Since money is tight, you might want to consider Athlon Optics Neos 6-18 X 44 SFP Scope with 1" tube and splurge on the mount, maybe Badger Ordnance, Leupold, or Vortex. .338 LM recoil is stout, and the etched reticle along with the tighter tolerances of your quality mount would go far in...