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Rifle Scopes New 338 Laupa rifle, new optic?

Muzzel

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 22, 2013
25
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Have a new 338LM rifle coming in and have no more then $1200 tops to spend for an optic for it. My shooting is restricted right now to no more then about 800 meters but that may change down the road to 1500+ meters. I have an IOR 10X I could slap on it now and call it good and use the $1200 to buy a couple boxes of Lapua ammo :)

But what do you all think you would buy optic wise, no hunting just target shooting. I'm done shooting animals unless that are attacking me or causing a major problems.
 
Well from all the recommendations :) I decided to go with a Leupold 6.5-20x50 hope it holds up well......
 
Almost every 338lm I've shot or owned was braked. So yeah that means no vortex pst or any other the others that can't take the concussion. Maybe a bushnell xrs, ers or hdmr.. I've shot them on 50bmg with no problems..

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Run your IOR for right now, and build your $1200 up until you can afford the scope you really need to shoot out to 1500. I use/love the ATACR on my 338!!!
 
I think the Leupold will work fine on this gun after checking in to it, thought about holding out and putting a little more money for a higher end optic like jkonzal suggested. But I really don't know anymore if higher dollar scopes gives that much better performance really. I know there are differences but not at the price point it takes to obtain one...just my thoughts.

Rifle is a Barrett 98B and should be a Hoot when it gets here! :)
 
I usually buy the optic first, then spend what's left on the rifle! :) That is a pretty expensive rifle to be limiting yourself on that budget. I was going to reply earlier saying to sell the IOR and add the proceeds to your $1200. With that being said, I have owned a MK 4 on an unbraked 300 win mag and it worked fine. I just didn't like how it was MIL/MOA. Your $1200 is almost $1500, which brings you into the realm of some decent used stuff or a Bushnell DMR. I have a NF NXS 5.5-22x on top of my .338 lapua. I do like it much more than my old MK 4.
 
the SWFA 5-20 is rated for .50 cal rifles. It comes in non illuminated for 1200 and illuminated for 1500 so you get 2 price options.
that is what I have on my 338LM and I can easily see what I need to at a mile.
 
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So, maybe a dumb question, but, how come Vortex isnt an option on a braked .338?

I thought they had pretty quality optics , can they not withstand heavier recoil?
 
So, maybe a dumb question, but, how come Vortex isnt an option on a braked .338?

I thought they had pretty quality optics , can they not withstand heavier recoil?


It most likely has to do with the concussion from the brake. My .338 with a brake does not recoil much more than my .260, but there is a bit of concussion that can be felt from the brake redirecting the blast.