The .30-06 Springfield is a popular cartridge among hunters and tactical shooters who like to shoot long-range. It is a hard-hitting cartridge that has revolutionized hunting and shooting over the past few years. Additionally, its versatility is unmatched and in this article, we will have a look at the best scope for 30-06.
If you shoot the .30-06 regularly, investing in a quality and reliable scope will help you get the best out of this cartridge. A good scope will help you locate your targets with ease, increase your shooting range, and make your hunting trip more competitive.
But with so many scopes out there, finding the best scope for 30-06 is no easy task especially if you are a first-time buyer. If you are having a hard time finding the best scope for 30-06, here is our list of some of the best models you can choose from. Let’s take a look.
Best Scopes for 30-06 At A Glance
- Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Rifle Scope
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes
- CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Rifle Scope
- Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Rifle Scope
- Burris Optics Fullfield E1 Riflescope 4.5-14x42mm
- BSA Sweet 30-06 AO Rifle Scope 3006-4-12X40AOWRTB
Best Scopes for 30-06
#1) Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Rifle Scope
Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20mm Rifle Scope is one of the best scopes for 30-06 out there. If you use your 30-06 for hunting bear, deer, or any other large deer-like game, this versatile scope from Leupold will help take your hunting skills a notch higher and make your hunting trips more successful.
The scope has a versatile 1.5-4x magnification suitable for short and mid-range hunting and shooting. With the 1.5x zoom power, the scope provides a wide field of view which is essential for smooth target location while the 4x power provides higher detail of targets at a distance. Moreover, this optic boasts an SFP MOA ring reticle which is easy to aim and highly accurate.
Featuring a Twilight Light Management System, you can use the scope for hunting even in low-light settings. It maximizes light transmission in poor light settings and reduces glare during the day. The result is the production of bright, crisp, and sharp as razor sight pictures from sunrise to sunset.
Another strength of the scope is that it’s built ready for hunting. It is crafted from aircraft-quality aluminum for ultimate durability. It features scratch-resistant lenses for added protection and it is punisher tested to be shockproof and impact-resistant. It is also fully waterproof and fog proof for use even in harsh weather conditions.
To top it all, this rifle scope has an ultra-lightweight design so it will be easy to carry in the field.
Features
- 5-4x variable magnification
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Waterproof and fog proof
- 1-inch main tube
- Finger click dial system
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Twilight Light Management System
- SFP MOA ring reticle
- Aircraft-quality aluminum construction
#2) Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes
Vortex makes exceptional and quality optics and the 2-7×32 Crossfire II rifle scope is no different. This scope makes hunting with the 30-06 better and more enjoyable. It is light as a feather for easy portability and simple to use as well.
Featuring an adjustable 2-7x magnification, the scope is ideal for both short and mid-range hunting. It provides a large field of view for easy target location and smooth tracking of fast-moving games. It also features a Dead-Hold BDC reticle which is suitable for hunting and shooting at varying ranges where estimation holdover is a concern.
Ease of use is another thing that makes the scope outstanding. It features a long eye relief for rapid target acquisition and a fast-focus eyepiece for simple reticle focusing. The turrets are capped and finger adjustable with MOA clicks that are easy to reset to zero after sighting in. Furthermore, the scope has anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses that optimize light transmission to provide brilliant and clear sight pictures from dawn to dusk.
When it comes to construction, the scope has a single-piece main tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This ensures ultimate strength and durability while remaining lightweight. It is also sealed with O-rings and nitrogen purged to deliver dependable waterproof and fog proof performance.
Features
- Long eye relief
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Capped reset turrets
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- 2-7x variable magnification
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
#3) CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Rifle Scope
If you are looking for a long-range rifle scope for your 30-06, look no further than the CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Rifle Scope. It features a variable 4-16x magnification which is ideal for long-range hunting/shooting and a wide 44mm objective lens which provides crisp clear images at every magnification setting.
Outstanding optical performance awaits you when you buy this rifle scope. It is made with high-quality optical glass which provides high-quality images and fully-coated lenses that provide brilliant and high-contrast images even in subpar lighting environments. Furthermore, it has a reticle that is illuminated for easy aiming in diverse environments and lighting conditions.
