Rifle Scopes Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

M

Mattrmvpd

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 30, 2004
1,337
441
South Georgia
#1
I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a .338 LM. It will have a 20 MOA base on it.. and I am looking to STRETCH this BEYOND 1000...

I am needing a scope that meets the following:
DURABLE
DEPENDABLE
Preferr Mildot/or a ranging reticle TMR etc...

Here is the kicker... Due to other things going on ... I cant drop $1500 or $2K on a scope RIGHT NOW...

So... I need a value scope.... that will still hold up..

I have looked at a few USED Mark 4 Leupy 6.5 X 20 powers... and a 16X Super Sniper...

If you all can... throw out some ideas on what you think will work and hold me over for a little while...

**Some will ask WHAT i will be using this for... Its going to be a paper and steal slapper... and go to some matches here and there... NOT A DEPARTMENT WEAPON... I have a .308 for that work...

Thanks,
Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.)
 
#2
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

Consider a used Leupold MK4 16X. You can usually find one for around $800-$900 140 moa internal elevation.

I have one on a 45 moa base, it gives me 118 moa "up" from a 100 yard zero. That's enough to get you to 2000+ yards with the 338 Lapua.
 
#3
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mm128</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Here is the kicker... Due to other things going on ... I cant drop $1500 or $2K on a scope RIGHT NOW...

So... I need a value scope.... that will still hold up..
</div></div>

Not what you want to hear ... But I would say save the $800 or whatever you have and are planning to drop on the budget scope and save it towards the higher end USO/NF/S&B etc that you want. If you just HAVE to get something on the rifle so you can shoot it ... grab a cheap 10x SS and work your load development and data gathering out to 1000. Will keep you busy until you can get the optic you want.
 
#5
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

Good ideas..

I will start looking around...

I would LOVE to have a power range into the 20's... or 25 range...

We will see...

IF ANYONE hears of ANY good deals on something... let me know.

Thanks
Matt.
 
#6
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

I would consider carefully what range you need to get to with adjustments, as there are more OK used scopes with 65MOA total adjustments (at least more than with a 100 MOA ;-) to pick from.

In your case with 20MOA offset mounts and a 65 MOA scope you would get a nominal 52 MOA total up adjustment (half of the 65 plus the 20 MOA), which should get you past a 1000 to 1200 yards depending on your loading. If you wish to go farther then one can always use the mill dots (or lines) for extra hold over. Check out JBM Ballistics for you exact load.

Another option to the SS (which is interesting and always available) is being fall might find a used 1" high power sporting scope for a good price (i.e. some of the guys trade varmint gun/scope for bird gun or deer gun/scope and then repeat for spring or the motorcycle ;-), ideally along the lines of a used Leupold 6.5x20 or similar. Have an older VarX II that is the extra, that has worked ok out west at shoots when had an extra/new gun (no where near the resolution or adjustment of the Nightforce or even VarX IIIs but was not much more than a good set of rings when I got it used ;-).

Some of the Leupold Mk4 with 40mm objectives and not having mill dots can be found for your price range and have 95 MOA total adjustment ... but you still end up with a scope not having mill dots and have spent nearly half the budget for a NF ... been there done that ;-).
 
#7
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

Thanks guys,

It looks like I will be ONLY using Black Hills 250 grn Match ammo...

I want to be in the range of 1800 - 2200 yards ...

Soo... the MOST MOA adjustments that I can get the better...

Realistically... If i have to go over the $1K budge by a few hunddred or so to get what I want that will work and hold up... I am OK with that...

Keep the ideas coming.

Matt.
 
#9
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

mm128

+ 1 for the Nightforce!

In my humble opinion, you cannot go past the Nightforce NXS series.

My suggestion would be the 5.5-22 x56 with either the mil-dot or MLR in mils HOWEVER considering your LEO background go with whatever combo works for you considering you already have the ground work fully covered.

My reason for chosing this scope

- I own one and have used other Nightforce scopes and they always perform.
- They are built like a tank, something you dont normally associate with optics
- The .338LM will not knock it out of order
- Has enough internals to get you out very far 1.5k+
- Positive clicks and feel in the turrets
- Illumated reticle is standard
- Fantastic customer service
- Great re-sale value
- The rings and base that complement the scope are top quality
- Proven track record with many long range competition shooters and the scope of choice on the Cheytac platforms
- A great american product (altho Ive heard talks about the design originating from Australia?
laugh.gif
)

One of the biggest pluses for these scopes, is that even though they command a high price, they still offer what I consider the best value for money out of all of the high end scopes.
 
#12
Re: Scope Opinion WANTED for .338LM

look into the sightron sIII 6-24 with mildot and target turrets, very good glass for around $700 i think. its sfp but you cant have it all for under $1000. don't get stuck on high power magnification, clarity matters more than magnification. why do you think hensoldt and s&b sell so many 3-12's and 4-16's. i have shot a fixed 10x out past 1000yds multiple times and i didn't feel handicapped by it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

PRS-JohnB
Best Premium Hunting Scope
Replies
36
Views
3K
CSTactical
CSTactical
Y
Arken 4-16 vs Athlon 4-14
Replies
8
Views
683
yosemite_sam
Y
S
Help me pick a scope for my daughter
Replies
31
Views
969
hlee
H
1
A little help with scope decisions
Replies
14
Views
1K
Soblack62
Soblack62
GoGunnr
Rifle Scopes GUNNR HEIMDALL 6-24×50 HPVO Rifle Scope Review: Budget Friendly and Built Like a Tank
Replies
0
Views
201
GoGunnr
GoGunnr
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts