I just purchased a 338 LM on a XLR chassis. The current scope I have on it is a F1 NF 3.5x15 mil. I am finding that I want more magnification for a gun this big. My current dilemma is whether to buy a S&B or the new Beast from NightForce. After doing a lot of reading I am not sure about the quality of the S&B, although more people are using them on bigger guns. I do not care if the scope has fancy buttons or not, just a F1 and good glass.
I do not usually buy something when it first comes out, but NF has a good reputation. While there seem to be many posts around the net over the QC of the S&B now days. I know they are good scopes. This is my first bolt action rifle and try at long range shooting. In my personal opinion the caliber is overkill, but the gun shop had built it for another customer which was supposed to pick it up 2 months prior. There lies the good deal I got on it, gotta love left hand actions that nobody wants.
So I have two questions for the guys who have been doing this for a while.
1. Wait a bit and shoot the gun more before I decide to get another scope ?????
2. buy a S&B which may have quality problems or get the new beast.
I know there are other questions that are left unsaid, and may leave you wondering, so I will try to answer a few. Everyone around here shoots long range, I am more of a tactical AR-15 guy, but no one else is. I have been to 2 Costa classes and loved it. I have been reloading for 5 years on a dillon, but I am still new to the single stage press. I work with a bunch of guys that help me out with working up a load for it so far. It has been fun and a learning experience in many ways. I am just learning how to get behind the gun better and still testing loads, just waiting for my 300gr scenars to get here. I have access to a 1400 yard range, as well as shooting with friends at work who own property.
Lastly, the other pinch I am in is......I just ordered a SR-25 and was planning to put the NF on it before this purchase. So I am still down a needed scope to be able to shoot both guns.
I do not usually buy something when it first comes out, but NF has a good reputation. While there seem to be many posts around the net over the QC of the S&B now days. I know they are good scopes. This is my first bolt action rifle and try at long range shooting. In my personal opinion the caliber is overkill, but the gun shop had built it for another customer which was supposed to pick it up 2 months prior. There lies the good deal I got on it, gotta love left hand actions that nobody wants.
So I have two questions for the guys who have been doing this for a while.
1. Wait a bit and shoot the gun more before I decide to get another scope ?????
2. buy a S&B which may have quality problems or get the new beast.
I know there are other questions that are left unsaid, and may leave you wondering, so I will try to answer a few. Everyone around here shoots long range, I am more of a tactical AR-15 guy, but no one else is. I have been to 2 Costa classes and loved it. I have been reloading for 5 years on a dillon, but I am still new to the single stage press. I work with a bunch of guys that help me out with working up a load for it so far. It has been fun and a learning experience in many ways. I am just learning how to get behind the gun better and still testing loads, just waiting for my 300gr scenars to get here. I have access to a 1400 yard range, as well as shooting with friends at work who own property.
Lastly, the other pinch I am in is......I just ordered a SR-25 and was planning to put the NF on it before this purchase. So I am still down a needed scope to be able to shoot both guns.
