If you are on the hunt for the best 30-06 scopes, this guide is for you. The guide is expressly to help you find the appropriate scope that best suits your needs and preferences. The scopes we’ve put together are hinged with features to give you the best performance in all lighting and environmental conditions.
The 30-06 is a widely known cartridge used for hunting. Big game, deer, and other hunters love the accuracy and mild recoil the cartridge produces. It has an effective range of about 500 yards. When paired with the right mate, the cartridge can reach 1000 yards.
The proper scope is thereby fundamental to unleash its potential. As a result, your shooting and hunting experience improves. It is crucial to find the right scope that is compatible with the cartridge.
Many options are available on the market, making it difficult to settle on one. With this review, we are determined to help you find the best 30-06 scope for your hunting pursuit.
But first, let’s find out more about the best magnification you need.
What Magnification Do You Need?
Magnification is an essential factor when purchasing the best 30-06 scopes. The best magnification hugely depends on the distance you’re shooting at. For long-range distances typically from 400 yards and above, a scope with a magnification exceeding 9x will work for you.
For medium ranges, typically ranging from 200 to 400 yards, a 4-9x zoom range will do. You can safely and ethically obtain most game from this range.
Close ranges not exceeding 200 yards, a 1-4x zoom will be ideal. There isn’t much in this range that the 30-06 caliber can’t smash. You’re probably shooting for the precise target that will win that wager on the next round of drinks.
Best 30-06 scopes
1) Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-16x44mm Riflescope
It doesn’t take much prodding to tell that Vortex is a leading manufacturer of optics. It has earned an unwavering reputation for making products with hard-to-beat durability, reliability, and optical performance. The Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm Riflescope is no different.
This scope is a wise choice for pairing with the 30-06. It is perfect for diverse shooting and hunting applications. The wide 4-16x magnification delivers crisp target images at long distances. This allows you to reach the 1000-yard range easily.
Optical-wise, the scope shines. It boasts XR fully multi-coated lenses that boost the image quality and minimize glare. It also has extra-low dispersion glass that enhances resolution. This implies the scope will do the job even in poorly lit conditions.
The scope is ruggedly built to withstand any tough conditions you may encounter. It comprises a slid aircraft-grade aluminum that is shockproof and built to last. It is sealed with O-ring seals and purged with dry nitrogen gas. The result of these inclusions is a waterproof and fogproof scope that will not disappoint regardless of the condition. You can head out to any environmental condition with confidence that nothing will rudely interrupt your session.
There is a Dead-Hold BDC reticle found on the second focal plane. The reticle is made with simplicity in mind, so you will not experience any issues at the range. Being in the second focal plane means it remains the same even with changes in magnification and windage.
Speaking of windage changes, this scope is designed with capped resettable turrets that support accurate adjustments. The fast-focus eyepiece facilitates quick reticle focus, which is beneficial when you want rapid target acquisition.
These impressive features manifest the scope’s potential so it is not surprising that it tops our review of the best 30-06 scopes.
Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Capped turrets
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Multi proof technology
- 4 inches of eye relief
- XD glass elements
- Second focal plane
- Hard anodized finish
- Precision glide erector system
- A fast-focus eyepiece
Pros
- Incredibly accurate
- Premium glass quality
- Durable build
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Heavy
2) Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope
Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope boasts an array of features that sets it apart from competitors and makes it a candidate on our review of the best 30-06 scopes. The magnification is adjustable from 3 to 9x, delivering a crisp view of the target.
This budget scope is made of durable materials for ultimate resilience in rugged field conditions. You can use it in all weather conditions and still expect optimum performance. This is thanks to the water-, fog-, and shockproofing included in the scope.
Further, the external lenses have a HydroShield coating for protection and image clarity, even in inclement weather.
Another sweet perk is the SureGrip Adjustments that ensure comfortable use even when wearing gloves. This scope is the best for you if you often need to adjust to different shooting conditions. The knurly turrets produce positive clicks, so each shot gets you to the target.
Nevertheless, the scope features the Quick Target Acquisition eyepiece with 3.75 inches of eye relief, providing a quick and accurate target picture.
The fact that mounting rings are included is a big bonus for this scope, as you can start shooting right away.
Features
- Truplex reticle
- Black matte finish
- QTA eyepiece
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- SureGrip adjustments for comfortable use
- HydroShield lens coating
- TrueZero elevation and windage dials
- Fully coated lenses
Pros
- Sterling glass quality
- Easy on your wallet
- Perfectly built
- Generous eye relief
Cons
- Adjustment issues
- No reticle illumination
3) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Riflescope
Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x 32mm is another model on our review of the best 30-06 scopes that will enhance your shooting accuracy. You don’t have to break an arm and a leg to own this scope, as it is made with price consciousness in mind.
The scope is super easy to use making it perfect for newbies. If you are looking to venture into shooting, this scope is your ideal companion.
Regarding construction, this scope is made for practically any situation. The main tube has aircraft-grade aluminum construction for dependable functionality even when subjected to wear and tear. This minimizes weight while giving it extra durability.
It includes special sealing and purging process for unstoppable performance in all weather conditions.
The eye relief is perfect and is sufficient even at maximum power. There is also a forgiving eyebox to help you get to your target in a cinch.
