Just about everyone and his neighbor has heard of the .308 Winchester; but, if you own the similar .30-06 rifle, you know that finding the right accessories can be a little more taxing.
We’ve put together this review of our favorite scopes, and we’ll let you know which one we think is the best scope for .30-06 rifles. For this style of rifle, most hunters will be shooting in the longer range. Not only will a proper magnification range be needed, but you’ll also want to look for a great objective lens. While most are either 30mm or 40mm, we suggest aiming for a larger size. 50mm is a great objective lens for this type of hunting, but we think the 42mm objective lens gives the shooter the best of both worlds.
With a higher magnification and focal range needed, you can expect to pay a bit more in price than you would for an average 3x-9x40mm scope. Finding the right scope for your .30-06 will make it worth the price.
Burris Fullfield E1 Long Range Scope
Materials – The Burris Fullfield E1 Long Range Scope for .30 06 rifles is a completely durable and rugged one inch tube that weighs just under one pound. The lower weight is surprising for its 42mm objective lens and magnification range of 4.5x-14x. Obviously for long range shooting, this scope has a click value of ¼ inch and a 22 foot field of view at 100 yards. It has a 7.5 foot field of view at the highest power. Wow! The Ballistic Plex E1 Reticle uses an RFP focal plane and a set of cascading dots for windage and elevation compensation. The objective lens is precision ground optical glass that is fully multicoated for optimal light transmission and crystal clear views.
Performance – We know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but there’s no harm in that here! The Burris Fullfield E1 Long Range Scope for .30 06 rifles is one of the sleekest and most updated looking scopes we’ve seen available. Don’t worry, this baby can walk the walk: the 42mm objective lens makes a world of difference, compared to an average 40mm lens. The field of view is outstanding, and you don’t have to expect to lose focus at the highest magnification. Being close to a pound in weight, this scope will handle some expected recoil from more vintage rifles. Our only complaint may be that the lowest power (4.5x) may still be too high for some hunting. You can choose a 3x-9x option, but your field of view will cut down.
What we say – The Burris Fullfield E1 Long Range Scope costs about $380 online, making it the cheapest option within this review. That may seem like a steep price for the cheapest scope, but you’ll need an incredibly reliable product for a .30-06 rifle.
- Lowest cost
- 42mm lens gives great field of view
- 4.5x-14x magnification
- Lowest power may be too high
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Leupold VX-R Rifle Scope
Materials – The Leupold 111240 VX-R Rifle Scope is made of a single tube construction. It is just barely over one foot in length, and it weighs about 14.5 ounces. The 40mm objective lens uses the Index Matched Lens System, which offers a level of sharpness and brightness that can’t be beat. It is also coated with the DiamondCoat 2 lens coating to make it resistant to scratches and abrasions. The Leupold 111240 VX-R Rifle Scope has a FireDot Reticle System, which uses a second focal plane, and it’s illuminated by fiber-optic LED. The magnification range on this .30 06 rifle scope is 4x-12x, and it’s powered by a single CR-2032 battery.
Performance – The Leupold 111240 VX-R Rifle Scope offers similar qualities as the Burris Fullfield E1, but it is a slightly more toned down version (don’t let that turn you away, though). The great news is this scope is lighter and more compact than the previous option, and it offers practically the exact same power range. However, this one loses that extra bit of focal range. The illuminated reticle is marvelously advanced and effective; you can easily use this scope during early morning or late evening hunting excursions. You would think that the additional technology and battery would add a lot of weight to this scope, but it doesn’t at all!
What we say – The Leupold 111240 VX-R Rifle Scope costs just under $620 online. Although we featured the ballistic FireDot Reticle, there are other reticle styles and powers to choose from.
- 4x-12x power range
- Illuminated FireDot Reticle as as as
- Under one pound in weight
- Less focal range than other .30 06 scopes with similar stats
Trijicon RS20 AccuPower Riflescope
Materials – The Trijicon RS20 AccuPower Riflescope comes in many varieties and styles, and it allows to buyer to pick a scope that is most suited for their needs. For this review, we chose the 3x-9x power scope with a duplex crosshair reticle. This style of reticle can come in a green or red LED illumination. However, the buyer can also choose from a MIL-square crosshair or single crosshair reticle. The body is constructed of aircraft grade aluminum housing, and the 40mm objective lens is multicoated for a clear picture and zero distortion. Even better? The illuminated reticle can be adjusted to multiple levels of brightness.
Performance – The Trijicon RS20 AccuPower Riflescope is possibly the best scope for .30-06 rifles because of its rugged capabilities and customizable features. This scope is designed for recoil and those powerful, one-shot kills. For many hunters, the standard 3x-9x power is all that’s needed, and Trijicon is one of the most highly regarded brands to deliver top quality but basic features. Illuminated reticles are great, but the ability to adjust the brightness level and choose between red or green illumination is even better. However, we do think the price is a bit steep for an average magnification power and objective lens size. For some, it may be totally worth the investment in the end.
What we say – The Trijicon RS20 AccuPower Riflescope costs just about $600 online. If you want something more powerful with a wider focal plane, expect to pay closer to the $1000 mark. This scope should never fail you and will be worth every penny!
- Highest quality standard features
- Multiple reticles and power ranges to choose from
- Illuminated reticle with brightness levels
- High price for 3-9x40mm scope
Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scope
Materials – The Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scope is a single, one inch tube design that is crafted from a single, aircraft grade aluminum block. The 42mm objective lens is made of high density, low dispersion glass and an APO apochromatic lens system. The lens is, of course, fully multicoated for the best picture delivery possible. This scope is O-ring sealed for resistance to moisture and liquids, as well as dust and debris. Most impressive is the 3x-15x magnification range, which is perfect for both mid range and long range shooting. The click value is ¼ inch, and the entire body of the Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scope weighs about 15.5 ounces.
Performance – The Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scope is a big favorite of ours for multiple reasons. For one, this gadget is one of the best at resisting any kind of damage. Between the multicoated glass and the sealing, not a single drop of water will get inside. It has also been treated with nitrogen, so the glass won’t fog up on you on a gloomy day, either. However, our favorite part of this scope is the power range of 3x-15x. 3x is the average magnification you’ll need for midrange hunting, but even long range shooters can be pleased at the maximum power. It’s for that exact reason that the Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC made it on our list of the best .30-06 scopes.
What we say – The Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scopes costs around $900 online, making it the most expensive option within this review. If you can afford it, this is a smart investment that will last you a lifetime – literally! It comes with a lifetime warranty!
- Lifetime warranty
- 3x-15x power range
- Highly protective against water and fog
- Good for both mid and long range hunting
- Most expensive option
Our Favorite Scope For .30-06
In a perfect world, we’d love to tell you that the Vortex Optics Razor LH HD G4 BDC Rifle Scope is the best choice for the every day hunter. Unfortunately, it comes at a really steep price tag of $900. For economic reasons, our top pick for this review of the best scope for .30-06 rifles is the Leupold VX-R Rifle Scope. It comes at a much more affordable cost while offering some of the best features for the .30-06 style of rifle. The power range has longer range shooting in mind, but the lowest power of 4x is an acceptable magnification for more mid range hunting as well. The FireDot reticle is seriously impressive, and any illuminate reticle will always beat out an unilluminated reticle. Any hunter with a powerful rifle should be happy with the Leupold 111240 VX-R Rifle Scope. Happy hunting!
