New scope for my 30.06

I have a older woodsmaster 740, the scope fogged up last year. It was my grandfather’s gun and had a old breakaway weaver on it. I’m now looking to add a new scope for white tail hunting. I shot iron sights this year and It worked but I missed a shot I wouldn’t have if I still had a scope. All my shots are under 150 yards most under 80. But want a scope I can hit 200. I don’t know much about scopes, that’s why I’m asking for middle of the road recommendations.

Vortex diamond back or maybe a crossfire.

I like my Burris fullfield 2 Super clear and draws in the light really well, around two hundred I think.

Youbetcha wrote:

Vortex diamond back or maybe a crossfire.

Go with anything Vortex. Lifetime warranty.

Youbetcha wrote:

Vortex diamond back or maybe a crossfire.

lost faith in my scope so I went and got this scope. Nice!!!

Leupold Vx3 2×8, Ihave one for 30 years sighted it once never had to touch it again, on my Rem 760

catmando wrote:

Leupold Vx3 2×8, Ihave one for 30 years sighted it once never had to touch it again, on my Rem 760

every scope I own is a leupold vx3’s, never had a issue, only once have I ever had to re-adjust.

I just put a Vortex Diamondback 3×9 on my Remington 7600. No complaints so far.

I know a number of guys using Vortex and none of them complain. But, they’re running the Strike Eagle line and above. Leupold is a bit better overall line imo, but you’ll pay more also. If you’re looking to not break the bank, but still have quality, I’d say either the Vortex Diamondback or Leupold Freedom in a 3-9x or 4-12x. Don’t know much about the other brands.

Beast wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>catmando wrote:</div>
Leupold Vx3 2×8, Ihave one for 30 years sighted it once never had to touch it again, on my Rem 760

every scope I own is a leupold vx3’s, never had a issue, only once have I ever had to re-adjust.

Same here I love my Leupold VX3I although one of the guys at deer camp showed up with a new gun that had the VX5 on it and wow that was some really awesome glass. I ran the freedom before I got the vx3 and it was fine too.

I own a 740 as well, it was my first real deer rifle, given to me at Christmas when I was 15. It was very lightly used then, and I’ve put a lot of mileage on it since.

For scope needs, there’s no reason to go crazy here. The ol’ Sconni Tommyguns are NOT tack drivers, so over-scoping them doesn’t really get you anything.

I freely admit I’m not a Vortex guy. Had bad experiences with Vortex and they are the only major scope brand I’ve ever had that failed completely right out of the box for me. Hopefully, their QC is better now, but they are a little too johnny-come-lately for me.

You cannot go wrong with Leupold. The Freedom series is a terrific scope at a great price, and IMO it would be perfect for the ol’ 740. Nothing wrong with moving up the range, but I have to ask what is gained? My answer for a 740 having shot one for 35 years is: “Not much”.

A note on the 740. In the current era of unprecedented accuracy found even in entry-level rifles, you have to curb your expectations a little when running a vintage autoloader like the 740. In this day/age, even a $400 entry bolt gun can be sub-moa. It wasn’t always like that, even for higher end rifles.
Before you take a whack at a game animal at 200, better to spend some range time and see what you can reasonably expect for accuracy at that distance!

Basically, my 740 is minute-of-tennis-ball at 100 for 5 shot groups. At 200, a softball size group is the best she does, no matter what you feed her. This accuracy, from what I’ve read and heard from other owners, is actually considered VERY good for a 740. Also, you have to keep in mind that many bolt guns of this era were about the same, the idea that MOA represents some kind of minimum of acceptable accuracy is strictly a post-2000 concept. In the mid to late half of the last century, good enough really was good enough and you will find a LOT of good old rifles that simply shoot pie plate groups and nothing more, but many of these deer have been the leading cause of death for many, many whitetail deer.

Spend some time at the range and just know what to expect at 100 and 200.

Grouse

I wouldn’t do anything bigger than a 2-8 for that rifle. Most guys are over-scoped for where they hunt. Vortex diamondback or a VX-Freedom are what you seek.

I love the Vx3 2.5-8 on my Ruger 77 MkII. The gun shoots better than I can but I’ve shot 2.25″ at 200 yards with it.

That said, I am putting a Vortex on my .50 cal muzzle loader. Price performance is fantastic. A couple of buddies are shooting Vortex scopes, one a Crossfire Scout 2×7 and the other a Diamondback 1.5-5. Both use cases similar to the OP, mostly shorter range shots with mid-size calibers. Great results for them.

Got a 2.5-8 VX3 on my 30-06. It’s light and a great hunting scope. Have a 3.5-10 VX3 on my 338 WM and a 4.5-14 VX3 on my 243. I think the VX3 is one of the better values for the performance you get.

Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon (discontinued).

I currently use a Nikon Buckmaster on my rifle. The Monarch series was even better but they don’t make them anymore.

gimruis wrote:

Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon (discontinued).

I currently use a Nikon Buckmaster on my rifle. The Monarch series was even better but they don’t make them anymore.

