I'm looking really hard at the new Leupold VX-3i 1.75-6x32.

It's plenty of scope for the intended use of this rifle. It doesn't break the bank.

Am I overlooking any other scopes in this class?

It needs to work at last light, needs to stand up to recoil, needs decent eye relief, needs to be able to reach out to 300 yards sometimes, needs to be fast in close in the thick stuff.

It's perfect! I had a VXII 2-7 on mine but your choice is better. Make sure the tube will fit the ring spacing before buying.

I have a Leupold 6x42 on my .358 Norma and wouldn't change anything about it. It has proven itself on brown bears and moose. I've never wanted a different scope for it, irrespective of whether I'm in the alders or on the tundra. There just isn't anything I'd want that rifle to do that the 6x42 won't do perfectly well.

Have a Leupold 2.5x-8x on my .358 NM.

Have the 2.5-8 on my 376 Steyr. Like that set up. 2.5 will do anything that 1.75 will and 2x extra on the top end is nice

More money but along this line I've been considering a Leica 1.5-8X32 and the Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8X32.

When I had mine I had a Burris 2-7x35 FF II on it and it survived. The OP's choice of possibly putting on a Leupold 1.75-6x32 should work well. I also had a 375 Ruger for a while and an older Leupold 2-7x33 worked great too.

I had an old pre-Fullfield Burris 4x on mine to start with but switched it out for the last edition M-8 Leupold 4x. Critters don't seem to care that they're magnified to old fashioned levels; neither do I.

I like the Vortex Viper 2 X 7 fits a LA Ruger better than the 2 X 7 Leupold I had on before and tracks and holds zero !

Don't have a .358 NM but do have several .350 RMs...

A Remington 7KS has a 1.75-6 and is a lightweight wonder. The bigger brother is a Montana Rifle Company 22" that has a 2.5-8 and will run a 250 at 2750 fps...right in NM contry.

Unless you are planning a lot of short range encounters with dangerous game I would go the 2.5-8 with the B&C reticle. At 2.5 it is just as fast for close work as a 1.75 and you would be surprised how much more an 8X top end over a 6X top end gives you at longer ranges...

Bob

Personally I don't buy scopes for a center fire with eye relief that's less than 3.5". On 6x the 1.75-6 is less than 3.5". Anything I'd shoot with a 358 mag is large enough for a straight 4x out to 300 yards.

This^

Have a 2.5-9 Leupold on a 550 in 416 Rigby. Plenty of eye relief and still a very fast acquisition.

+1 I've got one with the C3 reticle on my 9.3x62mm. There was one in the Classifieds a few days ago for $175 but it sold. Duplex reticle.

I think I would just go with a straight 4x33 if it will fit the rings. I don't think there is much up close you can't do with 4X on the low end and its enough to put a bullet where you want past 300yds.

I just shot a moose at about 15 feet on Tuesday with a 6x36, no problem. With the variable you have got more parts, variable eye relief and more weight.

Thanks for all the input. Midway had this on clearance for $830 so I could not resist.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/14...994&gclid=CMnIyLGmsM8CFZSMaQodRWwLmg

NICE!!!!

Now a picture when it is mounted would be appreciated...


Bob

You can bet I will. My barrel is scheduled to arrive from Kreiger some time in January.

Your pictures and some others I've seen have started me thinking this may end up a 35 Whelen and a new MRC X2 in 358 Norma may be in my future instead.

Mark

I've been very happy with the way the MRC gun shoots.

The original owner was from Michigan I believe. He ordered the barreled action from MRC and had his local smith bed it into a B&C stock to be used for an Alaskan bear hunt. After the hunt he ended up moving to Alaska. Decided to sell the gun and build a.... .358 Norma Magnum...

Because of the longer action I can seat the bullets so that the base of the bullet is at the base of the neck giving me a lot more room for powder. 250s are going 2700+ and 200 AccuBonds 2900+... Found a box of 280 grain Swift A-Frame but have not had a chance to load them yet...

My Dad passed last year and left me bout 6 custom Mauser Rifles n one happens to be a .358NORMA the rings n bases are Bhueler and the scope is old school M8 leupold in 4x33 very accurate and will knock the snot outta you on the bench.. If I was ta re scope I'd put a 6x42 Leupold FX3 .ScottyO.

I'm sorry for your loss. My dad is in his eighties and I think this will be in my future soon, too.
I'm in your area a lot. I am a service rep and my patch includes everything east of the Cascades. I was in Yakima yesterday, Kennewick twice last week. Walla Walla once. If you see a white Chevy work van with Idaho plates at Hole in the Wall or Ranch and Home. say hi. That's me spending my over time. .

Easy answer = take whatever the rifle cost X 2; any scope in that price range should do nicely.

I had a Leupold 1.75-6X32 on a 358 Norma for the better part of a decade. It could have been a straight 4X and I wouldn't have missed the other Xs at all.

I offloaded the Norma and went to a lighter 9.3X62. It wears a 6X36 LR.

Too True

My current one wears a 2.5X8 and my last one had a 1.75X6 Both work extremely well.

Look no further. I have that scope on a 350RM. ALL YOU NEED.

Got the Zeiss Conquest DL 30mm 2-8x42 today via UPS. I'm like a kid at Christmas trying to get this rifle finished. Still waiting for the Krieger barrel to get done.

I have been sticking with Muzzle Loaders and hand cannons for elk for a few years now. Next fall I will get a rifle tag to look for a nice bull. It will have plenty of time to work up loads and get a feel for the rifle.

Hey Rick ... I did the same thing. Had a 375CT and 358Norma. Both were sold and will be replaced with a much lighter 35Whelen.

Scope will be either a FXII 4x or older Vari-X III 2.5-8.

Leupold 4x33 with a German #4.