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Rifle Scopes 338 Scope Selection Help

New338

Private
Minuteman
Dec 16, 2012
8
0
69
Dallas, TX
Please help with your expertise? I am building a 338 Lapua Magnum and would like some help with scope selection. I intend to use the rifle for long range target shooting (up to 1 mile) and some long range Elk hunting in Colorado and New Mexico. I would like to have a lot of elevation and windage adjustment and would prefer to keep the budget below $1500, but might be nudeged to go higher. I am in my 50's and need a little help with magnification. Previously owned a Nightforce 5.5x22x50. There are so many scopes out there I thought I would ask the folks using the scopes their opinions. Thanks in advance for your input!
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

pretty tough to beat Nightforce!

Thats my first choice
Second would be a Vortex PST just based on price and amount it would actually be used!...
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

The pst is a nice scope but for those ranges it doesn't have enough elevation. For that price range I would stick with nightforce or a razor but both these scope are over 1500 the bushnell is very nice but I think it's still shy on elevation for those long 1 mile shots. But if u keep ur eye out you can get some real nice used optics on here
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

The NF 5-22 is a good compromise and should easily get to a mile. My preference is the 3-15 NF f1 because it has more elevation and ffp.
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

Yea,
I'm leaning toward the FFP myself. Being able to range at any magnification is appealing!
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

With a 3-15 NF f1 and MLR 2.0 ( 32 mils adj, and 4 mils hold) you can reach 2500yds.


I have yet to find a more capable set up.
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

I just took my NIghtForce 3.5-15 of my Barrett 338 LM because I am also looking for a FFP with a higher magnification range. I have not been able to find a quality scope with FFP under 2000. If you find one let me know because at this point I have narrowed it down to either the Schmidt Bender PM II or the new NightForce B.E.A.S.T. (I know stupid name).
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

Bushnell HDMR or DMR depending on reticle.
3.5-21 FFP, more like 4-21 once you get past the tunneling.

I wish optics engineers would stop designing scopes with tunneling, it's so deceptive. We buy lower power scopes for the wider FOV and once a scope enters the range where tunneling is introduced, the FOV is constant. My S&B PMII 5-25x is really a 7-25x as the FOV is constant from 7x to 5x.

Consequently I don't use it below 7x, or the DMR below 4x.

Joe
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

What do you think of your PM II? I am having a hard time deciding. I like the reticles on the NF more than S&B. Is also true the PM II only has 64 MOA? Those two are the only reasons why I may choose NF over S&B.
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

I run a 5.5-22x56 MOAR HS ZS on mine and a few other rifles and 22 power works great. Can easily see splash out to 2000 yards with it. My vote is A Nightforce.
 
Re: 338 Scope Selection Help

The SWFA SS HD 5-20x50 is priced at 1499.00 and is a FFP. All reviews I have read are grest. I live in Texas so next week I am planning on visting them and taking a look. Will let you know!