Best Scope for 30-30: Good Recommendations for My Rifle?

Best Scope for 30-30
Photo courtesy of Matt Scott via flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

The best scope for 30-30 is normally used within the range of 100-150 yards – that’s about the effective range for this calibre. Some say 200 yards, others 250, but that’s stretching beyond the maximum.

On the average, it’s 100 yards and there isn’t really much use for extremely high-powered scopes. Imagine sighting your deer-sized target, 100 yards away, through a variable scope set at 10x. That’s bringing the target so much closer and way much larger to your view.

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Since magnification also intensifies the slightest movement, your target will tend to be shaky. The field of view will be restricted, and it becomes practically impossible to perform a follow-up shot on a moving target should it become necessary.

A 4-6x magnification, in comparison, will give you just the right intensity and ample field of view. Legal and ethical requirements vary by state, so magnification shouldn’t so low either.

For a 30-30, we require a scope with medium magnification, wide FOV, big objective lens, high-quality glass, a large tube, large exit pupil, and matching reticle and turret calibration (mil-based or MOA-based).

Leupold FX-II Scout

The Leupold FX-II Scout is fixed at 2.5x magnification – while that could be quite restricting for some, it works great for the general purposes for which a 30-30 is used by many shooters.

Tube diameter is 1 inch; FOV at 100 yards is 22 feet; objective lens diameter is 28mm; adjustment is ¼ MOA per dial click at a maximum adjustment of 110 MOA at 100 yards; eye relief is a generous 9.3 inches; exit pupil is consistent at 11.2mm. It measures 10 1/8 inches long and weighs 7.5 ounces.

The Scout is constructed to withstand heavy use and recoil; it is waterproof and fog-proof, as well. It has standard-diameter tube, but a smaller objective lens. Wide FOV is perfect for training the rifle on a running antler.

Optics quality is superior. At half the weight of most scopes within its range, the Scout is definitely a breeze to carry along. The scope carries a full lifetime warranty from Leupold and costs around $300.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 features a variable magnification of 2x to 7x, which is just about the range that you will need for a 30-30 Marin with a scope.

Tube diameter is standard 1 inch; FOV at 100 yards ranges from 42 to 12.6 feet at 2x and 7x, respectively; objective lens measures 32mm; adjustment is ¼ MOA per click at a maximum adjustment of 60 MOA; eye relief is 3.9 to 4.7 inches; exit pupil is 16 to 4.6mm. The streamlined aircraft-grade aluminum scope measures 11.3 inches long and weighs 14.3 ounces.

This Vortex scope has fully multi-coated lenses for optical clarity and to ensure that there are no undesirable glass reflections. The standard 1-inch tube and 32mm objective lens all enhance light transmission. The material used and one-piece construction allow for lightness and durability. The tube is O-ring sealed, meaning, it is water-proof. It is also nitrogen-filled, meaning, it is fog-proof.

Capped turrets protect the adjustment knobs against impact. This is a compact full-function scope; it is reasonably priced, too, at around $150 and comes covered with Vortex VIP unconditional lifetime warranty.

Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm 4-Plex

The Redfield 4-Plex is a 2-7x variable scope; so if you want optical flexibility on a 30-30, this scope has it.

Tube size is standard at 1 inch; FOV at 100 yards varies from 43.2 feet to 17.3 feet at 2x and 7x, respectively; objective lens diameter of 33mm; ¼ MOA per click at maximum windage and elevation adjustments of 65 MOA; eye relief is 3.7-4.9 inches; exit pupil is 13.2-5.1mm.

The Redfield is 11 inches long and weighs 11.1 ounces.

This matte-finish scope has a multi-coated lens system on a standard 1-inch tube and significantly larger objective lens. FOV is higher than the Vortex.

Exit pupil is sizeable and would allow optimum brightness than the two other brands. It is more expensive than the Vortex but definitely cheaper than the Leupold, and carries a full lifetime warranty.

What is the best rifle scope for 30-30 Marlin?

All scopes considered are shockproof, fog-proof and waterproof. The three scopes have standard-size 1-inch tubes. All are priced within the $150-$300 range and covered with reliable warranty.

When buying scopes, it is always important not to overbuy on unnecessary magnification since this generally dictates the price. This is not to say that you buy cheap; instead, this is to say that you should buy the best of what you need.

Find the best scope for 30-30 lever action rifles in 2023 on Amazon.

Originally posted 2023-01-06 12:09:31.