Best Scope for 3006 – Buyer’s Guide

The 30-06 rifle is a hunting rifle that shares the same name with a universal cartridge that is also equally popular.

The .30-06 cartridge is commonly used for sporting and hunting.

As a sporting cartridge, it is quite accurate and very affordable. As a hunting cartridge, it is versatile and powerful.

And the great thing about this cartridge is that it can be chambered in a number of rifles including a Mossberg, Browning, Remington just to name a few.

And because it is such a versatile cartridge, it begs the question, which scope is the best for a 30-06 rifle?

You can find scopes that are compatible with a 30-06 rifle, but which ones are the best? And this is where we come in. To know what scopes we discovered to be some of the best in the market for a 30-06 rifle read on.

Scopes For 3006 Comparison Chart

5 Best Scopes For 3006 (as of November, 2023):

1. Vortex Optics DBK-08-BDC Diamondback 1.75-5×32 – Best Scope For 30-06 Review

The Vortex Diamondback comes in various configurations. In the series, the Vortex Optics DBK-08-BDC Diamondback 1.75-5×32 is one of the models you can use with your 30-06 rifle.

It’s popular with tactical shooters and hunters because it is a very versatile scope that has a compact and lightweight design.

Its sports a BDC reticle, which allows you t hunt or shoot at varying distances particularly where it’s difficult to calculate holdover.

The scope comes with a 32 objective lens that uses extra-low dispersion glass and multicoated lenses to reduce glare and give you crystal clear visuals.

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The coated lenses allow you to hunt or shoot in low lighting conditions because of their ability to gather a lot of light.
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And this is one of the scopes you want to take when you need to hit a target that is less 400 yards because it has low magnification. You can magnify the scope up to 5x and dial it down to 1.75 for very close range shots.

And you can shift the focus of your reticle by accessing the side focus turret on the scope. And this is to help you remove any fuzziness or blurriness to give you a clear image.

You can also adjust elevation and windage to get a more accurate and precise aim. And once you sight in your reticle, you can reset the turrets back to zero.

The Diamondback has a glide precision system that ensures smooth magnification adjustments at varying ranges. And this is to help you track accuracy and repeatability.

Via: @dwinters_23

Aside from its ability to deliver optimal performance, the scope has a sturdy and solid construction that is built to give you years of service. The Diamondback is made of aluminum alloy, which is a lightweight but very durable materials.

On top of that, the scope is filled with Argon and sealed with O-rings to ensure that it performs optimally in any climatic condition.

Main Features

• Fully Multi-Coated
• Dead-Hold BDC Reticle, Second Focal Plane
• Tube Size 1 inch
• Single-Piece Tube
• Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
• Hard Anodized Finish
• Capped Reset Turrets
• Precision-Glide Erector System
• Fast Focus Eyepiece
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof

2. Nikon 16338 Buckmasters II 3-9×40 – Best Scope For 30-06 Under $200 Review

The Nikon 16338 Buckmasters II 3-9×40 is one of those scopes that are most sought after by avid deer hunters. And it features a BDC reticle that allows you to shot targets that are more than 500 yards away with great accuracy.

The reticle has hash marks to help you estimate the ranges. So the scope gives you the flexibility to shot at short and long ranges.

The Buckmasters II has a 40mm objective that uses extra-low dispersion glass and fully multicoated lenses for maximum light transmission.

So the images are extremely clear and sharp even in poor lighting conditions. And this allows you to hunt at any time of the day other than at nighttime.

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The scope doesn’t have an illumination feature so you cannot go night hunting.
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This scope is designed for close range and long-range shooting. So if you need to shot a coyote or deer that is 1000 yards away, you can magnify the scope up to 9 times to get a clear shot. And that is sufficient power for long-range shooting.

For short-range shooting, you can dial down the magnification up to 3x. So the scope has a magnification range of between 3x to 9x, which allows you to shoot at targets that are between 100 yards to 1000 yards away.

And using the adjustable elevation, windage, and parallax turrets, you can get a clearer focus on your target and a more accurate aim.

This a scope that any deer hunter can rely on. Because it does more than just help you get accurate and precise shots, you can hunt or shot in any environmental condition.

Via: @tjtimms15

It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, that should not stop you from getting out into the field and hunting deer or turkey with this scope. It’s built to repel water as well as prevent fogging.

Main Features

• Extremely Bright Sight Picture
• Nikon’s BDC Reticle
• Fully Multicoated Optical System
• Precise Hand-Turn 1/4-inch @ 100 Yards Click Adjustments
• Spot On Ballistic Match Technology
• Generous, Consistent Eye Relief
• Waterproof, Fog Proof & Shockproof
• Nikon’s Limited Lifetime Warranty

3. Leupold 170680 VX-3i 3.5-10×40 – Best Scope For 30-06 Deer Hunting Review

Leupold has over the years earned a sparkly reputation for creating quality, high standard optics that are compatible with different types of guns and rifles.

The Leupold 170680 VX-3i 3.5-10×40 is one of the best scopes for a 30-06 rifle and particularly for people who use the rifle for deer or elk hunting. It is designed for hunters who look for scopes that deliver great accuracy and precision.

