The 30-06 rifles are one of the most popular hunting rifles across the globe. These rifles are used more often for target shooting.
If one of these powerful firearms belongs to you, chances are you are looking for the best scope for 3006 rifles. While there are many great options out there, some brands and models tend to stand out from the rest.
In this article, we will review some of the best scopes for 30-06 in the market. We will walk you through the features of these scopes and why they made it to our list.
We will also provide you with a guide on how to make the right choice for your .30-06 rifle. Here we go!
The Best Scopes for 30-06 Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Vortex Optics Diamondback HP 4-16x42 Second Focal Plane Riflescope |  Top Pick |
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| 2.Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope with Truplex Reticle |  |
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| 3.Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective 6-18x44mm, Second Focal Plane Riflescope |  |
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| 4.Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm First Focal Place 30mm Tube Riflescope |  |
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| 5.Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Compact Waterproof Fog-Proof Riflescope |  |
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| 6.Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9x40mm BDC |  |
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| 7.Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle |  |
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1. Vortex Optics Diamondback HP 4-16×42 Second Focal Plane Riflescope — Best 30-06 Scope
If you are looking for a reliable and high-quality scope for your 30-06 rifle, the Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16×42 is a great option to consider. This scope from Vortex is part of the Diamondback series.
Over the years, this is one of the most sought after scopes for tactical operators and hunters looking for a versatile scope with BDC reticle. This scope comes with a low dispersion glass with multi coated lenses. The glass has an increased light transmission and it produces sharper and clearer images.
The minimum zoom range of this scope is 4x, which is ideal for short-range shooting. The maximum magnification is 16x, which allows you to make perfect medium and long-range shots. This is a very versatile option considering the zoom range.
You can also access the side focus of this scope from a shooting position, providing you with an amazing image focus that has a parallax removal. This scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece, which allows for easy and quick reticle focusing.
You can also reset this scope to zero once you are done sighting in, thanks to its capped reset turrets. This scope is also fog-proof and waterproof, as it is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed. It also has shockproof performance, which ensures a heavy-duty performance.
This tool boasts of high performance and reliability, making it the ideal .30-06 riflescope for serious hunters and shooters.
Specs
- 4 to 16x
- 12.5 inches
- 18 ounces
Pros
- Ideal for short, medium, and long-range shots
- Fully multi coated lenses
- Works even with low lighting conditions
- Easy reticle focusing
Cons
- It is a bit bulky
2. Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope with Truplex Reticle
This is one of the favorite scopes among military personnel, hunters, and tactical professionals because it is versatile and it boasts of a solid performance. This tool comes with a 50mm object lens, which is pretty large.
It also features a magnification range of 3 to 9x, which is great for short to medium-range shooting. If you are looking for a durable scope with waterproof and fog-proof features, then this is one of the best options you have.
This scope offers robust features at a considerably low price. It comes with fully coated optics that provide high contrast, bright images. It is also recoil proof, and it offers 3.75 inches of eye relief.
With the bright and high contrast images this scope produces, you can quickly and easily acquire your targets. The fully coated optics also allow you to see very clearly even in low lighting conditions.
This scope also offers easy elevation and windage adjustments, thanks to its .25 MOA sure grip audible-click adjustments. It comes with a TrueZero system that keeps the unit locked tightly to zero regardless of how you use it. For quick target acquisition, this unit comes with a QTA eyepiece.
Specs
- 3 to 9x
- 12 inches
- 13.2 ounces
Pros
- Brighter and clearer images
- Weatherproof
- Great for low light conditions
- Long eye relief
Cons
- Not the best magnification range for long-ranging shooting
3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Adjustable Objective 6-18x44mm, Second Focal Plane Riflescope
This is another great scope for .30-06 rifle from Vortex. This scope allows you to switch between 6 and 18x magnification power. This magnification range is great for medium and long-distance shooting.
It also comes with an impressive 44mm objective lens. While this is not the widest lens available, it matches perfectly with the magnification settings and it offers great performance too. The compact size of the lens also makes it easier to mount on .30-06 rifles.
The adjustable objective can also help you minimize or remove parallax, providing you with a great focus at longer distances. The lens is also multicoated to provide you with better color contrast and better sight images.
