New scope for my 30-06

[IdaD]

I like Leupold. I've never hunted with a BDC but I don't think they're necessary for most hunting situations, certainly not out to 200 yards with a 30-06. I like to zero my hunting rifles at about 200 yards, including my 30-06. That generally hits close enough to point of aim out to 250 yards, and maybe out to 300-325 with just holding slightly high. I don't generally shoot much past that type of distance.

 

[hdbiker]

I had to replace a damaged scope on my Savage .270. I hadn't bought a new scope in years and was talking to a sales person. He recommended a Vortex Diamondback, 4X12X40 for 200 bucks and I bought it. After using it for about a year I liked it so much I bought another one for my Tikka .243. Bright, clear, great warranty I love them... hdbiker

 

[Thomasss]

Every vortex scope own by family members has gone back for repairs and/or replacement within 3 years. I personally have used Leupold vari x-1 for over 30 years and currently have a 3x9 Freedom on my '06 and wouldn't switch for the world. The vari x-I was having trouble holding zero 3 yrs ago and Leupold fix it, re-gassed it and replaced more parts than I knew were in it and came back to me for the cost of postage. I got the Freedom, because it's much better for my old eyes in low light, like at opening morning and at closing. If you site in 3 inches high at a 100 yards with 150 grain bullet you will be dead on at 200 yds. and 2 inches low at 225 yards per Jack O'Connor. The vari-x-1 is now on my back-up rifle.

 

[I6turbo]

I have 40-something scopes ranging from about $50 (back in the day when I bought some of the cheaper ones) up to about $550 street price, and have compared almost all of them carefully to one another. Brands are mostly Weaver, Sightron, Vortex, Clearidge, Leupold, and Burris. I highly recommend the Burris FF II 4.5-14x42 or its Side-focus counterpart, the E1 4.5-14x42 (which you can probably find for $175 or so). They are a huge bargain. And the Burris Ballistic-plex reticle is excellent (to my eye) for hunting and also works well for target shooting.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

Cannot go wrong calling Doug on anything!

I paid $439 by calling doug at camera land on an Athlon Midas HMR 2.5-15x50. It’s illuminated and BDC out to 600 yards. It’s a little heavy but in my opinion the best bang for your buck in a hunting scope. I’d definitely pay the extra to get this scope over the others mentioned. I did not like my vortex diamondback at all. I have a few leupolds, but like the glass and tracking of the the Athlon. I love the illumination.



https://athlonoptics.com/product/midas-hmr-2-5-15x50-bdc-600a/

Here are the best caps if you go that route:
http://shop.aadmount.com/Flip-Up-Cap-Set-Athlon-Midas-HMR-HD-25-15x50mm-CAPS-MIDAS-HMR50.htm

 

[GooseGestapo]

Every vortex scope own by family members has gone back for repairs and/or replacement within 3 years. I personally have used Leupold vari x-1 for over 30 years and currently have a 3x9 Freedom on my '06 and wouldn't switch for the world. The vari x-I was having trouble holding zero 3 yrs ago and Leupold fix it, re-gassed it and replaced more parts than I knew were in it and came back to me for the cost of postage. I got the Freedom, because it's much better for my old eyes in low light, like at opening morning and at closing. If you site in 3 inches high at a 100 yards with 150 grain bullet you will be dead on at 200 yds. and 2 inches low at 225 yards per Jack O'Connor. The vari-x-1 is now on my back-up rifle.

T- :
Actually a +3” at 100yds yields a 250yd zero and only -4” at 300yds. This is in essence a 300yd +/- 3” point-blank range. (Assuming a b.c. Of .350 and 2,900fps mv).
My ‘06 hunting load I intend to use this fall pushes a 165gr bullet with a .450 b.c. To 2,950fps. It too is sighted to +3” at 100yds. It wears a Leupold VX-1 I bought on sale for $199 several years ago. My “other” .30/06 wears a 1970’s VariX II 2-7x and has since 1978, except for a short trip to Leupold in the 90’s for a new dot recticle and corrected for a detached reticle following a jump out of a 20’ shooting tower 5yrs previously. (It still held zero!!!).
Don’t make the common current mistake of underestimating the ole’06!

 

[LoonWulf]

An ‘06 with a 220gr MatchKing beats a 6.5Creed, all the way to the horizon.
(b.c. .629 sd. .331) But yeah, it kicks a little...

Yeah i ran some heavy charges of superformance under 208gr Amax, and found them unpleasant tho not actually painfull. Think I was getting 2650 with those loads.

The same bullets at 2900 from my 300wm were painful lol.

 

[lightman]

Between the two that you posted about I would go Leupold. Although I prefer their VX-3 line for a few hundred dollars more.

I have Leupolds that have been on Magnum rifles for years, have been dropped, rode around in the back end of trucks, ect that still hold zero and still track correctly. Some of them show their scars!

With a 30-06 shooting less than 200 yards a 3X9 is perfectly adequate and you don't need a fancy reticle or a 30mm tube for your intended purpose.

Good Luck with your choice.

 

[redneck2]

have Leupolds that have been on Magnum rifles for years, have been dropped, rode around in the back end of trucks, ect that still hold zero and still track correctly. Some of them show their scars!

I hadn’t thought about it much, but I just never seem to have to reset the zero on any of my Leupolds. I’ve had them on varmint rifles, precision AR’s, deer rifles, and .22’s

I haven’t bought a scope in years, but my last was a VX-6 2-12 for my 7 mag. IMO, my VX-3’s are excellent at low light and have super anti glare coatings. Can’t comment on anything else as I have no recent experience

One of the realities of scopes is that, once I buy them I don’t change them out. Guns can be traded and get a fair amount back out of them, but scopes lose a lot of value. If you buy a $200 scope and don’t like it and replace it was a $400 one, you’ve ended up paying $600

Anyway, I’d buy a VX-3. YMMV.

And, be sure to get GOOD flip up caps front and rear

 

[gotboostvr]

One of the realities of scopes is that, once I buy them I don’t change them out. Guns can be traded and get a fair amount back out of them, but scopes lose a lot of value. If you buy a $200 scope and don’t like it and replace it was a $400 one, you’ve ended up paying $600

Depends on the scope.

Yeah, for the most part, most scopes will lose value pretty quick. But good scopes, from some manufacturers hold their value very well. Leopold, and higher end Vortex's don't lose much since their warranties and customer service are so good buying used isn't much of a gamble.

I almost went down that path a few times recently myself when hunting for two new optics. I sold a fair number of ones I had sitting around, and got a not insignificant amount of cash back for them.

 

[Taylor Self]

Take a look at the burris fullfield IV, I have the 2.5-10X42 with the illuminated E3 reticle and it is really nice