30-30 scope suggestions

[Bolt]

I am looking for a decent scope and a low price that will work good on a 30-30 lever action with a side eject, it will mainly be used for deer hunting in a wooded area any suggestions?

Thanks for the help

 

[scythefwd]

A fixed power 4x ishwould be ideal for that situation. You don't need to be able to count the hairs on its elbow, you just have to be able to identify the elbow to put a bullet behind it into the heart. How far of a shot are you looking at?

 

[blackops]

IMO a 30-30 doesn't need a scope because it's not accurate beyond iron site distance. If I was to get one though, a fixed 4 wouldn't be my first choice. You want some kind of variable from 1-4 in close quarters. This way you have more options for the different types of hunting applications you might come by (as far as range). You might just like it set on power 1 or 2 (depending on your application). I take it you don't want to spend an arm and a leg as most. I'm a loopy guy, but there isn't any reason this scope couldn't get the job done.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-175-4x32-trophy.html

 

[scythefwd]

blackops, I was thinking about that same scope, but the fixed power scopes are usually cheaper, which is why I suggested. A 4x isn't too much for 50-100y shots, but up close and personal it probably would be.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

IMO a 30-30 doesn't need a scope because it's not accurate beyond iron site distance.

Say what? If/when I'm seriously hunting with a .30-30 I like a scope for dusk and dawn...the best times to spot a deer. When the day is early or late, my iron sights (standard or aperture) disappear. A scope adds some brightness and enables me to see what I'm looking at.

This 94AE (got in trade from a forum member) now that I've scoped it will shoot 1" 100 yard groups from a bench rest using $13.97 a box at Wal Mart 170 grain Remington Core Lokt ammo.

In the pic I've got a 2.5X Weaver Classic (Japan) scope on it. I currently have a 4X Redfield on it.

duh...looks like I forgot the pic

 

[rbernie]

The 30-30 round is more than accurate enough for use well past acceptable hunting distances, even in leverguns. It *does* run out of steam pretty quickly, making its trajectory steeper, but that's not an accuracy issue.

I have a H&R/NEF single shot 30-30 that is quite accurate. I use a 3200 1.5x-4.5x Firefly on it. My Marlin 30-30s are set up with scout mounts and Leupold FX 2.5x scout scopes.

 

[qajaq59]

I put a 3 x 9 on my Marlin and really it was a waste. I haven't turned it above 3 or 4 for hunting since I got it. The brush is thick here, so the shots are generally close, and at 9 all I would see is brown.

 

[heeler]

I bought an older Marlin recently that came equipped with a Leupold base and rings.
Not wanting to "over scope" the nifty little carbine i ordered a Burris Timberline 2x7x26.
Small and light for sure.
And since i have yet to mount it looking things over it will be a tight fit as the Burris is really short.
I might actually have to get another base and rings.

 

[Legionnaire]

I'd say a 2.5X or 4X fixed power scope, or a 1.5-5X variable. I'd probably opt for the 4X, because the .30-30 can do 150 yards just fine, and I like that little bit of extra magnification ... and not sure I'd want to spend the extra $$ for a good variable. If planning to hunt exclusively in heavy woods, I'd consider a 2.5X scout scope mounted on an XS Sight Systems lever-scout mount.

 

[rcmodel]

It is far easier to put too much scope on a deer rifle then not enough.

A wide field of view and good low light capability is far more impotent then high magnification.

I had a 6x Weaver on my 30-06 while hunting in Colorado years ago.
The first deer the first morning was so close all I could see was hair!

It has had a 2 1/2x on it ever since.
Still good for coyotes & crows at 300 yards plus!

rc

 

[qajaq59]

I'd consider a 2.5X scout scope mounted on an XS Sight Systems lever-scout mount.

I wonder if anyone makes some kind of a top mount like that for one of the older Winchester top eject rifle? Anyone know? The side mounts are not something I care to do.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't think so, because top-eject 94's didn't have scope base holes in the front receiver ring.

http://www.xssights.com/store/scope.html

rc

 

[qajaq59]

Thanks RC. By the way, do you fly RCs on the CB freq or Ham freqs?

 

[greyling22]

small-ish 4x fixed power.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

What, EXACTLY, is "low priced"? Cannot begin to answer until I know what that means to you when you use the phrase.

 

[Bolt]

$100 or under would be best

 

[AKElroy]

+1 to a good fixed 4X. I am partial to old Weaver K-4's if you can find a clean one; not so much the newer aluminum models. Gunbroker usually has a few. Steel tubes w/ decent blue just look better on a levergun IMO. As for accuracy of the .30-30, I don't shoot my bolt guns much better than this--

 

[pymi]

As stated above a 4X would be perfect unless you have antler restrictions.:banghead:

 

[scythefwd]

pymi, with a good 4x you will easily be able to count the tines at woods hunting distances.

 

[qajaq59]

You're better off to be glassing with binoculars anyway.

 

[Rob96]

I am running a 2-7x on my Marlin 1895G.

 

[schlockinz]

bushnell banner maybe (low power variable on the cheap side)

 

[Ben Shepherd]

As the others above have noted, a fixed 4x or maybe a 2.5X7 would be excellent choices.

 

[shaggy430]

You can't beat a 4x Nikon Prostaff.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yeah, now that we know we're looking for around $100 or less, then I too have to say a Weaver K or Nikon Prostaff fixed 4x, or a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4x32mm.

Too bad you don't have $225 to spend though...perfect scope for this gun in that range.