Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope for my 30-06

I’ve been out of the loop big game wise for awhile (mostly birds and small game) been wanting to get back into some serious big game hunting (deer,elk, bear nothing further than 400 yards at max) I have a weatherby vanguard .30-06 that I’ve had for awhile. It had a leupold 2x7 vx1 but that was removed and placed on a .300 blackout AR. So it’s been scopeless for awhile. Instead of buying a new big game rifle (what I want to do because more guns are better but I’ve had a moment of clarity) I should get a new scope. Ive looked around but apparently leupold has taken a dive recently. So what should I go for? I want 3x9 (or close 4x12, 2.5-8, etc) duplex recticle is fine I don’t need exposed turrets. I just want a basic scope to go on my fat tank of a rifle. I’d like to stay around 300 or so. Any ideas? Am I asking to much?

Check out SWFA for good glass at a good price. If you're not worried about weight or size, they're excellent.

If you're patient and not in a hurry, sometimes a good deal come thru the Fire Classifieds.

DF

A Leupold VX3i in 3.5-10x40 or 2.5-8x36 would be good options. You can get either in your price range if you look around.

Tx, I agree. But the OP evidently has been reading Fire stuff about Leupold, may be concerned his new scope going belly up in the middle of a hunt.

I've never had an issue with Leupold, the CS I've used has been for Swaro and Kahles. The only Leupolds I've sent back have been for reticle change, or cleaning. One older 2.5-8 was replaced with a new VX3i 2.5-8. Now, you can't beat that for service.

He needs to watch the Fire Classifieds. Occasionally a really good deal comes along. He can watch EBay, but unless you're really on your game, you can pay too much.

DF

It would be our pleasure to assist you with this. Give us a call if you have a few minutes to discuss options

Leupold is great. Just decide the load you are going to shoot, zero the rifle for it and never change it again.

I was looking at a leupold vx freedom since I’ve never had an issue with mine (but it’s 10+ years old) and doing research is what led to me finding issues. I’m not bagging on leupold I just want a good scope. I’m planning on zeroing it for 180s and shooting the crap out of it.

I have plenty of Leupolds, and also like Burris scopes. Check them out, too.

With a $300 budget there's a lot of good scopes that'll get it done.

My choices would be a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 (all the time on the classifieds for <$300), Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10 (on the classifieds) and probably the best sub $300 optic I know of - the SWFA fixed 6x42.

I have nothing but Leupolds from 50 years old to last year's models and I like them all. I think Leupolds only have taken a dive in the minds of armchair snipers. If you don't plan on cranking your crosshairs up and down and side to side every shot, then Leupolds do what they are designed for.....set it and forget it. I think a 2-7 is a perfect scope for what you want, they are smaller and handy.......Nothing wrong with the old standby 3-9x40 either.

Grouse, you'll find everything here you need here... except consensus. The vast majority of posters are giving you their actual feedback, and you can take that FWIW.

My most recent Leupold is en route back to me from the factory. Straight outa the box, it wouldn't track on a .223. I've owned a handful of other Leupolds over the years, that worked fine. On the other hand, I've tested a basic, few-frills scope (made in China) from a new-ish optics company, and it's tracked very reliably on a .300 WM, and has surprisingly good glass. So there you have it: two samples of one.

I normally don't like middlemen, but I do keep buying scopes from Doug @ CameraLand because he's got a track record of making things right, even when mfgrs are being [male phallic members]. It gives me extra peace o' mind, and he's still got great prices.

FC

If you're wanting a 3-9 range non-dialing scope the Nightforce 3-10x42 SHV is good, but above your listed price. If you're going to buy one scope and use it extensively, if possible it would be a good way to go.

I've had excellent use out of a Tract Toric 2-10x42 and recommend it but it is also above your listed price.

This.

I have a VX-3i 2.5-8x36 B&C on my Kimber and have been very happy with it. I think most of the ire you see on the internet for Leupolds is directed towards dialing style scopes that don't track as well as they should (CDS, etc). I haven't heard many bad things about set and forget style Leupolds.

The most recent scope I bought was a Nikon Monarch 5 2-10x42 from this deal:

https://www.natchezss.com/nikon-monarch-5-rifle-scope-2-10x42mm-ed-advanced-bdc-reticle-matte.html

With a 10% coupon, I was under $270. I've never seen such good glass on a scope in that price range, the reticle also matches up quite well with my .30-06 load out to 400 yds. In your budget, I'd highly recommend the Monarch at the Natchez clearance price.

I'd get with Doug from Cameraland or give the classifieds on this sight a look over. Doug has some great deals, like his opened box specials. The classified here have some great deals if you're patient.

I’ll go a little counter to the crowd. I’ve had a couple Burris FF IIs that have decent glass, by decent I mean you’ll be able to take nearly any shot in legal hours and while they don’t dial as neatly as a Nightforce, they have always held zero. These scopes have bounced from rifle to rifle, have thousands of shots on a rather sporty recoiling Kimber and just seem to work. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time looking through scopes side-by-side. It’s occurred to me that while I can tell a difference, in some cases a significant one, rarely do the differences mean I won’t be able to take a shot with the lesser scope. A scope is a sight. If using the dials for long shots, that’s a clear differentiator. But for typical set and forget hunting scopes the Burris FFII sure seems like a dependable alternative.

That's a broad brush you're painting with.

Athlon
Burris
GPO
Hawke
Leupold
Demo Meopta

Give a call and we can discuss what would work best for you

Things to consider: eye relief, a tube long enough to mount on a long action without extension rings, reticle type, and objective bell diameter.
Scopes I know will work for me on a M70 long action are: Leupole fixed 6x36, 6x42, variable 3x9 and 3.5x10. I have FX-II 4x scopes and a FX-III 2.5x8 on short actions.

Don't overlook the Burris Fullfield ll. I have a couple and they are nice scopes, for the money.