Best Scope for 30-30 Rifles – Top 10 Best 30-30 Scopes Review

The lever action rifle is an icon of American culture. These legendary rifles were first introduced in 1837, and became insanely popular by 1860. The lever action design has lasted well over a century, because it is fast, reliable, and a heck of a lot of fun to use.

The most popular cartridge for lever action rifles today is .30-30 Winchester. Winchester, Marlin, and Henry models lead the way. If you own a lever action, you can take your shooting to the next level by choosing the best scope for 30-30 rifles off the list below!

If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated scopes for 30-30 rifles:

1. Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope
2. Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope with Multi-X Reticle
3. Sig Sauer Whiskey3 2-7x32mm Riflescope
4. Burris Scout 2-7x32mm Riflescope
5. Vortex Optics Copperhead 4-12×44 Second Focal Plane Riflescope
6. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope
7. Simmons Whitetail Classic 3-9×40 Scope
8. Hawke Vantage 4×32 AO Mil Dot Riflescope
9. Leupold Freedom RDS 1x34mm
10. Sig Sauer Romeo5 1x20mm Compact Red Dot Sight

How to Choose 30-30 Rifle Scopes?

The reliable lever action that has made the .30-30 so popular can actually be a hindrance to mounting an optic. Many of the classic models, including the Winchester Model 1894, eject spent casings from the top of the receiver. If you own one of these lever versions, all is not lost. You can still use a scout rifle set-up that mounts an optic forward of the receiver. 

When you are scope shopping for your 30-30 rifle, keep in mind that lever action rifles have a classic look. These guns were instrumental in taming the western frontier. Adding a tactical scope could ruin the classic lines of a lever action rifle.

Effective Range

Lever action rifles can deliver accurate and fatal shots out to about 150 yards away. A scope can help you squeeze every bit of accuracy and utility possible from your lever action rifle.

Maneuverability

Considering the movement required to work a lever action, a lightweight scope will help preserve the firearm’s maneuverability and balance. Mounting a heavy scope to a lever action rifle can inhibit the fluidity and speed in your shooting experience. 

Reticle

One area to embrace modern technology in a 30-30 rifle scope is the reticle design. Choosing a scope with a bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle can help maximize the effective range of your rifle. When hunting, precise shot placement is extremely important to ensure a clean and swift kill.

Construction

Durability is another key factor in choosing a scope for a 30-30 rifle. The type of hunting many people do with lever action rifles takes them into difficult landscapes and challenging weather conditions. A scope that can handle rough use is valuable when out in the bush. 

There are a lot of things to consider before deciding on a scope for your lever action rifle. The good news is there are many great options that work well for .30-30 shooters.

Check out the list below to see some of those options and gain some knowledge on the best scope for 30-30 rifles.

Best Scope for 30-30 Rifles on the Market Review

 1   Trijicon TR24 AccuPoint 1-4×24 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope

If you want to pair your .30-30 rifle with a high-end optic, it doesn’t get much better than the Trijicon AccuPoint. Packed with features like a battery-free, always-on reticle, this state-of-the-art riflescope will bring your lever gun into the 21st century.

The AccuPoint also features a fast focus eyepiece and simple, user-friendly reticle design that helps make ranging and holdovers faster than ever.

Like most Trijicon products, the Accupoint is insanely durable. Tested to military standards and protocols, this optic can handle the roughest environments on the face of the planet.

 2   Bushnell Trophy Scout Rifle Scope with Multi-X Reticle

Bushnell specializes in outdoor optics for the everyday sportsmen. While we love all of Bushnell’s riflescopes, their Trophy Scout scope works like it was made for a classic .30-30 lever gun.  

The Bushnell Trophy Scout is incredibly durable and is fully shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof. This low-profile, lightweight optic is an ideal option for off-grid hunting or survival. 

Perfect for mounting forward of the ejection port, the Trophy Scout has a generous eye box, ample eye relief, and a fast focus eyepiece.  All of these features also work together to help get you on target quickly, for effective on-the-fly shots. 

Bushnell uses fully multi-coated optics to produce bright, crisp images in any weather. The scope is also backed by Bushnell’s signature No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty.

 3   Sig Sauer Whiskey3 2-7x32mm Riflescope

Carrying the respected Sig Sauer name, the Whiskey3 2-7x32mm rifle scope pairs extremely well with any lever action rifle, including the Marlin 336. This scope will help shooters maximize the range of their rifle. The overall design of this optic matches up well with the classic lines of a lever action rifle.

The Whiskey3 uses low dispersion glass to achieve industry-leading clarity. This scope boasts a full IPX-7 waterproof rating, which means it is submersible up to a meter. It is also equipped with a European-style eyepiece that allows for fast and smooth magnification adjustments. With all of these features, it is hard to believe this scope is under $200.

