Looking for a Scope for my 30-06

[chetrogers]

I have a Remington model 721 30-06 that i would like to put a scope on it that isn't going to break my bank account but also don't want a 40 dollar one off of ebay.Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I just will be using it to shoot targets with.I do not hunt but still would like to use it to shoot the farther away shots with.

Also the bigger the place that you look into "Dont know the correct term" The better.I have a really small one on my 22 and seems like im squinting all the time.

 

[chetrogers]

Mods would it be possible to move this to the Rifle forum.

 

[LAK]

Personally, I would go shopping for an older Leupold. And I see more than a few of these on eBay in nice shape that wind up going for $100 to $150. Leupold will fix, I believe, just about any scope they have ever made.

But unless you know what you are doing on eBay, you might be better off going to a local chain store and going with a new one. Leupold or Burris if you can afford it, or perhaps one of the Japanese makes like Pentax, Nikon etc. Bushnell is pretty good value for money and lower priced than these.

I think by "the bigger the place that you look into" you mean "field of view". Although this varies some between manufacturers and models, the smaller the magnification the wider the field of view, and the larger the magnification (or "higher powered") the smaller the field of view. Thus a 4x or "4 power" scope will have a larger field of view than a 6x. But the 6x will have a larger magnification making objects appear larger than the 4x of course.

You can get a variable power scope which will have a range of magnifications. For example a 2x-7x scope will have six settings: 2,3,4,5,6 and 7x. The field of view will be progressively wider at lower settings and visa versa, while objects will appear larger at the higher numbers.

Just my personal preference; but I generally prefer "fixed power" scopes with one magnification. Usually a 2.5x, 3x or 4x. Not many companies make a 3x rifle scope anymore, some make 2.5x, and the most common is 4x which is a good balance of power and field of view.

I would suggest going to a few stores and actually looking through some scopes to see what the differences are in power versus field of view to give you an idea of what is best for you. If you sight up through a window you can see how large they make objects appear at a distance and how wide the field of view is for each.

 

[ID_shooting]

The answer is simple, the most expensive 3-9 you can afford. glas does make a difference.

To give a testamonial, I just put a weaver 3-9 on my remmy 300 WM. Bright clear glass, easy to turn adjustements, generous eye reliefe, and just over 2 bills didn't put me in bankruptcy. Not too mention my group size was cut in half.

BTW, that Millett I was so happy with on this 300, well, the whole rear section of the scope fell off after +- 100 rounds or so

 

[foghornl]

Briefly, the "eyepiece" is what you look in, the "Objective Lens" in the bigger lens on the front of the scope.

For instance, a scope listed as a "3-9x40" is a 3 to 9 power variable power [or 'zoom'], with a 40 MM diameter Objective Lens. Similarly, a 4x32 is a fixed magnification (4 power) scope with a 32 MM Objective lens.

Another specification worth a close look is the "eye relief", the distance between the back of the scope and your eye/forehead/glasses when you get the full field of view. The more recoil you expect from your rifle, the longer eye relief you need. Having that "half-moon" profusely bleeding cut above your eye because you got smacked by the scope is .....well, not really high on the list of fun things. Never mind HOW I know, i just know...

Some folks are not fans of the lowest-cost scopes such as Tasco and Simmons. I have had good performance from the Tascos on my .22's and my .30/30, but haven't tried them on stouter calibers.

Bushnell has a reasonably priced line called "Banner Series", with some new ones under $100, if you watch for sales at places like Dicks, Gander Mountain, Dunhams, Big 5, etc. My Local Dunhams recently sold some Bushnell 3-9x40 for (IIRC) $69.

I recently replaced the 4x21 cheapy scope on my .22 with a 4x32, and I was amazed at the difference, particularly for my 50+year-old 'tri-focal" eyes.

 

[moredes]

At what distance will you "use it to shoot the farther away shots with" ? The farther you shoot, (especially out passed 200+ yards) the better the optical quality must be. One doesn't need anything higher than 10x power for shooting longrange (out to 1000 yards). The problem with optical resolution is the mirage generated from the sun's heat will distort your view of the target through the scope. The general rule serious targetshooters follow is "the scope should cost as much as the rifle" .

