Is there a BDC scope for the 30/30?

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Orion8472

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Looking for a Bullet Drop Compensated scope for the 30/30 rifle. If you have info on this, please post it [and a link, if you have one]. Thank you!
 
You can have Leupold make you a BDC dial. But its limited to one bullet.

A more universal solution would be to get a Leupold scope with an LR reticle, try a round and see where it hits then use the reticle to figure your holdover. Its pretty easy to dial it in at 100 yards then see how high the first dot is and go from there.

Or you could get silly and get a Swarovski with the BRH reticle.

But the Leupold LR will work just fine and in any case a 30 30 is not the kind of rifle you try to make a 300 yard shot with. As bad as they drop off having something that would get you out to 200 yards could be useful.

Alternatively figure out your point blank range and use the rifle for the 250 yard max that its good for. From Chuck Hawks site: "Set up a scoped .30-30 so that the Winchester Supreme 150 grain factory load strikes dead on at 200 yards and the trajectory looks like this: +3.3 inches high at 100 yards, +2.8 at 150 yards, 0 at 200 yards, -5.7" at 250 yards, and -14.7" at 300 yards. The point blank range of a .30-30 set up this way is almost 250 yards for deer size animals." Read the rest of what he has to say here: http://www.chuckhawks.com/30-30Win.htm

I think that is stretching the round myself but I have never hunted with one so I can't really say.
 
I heard not so great things about the Cabela's scope.

And as for a scope on a cowboy gun, . . . I would agree, but it is something my dad is wanting. I may just get something that will handle the recoil and just sight it in for 100 yards [the range where it would be shot anyway].
 
Ok well best get Daddy what he wants..lol. Have yall already got the gun? If not..think Marlin would be the best bet as they eject out the side as opposed to Winchesters top ejection strategy..which makes it hard to get a rational mounting system. Have seen a few Winchesters with scopes over the years but it takes some kinda funky looking side mount system to make it work. Keeps us posted.
 
He has had the rifle for a short while. . . . and it is a Marlin.
 
Nikon has a program on their website (Spot on?) that allows you to choose the load you are shooting from the rifle and based on that data, it will tell you what yardage each circle corresponds to. I have not personally used it, but a lot of people like it.
CApighunter
 
So, would you buy a scope for a Marlin lever action 30/30? I may be able to convince them that they don't need a scope for it.

How many of you have a scope on yours? If you use it for hunting, I can see the benefit of having a scope to be sure you're making an ethical kill, but then how far are you shooting a deer with a 30/30?

If they DO [still] want a scope, what would be a good quality, lower cost, able to stand up to the recoil type of scope? Would be purchasing it at Bass Pro. They have $30 is rewards points to spend by the end of the month.
 
I would scope it. With a 2-7X33 or thereabouts.
First choice would be a Leupold VX-1 shotgun scope. Or a Burris, or Nikon ProStaff.
A 30-30 will take deer to 175 yards with no need for BDC or holdover. Just sight in 2" high at 100 and you're 2" low at 175. About.
Any BDC type scope will work with a 30-30. You just have to sight it in, then shoot it to see where the holdover marks hit.
 
If you've already got a scope, use Nikon's Spot-On software to figure out your load's approximate max point-blank range. No BDC really necessary, given the power and trajectory of .30-30. 200 yards is about where I would draw the line for the cartridge.

http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/

Using that, and looking at a Federal 150gr FNSP with a 20 yard zero, your shot will be 3.1" high at 112 yards, and 3.2" low at 220 yards. If you want to tighten up the MPBR to say 1" high or low, you could use a 30 yard zero. That would put you at 1.08" high at 80 yards and 1.14" low at 155 yards. Of course, it's up to you to get out to the range and verify that information, but it'll get you in the ballpark. I've used it for almost every rifle I own, and it's been pretty close with every one.
 
Great information and documentation guys! I will keep that in mind if they decide to get a scope.
 
Orion;

I've had both BDC and mil-dot scopes. I've still got several mil-dots, but no BDC. In my opinion you get more utility from a mil-dot for the same cost (within the same product line) as a BDC. Your nickle, your choice.

900F
 
CB, . . . I completely agree. A mildot is an excellent choice and what I'll have them consider, should they decide that they need a scope.

I only have one BDC type scope, . . . though not technically one. I have an M-223 with the "Rapid Action Turrets", and a Burris 1-4 that has a BDC, but my other scopes are Mildot.
 
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