The VX-3i delivers sharp and clear views at all ranges because it uses lenses that are coated with layers of anti-reflective coating. And this is to prevent the lenses from reflecting light giving your clear views no matter the distance.

And the quality of the images is further improved by the large 40mm objective lens, which maximizes light transmission to deliver extremely clear and sharp visuals.

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The scope has a magnification range of between 3.5x to 10x. The 3.5 power is great when you need to hit a deer or elk that is 100 yards away.
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And the 10x, which is the preferred power for long-range shooting getting you to hit targets that are over 500 yards out.

But the power alone cannot help you get an accurate aim particularly if you are hitting a target from a far distance. High power tends to make the images appear blurry, but this scope has a side focus knob to help remove the blurriness.

And to ensure that you hit your target right on the mark, you can use the adjustable turrets to ensure that the bullet gets to hit the target.

Via: @jimmythebook

The scope is made of aircraft-grade aluminum which is extremely durable and light. And the scope’s design is further improved to make it fog proof and waterproof.

Main Features

• Duplex Reticle, SFP
• 1″ Diameter Maintube
• 1/4 MOA / Click Impact Point Correction
• 57 MOA Windage / Elevation Adjustment
• Twilight Max Light Management System
• Unparalleled Low Light Performance
• DiamondCoat 2 Lens Coating For Durability & Clarity
• Blackened Lens Edges
• Argon/Krypton Waterproofing
• Twin Bias Spring Erector System
• Lockable Fast-Focus Eyepiece
• Leupold Scope Cover

4. Vortex Optics PST-624F1-A Viper 6-24×50 – Best Scope For 30-06 Long-Distance Shooting Review

If you are an avid long-range shooter, you need a versatile scope that is designed for long-range shooting. And the Vortex Optics PST-624F1-A Viper 6-24×50 is just that type of scope. This scope can help you make accurate shots easily.

And if you are a hunter who likes taking down your prey with one shot, this scope can help you achieve that with very little effort on your part.

Via: @lilmikeyaz

Now, it’s quite a heavy scope. It is a 50mm objective lens scope, so it’s rather large and heavy. So when mounted on a rifle, it does add some weight to the rifle. So this is not the type of scope you need if you intend to move around a lot.

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The large objective lens is excellent for long-distance viewing because it provides you with a large field of view. So even if your target starts moving, you won’t lose sight of it.
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And no matter how good or bad the lighting conditions are, you are still able to see your views clearly because the scope uses multicoated lenses.

The magnification range is 5x to 24x, which is ideal for close range and short-range short. You may not need the 24x unless you intend on hitting targets that are beyond 1000 yards away.

But typically, for targets that are not more than 1000 yards away, a 9x or 10 is more than adequate.

The Vortex Viper uses a BDC reticle to help you get accurate shots from long distances. And you can adjust the reticle using the adjustable turrets to improve your aim.

As for durability, this one scope you can rely on for years. It is made of durable materials and it is weatherproof. The one main downside is the price tag. This scope is quite expensive.

Main Features

• EBR-1 Illuminated Reticle, First Focal Plane
• 30mm One-Piece Tube
• Extra-Low Dispersion (XD) Glass
• Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
• CRS Zero Stop
• Precision-Force Spring System
• Precision-Glide Erector System
• MAG-View Fiber Optic
• Tactical-Style Turrets
• ArmorTek & Side Focus
• Radius Bar & Fast Focus Eyepiece
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof

5. Burris Optics 200183 Fullfield II 4.5-14×42 – Best Scope For 30-06 Hunting Review

The Burris Optics 200183 Fullfield II 4.5-14×42 is a great scope for hunting. It uses a Ballistic Plex reticle, which is a trajectory compensating reticle that allows you to take accurate shots. And the hash marks on the reticle helps you calculate the ranges.

To improve your aim further, the scope has included adjustable elevation and windage turrets in its design. And there is also a parallax removal turret to help you improve your accuracy by removing parallax.

The scope has a 42mm objective lens, which delivers high-resolution images at varying ranges and lighting conditions. And it offers a wide field of view to help you keep track of your target.

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To further improve your aim, the scope allows you to magnify objects up to 14 times. You may not need that much power, but it does give you the opportunity to view targets that are beyond 1000 yards.
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You can dial down the magnification up to 4.5x when you need to hit targets that are less than 100 yards away. The Burris is designed to withstand harsh environments and it is also water-resistant.

Via: @truenorthoutdoorstv

So in case, it accidentally falls in a pool of water, it won’t get damaged. It also has a tough and durable construct to give you many years of use and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Main Features

• Ballistic Plex Reticle, Second Focal Plane
• 1″ One-Piece Main-Tube
• Hi-Lume Multi-Coated Lenses
• 6061 T-6 Aluminum Housing
• 1/4 MOA/Click Impact Point Correction
• 40 MOA Windage/Elevation Adjustment
• Parallax Adjustment
• Can be Matched with any Caliber or Bullet Weight
• Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof
• Lifetime Warranty

Buyer’s Guide

Not every scope is the same. Some are great for hunting, while others are ideal for target shooting. Knowing which one to buy for your 30-06 rifle depends on what you use the rifle for.

