The .30-06 Springfield might just be the most sought-after hunting rifle among big game hunters in the United States. First introduced in the early 1900’s as a military-issued rifle cartridge, the .30-06 quickly became a workhorse of a rifle for many U.S. servicemen.

Here are the 5 best scopes for 30-06

• Simmons 8-Point Truplex Reticle 
• Nikon Prostaff 4-12×40 mm BDC
• Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 
• Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm 
• Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 MOA EBR-2C

It didn’t take long for the .30-06 to gain popularity among hunters, and it’s quite easy to see why. The cartridge packs quite a punch and can also reach out to long distances in the right hands.

The .30-06 is one of the greatest all-purpose rifles in American history as it offers the perfect combination of functionality and flexibility. Hunters have found that the .30-06 can take down just about any type of big game on the North American continent and there are many more pro’s regarding this cartridge than cons.

When it comes to choosing the best scope for a .30-06, one need not look too far past the main competitors in the outdoor optics industry. We’ve done the research and compiled information from lots of reviews to put together this list of the best scopes for a .30-06. 

Here are the 5 best 30-06 Scopes on the market today

Overall, the 30.06 is one of the best long range rifles a sportsman can use.

Simmons 8-Point Truplex Reticle 

Simmons is well-known among shooting enthusiasts and hunters in the United States for being one of the best manufacturers of shooting optics without the expensive price tag. This scope offers everything you need for use with a .30-06 at a fraction of the price for most premium scopes. 

It features a multi-coated design and ¼ inch MOA click adjustments for both windage and elevation. The Simmons 8-Point Truplex’s best feature is likely its Truplex reticle and quick target acquisition ability. 

While this is a good choice for anyone starting out with a .30-06 and not looking to break the bank, there are a few negative points to consider. When shooting at the maximum magnification, the sight picture can be a bit distorted and the Simmons 8-Point Truplex isn’t the best scope for shooting in low-light situations. 

Nikon Prostaff 4-12×40 mm BDC

Nikon offers superior products whether it be a digital photography camera or riflescope. The Nikon Prostaff 4-12×40 mm might just be the best scope for its value on our list of the best scopes for a .30-06 rifle. 

With a 40 mm lens and 4-12x magnification, the Nikon Prostaff is the perfect all-purpose scope for one of America’s favorite all-purpose rifles. Featuring a nitrogen-filled, O-ring sealed tubing, BDC reticle, spring-loaded adjustment knobs and quick-focus eyepiece, the Nikon Prostaff has everything you need to stay on target with your .30-06. 

Some of the best features for this scope is that it is one of the lightest on the market and is also fogproof, waterproof and shock resistant. With a decent low-light sight picture clarity, we recommend the Nikon Prostaff to shooting enthusiasts and hunters who are looking for a great scope without the hefty price tag. 

Vortex Optics Viper 6.5-20×50 

What type of optics list would this be if it didn’t include Vortex? They introduced one of the best return policies in the business, setting the standard for other optics companies. They make a high quality optic that the majority of hunters can afford, and stand behind it. That should be enough said.

The Vortex brand has made its way to the top of the shooting optics market in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Few scopes will be as stable when mounted and retain their position, especially when shooting a high-powered rifle caliber like the .30-06. 

The price tag on the Vortex Viper is more expensive than most brands, but you truly get what you pay for in this scope model. Featuring a smooth-glide erector system, 95 percent light transmission ability, and an unconditional lifetime warranty, the Vortex Viper is one of the best scopes for a .30-06 you’ll find on the market today. 

This one is ideal for those looking at shooting long ranges as the scope features a 30 mm diameter lens and 20x magnification. Still, when set at the maximum magnification, the Vortex Viper offers superb sight picture and clarity. 

Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm 

The Leupold brand carries with it an authority in the world of outdoor shooting and hunting optics. Known for making some of the best scopes money can buy, Leupold doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to quality for their optics. 

The Leupold VX-2 features the quantum optical system, duplex reticle, and diamondcoated lens for the ultimate clarity when shooting at medium to long distances. The Leupold VX-2 is crafted with the highest grade material and is fogproof, waterproof and shockproof, making it ideal for trekking through many miles while hunting big game. 

This scope is a great pick for whitetail deer hunting as well as it is considered to be a ‘medium-range’ scope by most experts. 

Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 MOA EBR-2C

It really is hard to beat Vortex optics when it comes to finding a great scope for the .30-06 rifle. The Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 MOA EBR-2C is likely our top pick among the many different scopes to choose from for a number of reasons. 

Vortex truly outdid themselves when they designed this scope. With an aluminum designed housing, adjustable reticle illumination, and fully-multicoated optics, the Vortex Viper PST is hands down one of the best scopes you can buy. 

While this scope is perfect for long-range shooting, it is highly functional at relatively close distances. The scope’s adjustments are as easy as any to use and understand. The Vortex Viper PST is fogproof, waterproof, and can take quite a beating while in the field. 

For serious hunters who target larger game animals like moose and elk, which typically require longer shots, this scope is ideal. The only real downside is the price tag, but according to many experts, it’s well worth the investment. 

When you’re looking for a 30-06 scope, keep this in mind

If you’re going to invest money in a certain part of your gun, invest in optics. Optics make for more ethical shots, which is something we can all get behind.