This scope comes with turrets that you can adjust easily with your fingers, and they click after every adjustment. With this tactile feedback, you can adjust his scope easily without looking.
This unit is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it fog proof and waterproof. It is also shockproof, thanks to its aircraft-grade aluminum construction. It also comes with a great BDC Dead-Hold reticle that allows you to place your shots accurately. The reticle has horizontal marks that allow you to compensate for bullet drift in windy conditions.
Specs
- 6 to 18x
- 13.6 inches
- 20 ounces
Pros
- Durable
- The objective lens reduces and removes parallax
- Great BDC reticle
- Great for medium and long-range shoots
Cons
- The reticle can be washed out easily
4. Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm First Focal Place 30mm Tube Riflescope
This scope features great magnification settings, with a minimum magnification of 6x and a maximum magnification of 24x. It also comes with a whopping 50mm objective lens that works perfectly with the magnification levels to offer a generous field of view (FOV) with super sharp focus at all zoom levels.
This feature also makes this tool perfect for long-range shooting. The lenses are multi coated with exclusive XPL material, which enhances your sight picture and color contrast. It also provides great light transmission.
This coating comes in really handy if you are trying to spot a target that blends in with the environment. The coating also protects the tool from scratch and grease damage. This scope offers better visibility even when ambient light levels are low, as the reticle has been engraved onto the glass.
It is also argon purged to increase its thermal stability and water-resistant performance. It is waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, and you can use it under any weather condition.
It is also built to withstand any recoil that comes from your rifle. It comes with a knob for easy parallax adjustment on the left-hand side. It also features 3.3-inches of eye relief. To crown it all, this scope comes at a pocket-friendly rate. It is one of the best-priced options in our list.
Specs
- 6 to 24x
- 14.1 inches
- 29.6 ounces
Pros
- Great field of view
- Illuminated reticle
- Resistance to shock damage in particular
- Great optics
Cons
- Not entirely fog proof
5. Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Compact Waterproof Fog-Proof Riflescope
The Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm is one of the contenders for the best scope for 30 06. For a painless and smooth transition from iron sights to a scope, you should consider this option.
The Duplex reticles are very easy to use. All you have to do is to put the crosshairs on your target and pull the trigger, that’s all. This scope also offers plenty of added benefits, especially on 30-06 rifles.
It comes with one of the longest eye relief distances among its rivals. However, the distance does reduce when you increase the magnification. This scope features a minimum magnification range of 3x and a maximum magnification range of 9x. It is one of the best short to medium-range scopes on our list.
It offers superior clarity, especially at shorter ranges. It also offers super clear and crisp images, thanks to its multi coated glass. The multicoat 4-lens system also delivers bright sigh images and outstanding contrast even in extreme low-light conditions.
It also comes with .25 MOA precision finger click adjustments for windage and elevation that offers absolute dependability and repeatability over a lifetime of extreme use. It boasts of 100 percent fog-proof and waterproof performance, making this tool ready for lifetime use in the field, in all conditions.
If you are looking for an entry-level scope for .30-06 with plenty of great features, then this is one of the best options you should consider. It is very easy to use, and it also comes with a fairly reasonable price.
Specs
- 3 to 9x
- 12.6 inches
- 11.2 ounces
Pros
- Familiar duplex reticle
- Long eye relief
- Inexpensive
- Great for short to medium-distance shots
Cons
- The knobs are a bit difficult to turn, but it will loosen after much use
6. Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9x40mm BDC
From the home of legendary scope maker Nikon, we present you one of the best scope for 3006 — Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9x40mm BDC riflescope. This is also one of the best budget scope for 30-06 rifles, as it cost less than $100.
This scope offers top-notch reticle and pin-point accuracy, thanks to the BDC reticle. This is a designated hunter scope that helps hunters in holding dead-on targets at long ranges, thanks to the semi-transparent ballistic.
It also comes with a Ballistic Match technology that points out the aiming dots on the reticle at different ranges, increasing the accuracy of your target. The magnification range of this unit is from 3x to 9x, which is great for short to medium-range shootings. To provide you with clearer shots, this unit features clear-cut finger adjustable .25 MOA at 100 yards. It also allows you to reset to zero in a matter of seconds.