Try not to get attracted to a scope solely because of its price tag. Just because a scope is expensive, it doesn’t mean it performs well. And just because a scope is cheap, it doesn’t mean it has little functionality.

So when deciding on a scope, factor the cost of the scope based on how much cash you are willing to spend.

Going the Distance: Maximize your Shooting Range

With a 30-06 cartridge rifle, you can accurately hit targets that are 200 yards away. That is as far as it can shoot. But when you mount a decent scope on the rifle, you can shoot as far as 1000 yards.

When we take into account the distance the bullet can reach before it starts dropping, a standard scope mounted on a 30-06 rifle allows you to hit targets at varying ranges.

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At short ranges, the distance you can shoot before the bullet drops is 200 yards. For medium ranges is 400 yards and for long ranges its more than 400 yards.
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What is a .30-06 used for?

.30-06 rifle is used for hunting deer and other large game. It is also used for shooting competitions.

What magnification do you need?

Magnification becomes an important factor when you need to shoot at long ranges. How far you intend to shoot determines what magnification to use. So let us look at the magnification for these ranges.

• Long Range (400+ yards) – To hit a target that is more than 400 yards away, you need a scope that has a 10x power magnification. You may choose to get one that has more power than that but bear in mind that high magnification causes an image to appear distorted.
• Medium Range (200 yards to 400 yards) – To hit targets that are between 200 yards and 400 yards, you need a scope that has a magnification range of between 4x and 9x.
• Close Range (200 yards) -For targets that are 200 yards away, you only need a scope that has a maximum magnification of 4x.

Lens and Scope Size​

The size of the objective lens matters if you are shooting at long ranges. You cannot go buying a scope with a 32mm objective lens if you are intending to hit targets that are 1000 yards away.

You need a scope with a larger objective lens. Possibly one that has a 40mm or 50mm lens if you are going to see your target clearly. Large objective lenses collect a lot of light delivering sharp and clear images at low light conditions.

And since many hunters like to go hunting early in the morning or at sundown, a large objective lens would be more helpful than a small one.

Via: @_dss_outdoors_

In regards to the size of the scope, that is determined by the size of the objective lens. Scopes with small objective lenses are compact and lightweight. Those with large lenses are large and heavy.

So which you choose to get is predominantly dependent on your activity.

Lens Coating and Composition

Most scopes lenses are coated with multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare. That is to prevent the lens from reflecting light and as a result allowing more light to enter through the scope.

When more light passes through a lens scope, images appear clearer, sharper, and brighter. And this is quite helpful when you are hunting in poor lighting conditions. So when choosing a 30-06 rifle scope, get one that uses multicoated lenses.

Some lenses have extra special coatings to protect the lenses from fogging, scratching and dirt. So aside from getting a scope with multicoated lenses check to see if they are also fog proof and scratch-resistant.

Durability

Get a scope that is durable. It should be tough and able to withstand varying weather conditions. Scopes made from aircraft-grade aluminum or aluminum alloy are not just sturdy they are extremely durable.

Via: @45.tac_gear

So you want to check what material the scope is made from before purchasing one.

Price

Scopes come at varying prices. It’s not hard to find leading brands selling their scopes at exorbitant prices, but the trade-off is that you are getting a scope that is made with the highest standards.

Some come at mid-range prices and others at budget prices. So when it comes to buying a scope for a 30-06 rifle, make sure to have a budget.

There is no need of buying an expensive scope when you can get an affordable one that matches the performance of the higher-priced ones.

Eye Relief

If you buy a scope for your .30-06, don’t forget to test and compare the eye relief measurements. This is the distance from the ocular bell of the scope to your pupil.

You’ll want to have at least 4 inches to make sure your eyebrow is safe especially from heavy recoiling. If you can get a scope with a longer eye relief it would be more ideal especially if you wear glasses.

Via: @caldwelloutdoors

It’s not recommended that people who have poor eyesight use a scope that has an eye relief of 12 inches or more for safety and viewing comfort.

How to mount a scope on Rem .30-06?

To mount a scope on Rem .30-06 rifle, you need some basic tools like a screwdriver. A mounting system comes with scope rings and a scope base.

So what you need to do first is to remove the filler screws from the receiver. Then degrease the screws and the holes in the receiver.

Then oil the receiver and the scope rings or bottom bases to help prevent the surfaces from rusting. Then mount the scope correctly and properly and using the screws attach the scope to your rifle.

Check the instructional manual of your mount system to see what you need to secure the scope to your rifle.

Conclusion

Scope hunting is not an easy task particularly if you are hunting for a specific rifle. And if you are looking to get one for a 30-06 rifle, you need to find one that is compatible with the rifle. And you also need to know what to look for when buying one.

So we hope you have found our review helpful. We do recommend that you do your research before purchasing a scope. And if the price is too good to be true, don’t buy it as you may not get value for your money.