That said, a "cheaper" 3-9 powered scope could fit you fine; that Leupold suggestion is one I'd be hard-pressed to beat, though I'm not a big fan of Leupold's optical quality. (There's absolutely nothing wrong with Leupold stuff, I just prefer some of the more "highline" stuff.) Leupold's lifetime warranty follows the scope, not the owner; basically that means that they'll repair anything except a damaged housing or "tube". But they'll own up and repair the optics and mechanical adjustments if the problem's internal. This guarantee, in practice, allows you to buy 'used', and trading the cosmetic blemishes you may find for the markdown in price will get you a lot farther for your $$. Also, Leupolds hold their used-resale value better than a lot of scopes in that class.

I'd follow the advice others have given with a focus on Leupold--go to the store and look through some scopes; don't believe everything the salespeople tell you, because most of them are 'in sales', and dunno squat about shooting applications vs. optics.

I'd almost suggest other brands, (Burris, Nikon, Pentax, and Sightron--but definitely not Tasco, BSA, Simmons, Bushnell, ATN--these are generally junk) but if you buy Leupold and decide for some reason you don't like it, it's much more likely that you could turn around and sell it for everything you've got in it, and almost immediately. I wouldn't say that 'on the blind' for the other brands, simply because the brand-name dominance ain't there in the market for the other good scopes.

 

[WYO]

I sound like a broken record on this topic but the best bang for the buck right now is the Leupold 2004 model VXII, which costs $279 shipped from Cabelas in either 2x7x33 or 3x9x40. It is the same as the pre-2004 Vari-X III that used to sell for $430. If you want to do like someone suggested and buy a used Leopold, don't pay more for a used Vari-X III than you would pay for a new VXII.

 

[HankB]

A Leupold 3x9 'scope with a 40mm objective would be a great choice for your .30/06. The 3x9 zoom range is useful from the woods to as far as you ought to be shooting at game, the 40mm objective allows you to mount the 'scope reasonably low (unlike 'scopes with 50mm or larger objectives) and Leupold means good build quality, good warranty, and good eye relief.

I'd get it with a matte finish and duplex reticle. As to which version, I'd suggest you buy all you can afford, as image quality DOES go up with price.

Leupold's "Rifleman" series 'scopes start at under $200 if you shop around.

I've had a Leupold Vari-X II on my .30/06 for around 30 years now. I've used it in summers in Texas, winters in Minnesota, and it's gone with me several times to Africa. Performance is boring - when I get to my destination and fire a few shots, I find I never even have to adjust zeros.

I like it.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I just mounted a Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC on my Tikka T3 Lightweight. It's roughly the equivelant of a Leopold Vari-X III, but costs about $100 less. I haven't shot it yet, but it has nice glass.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I just mounted a Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC on my Tikka T3 Lightweight. It's roughly the equivelant of a Leopold Vari-X III, but costs about $100 less. I haven't shot it yet, but it has nice glass.

 

[SirPorl]

Nikon

I also have a Nikon 3x9 Monarch with their UCC technology. Very clear scope. I also have their 4x prostaff rimfire scope. Both scopes were well worth the money. Bright, clear, adjustments work, and they hold zero. My buddy has a one of their buckmaster 3x9s on his deer rifle. Once again crystal clear. Don't think you can lose with the Nikon.

SirPorl

 

[nipprdog]

Simmons Aetec 2.8x10x44.

5" eye relief

put one on my 30-06 Handi rifle. about $140

 

[45crittergitter]

gstorm has closeout prices on some nice S&W scopes.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

What do they say? Something like:

"Spend enough money on your scope and you only swear about it once".

Leupold 3-9X40 is the way to go. I've personally had good luck with an old Vari X 2 I bought just as they stopped making them. When I bought it, the Weaver Grand Slam actually seemed brighter in the store, but I had to go with a Leupold for my first "good" scope. The biggest change I noticed from cheaper scopes was that the colors matched the "real" world much better. This may not seem like it would matter much, but it does matter quite a bit when you're trying to pick out a little fleck of brown in thick woods.

Be sure to also get a good mount and rings.