In this buying guide and review, we look at the best Leupold scopes for 30-06.
30-06 rifles are used for short, medium, and long-range hunting, shooting competitions, and tactical applications.
Before getting into it, let’s look at the 30-06 cartridge
30-06 Cartridge Specifications
- Velocity-up to 2,910 ft/s (890 m/s)
- Energy- up to 3,036 ft⋅lbf (4,116 J)
- Maximum pressure- (C.I.P.) 58,740 psi (405.0 MPa)
- Maximum pressure (SAAMI)- 60,190 psi (415.0 MPa)
- Maximum CUP- 50,000 CUP
- Primer type Large rifle
- Parent case .30-03 Springfield
- Case type Rimless, bottleneck
- Overall length 3.34 in (85 mm)
- Bullet diameter .308 (7.82 mm) Source-Wikipedia.
Best Leupold Scope for 30-06-Our Top Picks
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescope
- Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
- Leupold Competition Series 45x45mm Fixed Power Riflescope
- Leupold Mark 3HD 4-12x40mm Riflescope
Now let’s look at each comprehensively.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Check Price on Amazon Check Price Opticsplanet
This scope delivers legendary Leupold performance thanks to its unparalleled low light and rugged performance. This makes it a great choice for hunters and professional shooters searching for a reliable, durable, and top-quality scope. Its 3-9x magnification will bring images closer while its 40mm objective lens is wide enough to gather adequate light into the scope. This scope features scratch-resistant lenses and its body is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum which is punisher tested to provide great performance under the harshest recoil. On matters of weather reliability, this scope just like other Leupold scopes is completely waterproof and fog proof. In addition, the Leupold Twilight Light Management system provides the best brightness and image clarity by balancing the transmission of light, reduction of glare, and image contrast. This scope also has a long and generous eye relief, so you won’t hit your face after lining up the shot. Features
Specifications
|
2) Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
Check Price on Amazon Check Price Opticsplanet
This Leupold Mark 5HD is one of the best riflescopes for hunters and tactical shooters looking for a long-range and compatible scope for their 30-06. It provides supreme precision necessary for both short and long-distance shooting and its objective lens is large enough to gather adequate light required to provide bright and clear target images. This Leupold scope is made of a durable and heavy-duty 35mm tube that will provide you with many years of service. It has long and consistent eye relief and its lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission. These lenses are also scratch-resistant providing the greatest level of abrasion resistance. The scope’s lightweight design and construction disperses recoil energy to provide great durability and performance. The Twilight MAX HD light management system will add up to an extra 30 minutes of shooting light, minimize glare and provide edge-to-edge HD lens clarity. It also features long and consistent eye relief. Features
Specifications
|
3) Leupold Competition Series 45x45mm Fixed Power Riflescope
Check Price on Amazon Check Price Opticsplanet
Competitions are won by the tiniest of inches, this calls for a riflescope specifically made for that. This scope features a 45x fixed for exceptional images. The scope is known for increased light penetration thanks to the proprietary Leupold Multicoat 4 lens coatings, the coatings also reduce reflections on the outer eyepiece for crystal, crisp and clear images. The 30mm Tube allows for easy and precise parallax, elevation, and windage adjustments while the fast-focus eyepiece makes it fast and easy to focus the reticle for target acquisition. Features
Specifications
|
4) Leupold Mark 3HD 4-12x40mm Riflescope
Check Price on Amazon Check Price Opticsplanet
Leupold Mark 3HD 4-12x40mm Riflescope is your best Leupold scope for 30-06 if you are looking for a rugged, accurate, and repeatable MIL-based scope. This scope is best for mid to long-range shots and is designed and assembled in the USA. This is your best long-range scope whether you are hunting, in a competition, or even on the battlefield. The scope has advanced sealing to withstand shocks, extreme temperatures, and elevation changes. Features
Specifications
|
See Also
- 6 Best Leupold Scopes for Deer Hunting
- 5 Best Leupold Scopes for Long Range
- Best Leupold Scope for 22-250
- 5 Best Leupold Scopes for Air Rifles
- 5 Best Leupold Scopes for Remington 700
Criteria for Choosing the Best Leupold Scope for 30-06
When choosing the best Leupold scope for your 30-06 cartridge, it is important to put into consideration these major factors which should help you choose the best.
