I recently bought a new 30-06, what is a good beginner scope?

Question

I will mostly just be target shooting, with the occasional big game hunt here in CO. I am hoping to not spend more than 150 on the scope and mounts, but I could go up to 200 if it would REALLY make a difference in quality.

Answer 1

A good 2-7x or 3-9x is all you'll need. Bushnells are good as well as some other brands. I'd recommend a Leupold VX-1. You can get a 3-9x40mm for $200. It's not Leupold's top of the line scope but it is pretty good and the price is great for what you get.

http://www.leupold.com/products/products_highlights.asp
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012459711457a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=leupold+vx-1&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=leupold+vx-1&noImage=0

Answer 2

I would suggest the $200-250 USD range and go with either a Bushnell Elite 3200 or a Nikon Monarch.

This is what I consider the 'cheapest' scope that I would purchase.

The Leupold VX-II or an older Vari-XII would be a good one also but they will cost more.

I put a link below with some very good prices on Nikon Monarchs that are on sale.

I have always practiced that I think the scope should, and more times than not, cost more than the gun.

A good quality scope will last a lifetime and never give you any problems.

I own every caliber from a RWS Diana Model 48 .177 caliber pellet gun to a Marlin 1895S Guide Gun in .45-70 Gov't and they all have Leupold, Nikon or Bushnell Elite 3200's on them.

I have never had a problem with any of them. :-)

Answer 3

I don't think there is any such thing as a beginner scope. Quality and training will do more for someone learning marksmanship than will anything else. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a tremendous amount of cash to find quality optics. Get some advise from a local gun shop and ask some friends their opinion. Do a little research and form your own opinion. Always factor in warrant in your decision and you'll likely find a scope that will perform for you for years.

Answer 4

what kind of rifle you bought determines how much to spend on optics. I once had a guy tell me putting a 39 dollar scope on a nice rifle is like putting retreads on a ferrari. with that said you have lots of choices in the affordable category. Simmons Bushnell Tasco are all affordable Redfield etc. Leupold gets into the really good category for the money LOL you can buy a great Leupold for 150.00 bucks.. so look at your rifle go to Bass Pro and talk to the gun desk and the scope mounting guy find out what they are selling the most of and what looks nice on your rifle. They will mount scopes for you and let you see which one you like...you will be in good hands

Answer 5

Whatever you get, make sure it is good quality ($150-200 range). Your gun has substantial recoil and a $39 scope will be weak. Those scopes are more for airgun/rimfire models. I have a Nikon 2-7x32 for my CZ silhouette rifle. I paid $129. I wanted quality because my CZ is not a "plinker".

Answer 6

You can get a good Bushnell 4-12x40 for about $100, or a 6-18x40 for about $130. Bushnell uses Bausch and Laumb lenses, and in my opinion are better than most scopes costing twice as much. I have about a dozen of them, and when something goes wrong, Bushnell will fix them, and all you normally have to pay is shipping. I did something stupid one time and broke one and they still fixed it free and only charged me shipping. I was honest with them and told them what I did, and was very pleased that they still said it was covered under their gaurantee.

Answer 7

I like Mueller scopes. They have their own web site and nice setup. I own two of them with no problems. I also like my new Pentax Gameseeker, Bushnell, and the low end Leupold and Nikons would be in your price range. I would look at the 3x9-40mm as a base. Loaded with a good 180 grain bullet your 30-06 is a great round.

Answer 8

When i read beginner I read small outlay of cash for a scope that will perform reasonably well. You could pick up a Simmons 4-9x for under 20-30$ on ebay.

Answer 9

Dont' be cheap. You needn't get an expensive European job, but a Leupold or something of similar quality will be well worth it. If you must pinch pennies, go for a fixed-power instead of a variable. Traditionally the 4x is the old hunting standard for deer and up, but in CO it wouldn't be unreasonable to get a 6x.

Answer 10

I've had really great results with Bushnell products. Something in the 3-9x40 range. Leupold also makes great scopes, although they are a bit more expensive.