Good hunting scope for 30 06?

[Marplot]

I just acquired a Colt Saur 3000 Drilling. 12g double (Mod and full chokes) with a 30 06 under. I plan to be hunting in Georgia and mostly 100-150 yard at most. Deer and/or hogs. I like the drilling as an all-around firearm. For plinking, birds, whatever. I plan to handload the 30 06 from plinking to bigger game.

I am ok with iron sights, but like a crosshair or dot with more precision. I also want to be able to detach it so I can use my shotgun barrels. I see "claw mounts" on drillings.

What magnification? Fixed or variable scope good? Unlikely I would be hunting at night, but are thermal scopes worthwhile?

 

[anonymouscowherd]

Dont think a drilling would be "right" with a scope

Good irons certainly but not a scope and certainly not something newfangled that uses electricityy

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I was just wondering how you would even mount a scope on that gun? I have to look up a “claw mount” or whatever it might be. Im not opposed to putting a scope on anything, if it helps. That one is going to look odd, tho. Maybe a long eye relief pistol or scout scope?

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Is this the claw mount?
https://a.co/d/bRAvKNr

 

[John0313]

I just acquired a Colt Saur 3000 Drilling. 12g double (Mod and full chokes) with a 30 06 under. I plan to be hunting in Georgia and mostly 100-150 yard at most. Deer and/or hogs. I like the drilling as an all-around firearm. For plinking, birds, whatever. I plan to handload the 30 06 from plinking to bigger game.

I am ok with iron sights, but like a crosshair or dot with more precision. I also want to be able to detach it so I can use my shotgun barrels. I see "claw mounts" on drillings.

What magnification? Fixed or variable scope good? Unlikely I would be hunting at night, but are thermal scopes worthwhile?

I’ve hunted with drillings for over 20 years. A light, 1-4x is probably perfect for your use. The 12 gauge frame guns are heavy already, so a light scope is a good idea.

Most of the Colt Sauer drillings I’ve seen had a scope base of some type already. If yours doesn’t, the only person I would trust to install claw mount scope bases and rings would be JJ Perodeau, out of OK. It will be expensive, but worth it. Another option, less expensive would be a set of German “Recknagle” mounts that twist on/off. They are repeatable when properly installed, and won’t require as much hand fitting as a set of claw mounts. They aren’t as quick to take on and off, but cost probably 1/2 of what the claw mounts run.

BTW, the Germans seem to like (or liked) the 180 grain 30-06 loads. The rear sight on your barrel might be regulated for that bullet weight, usually at about 60m.

 

[Marplot]

Is this the claw mount?
https://a.co/d/bRAvKNr

No. Here is a quick detachable claw mount.

 

[Marplot]

Limbsaver "Nitro Grind-To-Fit" recoil pad is fitted to my Colt Sauer Drilling

 

[Marplot]

at a hundred yards I can barely see a deer let alone place an accurate killing shot.

 

[LBAhunter]

 

[GUN NUT]

Does your drilling already have the claw mount base on it or do you need one installed or do you have the complete setup I agree 1x4 or 1x5 maybe even 2x7 scope for drillings are just about perfect

 

[rusticbob]

I have a Nikon on mine, but they are no longer made. I have recently purchased and used Burris, and they are excellent scopes. But as with most everything, you get what you pay for!

 

[earlwb]

My thought is a magnetic mount might do the trick, if it fits ok. They use them a lot with shotguns and red dots.

You can simply use a good size neodymium magnet would stick like it is welded on too. With a scope you might need two magnets. Stick them on then stick on the scope mounts and mount the scope. The order you do it isn’t too important.

 

[LBAhunter]

at a hundred yards I can barely see a deer let alone place an accurate killing shot.

Maybe a 24X scope.....lol.....

 

[Marplot]

Maybe a 24X scope.....lol.....

Then I could see his heart thumping! But nothing else. <grin> I am thinking an illuminated 3-9X red dot

 

[GUN NUT]

Does your drilling already have the claw mount base on it or do you need one installed or do you have the complete setup I agree 1x4 or 1x5 maybe even 2x7 scope for drillings are just about perfect

Well does it have the base

 

[Marplot]

Does your drilling already have the claw mount base on it or do you need one installed or do you have the complete setup I agree 1x4 or 1x5 maybe even 2x7 scope for drillings are just about perfect

It has no base. I could get it drilled and tapped.

 

[GUN NUT]

Not a good idea to do that to the rib it is not designed for the weight or recoil of a scope . But you may get lucky . Seems it would be best to buy a gun with scope already installed or at least have the base and rings from the factory already installed. Don't ask how I know about it not being a good idea

 

[LHR]

IF if were me I'd be putting an ACOG on that bad boy!

 

[bronko220002]

I would not even try to recommend a scope. There are just to many decisions based on intended use. Bit that being said its hard to beat a straight 4x scope for almost all hunting scenarios until you start getting into long range.

 

[Marplot]

Not a good idea to do that to the rib it is not designed for the weight or recoil of a scope . But you may get lucky . Seems it would be best to buy a gun with scope already installed or at least have the base and rings from the factory already installed. Don't ask how I know about it not being a good idea

Uh oh! It is a massively built gun, but maybe a gun smith would know. But now I am nervous. Maybe there could be a clamp-on? It is a Drilling, and the top is a double barrel.