

I mostly use a VX3 3.5-10x40 for my primary bolt action deer rifles. For me its where performance meets price. Most of mine are the VX3 variant non CDS. I am an eastern whitetail hunter that doesnt twist. I cant say I ever had an issue with mine. I’m not tough on equipment but my rifles spend long seasons bouncing around in a ATV or S xS in various temps and conditions. I have many different scopes but tend to think of the VX3 3.5-10x40 as my standard go to scope. I never really found any situation that I have encountered that that scope didnt work for me. My shots are 15 yards to 300 with most around 150.

 

[3855WIN]

I have never felt the need or desire to shoot much beyond 300yds. For that a 2-7x scope works fine. Most mine are 2-7's. By the way, I live out west!

Sure, this can work. But it’s terrible advice for a scope in the year 2024. Even worse for 2025.

 

[3855WIN]

I like the VX3HD 3.5x10x40 and the 4.5X14x40 in 30mm tubes...prefer the 3.5x10x40 because firedot is available. Were the 3HD 30mm 4.5x14x40 offered illuminated, IMO, it'd be the perfect western mountain optic.

But definite yes's on the 30mm tube w/ 40mm objective.

..buy em from @schmalts

Exactly what he said.

I did take my Meopta 2.5-15x to Wyoming the other day and it was ideal for open country elk. Great value in a scope, purchased from Schmalts

 

[3855WIN]

I have always been happy with my Leupold 3.5-10 Vari x iii. I also like my old busnell elite 2.5-10 also. So 50mm or 40mm? And whats the advantage to a 30mm tube? Also any reticle preferance? I have never shot one but the B&C reticle looks pretty handy

If your son is a technical person and will shoot a lot, get him a scope that he can turn turrets. If not, go with a clean, basic reticle. The B&C type reticles are fine, but again, practice with it is required.
Just curious. What rifle was he making 300 yard shots with?

 

[sigpros]

If your son is a technical person and will shoot a lot, get him a scope that he can turn turrets. If not, go with a clean, basic reticle. The B&C type reticles are fine, but again, practice with it is required.
Just curious. What rifle was he making 300 yard shots with?

He has a Ruger American 243 that we put into a Magpul hunter stock with a vari-x-iii 3.5x10x50 scope
I’m thinking the 3.5-10 is what we will stick with. Or the 4.5-14 but leaning toward the 3.5