I am searching for a scope for my new 338 lapua. I am really leaning toward a 9-36X56 Valdada with a 35mm tube. I will mainly be shooting targets at anywhere from 400 yards to 1 mile. I have done a good deal of searching about the quality of Valdada scopes and the consensus seems to be that they have very nice glass but their durability has been questioned. Is this a good scope for what I am looking for or is there something better out there?
Rifle Scopes Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
- Thread starter bward
- Start date
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
Haha...You kind of set yourself up on this one. There are a lot of opinions out there and I'm sure you will hear about S&B and USO scopes being much better for your application. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Haha...You kind of set yourself up on this one. There are a lot of opinions out there and I'm sure you will hear about S&B and USO scopes being much better for your application. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
I'm sorry but I should have stated in my original post that I would like to keep it around the $1750 mark or lower if possible.
Thank you
I'm sorry but I should have stated in my original post that I would like to keep it around the $1750 mark or lower if possible.
Thank you
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
No worries...Have you looked into Nightforce...that would be in your price range.
No worries...Have you looked into Nightforce...that would be in your price range.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
Yes I have... My thought process is that if the Valdada has the durability I need and they have better glass and I can get one for a few hundred cheaper than they should be the better buy. The 8-32 magnification NXS is probably my second choice at this point but I am anxious to see everyones opinion.
Yes I have... My thought process is that if the Valdada has the durability I need and they have better glass and I can get one for a few hundred cheaper than they should be the better buy. The 8-32 magnification NXS is probably my second choice at this point but I am anxious to see everyones opinion.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
Great scope lack of elevation..................couldnt get out past 1250 yards aprox if we wanted to maintain a 100 yard zero as well.
Go a Nightforce 5.5-22x56, oodles of elevation should be in your budget I think.
Great scope lack of elevation..................couldnt get out past 1250 yards aprox if we wanted to maintain a 100 yard zero as well.
Go a Nightforce 5.5-22x56, oodles of elevation should be in your budget I think.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
I need to say in your price range... go with the Nightforce 5.5-22.
If you roughly double your allowed budget ($2500-3000) you can look into Schmidt bender or Premier Reticles.
Also along those pricelines if you want to spec your own scope then US Optics will fill that need.
I need to say in your price range... go with the Nightforce 5.5-22.
If you roughly double your allowed budget ($2500-3000) you can look into Schmidt bender or Premier Reticles.
Also along those pricelines if you want to spec your own scope then US Optics will fill that need.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32?
In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32?
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
Because mirage will not let you use the higher mags most of the time, exit pupil is going to be very small, a lot less elevation than the 22x and you are going to see your heart beat in the scope at higher mags.
But in the end, its your scope, get the 32X and see if you like it, if not sell it and get a 22x.
Oh and a +1 for NF over IOR.
Because mirage will not let you use the higher mags most of the time, exit pupil is going to be very small, a lot less elevation than the 22x and you are going to see your heart beat in the scope at higher mags.
But in the end, its your scope, get the 32X and see if you like it, if not sell it and get a 22x.
Oh and a +1 for NF over IOR.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32? </div></div>
I would go with the higher magnification (8-32). You can always turn it down if you cannot handle the mirage. My vote would also be for the NF.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32? </div></div>
I would go with the higher magnification (8-32). You can always turn it down if you cannot handle the mirage. My vote would also be for the NF.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Papagrizzly</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32? </div></div>
I would go with the higher magnification (8-32). You can always turn it down if you cannot handle the mirage. My vote would also be for the NF. </div></div>
How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?
If the upper range is more or less useless in many cases, doesnt it make sense to have the lower end flexibility for speed of engagement at closer ranges?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Papagrizzly</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the nightforce why would you go with the 5.5-22 over the 8-32? </div></div>
I would go with the higher magnification (8-32). You can always turn it down if you cannot handle the mirage. My vote would also be for the NF. </div></div>
How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?
If the upper range is more or less useless in many cases, doesnt it make sense to have the lower end flexibility for speed of engagement at closer ranges?
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jack-OHow</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?</div></div>
338 lapua.... probably not going to be shooting it at 50 yards too often... I'd get the higher magnification if it was me.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jack-OHow</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?</div></div>
338 lapua.... probably not going to be shooting it at 50 yards too often... I'd get the higher magnification if it was me.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
Jack look into the Vortex Viper PST in 30mm and Razor HD in 35mm,both are FFP and at a good price range.The PST's should be out this month.
Jack look into the Vortex Viper PST in 30mm and Razor HD in 35mm,both are FFP and at a good price range.The PST's should be out this month.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
I would look at Hensoldt, Schmidt and Bender, and Nightforce.
I would look at Hensoldt, Schmidt and Bender, and Nightforce.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lucks</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jack-OHow</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?</div></div>
338 lapua.... probably not going to be shooting it at 50 yards to often... I'd get the higher magnification if it was me. </div></div>
My thoughts exactly! Get the largest magnification that is appropriate for the gun you have. For example, no point in putting a NF 12-42X on an AR15 type gun. On the other hand, that scope would be right at home on a custom F-Class rifle.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lucks</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jack-OHow</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> How do you turn down a 8-32 scope to use it at closer ranges like at 3x or 5x?</div></div>
338 lapua.... probably not going to be shooting it at 50 yards to often... I'd get the higher magnification if it was me. </div></div>
My thoughts exactly! Get the largest magnification that is appropriate for the gun you have. For example, no point in putting a NF 12-42X on an AR15 type gun. On the other hand, that scope would be right at home on a custom F-Class rifle.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Because mirage will not let you use the higher mags most of the time, exit pupil is going to be very small, a lot less elevation than the 22x and you are going to see your heart beat in the scope at higher mags.
But in the end, its your scope, get the 32X and see if you like it, if not sell it and get a 22x.
Oh and a +1 for NF over IOR.</div></div>
I have to agree with this post. Nightforce has already been proven in the field, absurdly durable and more than enough for anything a person would normally dish out.
Go with the 5.5-22x56, you won't regret it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Because mirage will not let you use the higher mags most of the time, exit pupil is going to be very small, a lot less elevation than the 22x and you are going to see your heart beat in the scope at higher mags.
But in the end, its your scope, get the 32X and see if you like it, if not sell it and get a 22x.
Oh and a +1 for NF over IOR.</div></div>
I have to agree with this post. Nightforce has already been proven in the field, absurdly durable and more than enough for anything a person would normally dish out.
Go with the 5.5-22x56, you won't regret it.
Re: Valdada 35mm scope for 338 lapua
I didn't have good luck with the FFP 3-18 IORs on a hard kicking 300 RUM, but other models I've used have been OK. I don't think I'd try the 9-36 as I've heard quite a few complaints about that scope and it has very limited travel.
The IOR that has me intrigued for this type of use is the new 6-24X56FFP Illuminated. I don't think they're available yet but that's the one I'd be looking at instead of the 9-36.
I didn't have good luck with the FFP 3-18 IORs on a hard kicking 300 RUM, but other models I've used have been OK. I don't think I'd try the 9-36 as I've heard quite a few complaints about that scope and it has very limited travel.
The IOR that has me intrigued for this type of use is the new 6-24X56FFP Illuminated. I don't think they're available yet but that's the one I'd be looking at instead of the 9-36.
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