I’d like to get some opinions on what scope I should put on a 30-30 as far as size.

Probably going to be a vortex or Burris scope not sure yet on that.

Sir, it really depends on your aesthetics but up to 7x is usable.

1-5x20 or 2-7x32.
Anything larger than that looks terrible.

Not to be "that guy" but use what works 1.5x6x great 4x12 go for it. Too much scope is not as bad as too little.

i prefer the 1-4, but at dusk i like the extra light from the 2-7

Either of the top two would be great on a 30-30.

http://www.aldeer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2598036#Post2598036

I’d got 2x7 but I like that little extra magnification.
I’ve never owned a lever 30-30 this.

This ^^^

I agree with 2dogs. But I was getting a really good deal on the dog whiskey3 3x9x40, so I put it on my 35rem. It works great on it but yes it looks stupid.

I've never found value in this way of thinking.A firearm is a tool,not a piece of jewelry...

Agreed but it is possible to have function and form coexist in harmony.

I disagree. I’ve never been in a situation where I had to little of a scope but I have had situations where I’ve had too much. Most of my go to rifles now have 2-3x on the bottom end. Rarely do I ever move the scope above 6x when hunting in Alabama.

When I think of a lever gun a see a ladder stand/woods gun (shots 0-100 yards). A 2x in those situations is ideal. Especially in low light periods where 5x plus becomes a hindrance. There’s nothing worse than being able to see a deer for a shot and NOT being able to see your crosshairs

A fixed 4 power would work too. A quality fixed power is a simple and clear scope.

I'm with Josh on this. Most of my hunting rifles I'm shooting for something around 2-3x on the bottom end of the range. That limits my magnification range on the top end considerably in most cases. When that deer runs up close I prefer to see the whole thing in my scope. I don't want to just see hide. To me that is way more useful than 14x or more at the top of the range. Anyone reading this can take a shot at an ethical distance and be ok with 10x on the top end in Alabama. Out West we can debate what those distances are and how much more scope you need but here in Alabama I have no problem getting close enough to a deer that 10x at the top of the range is adequate. My favorite power range is something with about 12x at the top but getting a low number is difficult. Not many people make a 3-12x scope or around those numbers..

Unless it's a dedicated field and long range gun, I don't want more than 3X on the low range magnification and I prefer less. If you're willing to spend a little money, you can get the best of both worlds with a Swarovski Z6 1.7x10. The field of view on the low end is awesome. At 1.7X I can see about half of my gun barrel in my FOV and at 10X it's plenty for 300 yards if I want to try it.

I use a 3x9x36 zeiss on my 45-70. perfect size and plenty of magnification

2.5-10 is a pretty common combination in better scopes, and is about the least that I personally prefer. 3-12 is better, and my next long range hunting rifle will be 2.5-15

I've been wanting to try one of those Swaro's AU338MAG. I've been eyeing one of those just haven't seen a racehorse deal on one just yet.

One of the reasons I get away with something like a 10x scope is I have always been a binoculars guy. I can judge a rack better with the binos than I can a scope which typically makes 10x more than adequate.

I have not bought many scopes in the last couple years but I do want to try something in the 2.5-15x flavor as well on a dedicated longer range gun.

The prices on the Z6 models have come down a lot in the last year. The 1.7x10 can be bought for around $1400 now. And the new models have a heavier pled reticle which is finally bold enough to see in low light. The eyebox view through the Z6 models is much larger than the Z3 or Z5, and make acquisition of close targets very easy.

Leupold 1.5-5, 1-4, 1.75-6 are all good. A Zeiss Terra 2-7 is a good package for the $, and a low power VXR is a handy package in low light, even though 30mm. On a <200 yard deer gun, a low power with a German #1 or #4 is FAST and easy to see at dark. My daylight hog scope is a Trijicon 1-4, which does deer work just fine, too.

A compact 3-9x40 would be fine too. I like having the extra magnification for when I need to thread the needle between two trees 90 yards away

I went with talley light weight low rings and a leupold vxr 3x9x40 , it has a 30mm tube and an illuminated dot in the crosshairs and sits about as low as you can go without taking off the rear sight.

I would say you did fine. I always want a scope as low as possible on a lever because of the stock angle. Because of that,I will usually mount a 36mm,but you couldn't have gone much lower with any scope.

I appreciate it. I am particular about my gun set ups, I actually started with a medium ring and returned them for the low. I believe the 30mm tube really helps with getting the scope lower on the low rings versus a 1' tube scope.

I think you did good on mounting that too. That's riding just right on there.