For anyone who enjoyed the Nikon series of hunting optics, check out Tract. Two of the main guys running the hunting division of Nikon broke off after Nikon stopped producing hunting optics and started Tract. High quality Schott glass and produced in Japan.

I have a new in box Vortex Diamondback 3-9×40 Vplex I would sell.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

I own a 740 as well, it was my first real deer rifle, given to me at Christmas when I was 15. It was very lightly used then, and I’ve put a lot of mileage on it since.

For scope needs, there’s no reason to go crazy here. The ol’ Sconni Tommyguns are NOT tack drivers, so over-scoping them doesn’t really get you anything.

I freely admit I’m not a Vortex guy. Had bad experiences with Vortex and they are the only major scope brand I’ve ever had that failed completely right out of the box for me. Hopefully, their QC is better now, but they are a little too johnny-come-lately for me.

You cannot go wrong with Leupold. The Freedom series is a terrific scope at a great price, and IMO it would be perfect for the ol’ 740. Nothing wrong with moving up the range, but I have to ask what is gained? My answer for a 740 having shot one for 35 years is: “Not much”.

A note on the 740. In the current era of unprecedented accuracy found even in entry-level rifles, you have to curb your expectations a little when running a vintage autoloader like the 740. In this day/age, even a $400 entry bolt gun can be sub-moa. It wasn’t always like that, even for higher end rifles.
Before you take a whack at a game animal at 200, better to spend some range time and see what you can reasonably expect for accuracy at that distance!

Basically, my 740 is minute-of-tennis-ball at 100 for 5 shot groups. At 200, a softball size group is the best she does, no matter what you feed her. This accuracy, from what I’ve read and heard from other owners, is actually considered VERY good for a 740. Also, you have to keep in mind that many bolt guns of this era were about the same, the idea that MOA represents some kind of minimum of acceptable accuracy is strictly a post-2000 concept. In the mid to late half of the last century, good enough really was good enough and you will find a LOT of good old rifles that simply shoot pie plate groups and nothing more, but many of these deer have been the leading cause of death for many, many whitetail deer.

Spend some time at the range and just know what to expect at 100 and 200.

Grouse

I have some much higher end bolt guns with nicer optics on them, but I enjoy taking grandpas gun. I’ve shot a buck with it every year for 10 years. I actually really like shooting iron sights but I want the option to have a scope. The weaver was a break away but ill probably set it up to do over under.

catmando wrote:

Leupold Vx3 2×8, Ihave one for 30 years sighted it once never had to touch it again, on my Rem 760

Same here. My 2-8 vx3 has held zero for that long as well. I have it mounted on a Ruger M-77 ought-six. It might need a little tweaking now but I just shot it and Im not worried about an inch.

waldo9190 wrote:

For anyone who enjoyed the Nikon series of hunting optics, check out Tract. Two of the main guys running the hunting division of Nikon broke off after Nikon stopped producing hunting optics and started Tract. High quality Schott glass and produced in Japan.

Thanks Waldo

You could do a coin flip between Burris, Vortex, and Leopoldo and be happy. Each has great warranty and customer service if you ever have an issue. I’ve worked amongst most of the optic manufacturers and these are your top 3 for what your looking for.

If I were buying a rifle scope today, I’d be purchasing in the order below:

1. Zeiss (awesome scopes that are very similar to the Leupold in quality across comparable lines, with slightly better glass on average…maybe a bit more difficult to sight in)

2. Leupold (great scopes, would probably have one on most rifles had a local high-end gunsmith got me behind a Zeiss)

3. Vortex (quality scopes at a slightly more affordable price in comparison to those above…more than enough quality for 99% of shooters – myself included)

waldo9190 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gimruis wrote:</div>
Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon (discontinued).

I currently use a Nikon Buckmaster on my rifle. The Monarch series was even better but they don’t make them anymore.

For anyone who enjoyed the Nikon series of hunting optics, check out Tract. Two of the main guys running the hunting division of Nikon broke off after Nikon stopped producing hunting optics and started Tract. High quality Schott glass and produced in Japan.

Interesting, I seen Ron Spoomer mentioning their stuff the other day.

Bob Ford wrote:

I have a new in box Vortex Diamondback 3-9×40 Vplex I would sell.

I sent you a message

I’m a vortex guy all the way. Have the holographic on my AR, a diamondback for my deer rifle, and the 1800 ranger for a range finder. All work flawlessly.

After a long talk with 2 different local gun shops I put a utg scopes on the gun last night. Didn’t break the bank. Was so easy to 0 in and now we see if it lasts. 169 bucks. On a gun I only shoot 1 or 2 times a year.
Oh yeah I kept the 740 with iron sights and put this scope on a savage I had that had no optics

Just my opinion, 0% bounded in fact.

Vortex:

25% of the price for the actual product you receive
25% of the price to cover warrantee you’ll almost undoubtedly use
50% of the price goes to outfitting/advertising every TV/Podcast-host/guide/outfitter personality they can.