soliciting scope suggestions for custom rifle

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I have a rifle in 30-06 my Grandfather built from an Angentine Mauser with a 28" barrel that I want to mount a scope worthy of the rifle on top of. Right now, I have a cheap Tasco 4-12 power that I put on a couple of decades ago before I knew anything about scopes. I'm looking in the $400-$550 range at the maximum power of 10x-14x or so. Since it's a long action and it doesn't (and won't) have a picitinny rail, the scope will need to be rather long as well. I'm unfamiliar with scopes that fit long action rifles and need some help. I measured the outside of the scope rings mounted presently and it's right at 5 1/2" between them. I'm guessing to be able to get proper eye relief, I will need at least 6" of scope body to mount to the rings...maybe more. Got any suggestions?

 

You will have a hard time getting good cheek weld without using a pic rail base. You need to get your scope well to the rear. I use the pic rail on my Mauser.

 

Cheek weld isn’t a problem with this stock. I could probably move the current scope a bit forward for more eye relief.

What I’m looking for is scope recommendations.

 

I used to recommend the weaver gland/super slams. but they're discontinued.
I used to recommend the nikon monarchs. But they're discontiunued.
but I'll throw a few out to see if this thread will come to life.

how about a meopta meopro? https://www.sportoptics.com/meopta-meopro-524380.aspx
hard to go wrong with a leupold. here are a couple to look at. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362269748?pid=269748
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362458847?pid=561499

burris signature? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022349618?pid=872757
trijicon huron? https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022102083?pid=962376

 

I second the motion for a simpler scope to fit in with that simpler era. I would strongly consider a fixed 6x - not nearly the handicap suggested by some of today's shooters - in plain mounts. I have a Leupold FX-3 mounted on a classically styled .30-'06 and have never needed or wanted anything more. It fits perfectly - both physically and aesthetically - and can be had for under $400.

 

Meopta would be my first choice.

 

Your scope options will be greatly increased if you investigate other possible mounting options. Extended bases are great help with the newer scopes.
Here is an extended front base which allows greater flexibility for scope positioning. It's a basic Weaver extension base.

 

So you basically need a scope that will fit your current base and ring setup? Measure that length requirement and find a scope to fit. Midway USA shows most all of their scope dimensions. Plug in your budget and search.

 

Mounting space is 6 inches.

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm

 

The Leupold's are never a bad choice. If you can afford a VX3i they are a good choice. Price around $500, but I see them cheaper. It really depends on the features. The basic scopes are often closer to $400, and sometimes a bit less. Exotic reticles, and dials, etc., will run up price.

The VX-Freedom is around $200 and will serve 90%+ of all shooters needs just fine.

This is also an excellent scope, at a great price. This is basically the old Zeiss Conquest made by Meopta. They originally sold for $500+. Cabelas is now selling it again with their badges on it.


https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-instinct-hd-rifle-scope

 

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm liking both the Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14 and the Burris 3-15 Signature HD scopes. I think those are what I'm looking for. I'm really drawn to the Burris with that wide range. Midway has the diagram photo but doesn't provide the dimensions. Does anyone know where I might be able to find them? The Leupold dimensions were listed and the scope tube/body was 5.8"...right at just long enough. That might be the deciding factor.

 

I have two of this Leupold....a 3 and a 3i. Paid $400 for the first, then found a deal on the second for $270. I see them advertised for $400 or less all the time. It is one of the best scopes on the market. I also have 2 Burris scopes although not the one you mention. They have been very good, but I would give the edge to Leupold. Let us know what you get.

 

I might be biased, but I think the 1909 Argentine is the finest Mauser action ever made.

I have never had eye relief problems with any of the scopes I've mounted on my Argy over the decades. My favorite was the Leupold 3-9x42.

That Tasco and Weaver mounts & rings aren't worthy of your fine rifle. Replace the Weavers with Leupold two piece mounts & low rings (I used Refields. Same as the Leupold, but easier on a 16 year old's wallet. I don't think they make Redfield mounts or rings anymore).

My first choice for scopes for your Argy would be a Leupold 2.5-7x32. Second would a Leupold 3-9x42, 3.5-10x42 or 4.5-16x42, something along those lines.

I would not put a cheap scope, mount or rings on that beautiful Argy.

One detail that impacts scope location is length of pull. If the LOP is too long, the shooter may not be able to move the scope far enough to the rear.

 

The Leupolds have been my go-to scopes for a while. Pretty much what I judge everything else by. I picked up a VX 3i 3.5-10x40 a month or two ago. They're on sale now at Midway USA $60 $339 with free shipping.

I keep hearing good things about the Meoptas also. I've got one of those on the way to try out. They're something to look at at least. The 3-15x44 I've got on the way would probably not be suitable for a long action though.

 

I use either Leupold or Burris scopes as a rule, both are good quality. Have no experience with meoptas.

 

I’ve got Meopta scopes and binoculars. I really like them.

 

I agree with your assessment of the current scope/mount arrangement. It hurts my heart that such a cheap scope is sitting atop the rifle. The original scope that was mounted had the outline of a rhino on it and no name and at a critical moment I was ready to shoot a deer, it fogged up (probably fortunate for me as I was inexperienced at field dressing and actually checking in process...probably early teens at the time). I decided to change the scope, but didn't know ANYTHING about scopes other than 4-12 power was bigger (better) than 3-9 power. Oh well, live and learn.

I am curious why you would choose such low power for your first choice for a 30-06 with a 28" barrel.

 

Elk in heavy cover, good eye box, wide field of view, optical clarity trumps magnification and I know from personal experience those scopes can be mounted with low rings. Last, but not least, that barrel would lose 4 to 6 inches to make for a more practical hunting rifle

 

I understand your reasoning, but are you suggesting I alter the rifle?

My purpose of changing scopes is to mount something worthy of the rifle and take advantage of what the rifle is as built. I'm not chopping the barrel my grandfather put on the rifle.

I understand the rifle isn't the most practical. Honestly, I'm not sure why my grandfather built it with such a long barrel other than to try to take advantage of a full powder burn for a 30-06 (I'm guessing). I don't even know what the twist rate is of the barrel to optimize bullet weight. I understand the process is relatively easy, I just haven't done it.

 

You don't have to alter the rifle. If it were mine and I wanted to put it to use, I would seriously consider shortening the barrel. A 28 inch barrel in 30-06 is to squeeze as much velocity out of the round as possible. In a practical sense, that only matters when trying to stay supersonic out to 1000 yards or so.

However, the rest of the rifle (including barrel profile) isn't optimized up for shooting at 1000 yards. It's a hunting rifle. Not that you couldn't do so if you wanted and there's no reason you shouldn't. It's just that today, there are better options to do so.

Anyway, my suggestions are only to give you another perspective to consider. If you'd rather install a scope with greater magnification, go for it. It might work better than what I suggested. But you won't know until you go shoot the rifle which will be more interesting and educational than any gun forum.

 

They make extension rings for Weaver bases ( and some extended bases too ).

Classic rifles, should have classic scopes.

Unfortunately Leupold isnt making gloss scopes at the moment ( custom shop is down ).

If matte doesnt bother you, vx3i in 3.5-10x.
Its what I have on my .30-06.

They aint perfect but are usable, esp if you are a set and forget type ( I am ).
The new Freedom VX series just doesnt look good on old rifles IMHO.

 

Currently looking for a clean old gloss Leupold for my Ruger #1

Seems as though everybody else is too, or those w gloss scopes seem to think. Prices on a certain auction site are often ridiculous.