Field of View
30-06 cartridges are designed and meant for long-range shooting therefore, it is important that you look at the field of view options available before you decide on which one to choose. The field of view varies based on the magnification, therefore you might want to go with one that offers an adjustable power range of up to 9x. A low magnification ensures that you will get a large field of view which is important for long-range shooting.
Weight
If you plan on using the scope for hunting, always remember that you will have to carry the scope around with you while in the field. Therefore, a lightweight scope will be simpler to carry through the fields and easier to keep on target when firing offhand.
However, heavy scopes might be more durable and contain more in-built features, therefore you will need to consider what is important to you as a hunter as well as how you intend to use the scope. Most of the Leupold scopes reviewed above are lightweight and easy to carry even in a backpack.
Lenses
A great riflescope for hunting or for tactical shooting use should be able to perform well even under low light conditions such as at dusk or at dawn. You should not stop hunting when darkness starts to fall in therefore you will need one that will always provide you with bright and crystal-clear images regardless of the light conditions.
Multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission providing the user with bright and crisp clear images regardless of the light conditions. The lens should also be scratch-proof as well which provides them with the greatest level of abrasion resistance.
Eye Relief
Remember to compare different scopes eye relief while choosing a scope for your 30-06. This is the distance between your eye and the ocular bell. At a minimum, your scope should have an eye relief of at least 4 inches to ensure that your eyebrow is always safe, especially from heavy recoils and light weapons.
Construction
Hunting at dawn or dusk can be delicate. Your hunting scope should therefore be able to withstand several bumps and falls along the way without getting damaged. The body of the best scope should be built from durable quality materials and aircraft-grade aluminum is the most commonly used material.
The scope should also be built of materials that are completely water-resistant, fog resistant, shockproof, and dustproof to ensure all-weather reliability. Leupold scopes are known to be built to withstand all weather elements and enhance durability.
Magnification
When looking for a 30-06 scope, having a crisp clear sight and locking in your target accurately will be made easier and achieved with the right magnification. Magnification range will definitely affect the setting of where you will hunt or shoot at.
For close-range hunting and daylight shooting, a 3-9×40 scope will be good enough for hunting in places where you are not expected to shoot under 100-200 yards. On the other hand, a 6-18×50 scope is capable of giving you a powerful zoom ideal for long-range shooting without compromising on the clarity of the target image. Overall, if you are looking for a Leupold scope to be used when hunting ensure that it doesn’t go below 9x for magnification.
Advantages
- High-quality and durable construction. Most are made of aircraft-grade aluminum which is sturdy and durable
- All-Weather reliability. These scopes are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to make them fully waterproof and fog proof.
- Versatile magnification range.
- Lightweight yet durable construction.
- Punisher tested to withstand the harshest recoil.
Best Leupold Scope for 30-06 FAQs
Q: What Is The Ideal Size of Scope Rings on 30-06?
A: To start with, the scope ring size you need for your rifle depends on the scope’s model, size, make, and other components. To figure out the correct rings, you must first identify the size of the scope’s tube diameter then you can compare and find the right rings for your hunting rifle and scope.
Q: What Makes a Great .30-06 Scope?
A: These depend on several factors which include magnification, brightness settings, battery life, and durability. The best scope should be built of high-grade materials to enhance its durability and it should be easy to adjust in any shooting position.
Q: What Magnification Will I Require?
A: The ideal magnification power you will require depends on the distance at which you will be shooting. If your shooting range is above 400 yards you will need a scope with a magnification of at least 9x. For medium-range shooting, you need 4x-9x magnification power. However, it is mostly recommended that you go for a scope with a wide power range so it can be ideal for both short and long-range shooting.
Final Thoughts
One of the most flexible and popular cartridges out there is the 30-06. Pairing it with a compatible Leupold scope will certainly take your shooting experience to a whole new level. Therefore pick up one and you will never miss that shot again.