Moreover, this scope offers unbeatable durability. It is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, making it virtually indestructible and a 1-piece tube construction for greater strength and durability. Additionally, it comes with a sunshade which helps prevent glare when shooting in bright light.
Features
- High-strength aluminum alloy construction
- Generous eye relief
- Versatile 4-16x magnification
- Fully coated optical glass
- Sunshade for eliminating glare
- Single-piece tube construction
- Red and green reticle illumination
#4) Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Another best scope for 30-06 on our list is the Diamondback 1.75-5x32mm riflescope from Vortex. This is a feature-rich scope that comes with virtually everything that a hunter or tactical shooter needs to take their hunting/shooting skills to the next big level. It is simple to use and reasonably affordable as well.
This rifle scope is built ready to stand rough handling. It has a one-piece tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy for long-lasting durability. This robust construction makes the scope virtually indestructible and resistant to magnum recoil. The scope also features a hard anodized finish that prevents rust formation when you use it in humid environments. Moreover, it is sealed with strong O-rings and argon purged to provide a lifetime of waterproof and fog-free performance.
Weighing just 1.3 pounds, the scope is light, portable, and easy to carry around in the field. It has a fast-focus eyepiece for swift reticle focusing and a precision-glide erector system for accurate tracking and repeatability. To top it all, the scope has a Dead-Hold BDC reticle and fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and crisp images even in poor light settings.
Features
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction
- Hard anodized finish
- Solid 1-piece tube
#5) Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Rifle Scope
If you are looking for the best scope for 30-06 for money, look no further than the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Rifle Scope. It offers a wide range of high-end and user-friendly features at a reasonable price tag.
This scope is a powerful low-light tool. It has a Multi-X crosshair reticle which stays visible even in low-light settings for precision aiming. It is also equipped with fully multi-coated optics which maximize light transmission and reduce light loss via reflection to generate bright and crisp image views.
For added convenience, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece which helps you focus on the target with perfect clarity. It also boasts a lightweight design for easy carrying in the field and generous eye relief for comfortable glassing.
In terms of construction, the scope has a beautiful and durable design to stand anything you throw at it. It is also 100% waterproof and shockproof for all-weather performance. Above all, it features resettable windage and elevation turrets which are capped for added protection from bumps and hard use.
Features
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Capped and resettable windage and elevation turrets
- 100% waterproof and shockproof
- Lightweight design
- Multi-X crosshair reticle
- Quality optics with stunning HD clarity
- 3-9x variable magnification
- 3 inches of eye relief
- Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) multi-coated lenses
#6) Burris Optics Fullfield E1 Riflescope 4.5-14x42mm
Next on our list is the Fullfield E1 Riflescope from Burris. The scope has a high-magnification range to help extend your long-range hunting and shooting capabilities. It also has a user-friendly interface which makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and professional users alike.
The scope is made with long-range hunters in mind. It brings to the table a long-range MOA reticle that offers ultra-fine precision while shooting long-range. It also features a trajectory-compensating technology and cascading dots which compensate for wind drift when shooting long range. Even better, it has a parallax adjustment setting from 50 yards to infinity for greater long-range accuracy.
Furthermore, the scope provides outstanding image clarity in different lighting conditions to help you place your shots ethically and accurately. It is also lightweight for easy portability and ruggedly built to offer a lifetime of field use.
Features
- Side-adjusting parallax focus
- Ballistic plex E1 reticle
- 5-14x variable magnification
- Durable, shockproof, and recoil resistant housing
- Trajectory-compensating technology
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
#7) BSA Sweet 30-06 AO Rifle Scope 3006-4-12X40AOWRTB
This BSA optic is specifically made for the 30-06 rifle ammunition. It comes with 3 ballistically calibrated turrets for 150gr, 165gr, and 180gr ammunition. It also features an adjustable 4x to 12x magnification which is ideal for hunting and shooting at varying ranges and an adjustable objective for parallax correction when shooting long-range, range estimation, and image focusing.
