There are very few rifles that bring back memories like my lever action .30-30 Winchester Rifle. One of the first rifles that my dad taught me how to shoot. I took down more chicken loving coyotes than I can count. Back then I used iron sights, but as I got older I switched out the irons for a nice piece of glass. With the right scope for your Winchester .30-30 lever action rifle you can extend your range to the guns limits.
Pairing a Scope With Winchester or Marlin Lever Action Rifles
While early 30-30 lever action rifles didn’t use optics, it didn’t take long for hunters to see their benefits. There are so many different rifles on the market and you are going to have to treat each of them differently. Not all rifles are going to be able to use the same scope. When looking at the Winchester 94 you’ll quickly be able to see the problem. The top ejection port makes it very difficult to mount a scope. Seeing the ejection issues on the 94 convinced other manufacturers to use a side mount setup.
Side Mount vs Forward Scout Scope Setup
With a top ejection port your going to have to choose between a side mount or scout scope. Side ejection rifles can use any setup they choose. Your mounting setup is going to be the main factor in choosing the proper scope. You’re going to have to choose between a side mount traditional scope or forward mount scout scope setup. 
- Side Mount Setup: Side mounts push the scope out to the left side allowing the rifle to properly eject. You’re going to be able to use just about any scope on the market with this kind of setup. With a side mount setup you’re able to use higher magnification scopes.
- Forward Scout Scope Setup: You’re either going to love or hate a scout scope setup. Scout scopes mount in front of your top ejection port in the middle of your rifle. They have extremely long eye relief allowing you to mount the scope farther forward. Scout scopes tend to have low magnification ranges and high price tags. This article will mainly focus on traditional scopes. Check out my other article on scout scopes if you’re interested in this type of setup.
What’s The Best Scope for .30-30 Lever Action Rifles?
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
Notable Features:
- Moderately Priced Rifle Scope
- Durable Waterproof and Shockproof Construction
- 2-7x32mm Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Vortex Lifetime Warranty
- Clear and Bright Sight Picture
You can’t go wrong with Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rifle Scope. Vortex is known for making affordable yet high quality optics. They load their scopes up with features not normally found at this price range. For the money you aren’t going to find a more durable scope than Vortex.
Vortex’ Crossfire lineup of scopes offer a lot of bang for your buck. Available in a ton of different magnifications you’re sure to find one that will match your needs. Personally I like to pair their 2-7x32mm with my lever action rifles. It’s the perfect short to medium range optic for any hunting rifle. The Crossfire lineup all the magnification ranges all the way up to 6-24x50mm, so you’re sure to find a scope to suit you.
Vortex designed its Crossfire lineup of scopes to be extremely durable. Built on Vortex true strength platform the crossfire scope is 100% Waterproof and Shockproof. It’s also backed by Vortex no questions asked lifetime guarantee. Durability isn’t everything, that’s why Vortex threw in very clear glass. With a clear and bright sight picture you’ll be able to hunt from dawn til dusk. The multi-coated lens significantly reduces glare and maximizes brightness. The advanced reticle with multiple aiming point stands out against the bright sight picture. With long eye relief and a forgiving eye box, this is the perfect scope for a hunting rifle. You don’t have to spend a fortune to find a great lever action rifle scope.
2. Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Notable Features:
- Premium Leupold Rifle Scope
- Crystal Clear Bright Sight Picture
- 3-9x40mm Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Durable Waterproof and Shockproof Construction
- Leupold Lifetime Warranty
Leupold’s VX-2 Rifle Scope is always a great choice for any hunting rifle. Leupold is known for having some of the clearest glass in the industry and the VX-2 doesn’t disappoint. With its durable design, affordable price tag and clear glass, you can’t go wrong with this Leupold Scope.
Leupold has long been a dominant force in the optic industry. They completely revamped their VX-2 lineup offering much more scope for the money. The VX-2 series is Leupold’s mid-priced lineup, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a premium scope. Constructed out of a one-piece aircraft grade aluminum main tube. This scope is built to withstand some serious abuse. The body is completely shockproof, waterproof and backed by Leupold’s lifetime warranty. There’s a wide range of magnification levels available, but the 3-9x40mm scope is priced to sell. With a 3-9x magnification range you can still get off close shots and extend your range a few hundred yards. Since it’s the most popular magnification range it’s often one of the cheapest.
Without spending a fortune Leupold’s VX-2 scope has one of the best sight pictures you’re going to find. Using Index Matched lead free lenses makes the glass crystal clear. The multi-coated lens offers 94% light transmission and features Leupold’s DiamondCoat treatment. The DiamondCoat treatment protects your glass against scratches and abrasions. There are a bunch of different reticle options available, but the duplex reticle is easily the best selling. This nononsense reticle clears up your sight picture and stands out clearly against the background. Why settle for cheap optics when Leupold offers a crystal clear sight picture at an affordable price.
3. Simmons Truplex 4x32mm Riflescope
Notable Features:
- Extremely Affordable Simmons Scope
- Fixed 4x32mm Magnification(Variable Magnification Available)
- Bright Sight Picture
- Durable Waterproof Design
Simmons really knows how to make a nice scope at an affordable price. Their fixed 4x magnification rifle scope is perfect for lever action rifles. Fixed 4x magnification lens is just about perfect for hunting. Simmons makes one hell of a scope for the price.
