The .30-06 Springfield is one of the most popular cartridges ever designed. Offering a near perfect balance of long-range potential, tack-driving accuracy, and effective terminal performance, this iconic cartridge is ideal for hunting, competition, and many tactical applications.
Maximizing this cartridge’s capabilities requires a quality optic. Thankfully, there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of options on the market. However, the sheer number of models available can make finding the best scope for 30-06 rifles feel like an overwhelming project.
If you aren’t sure what type of scope partners well with a .30-06 Springfield rifle, we’re here to help. Whether your goal is to ping steel at extreme distances or drop bull elk dead in their tracks, we’ll help you find the right scope for the job.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for the details, here are our best picks for .30-06 Springfield Scopes:
- Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56
- Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44
- Trijicon Huron 3-9×40
- Bushnell Banner 3-9×40
- ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x Digital Scope
Table of Contents
A Brief History Lesson
The .30-06 (pronounced “thirty aught six”) Springfield cartridge was developed in 1906 for military use. The cartridge was engineered to have an effective firing range of 1000 yards, making it well-suited for sniper use. In fact, the ,30-06 had a certified extreme reach of 4.75 miles.
However, the .30-06 served as the US. Army’s primary rifle and machine gun cartridge for nearly half a century.
Since its military service, the .30-06 has won hundreds of long-range target competitions. It is also popular with big game hunters and has put plenty of venison in family freezers.
How to Choose the Best Scope for Your .30-06 Rifle?
Here are a few key things to consider when shopping for your next .30-06 optic.
Magnification
Because the .30-06 is a proven long-range performer, it can be tempting to grab a scope with massive magnification to help you see those distant targets. Higher magnification can be an advantage when shooting extreme ranges, however scopes with massive magnification ranges can add significant bulk and weight to your rifle.
If you plan to hunt with your .30-06, extra bulk and weight quickly becomes a disadvantage. Also, since most ethical shots occur on targets closer than 300 yards, massive magnification can just get in the way. A scope with a 3-9x variable magnification is a practical option for most hunting situations.
Glass Quality and Coatings
While magnification will help enlarge your target, it is just one factor in the scope equation. If you are looking through poor quality glass, you still won’t be able to see what you’re shooting at, no matter how many times it has been enlarged.
If you want to hit your target, you need to be able to see it clearly. That’s where glass quality and lens coatings come in. For best results, look for an optic that is built with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and has fully multi-coated lenses.
Reticle Design
When held in capable hands, the .30-06 can accomplish amazing feats of long-range accuracy. If you want to make precision long-range shots, an optic with a BDC reticle will help you make quick windage and holdover adjustments. However, these reticles can be complicated to use, especially for newer shooters. They also tend to clutter up your sight picture, which can be a serious hindrance if you’re hunting moving game.
The average big game hunter rarely makes shots outside of 300 yards. A simple duplex reticle design is easy to use and provides an open sight picture, which is a major asset when hunting.
Best Scope for 30-06 on the Market Reviews
1 Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56
If you’re looking to engage in some long-range action with your .30-06, the Leupold Mark 5HD is the perfect tool for the job. This high-end offering from Leupold has everything long-range shooters need, including an ample 35mm tube, top-notch exposed target turrets, an easy-to-read revolution indicator, and a push-button zero lock function. It also has a generous magnification range, a fast-focus eyepiece, and features a side parallax adjustment knob.
Built to last, the Mark 5HD is crafted from durable 6061-T6 aluminum, and the main housing is nitrogen purged and o-ring sealed for reliable fogproof performance. The lenses are treated with a scratch-resistant coating to protect the scope’s image quality.
Big game hunters will really appreciate the Mark 5HD’s Twilight Max HD Light Management System. Exclusive to Leupold optics, Twilight Max is a combination of premium glass and lens coatings designed to minimize glare while maximizing light transmission. The system delivers a bright, crisp, razor-sharp image, even in murky light conditions. Leupold claims Twilight Max will add up to half an hour of extra shooting light at dawn and dusk, when deer, elk, and other game are most active.
Is it Worth It?
The Leupold Mark 5HD makes a perfect partner for a Remington 700 or other bolt action .30-06. This combo makes an awesome benchrest rig. The duo also works well for big game hunting, although the scope’s weight and size could be a major hindrance in the backcountry.
Here are the Leupold Mark 5HD’s most notable features.
- Durable construction.
- Fogproof performance.
- Fast focus eyepiece.
- Side parallax adjustment.
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System provides excellent low light clarity.
- Premium target turrets.
- Zero lock function.
- Revolution indicator.
- Illuminated BDC reticle.
Mounting and Accessories
Leupold includes a cover and lens shade with each Mark 5HD riflescope. If you want to add an extra layer of protection from dirt and debris, consider adding the Leupold Alumina Flip Back Lens Cover.
2 Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44
Although the Vortex Viper PST Gen II definitely isn’t a budget optic, it offers a ton of performance for the money. With a price tag well under $1000, the Viper PST performs like a much more expensive riflescope.
Built to last, the Viper PST is made from tough, aircraft-grade aluminum with a hard-anodized finish. Not only is the housing durable, but Vortex also made the scope’s optical components built to last a lifetime. All the scope’s lenses are treated with a special ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating to help ensure your sight picture is crisp and crystal clear for the life of the optic.
