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.