What’s not to like about this Simmons 4x magnification scope. It’s as easy on the wallet as it is on the eye. At a fraction of the price of the competition Simmons really really delivered a gem. The optical clarity really impressed me at this price. The sight picture is clear and bright, but doesn’t offer much glare protection. With a fixed glass lens you are going to have much better clarity, focus and brightness. All Simmons scopes come with full multi-coatings for a bright high contrast image. There’s absolutely no way a similarly priced variable magnification scope can compete.
It really amazes me how durable Simmons made this scope. It’s one of the few budget scopes that offer 100% waterproof and fogproof rating. It can handle the recoil of just about any rifle. You can easily adjust windage and elevation with the True-Zero audible turret adjustments.
4. Nikon Buckmasters II 3-9×40 BDC
Notable Features:
- Affordable Priced Nikon Scope
- 3-9x40mm Magnification(Other Options Available)
- Clear Sight Picture
- Waterproof Construction
- Shockproof Durable Body
Nikon paired up with Buckmasters to design their Buckmaster II Rifle scope. Through thorough research they designed an affordable scope with everything a hunter needs. With a bright sight picture and durable design, the Buckmaster II is well worth a look.
Nikon’s Buckmaster II rifle scope offers a lot of features for the price. Nikon’s buckmaster lineup has a wide range of magnifications available at an affordable price. You’ll probably get the most value out of their 3-9x40mm Rifle scope. Constructed out of durable aircraft grade aluminum which offers complete shockproof protection. It’s not only shockproof, it’s also 100% waterproof and fogproof. The light weight design pairs well with your lever action rifle. The durability is impressive, but the optics are what really steal the show.
Buckmaster helped Nikon perfect the optics on this scope by focusing on what hunters need most. Once your scopes mounted you’ll quickly notice the bright sight picture. Using multi-coated lenses Nikon significantly increased the optical brightness. It gathers a lot of light and offers excellent glare protection, but might be a little dim once the sun goes down. The optics are going to be more than sufficient for hunting and target shooting in dim light. I really love that Nikon added a range estimation reticle into this scope. It will significantly extend your accurate hunting distance. Don’t risk losing that big buck when you can buy the affordable Nikon Buckmaster scope.
5. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
Notable Features:
- Value Priced Bushnell Scope
- Bright Sight Picture
- 3-9x40mm Magnification
- Waterproof and Shockproof
Bushnell’s Banner Dawn and Dusk Riflescope is easily one of the most popular on the market. Bushnell really hit one out of the park with this economically priced scope. Known for durability and brightness the Banner scope is an impressive buy.
Bushnell designed its Banner scope to be perfect for any hunting rifle. Its extremely bright sight picture really sets it apart from the competition. As the name implies you’ll have a clear and bright sight picture from dawn til dusk. Using Bushnell’s advanced multicoating they were able to amplify light transmission. My only complaint with this scope is that you might notice a little bit of glare. Not only is the sight bright it’s also very clear for the price. You aren’t going to find a clearer sight picture without spending much more.
Constructed out of quality materials the Banner scope is sure to last. Designed with quality materials and a durable one-piece tube that’s completely shockproof. The Nitrogen purged tube further protects your glass by offering a waterproof and fogproof seal. When available light is low you can count on the affordable Bushnell Banner Rifle Scope.
30-30 Lever Action Scope Buying Guide
You’re going to have to narrow down your options to find a great scope. I gave you a few of my favorite scopes above, but you’re going to need find the best fit for you. Here are a few guidelines to help you find the best scope.
- Mounting Options: Before you get into all your different options you’re going to want to choose a mount. The mount that you choose will determine what kind of scope you can choose. With a side mount setup you are going to be able to use any traditional scope. Forward mounts are going to limit you to long eye relief scout scopes. Scout scopes tend to be low magnification and much more expensive.
- Magnification: After you choose a mount you are going to have to decide on a magnification. I like to pair low to mid range scopes with my lever action rifles. Unless you can find wide open fields to hunt you’re most likely going to stay under 100 yards. In that range any low magnification scope is going to work well. My two favorite magnifications are 2-7x and 3-9x. Both of these magnifications offer a ton of options at a reasonable price point. You might also want to try a low magnification fixed optic for a hunting rifle. Fixed 4x magnification glass is perfect for deer hunting.
- Price: You’re going to want to find a scope that both fits the budget and has all the features you need. With scopes the saying “Buy Once Cry Once” really holds true. With really cheap scopes you’re going to run into both durability and brightness issues. I like to stick to price points above 75$ to get durable optics.
- Durability: Like everything in life you are going to get what you pay for. Hunting scopes need to be able to withstand a little bit of abuse. You never know what kind of ding or knock your scopes going to get. Nobody wants to drop their rifle from a treestand, but it happens every year. Whether you’ll be able to continue your hunt will depend on your optical quality. Make sure you look for a complete waterproof and fogproof design. You might not think your rifles going to get wet, but you never know. You should also find a scope that comes with a lifetime warranty.