New scope for a 30/06

[ismith]

I’m using a 90’s Leupold 3.5x 10 right now and it’s about the perfect scope for where I hunt.

 

[3855WIN]

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

Don’t overlook that .243 for a Western hunt. It will work well for most situations.

 

[asgmiami1]

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

How much do you wanna spend? I have a vortex tactical on my 308 that I spent under $300 on. I’m strongly considering getting a second to replace the scope on my 06.

 

[Rugern01]

I have a VX3-HD 3.5-10x50 that I bought last year. Just got it mounted and sighted in, including a trip back to Leupold. Ran out of elevation. Leupold said all good and if still an issue use adjustable rings. Good thing I have a set of Burris Sigature Zee rings. Needed to use the .020 set at 45*. Not what I was hoping for, but it’s sighted in. I also have a Trijicom Credo 3-9x40. Some trade offs but I like the Credo much better. The dials are night and day difference. I thought about selling the Leupold and getting another Credo, but didn’t feel right knowing the next guy will likely have the same issue. And Leupold VX3-HD is the third scope on this particular gun. The other 2 had no issues sighting in.

 

[Don Fischer]

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

Why is it terrible advice?

 

[3855WIN]

Why is it terrible advice?

Unnecessarily limiting magnification. You can buy a 4-12x within two ounces of the 2-7x. With the exception of a dedicated dark timber elk rifle, you gain no advantage by topping out at 7x.
I have a 2-7x on my 38-55 and it’s even underscoped. But it is accurate and sighted in, so I haven’t switched it.

 

[Don Fischer]

Unnecessarily limiting magnification. You can buy a 4-12x within two ounces of the 2-7x. With the exception of a dedicated dark timber elk rifle, you gain no advantage by topping out at 7x.
I have a 2-7x on my 38-55 and it’s even underscoped. But it is accurate and sighted in, so I haven’t switched it.

2-7 will be smaller and probably ride in lower mounts. I hunt with mine on 2x all the time which you could also do with a 3-9x I doubt a 4-12 will work on the lower rings either. If your shooting your animals 20 min after dark and at 600 yards you might have a point about limiting light, you called it magnification. You look at a target at 100 yds with a 1" aiming point and some advantage to higher power. look at an aiming point at say 300yds on a deer or elk and no advantage, for some reason the aiming point doesn't exist on the animal, just a large spot you have to define yourself. Been using a 2 3/4x scope on a 338 Win mag and 30-06 for a lot of years and have never regreted it.

 

[3855WIN]

Don, I have no doubt that 2 3/4 scopes have worked well for you. But I also feel very strongly that you’d do just as well, if not better, with a little more magnification. I’ve had a 1 3/4-5x as well as the 2-7x I mentioned earlier. I’ve mostly hunted out West with a 3.5-10x, but prefer more magnification than that. A scope that tops out around 14x-16x would be about right for me. I often hunt with my scope set on 10x. I might set it differently if a Cape buffalo charge was possible.

 

[Don Fischer]

I think if higher power does work for you it's the way to go. I've found that carrying my scope, low power was the way to go. You always have time to increase power but not always time to lower it. You mentioned using a 1 3/4-5 power scope. I has a 1-4x some years back and didn't cade for it. Problem was I'd bring it up for a shot on 1x and get haalf my barrel in the picture. Finally quit carrying on 1 power and went to 3 power and problem went away. I don't really think anyone that sees themselves shooting at long range could be best off with a low power scope but the 2x setting is useable to far farther than most believe. Another thing about the lower power is I find I can hold steadier at 2x than much above it. At longer range with a high power scope it's harder for me to hold steady on one spot but much easier on low power. Something that does bug me is the idea that out west your gonna need more power, simply not true unless you take low percentage shots. Much beyond 300yds is getting low percentage to me. Only ever tried a shot that long one time with my 6.5x06. rangefinder said 330yds but as I recall I went with 3x on that shot and worked out fine.

Had my 25-06 out for deer one time and it had a 3-9x on it. Came over a hill nd there was my deer. Didn't find it in the scope right away but looked a bit more and found it. may 30yd shot and it ran off! Couldn't figure it out till i walked toward where it was. About half way there I found a blown up small sage brush branch I'd missed seeing in the scope. Quite sure I'd have seen it at 3x rather than the 9x I had it set on! No idea to this day why it was set that high but it did cost me a deer. Oh yea, the overwhelming part of my hunting has all been out west, Montana and Oregon. My favorite scope is that old 2 3/4x on my 30-06.

Something you said that got my attention was carrying on low power you though would be a good Idea with a charging cape buffalo. But how much time do you have to change it them? Remember the shot at my underfoot deer I blew big time? Scope was for some reason on to high a power. makes me think working on loads shooting even then I don't go to the highest power. Found that a 6x i can see the small aiming point just fine. Few 3-9's I do have will probably die with a brand new 9x in them, all except the one on my 25-06 but it will have low miles though! What I noticed looking at the sight in dot on targets at 9x is I can see the aiming point very well but I can also watch my heart beat. Might be there at 6x also, probably is but I don't notice it.

 

[6mm Remington]

Leupold 6x42mm fixed with the LR Dots would be great, or just the plain 6x42mm.

Leupold 4.5-14x40mm with the B&C reticle! I have that one my 280AI and really like it.

My Ruger 1B 30-06 has a fixed 4x Leupold on it and I've never felt handicapped with it short or long range. My Ruger 1B in 6mm Remington has a 6x42mm Leupold. Love that scope also.

 

[Robert N]

I laugh at the scope machinations we do. I shot my second kudu at 280 yards with my scope on 2.5 power...and shot a blesbok at 25 yards with my scope on 10 power.