Optics for a 30-06

[Bootifus]

So I just scored a very gently used Remington 700 in 30-06 and am wanting to get some suggestions for a scope. I don't want to spend $1000 on one, but I will look into any suggestion.
Thanks.

[van7559]

vortex diamond back, bushell 3200, both great bang for the buck

[Bootifus]

vortex diamond back, bushell 3200, both great bang for the buck

What magnification? I currently own a Nikon Pro Staff 2x7x32 but I think I want at least a 3X9...

[wrestler034]

What are you using it for? Hunting? Long range target shooting? It makes a huge difference.

[Bootifus]

Elk hunting in 7 & 8.

[wrestler034]

For Elk I prefer at most a 3-9x. I hunt alot of timber and have a 2-7 VX-II Leupold on my 30-06. My scope is almost never over 5x unless target shooting or hunting antelope.

I have been pondering the Leupold VX-6 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2-12x 42mm but I think it is overkill for most of my hunting. Added weight without much benefit.

[DSull]

I have two choices, I like and I've used Nikon scopes and they are a great value for the money, 3X9 and I got it on sale less than $300, the other scope is a Burris 3X9, excellent scope and it's less than $300. They both work well for me.

[buckshotbarlow]

I'm trying something new this year...Where I hunt for elk, it's in dark timber. Everytime i see a bull, i have a cow tag, everytime i see a cow i have a bull tag...However one thing has not changed during my hunts...It's the range and the amount of light, coupled with how fast you have to move to get your shot. I'm going with a 1x4 or holosite. My Leuy 4x is really horrible for this kind of environment, and I've had to pass up a lot of shots under 75 yards because i couldn't put the pickle in the pickle barrel, because the animal was moving. Here are the lighted reticule optics i'm looking at:

scopes:
leuy
Vortex
trijicon

dots:
eotech
aimpoint

This comes from my bow hunting experience, i wish i had my bow site on my 300wb sometimes...

[MarkCO]

While I really like the upper end Vortex scopes, the diamond backs are not worth it. They have a ton of parallax and the glass is not great.

Take your pick, Leupold, Weaver, Burris in a 3-9 or 2-7. I have hunted mostly with 3-9s, but the 2-7s allow a tad more light and the lower mag is pretty nice for still hunting in the timber.

The Leupold VX-1 2-7 is a great choice and just over $200. The Burris FFII 2-7 Ballistic Plex E1 reticle is my personal choice at about $200.

If you want to push up in magnification, I would suggest you look at the Burris MTAC 3.5-10. It is about $450, but it is a great scope.

Burris is a Colorado company with a forever warranty on their scopes.

[CO Hugh]

I like leupolds, go for 2.5-8 or even a 1.5-6, should be more than sufficent for elk. If you spring for a VX-III now you can later get upgrades such as the custom turrets for dialing up to 600 yards.

Check out there website for upgrades.

I have a buddy that swears by fixed powers because they are lighter and less likely to break. He uses a 4x for Elk, 6x for Antelope; they are also cheaper. You may even be able to go to 2.5 for Elk though I would want to practice more to get used to it first.