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Looking for rifle scopes for 30-06 is not an easy job and we are aware of that. But don’t you worry, we have your back.
This article will provide you information on the best scopes for 30-06 and will help you in making the perfect choice. By the end you will be informed about the great scopes for 30-06 and their pros and cons.
Let’s start with our top three picks!
Winner
Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40
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This one is a must have BDC reticle scope under 200 bucks. A great choice if you wanna take the next step after beginner level.
Runner Up
Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm
This scope will provide you the greatest quality and help you take down targets in long range shooting even in dimly lit conditions. Its renowned features will give you the experience of a lifetime.
Also Great
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm
A great scope with features that add value to it despite its low price. Its great functionality is incompatible and comes with dusk and dawn brightness.
Best Rifle Scope for 30 06 – Top 4 Reviews
#1: Best 30-06 Riflescope for 300 Win Mag – Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Review
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We all easily find information on beginner level scopes, but what comes next? Well, the ProStaff is the next step you need to take. It also comes with the Nikon Spot On App operations.
This is a great scope for you to consider when you want to go for short to medium range shooting. It has crisp glass clarity and gives you optimum light transmission even in dark conditions.
Furthermore, it also has multi-coated lenses which allow low dispersion of light along with Nikon’s quick focus feature which instantly brings your target into focus.
The ProStaff gives you the brightness you want at all its magnification levels. This scope will give you the hunting experience you want and will ease your problems making the trip memorable.
Features of Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40
- 3-9x40mm Magnification
- Anti-Reflex coating
- BDC Reticle
- Multi-Coating lenses
- Aircraft standard Aluminum body
- Type 3 anodized surface
- Purged with Nitrogen
- ¼-inch positive click
- Sealed by O-ring
- Quick Focus Function
- Instant Zero Resetting Turrets
- Spot-On Ballistic App
Pros
- Water-proof
- Shock-proof
- Fog proof
- Durable
- Thermal Shock reliable
- Optical Clarity
- Holds zero
- Easily adjustable windage and elevation knobs
Cons
- Shows slight blur at 16x magnification
Best 30-06 Riflescope for 300 Win Mag
The Nikon ProStaff 3-9×40 is the top recommended scope for 300 Win Mag as it has a ton of features that will solve any problems you face in any conditions.
#2: Best 30 06 Scope for .308 Winchester – Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Review
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Wanting the great scope with great optics is a common desire we all share. What better scope than the Leupold scope to make your dreams come true.
This scope will fulfil all you want in your optics to give you low dispersion of light and the right brightness. Its 50mm objective lens gives you the optimum light transmission and a great field of view without adding extra weight.
Its diamond 2 coating saves the loss of light, makes it scratch resistant and provides great contrast throughout the field of view.
Furthermore, it has a Twilight Max Management Light system which gives you extra brightness time giving good color contrast and image resolution even in low light settings. This scope will give you a great long range hunting experience.
Features of Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm
- 4.5-14x50mm Magnification
- Duplex Reticle
- 50mm Objective lens
- 1 inch body
- Twilight Max Management Light System
- Adjustable dual spring for precision
- 1/4 MOA target
- 1/10 MIL dial windage and elevation adjustment
- Erector system with 3:1 zoom
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Throw Lever
Pros
- Durable
- Water-proof
- Fog-proof
- Gives extra light in low light settings
- Great eye relief
- Clarity
- Holds zero
Cons
- Limited eyepoint
- Expensive
Best 30 06 Scope for .308 Winchester
The Leupold VX 3i 4.5 is highly recommended scope for .308 Winchester because its 50mm objective lens diameter will give you great transmission of light and it won’t betray you in low light conditions.
#3. Best 30 06 Scout Rifle Scope – Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm Review
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The low price of this scope does not at all determine its great functionality. It offers an array of features and immense versatility. Its value most definitely cannot be determined by its price for it will not fail you.
As most of us know, the best time for hunting is early morning or twilight, either way it is in dark conditions. To counter this we look for the perfect set of lenses that will bring optimum transmission of light and show clear images of our target.
Well, this scope definitely fulfills this checklist. With its unique eye piece, you will be able to quickly spot and aim at your target.
With its 40mm objective lens and appropriate magnifying qualities, you will be able to shoot down a target easily within 400-600 range.
Features of Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm
- 3-9 magnification
- 40mm Objective lens
- Multi-coated lenses
- SFP Reticle
- Multi X Reticle
- ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustment
- 3.3 inches eyepiece
- 12 inches fast focus eyepiece
- Dusk and Dawn brightness lens
Pros
- Water proof
- Fogproof
- Durable
- Clarity
- Holds zero
- Gathers light for low light conditions
Cons
- No turrets for parallax adjustment
- Simplistic reticle
Best 30 06 Scout Rifle Scope
The Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm is a great 30 06 scout rifle scope as it offers great features under a very affordable price.
#4. Best 30 06 Long Eye Relief Scope – Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Rifle Scope Review
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This rifle scope will serve you well for short to medium range hunting with its minimum zoom level of 1x and maximum 4x zoom level. It has a clear glass which allows you to zoom without any image contortion.
Along with its great optics, it also comes with a Picatinny rail mount which makes mounting a lot easier. It offers great versatility and is mountable on a wide variety of rifles. It is lightweight thus easy to carry. This is a great convenience out there on the field.
Moreover, you can easily hit fast moving targets by the help of its quick aim reticle which immediately focuses.
