$1k budget for Scope

[jb1069]

Looking for opinions. I am setting up a new 30-06 rifle. It will be for hunting. 300 to 400 yard shots being the farthest for me. I do not care for the tactical look and would like to stay with direct mount rings to avoid a rail. Recommendations on good rings would also be appreciated. I have never used anything over a $200 scope or and scope with an adjustable turret but I do like the idea to be able to adjust to different yardages. From what I have seen Leupold fits most of my requirements. Just wandering what else you guys recommend. Thanks

 

[Andrew62]

Every scope I have is Leupold, a VX5 in 2x10 would fit the bill nicely and keep you close to your budget. There are some nice Leupold's in the classifieds here for sale. I have purchased a number of scopes from @Mark Biggerstaff here on AH. Mark is a great guy and will take good care of you!

 

[RLL]

Do you need low power up close? 1-2x?

Maven makes a very nice 2-10x scope. Have one on my 06 and it’s pretty good when pigs are up close 50yards or so. Great glass and no parallax to fiddle with. 1” rings as well.

You can get also get Swarovski Z3 3-10x for 600-700$ it’s great glass for the money

 

[Rare Breed]

Every scope I have is Leupold, a VX5 in 2x10 would fit the bill nicely and keep you close to your budget. There are some nice Leupold's in the classifieds here for sale. I have purchased a number of scopes from @Mark Biggerstaff here on AH. Mark is a great guy and will take good care of you!

Completely agree!!!

 

[jb1069]

I think 2 or 3 power on the low end would do well for me. Seems like I always use more power than what I see guys using. I know for a 100yd shot I would probably be on 7-9 power and I see that typically guys using 4 or less for this range. I feel like the more I zoom in the more accurate I can be but its not always the case.

 

[RETD16]

I’m a believer in the Swaro Z3!!! Great scope for the money!!!

 

[JimP]

I've been shooting through Leopold's for over 40 years, don't see any reason to change.

For a 06 with the ranges that you mentioned I'd go with a 3-9x40.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Another vote for Leupold. In that price range that's the best scope you'll find. Swaro's and Leica's are phenomenal scopes but obviously, quite a bit more.

Do not fall into the Vortex trap. Go Leupold.

 

[jomw10]

Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm with either a duplex or wind-plex reticle, it will serve you well for hunting up to 400 yards, and you will be below your budget!. Get your custom turret and you will be able to dial for 400 yards shots with no issues.
You can go to a VX-5, if you want to have more magnification range and better glass.

 

[Rifleman97]

Tract 2.5-15x44

It is literally the perfect scope for a 30-06. Great company and you can call and talk to the owners. 1000% recommend, comes in just under 1000

 

[Tgood1]

Leupold

 

[375Fox]

Leupold VX5 2-10 duplex non-CDS has become my favorite scope. I believe there is a slightly used one in the classifieds right now. I like the glass, crosshairs, field of view, everything about the scope. I sold my scopes with CDS dials. They provide no value to me inside 350 yards and are just something to break. I’d rather sight in for any ammo I choose at any time and know where that bullet hits at different ranges rather than be tied to a specific ammunition and trust the CDS adjustments.

 

[375Fox]

Maven makes a very nice 2-10x scope. Have one on my 06 and it’s pretty good when pigs are up close 50yards or so. Great glass and no parallax to fiddle with. 1” rings as well.

You can get also get Swarovski Z3 3-10x for 600-700$ it’s great glass for the money

The glass and crosshairs are very nice. It’s a nice looking little scope, but I find it to be more of a 2-6 than a 2-10. Above 6 power I start having issues with eye relief. You need to be lined up perfect. I was excited to try it but just not the scope for me. If anyone would be interested in buying one I’d sell mine for $375 shipped (70% of Maven price). It’s been mounted but never shot. I swapped it for a 1” Leupold.

 

[RR 314]

I think 2 or 3 power on the low end would do well for me. Seems like I always use more power than what I see guys using. I know for a 100yd shot I would probably be on 7-9 power and I see that typically guys using 4 or less for this range. I feel like the more I zoom in the more accurate I can be but its not always the case.

Haaaaa. You think you are out of kilter at 7-9. I have cranked up to 25ish for 100 yards. .

 

[uplander01]

Leupold at 1k level is hard to beat, but you can buy Schmidt & Bender Klassics for about that as well and the glass is way better. Swaro z3 is fantastic scope for the money and would probably be my choice. In the last 25 years I have had many, many, many leupolds that have had to go back for service and fixing,....S&B and Swaro-----> 0 gone back for service

 

[Wiley64]

Swaro z3 all day

 

[samson7x]

Do you want first or second focal plane? That may help with recommendations as well. I'm in the minority here and don't care for leupold. Way too many reports of lost zero, etc with them.

 

[375Fox]

I think 2 or 3 power on the low end would do well for me. Seems like I always use more power than what I see guys using. I know for a 100yd shot I would probably be on 7-9 power and I see that typically guys using 4 or less for this range. I feel like the more I zoom in the more accurate I can be but its not always the case.

Something you might consider giving a try is shooting low power at the 100 yard range. It was suggested to me by a different member on a different thread. Surprisingly my groups really don’t change at 2x vs 10x. I usually turn my scope up to 5x while hunting and up to 10x depending on the shot but it’s nice to have that confidence at low power. Your eye knows where you want to shoot. It always surprises me when crosshairs cover up a large part of bullseye but groups remain the same.

 

[375er]

Leupold at 1k level is hard to beat, but you can buy Schmidt & Bender Klassics for about that as well and the glass is way better. Swaro z3 is fantastic scope for the money and would probably be my choice. In the last 25 years I have had many, many, many leupolds that have had to go back for service and fixing,....S&B and Swaro-----> 0 gone back for service

Where are you finding S&B for that kind of money?

 

[Cooposo]

I’m a big fan of these DNZ Game Reaper mounts if you want a single piece mount. When I mount the scope on my new 30-06 this weekend it will be the 4th time I’ve used them. Never had a scope budge or lose Zero and that’s included backpack hunting, scabbards with horses and mules, etc. I had bad experiences with aluminum leupold rings and lightweight Talleys before switching to these