The lens of this scope, which is 40mm, has several layers of anti-reflective layers. This feature provides you with bright and colorful visuals while focusing on your target in any light condition. It features a generous 3.6 inches of eye relief, allowing you to shoot at different angles without hurting your eyebrow.
With the magnification range of this scope, you can hit a target almost 500 yards range in the woods. It also has parallax settings to provide you with very clear views even at larger ranges without any parallax. The tube is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, ensuring top-notch fog-proof, waterproof, and shockproof performance.
Specs
- 3 to 9x
- 12.3 inches
- 13.1 ounces
Pros
- Fully multi coated lenses
- Consistent, generous eye relief
- Weatherproof
- Extremely bright sight images
Cons
- Not the best option for longer-distance shots
7. Nikon ProStaff Rimfire with BDC Reticle
If you are looking for the best hunting scope for 3006, then the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire is what you need. The scope produces amazing results with it being used with .30-06 rifles.
It comes with a medium-sized objective lens of 40mm, and an eyepiece of 44mm, allowing you to shoot down targets at a very long range with ease. The magnification range of this scope is 4 to 12x, providing you with enough coverage you need in forest or shooting games.
This scope offers 7.9 to 23.6 feet field of view at 100 yards, which means getting a proper sight will no longer be an issue. It also allows you to lock on target more accurately, thanks to its 3.3 to 10mm exit pupil. This scope also features a specialized BDC 150 reticle that facilitates bullet compensation at long-range shootings. In addition, it also has a unique see-through ballistic circle that serves as an aiming point for all range shots.
The lenses of this scope are all multicoated, allowing for optimum light transmission for a clear and vivid view. It also features Ballistic Match technology, which helps to highlight the aiming points on the reticle, providing you with all the aiming assistance you need.
It features 3.7 inches of eye relief, which is pretty far. The .25 MOA of this unit also makes it easy and quick to zero the target. In addition, this scope comes with nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed tube that offers a great waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof performance.
Specs
- 4 to 12x
- 14.1 inches
- 13.6 ounces
Pros
- A fully coated optical system
- Nitrogen-filled, O-ring sealed housing
- Great for short to medium-range shots
- Super clear and sharp images
Cons
- A larger objective lens size would have been better.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Rifle Scope for
Before you buy a scope to use with your .30-06 rifle, it is crucial to keep a few things in mind. Putting a few things into consideration will help you avoid substandard products that are not worth your money and time.
To get started, here are some of the things you need to consider before buying:
Power
This is one of the most vital factors you need to put into consideration. When we talk about power, we are referring to the magnification level of the scope or how far the scope can zoom.
Some scopes come with single power (i.e. fixed magnification). This means you cannot adjust the magnification. Variable power allows you to switch the zoom levels. Variable power is the best, as it increases the effective range and adaptability.
Objective Lens
Another thing you should consider is the objective lens. You should avoid dim lenses that hinder your ability to see your target in any way. As a hunter, you will be doing a little bit of shooting in low-light conditions, such as dusk and dawn.
As such, you should go for a .30-06 scope with a larger objective lens. This is because larger objective lenses gather more light to make shooting in low-light conditions much easier.
Lens Coating and Composition
Some lenses are fully coated with scratch-resistant or other materials to assist with sighting the scope or durability.
Adjustment Knobs
When searching for the right scope for your .30-06 rifle, another crucial thing you need to consider is the quality of the adjustment knobs. The quality of the adjustment knobs has to do with the ease of adjustment and effective focus the scope provides. As such, you need to opt for a scope with adjustments that are easy to reach and use.
Conclusion
A scope is a very important aspect of accurate rifles, and the .30-06 rifle can greatly benefit from the enhanced precision you will get when you use the best scope.
From the products above, the clear winner is the Vortex Optics Diamondback HP 4-16×42 Second Focal Plane Riflescope because of its great features. It comes with a great magnification range with fully multi-coated lenses. It features reticle focusing and it works pretty well in low-light conditions.