The Viper PST’s image quality is well above the scope’s price point. Made with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and fully multi-coated surfaces, the scope offers jaw-dropping edge-to-edge clarity and vivid color fidelity. The Viper PST also features an illuminated FFP (first focal plane) reticle that provides a highly visible aiming point, even in low light.
Other quality features include a wide FOV (field of view), adjustable parallax, and a zero stop function. The turrets are out of this world, providing crisp, audible adjustments. The turrets are , also laser-etched to ensure you never lose track of your adjustments.
Is it Worth It?
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is a great mid-priced optic that works well for both hunting and tactical shooting applications. Although this isn’t the cheapest scope on our list, it easily offers the best value for the money.
- ED glass.
- Illuminated FFP reticle.
- ArmorTek scratch-resistant lens coating.
- Wide FOV.
- Laser-etched target turrets.
- Adjustable parallax.
- Zero stop function.
Mounting and Accessories
Each Vortex Viper PST comes with a 3-inch sunshade, which is a godsend for shooting in bright sunlight. If you need to make precision shots at extended ranges, you should also add the Vortex Lo Pro Bubblevel. The level mounts easily to the scope, is visible without losing your sight picture, and has a slim, low-profile design that won’t bulk up this already ample optic.
3 Trijicon Huron 3-9×40
Trijicon is best known for its combat-proven tactical optics. However, the Huron is a riflescope designed specifically for serious big game hunters. It is rugged (just like Trijicon’s legendary ACOG), but has a low profile, ultra-lightweight design perfect for hunting the backcountry. The scope is even Alaska-to-Africa Temperature Tested to ensure reliable function no matter where your hunting adventures take you.
The Huron features high-quality glass that is fully multi-coated to provide crisp, clear, distortion-free images. It also has an ample FOV that is perfect for tracking moving game. The magnification range is also perfect for most hunting scenarios.
Is it Worth It?
Designed specifically for hunters, the Trijicon Huron has all the features serious big game hunters truly need.
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Lightweight, rugged design.
- Africa-to-Alaska Temperature Tested
- Easy focus eyepiece.
- Generous FOV.
- Simple, uncluttered SFP reticle.
- Practical 3-9x magnification range.
Mounting and Accessories
You’ll need a set of Trijicon AccuPoint One-inch Rings to securely mount this scope to your .30-06 rifle.
4 Bushnell Banner 3-9×40
For shooters with under $200 in their optics budget, it’s difficult to find a better option than the Bushnell Banner riflescope. Designed as an all-around big game scope, it patterns well with an all-around big game cartridge like the .30-06.
This scope features fully multi-coated optics and a sealed, water-tight construction that prevents internal fogging, even in the wettest conditions. Bushnell uses unique Dusk & Dawn lens coatings to improve brightness and clarity in low light shooting conditions.
The Bushnell Banner also features a simple Multi-X reticle. Located on the scope’s second focal plane (SFP), this classic reticle provides a clear, uncluttered sight picture that is perfect for hunting moving game.
Ideal for hunters, the Bushnell Banner also features a fast-focus eyepiece, capped turrets that stay put in the field,
Is It Worth It?
If you’re a big game hunter on a shoestring budget, it doesn’t get much better than the Bushnell Banner. Here’s what you can expect:
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Water-tight construction.
- Classic Multi-X reticle.
- Fast-focus eyepiece.
- Capped turrets.
Mounting and Accessories
To attach the Bushnell Banner riflescope to your .30-06, you’ll need a set of one-inch rings.
5 ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x Digital Scope
If you need to use your .30-06 after dark, the ATN X-Sight II Digital Scope is a fine choice for nighttime predator or hog hunting. Unlike classic night vision, the X-Sight II can be used in either daytime or nighttime mode.
The X-Sight II is far more than a basic riflescope. This is more of a weapon-mounted computer. The optic features an on-board ballistic calculator, rangefinder, and video recorder. With a handy RAV (Recoil-Activated Video) Recoding, the ATN X-Sight II automatically captures all the excitement of your hunt. You won’t ever need to switch on a video camera, because the device records from 30 seconds before you squeeze the trigger until 30 seconds after the shot.
Is It Worth It?
If you need one optic that transitions seamlessly from daytime to nighttime shooting, this is it. Plus it has cool, high-tech features you just won’t find on a traditional riflescope.
- Daytime/Nighttime use.
- Built-in ballistic calculator.
- Rangefinder.
- Recoil Activated Video Recording.
Mounting and Accessories
The ATN X-Sight II comes complete with everything you need for mounting. The package also includes a sunshade, infrared illuminator, USB-C cable, and a scope cover.
Final Thoughts
One of the most popular cartridges on the face of the planet, the .30-06 Springfield provides tons of performance for long-range shooters and big game hunters. There are hundreds of optics on the market that partner well with this iconic cartridge. With a little leg work, you can find scopes that fit every price range and are optimized for most shooting applications.
While we’ve listed some of what we consider the best scope for 30-06 on the market, this is far from an exhaustive list. Just remember that whatever optic you choose to mount on your rifle, the best thing you can do is practice with the optic. Proficiency with your rifle/scope combo is ultimately the best weapon in your arsenal.
Leave a Reply