I ran that 2.5-8x36 on a .338 for over 25 years and used it on at brown bear at 30' in low light and quite a few caribou and moose that were mostly shot under 200 yards. The rifle was a Mod. 70 in and I have one with the B&C reticle on a little Husky 1640 in 30-06. Most of the time the scope was on 2.5 when I pulled the trigger which was ok as most the animals were broadside and mostly stationary. I had also done considerable shooting out to 300 yards on 2.5 power and caribou and moose are a big target.
The 2.5-8 and the Nightforce SHV 3-9x42 could both benefit from another half inch of scope body to make mounting on 30-06 length actions easier. But, the trend state side is short action so they get the nod from scope makers. I have a 3.5-10x40 with the B&C reticle on my old Fetherweight Mod.70 in 30-06. So I think it depends on how much eye relief adjustment one needs for their shooting style.