 4   Burris Scout 2-7x32mm Riflescope

A scout scope is a great match for many lever guns, and the Burris Scout is one of the best scout scopes on the market. With eye relief ranging from 9.2 to 12 inches, this scope allows shooters to keep both eyes open, a major asset for hunters. For jump shooting hogs or deer in thick brush, the ability to get on target quickly can be the difference between a successful hunt and going home empty-handed.

The Burris Scout was built with durability in mind. It features steel-on-steel turret adjustments, double internal spring force for repeatable clicks, and a Posi-Lock system that holds your sighting adjustments solidly in place. Multi-coated optics provide a clear sight picture for the Ballistic Plex reticle making this scope an excellent option for lever action rifles.

 5   Vortex Optics Copperhead 4-12×44 Second Focal Plane Riflescope

The Vortex Copperhead is perfect for shooters who want a little extra magnification. Reliable and durable, this scope features a locking diopter, comfortable eye relief, and a hard-anodized finish. The Copperhead can stand up to the toughest of conditions because it is built from a single piece of aircraft grade aluminum which is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed.

With a bullet drop compensating reticle, this scope should appeal to both target shooters and hunters. The 12x max magnification makes long range targets easy to see. The fully multi-coated optics provide a bright, clear sight picture. Add in Vortex’s lifetime warranty, and the Copperhead delivers serious value for well under $200.

 6   Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope

The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope is machined and assembled in the United States. The lenses are scratch resistant to military standards, and the scope is put through tough testing to ensure reliable performance in rough conditions.

Leupold’s integrated Twilight Management System reduces glare and adds up to 10 minutes of shooting light at the start and end of every day. 

The knurled turrets offer a solid grip and provide ¼ MOA adjustments per click. Dial in the scope for your specific rifle and the Duplex reticle will keep you right on target. This lightweight scope looks great on any lever action rifle.

 7   Simmons Whitetail Classic 3-9×40 Scope

If you hunt deer with your lever action, or just want a scope with classic looks, the Simmons Whitetail Classic riflescope is a great choice. This optic has a magnification range of 3-9x, which is ideal for both the effective range of 30-30 rifles and the distance deer hunters usually shoot game.

The Whitetail Classic features fully multi-coated optics for brightness and clarity. It is also waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. With a timeless black granite finish and a simple Truplex reticle, the Simmons Whitetail classic is hard to beat for under $100.

 8   Hawke Vantage 4×32 AO Mil Dot Riflescope

The Hawke Vantage 4×32 AO Mil Dot Riflescope is excellent for hunting thick brush for wild hogs and deer. The fixed power 4x magnification and fast focus eyepiece allow for rapid target acquisition. With a one-inch tube for strength and 11 layers of coating on the glass, this scope will enhance your lever action shooting accuracy and effectiveness.

The Vantage 4×32 AO Mil Dot is equipped with low profile, capped turrets that are finger adjustable with ¼ MOA clicks. Coming in at under $100, this scope from Hawke will make any lever action shooter happy.

 9   Leupold Freedom RDS 1x34mm

The Leupold Freedom RDS is a red dot sight that feels right at home on a lever action rifle. Although it might seem strange to mount a red dot on a lever action, these optics make getting on target quickly and accurately a breeze, making them well-suited for .30-30 shooting. The Freedom RDS has a more classic design that goes surprisingly well with lever guns.

This red dot is 100 percent waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. The reticle features a 1 MOA aiming point that works well for quick target acquisition and snap shooting. If you want to add a lightweight upgrade to your rifle’s iron sights, but don’t need a lot of magnification, the Leupold Freedom RDS is an excellent choice.

 10   Sig Sauer Romeo5 1x20mm Compact Red Dot Sight

The most technologically advanced optic on this list, the Romeo5 compact red dot sight from Sig Sauer brings modern features to any lever gun. If you want a red dot sight on your lever action, you can’t go wrong with the Romeo5. 

This compact sight is equipped with a 2 MOA red dot reticle that has 10 illumination settings. This optic also features Motion Activated Illumination, which automatically shuts off illumination when no motion is detected. This one handy feature can extend your battery life up to  40,000 hours.The Romeo5 has an IPX-7 waterproof rating, which means the optic can survive a 30-minute plunge in a meter of water. This tough little optic performs admirably in even the roughest of conditions. If you want to use modern optics on your classic lever action, the Sig Sauer Romeo5 is the perfect tool for the job.

Putting It All Together

Lever action rifles, with their classic design, high-level reliability, and fast-shooting capabilities, have stood the test of time. While iron sights are fine for most purposes, sometimes a little magnification can help you get even better accuracy from your firearm. 

Adding a scope to your lever action rifle brings an entirely new dimension to your shooting experience. Use this list to find the best scope for .30-30 rifles.