It uses a BDC reticle that enhances accuracy. This reticle is handy for hunters who want to hit targets at long distances. The reticle is found at the second focal plane, so it remains the same even when magnification varies.
Furthermore, the Crossfire II 2-7x 32mm is fitted with fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflection. These lenses minimize glare when shooting or hunting in direct sunlight. You will appreciate this feature if you love to shoot during the day. Also, the lenses amplify light transmission resulting in high-quality images.
This model comes with finger-adjustable and zero-resettable elevation and windage adjustment turrets. This makes it tremendously easy to use, and every time you move a turret from one position to another, you receive tactile feedback.
Features
- BDC reticle
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Finger adjustable turrets
- All-weather performance
- 32mm objective lens
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Scratch-resistant Armortek coating
- Hard anodized finish
- 9 to 4.7 inches of eye relief
Pros
- Low asking price
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
- Excellent eye relief
- Weatherproof functionality
Cons
- No parallax turret and an adjustable objective
4) Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm Riflescope
Last but not least on our compilation of the best 30-06 scopes is the Simmons 8 Point 3-9x50mm Riflescope. The scope elevates your shooting performance and comes at an appealing price point. It is made of first-class quality glass and is fully coated for the best light transmission possible.
HydroShield lens coating reduces glare and keeps off moisture that may distort the image quality. This guarantees exceptional clarity across all lighting and weather conditions.
You can do what you love regardless of the weather situation, as it is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. It will get the job done without sacrificing performance.
The 3-9x magnification range is excellent for shooting up to 100 yards. Sharp and high-resolution images are yours across all power levels. The objective lens is wide to allow maximum light into the scope for optimal brightness and sharpness.
Windage and elevation adjustments are a breeze. This is owing to the easy-to-adjust turrets present in the scope.
The scope features the Truplex reticle, mostly found in higher-end scopes. This is one of the reasons why this Simmons scope stands out from the competitors. The reticle supports accurate target acquisition. A thinner crosshair is at the center to focus the target’s aimpoint. Without altering any settings, you can use this crosshair to aim at the precise hitting point of the target.
Features
- SureGrip rubber surfaces
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Truplex reticle
- HydroShield lens coating
- Quick Target Acquisition eyepiece
- 75 inches of eye relief
- 50mm objective lens
Pros
- Fine reticle
- Rugged build
- Crisp image delivery
Cons
- No mounting rings
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Scope For 30-06
There are some pertinent factors that you should consider when shopping for the best 30-06 scopes. Let’s look at some of them.
Weight
It’s instrumental that you understand the overall weight of your scope and how it affects you. You don’t want a heavy scope that will weigh you down. If it’s heavy, you’ll need to support it while you’re aiming the gun, so you’ll need to carry some sort of support or find a location to shoot from that has natural support. Also, remember you’ll bear the weight of carrying it when walking.
Magnification
Before you shoot, you must determine what your scope will be capable of viewing. Higher zoom delivers a clearer image but takes longer and needs a larger scope. Conversely, a smaller magnification doesn’t deliver that good of an image but is lighter and easier to carry. You want a zoom range of 5x–10x because this is typically a reasonable trade-off between zoom and overall weight.
Durability
This is also pertinent when finding the ideal scope. The scope should endure zero without breaking or throwing the scope off zero. It should constitute high-grade materials that will withstand wear and tear.
Besides, the scope should survive all weather conditions.
Clarity
The number of coatings on a lens affects how clear the image is. The more coatings your lens has, the better because glare won’t be as problematic. Your lens is additionally protected from scratches by the coatings. Dust is a part of life and if you are taking your scope out, it is inevitable to have dust on it at some point. The coatings keep scratches and other debris at bay for the best performance.
Eye Relief
Choose a longer distance if you intend to be further away from your scope when shooting. You have more chances of getting some recoil the closer you are to the scope’s eyepiece. You should avoid this since the bone around your eye socket is relatively thin. You have ample room to avoid getting a black eye from your rifle with a scope that has a minimum of 3 inches of eye relief.
Related Article: 7 Best 6.5 Creedmoor Scopes
Best 30-06 Scopes FAQs
Q: What is the Effective Range of the 30-06?
The 30-06 has an effective range of about 500 yards with a 150 to 180-grain bullet weight. Although this is the ammunition’s maximum effective range, most hunting shots will be made closer to the shooter’s comfortable shooting range.
Q: How Powerful is the 30-06?
A.30-06 round with a bullet weight of between 150 and 220 grains and a muzzle velocity of between 2500 and 3000 feet per second has an energy output of between 2700- and 2900-foot pounds.
Q: Is the 30-06 Reliable?
The 30/06 Springfield is a very well-balanced, versatile, and reasonably priced hunting cartridge. It shoots at speeds between 100 and 200 fps faster with contemporary ammunition. It is effective enough to stop deer, elk, and moose now if it was effective enough to stop lions, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants a century ago.
Conclusion
You need the best 30-06 scopes to get the most out of your hunting experience. Combining the cartridge with any of the scopes above delivers impeccable results. Hopefully, you have found this article enlightening and found a scope that will take your next adventure to the next level.