Features of Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Rifle Scope
- 1-4x Magnification
- Fast Focus Reticle
- 3-minute angle of center
- 20mm Objective lens
- 100 yards parallax setting
- 4.5-5 eyepiece
- Picatinny mount
- Lens covers and rings
Pros
- Single piece body
- HydroShield coating
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Good grip
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Parallax correction
- Clarity
Cons
- Its adjustment is troublesome
- reticle has its issues
Best 30 06 Eye Relief Scope
The Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Scope is top recommended for generous eye relief and will give you a great hunting experience with its lens providing crisp images even in the dark all under an affordable price.
Buyers’ Guide
Some factors to consider when buying a 30-06 scope
- Eye Relief
This is a very important factor and should always be a priority to check out when looking for a scope. It is the distance between the ocular bell and your eye.
Besides, light weaponry always has a major recoil and you want to make sure that the distance is at least 3 inches from your eyebrow, this can save you from serious injury. If it is more than 3 inches then that is even better.
- Scope Rings
Consideration for rings is an important factor, you should look for a scope that comes with rings as some of them do not have them pre-sale and looking for them can become a hassle you need to avoid.
However, if you buy a scope for your rifle without rings then you need to find the ones with exactly the same size or else you will not be able to sight the scope. So you need to make an educated decision when considering rings.
- Price
An important thing to consider when buying a scope of its price. You should not buy an expensive one thinking it might serve more quality if you do not need the features it offers.
Moreover, there are many affordable quality offering scopes in the market which you should look for. You need to find an equilibrium between price and quality and set your aim to remain in between a budget as not all best scopes are expensive.
- Field View
Having the strongest caliber of 30-06 available on the market might be challenging when you need to buy a scope for your rifle. This caliber is known for its long shot rounds hence buying the appropriate scope is important. You need to consider the field of view when looking at different magnification ranges.
Finding a large view field can be done by a lower magnification which is compatible for long range shooting. Do not limit your view field by buying a fixed magnification range scope. Also, you need to consider the objective diameter as it will determine the level of magnification.
- Objective Lens
Having a caliber of 30-06 means you need to get a scope that supports long shots and can gather as much light since most hunters prefer dusk or dawn for hunting. So you should consider looking for a scope with a 40-50mm objective lens.
Going for a lens smaller than this will not give you the best experience as it will not allow enough light transmission. However, you should take into account that a larger one can be heavy to carry.
What magnification do you need?
A higher magnification range does not always have to mean a good thing, it should match up to the distance at which you are shooting. Only go for a higher scale if you plan on hunting in more than or closer to 1000 yards.
For long range shooting of about 400 yards or more, you should try to find the best scope of 9x magnification or more for 30-06 caliber. For a medium range of 200-400 yards, you should consider the power of 4-9xr and it will not fail you.
The 30 06 caliber is preferred by more hunters as it is the most powerful one. A scope with 1-4x magnification will not fail you in a close-up field of about 200 yards for 30-06 caliber.
With the most powerful caliber in the market you will never miss the bulls eyes, but we recommend you to go for a scope with a wider scale to allow you to continue hunting whether it be a small or long field.
FAQs
What is a good power scope for a 30 06?
No doubt, Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 is an amazing scope for your 30 06. It will help you to take precise shots and make your hunting trip more exciting and fun. However, Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm and Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm are good scopes as well.
What is the best hunting scope for the money?
Some great hunting scopes for the money includes:
- Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 – Best 30-06 Scope for 300 Win Mag
- Leupold 3i 4.5-14x50mm – Best 30 06 Scope for .308 Winchester
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm – Best 30 06 Scout Riflescope
- Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Scope – Best Long Eye Relief Scope
What is the maximum effective range of a 30 06?
1000 yards is the maximum effective range of a 30 06.
The effective firing range of a 30 06 is 1000 yards and it was certified for an extreme reach of 4.75 miles.
What is the best rifle scope for under $200?
Following are the great rifle scopes for under $200:
- Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm
- Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Rifle Scope
How accurate is a 30 06?
30/60 has been used in many competitions and in long to short range hunting. With carefully tuned rifles you can achieve true 1/2 MOA performance, or sometimes even 1/4 minute precision.
What scope is best for a 30 06?
- Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 – Great 30-06 Scope for 300 Win Mag
- Leupold 3i 4.5-14x50mm – Great 30 06 Scope for .308 Winchester
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm – Great 30 06 Scout Riflescope
- Centerpoint 1-4×20 Msr Scope – Great Long Eye Relief Scope
What is the best scope for long range hunting?
If you want a scope for distant hunting, then you can go for the following options:
- Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40
- Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm
- Leupold 3i 4.5-14x50mm
Can a 30 06 kill an elephant?
Yes, a 30 06 can kill an elephant. With a perfect scope and the right rifle, you can take down an elephant. Besides, it is also known as, in the 1800 and early 1900, the 303 killed the most elephants in Africa.
How much zoom is 1000 yards?
Around 10x is the power needed to shoot at 1000 yards. However, for most of the hunting scenarios, especially shooting a moving target, you need 10X. Also, a great 3-9×40 scope will work for 1000 yard big game hunting. As far as the optics are clear and crisp you’re good to go.
What magnification do I need for 600 yards?
For 600 yards a 3-15x, 4-14x,or 3-12x scope is good. However, a good 3-10s power scope will also work. Also, look at the features, turrets, and dial elevation before getting a new one.
How far can you kill an elk with a 30 06?
A 30 06 has been killing elks for years. Although its range depends on the firearm, load, and the hunter yet you can take a shot at 400 yards or so.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our review of the best rifle scopes for caliber 30-06 with all that you need to be informed about regarding each scope. Our favorite is the Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 which has a BDC reticle and it offers exceptional quality. This one will definitely not disappoint you.
Our second pick is the Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm which offers precision and clarity making sure you take out targets in the long field shooting.
However, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9X 40mm also offers great value in its amazing features providing you bull’s eye every time.