The scope has a 1-inch single-piece tube crafted from aluminum. It is waterproof and fog proof for all-weather performance, and shockproof to withstand harsh impacts, bumps, and falls. It also features a matte black finish which camouflages your shooting position during the day by minimizing glare. Moreover, it has fully-coated glass lenses that provide high-quality views, a 30/30 duplex reticle, and a generous eye relief for rapid target acquisition.
Features
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Adjustable objective
- Fully-coated glass lenses
- 30/30 duplex reticle
- Two-piece weaver-style rings included
- 1-inch aluminum tube
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustment
- Lightweight design
See Also
Criteria for Choosing Best Scope for 30-06
Choosing the best scope for 30-06 is not something you should do on a whip. You will need to take your time to search for the best scope possible. Here are some of the important factors you should consider when buying a new scope for your .30-06.
Magnification
The first thing you should consider is magnification. You will need a scope with adequate zoom power that provides clear views of your target depending on how far you intend to shoot. For long-range hunting and tactical shooting, get a scope with a high-power magnification of not less than 9x. However, if you intend to use the scope for short and medium-range applications, a variable power scope with an adjustable power range of up to 9x will suffice.
Objective Lens
A good-quality scope for 30-06 should be able to accommodate and handle long-distance shots well. It should have adequate magnification power and a large objective lens to complement the high magnification. A large objective lens will collect optimum light into the scope needed for bright image production. It will also provide a wide field of view which is much-needed for easy target spotting. For best results, look for a scope with an objective lens of at least 40mm.
Durability
The next thing you should consider is the durability of the scope. A scope that is well-constructed is more reliable. It will stand rough handling and give you many years of use. It is best to get a scope that is crafted with aluminum alloy or aircraft-grade aluminum materials which offer long-lasting durability.
In addition to having a durable body, the scope you choose to buy should be able to deal with the changing weather conditions. Go for a scope that is both waterproof and fog proof. You will have peace of mind knowing that your scope is built and ready for use in any weather condition.
Weight
The weight of the scope matters if you intend to use the scope primarily for hunting. Heavier scopes will weigh you down as you move around in search of a game. So, ensure you get a scope that is as lightweight as possible. It will be easy to carry from place to place as you look for the game that you want. Lightweight scopes are also easy to shoot with and more accurate. However, if you use your scope to shoot from a stationary point, you don’t have to worry a lot about the weight.
Clarity
For you to shoot your target accurately, you must be able to see it. This is where image clarity comes into play. To get the best image clarity, look for a scope that is made with high-quality glass preferably ED or XD. Also, make sure that the scope’s optics are fully multi-coated or multi-coated for bright and clear image production.
Eye relief
Whether you are getting a 30-06 scope for hunting or tactical shooting, make sure that the model you choose offers long eye relief. It will protect your eyes from recoiling rifles and ensure that your glass comfortably in any shooting position. Look for a scope that has plenty of eye relief of at least 3.5” for safe shooting and comfortable observation.
FAQs
- How far can the 30-06 shoot?
The 30-06 has an effective shooting range of about 200 yards. However, how far you will be able to shoot with it will also depend on various factors such as the type of firearm you are using and the grain of the cartridge.
- How much does the 30-06 weigh?
Currently, the 30-06 factory ammunition weighs between 7.1 and 14.3 grams in solid bullets and as low as 3.6 grams/55.6 gr for a sub-caliber bullet in a sabot.
- What type of scope should you have on 30-06?
The .30-06 is a highly versatile cartridge suitable for both short and long-range shooting. If you are looking to maximize your shooting with it, you will need a scope that has a wide magnification power and high-quality optics. This way, you will be able to locate your targets easily and have clear-sight pictures in any environment or lighting condition.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, having the best scope for 30-06 will make your day in the hunting field or shooting range more rewarding. Additionally, knowing what scope you need for your 30-06 will make your buying process more pleasant and less daunting. Use the information in this guide to find a scope that will work best for your 30-06.