Best Scope for 30 06 » Top 9 Best Hunting 30-06 Rifle Scope Reviews

Choosing the Best Scope for 30 06

The best scope for 30 06 is a common question among hunters and shooting enthusiasts. There seem to be diverse opinions on what is the best scope for 30 06 which I will address in this post.

Before we understand what 30 06 scopes to choose, it is important we highlight some important things about the 30-06 cartridge.

This is a typical American cartridge that was adopted by US Army more than one hundred years ago – 1906. Let’s cut to the chase and list some important things about the 30-06 cartridge.

30-06 Cartridge

The 30 represents the caliber of the bullet while the 06 represents the year it was adopted as I mentioned above.
The 30-06 cartridge was used in the US Army as the primary ammunition for close to 50 years before I was replaced by the 7.62x51mm popularly known as .308 Winchester and 5.56x45mm that are still in use. You may also want to learn more about the best 308 rifle scopes.
Today the 30-06 is the most common round for game hunting in the US and it is used in hunting large and medium game and it’s perfect for the job. With a good 30 06 scope, you can get the best shots with this round.
The 30-06 is the most commonly used hunting and sports shooting cartridge because of its lighter weight and high velocity. These rounds have been tried and tested for about seven decades in the army and you can be assured they get the job done.
Photo by: Kalashnikov Credit CC BY-SA 3.0
If you are just starting out hunting or sporting, using a 30-06 is a great way to get started. They come at an affordable price and are damn accurate even in the hands of an inexperienced hunter. The recoil is also moderate and can be used in hunting a wide range of American game species.

Basic Scope Terminology for Beginners

Before we look at the best scope for 30-06 it helps to get beginners to the same level of knowledge with experience scope users by sharing some important scope terminologies. Allow me to briefly explain a few things about rifle scopes:

Objective Lens: This is the glass in the front of the scope and its diameter is important in considering the scope’s field of view and also the amount of light that is transmitted into the scope’s tube.
Scope Body / Tube – Every scope is designed with a body that consists of a hollow-tube which is often referred to a tube. This is usually 1” or 30mm in length and also has rings that hold the tube.
Adjustment Knobs – The adjustment knobs are used in changing the windage and the elevation if the rifle scope. The knobs are not standard and vary from one scope to another. The standard of most scopes is that a single click changes ¼” impact at 100 yards. The knobs are adjusted using your fingers or a screwdriver or the scope’s turrets.
Eye-piece – this is the rear part of the scope that you use to view, there is also a focus knob and the magnification adjustment that are in the rear of the scope.
Reticle – this comprises a series of lines inside the eyepiece that you use like a measuring scale to determine some parameters as you take on the targets.

This is a just a quick crash course on the basic terminology used in the description and reviewing of rifle scopes. There are lots of other things that you need to learn about rifle scopes if you are a complete beginner but these basic terms should get you comfortable.

What is the best scope for 30 06?

Enough said about the 30-06 as a great choice for hunting and sporting, now let’s focus on what you should look for when you are choosing the best scope for 30 06 rifle. This is one of the most common questions from beginners who want to try out different scopes before they can choose one that suits the need.

As you may already know that not all rifles and scope can be paired, getting specific scopes for a rifle like 30-06 makes your shooting fun and highly improves your accuracy. So let’s answer this question – what it takes to get the best scope for 30 06?

What to Look For in a Scope for 30-06

Scope’s Field of View

If you are looking forward to long range shooting, you need to pay attention to the field of view when you are choosing the best scope for 30 06.

It’s the number #1 consideration for every hunter who wants to use a 30 06 rifle scope. If you want to use .22lr rifle, you may consider reading the comprehensive review of the best 22 scopes.

The field of view is dependent on the magnification of the rifle scope, it is, therefore, important you go for a scope with adjustable magnification.

Ideally, the magnification of 3-9X is good since low magnification ensures you will have a large field of view that is needed for hunting. I don’t like the fixed magnification scope for 30-06 since it finds them limiting.

On the other hand, the high magnification will get a low field of view but you can get a scope with high magnification designed with a large objective lens that ensures you have a wider field of view.

If you want to go for a 30-06 scope that has a magnification of 9X or more, it should have a corresponding lens diameter of 50mm or more. This approach will ensure you have a balanced scope that will deliver great results.

Objective Lens

The second most important feature when you are choosing a scope for 30-06 is the objective lens. The objective lens of the best long range 30-06 should transmit more light. This is a necessity for hunting with the 30-06 since in most cases hunting occurs in the morning or dusk when it is dim.

Ideally, you should choose the best scope for 30 06 with an objective lens that is at least 40-50mm in diameter. Scopes below 40mm will not be effective in spotting targets in long distances. Scopes that are above 50mm are also bulky for your 30-06 rifle.

Magnification Power

The power of the lens lies in its magnification capabilities. The best scope for 30 06 for hunting deer and big game should have a high magnification of about 6 to 24X.

It important to also balance between the magnification power and the field of view of the scope you choose for 30 06 scope.

Scope’s Durability

There are all kinds of scopes for 30-06 in the market from different manufacturers. I have a fundamental belief that all scopes are not equal.

For me the brand is not very important but the quality of a scope. I would recommend you pay attention to the durability features of the scope you choose for your 30-06. You can test the durability of the best scope for 30 06 by subjecting it to different weather conditions.

The design of the scope also affects its durability, nearly all industry experts agree that scopes modeled from single aluminum or magnesium alloys are durable. You should also ensure the scope is waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof.

Riflescope Rings

Some scopes come with a pair of rings while others do not come with the rings. I personally like those scopes that come with the rings.

If you are shopping for the 30 06 scope for the first time, it is advisable you pick one with the rings. If you are going to buy a scope that does not have rings, it may be necessary to know the right rings for your scope.

Price of the Scope

It’s important to buy a scope within your budget, the prices of 30 06 scopes range from below $100 to $1000.

For starters, you may want to go for a cheaper scope unless you are sure about the features you need in your scope.

Brand of Riflescope

You should also consider the brand of the scope when buying a scope. The most popular brands for best scope for 30 06 include Nikon, Leupold and Vortex, who have a history of manufacturing remarkable products.