Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Need Scope Advice for .338 Win Mag Elk Rifle

Looking for a scope for a .338 Win Mag to be used for elk and possibly someday bear. I limit myself to 300 yards for shots on live game.

I want 2.5x or lower on the low end and 8x minimum on the top end and an illuminated reticle.

I've been looking at the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x44. It seems to fill the bill and can be had for $600 or less.

What has been other's experience with this scope? What other scopes in this price range and fitting my requirements might be a better choice?

My experience with the Viper PST was not good. Pretty lame azzed scope.. I much preferred the Nikon monarch 2.5-10x42 over the Viper... However, with all things optics related YMMV.... Another great option with an illuminated reticle (the Nikon above didn't have an illuminated reticle) is the Bushnell elite 4200 2.5-10x40 with "firefly" reticle. Great scopes, but I got rid of mine because the crosshair was too thick. They do stand up to recoil well though.. Another option is the Leupold VXR. But, the closest power range would be the 3-9 model (with either 40mm or 50mm objective). This scope is within your price range as well..

I've ran a few different scopes on my 338's over the years like the 2.5x8, 4X's Leupold, 3x9 SS, 2.5x10 Swaro and I believe I'll be putting a 6x36 Leupold back on it. It has a lot of eye relief, all the X's I need on a 338 and is about as recoil proof a scope I've found. I like variables but the straight 6 like an SS or Leupold are the best fits for me.

Sorry to get off topic as you asked about Vortex.

I have a 2.5x10x44 PST, it has about 3000 rounds on it and dials have been twisted a lot.

It has been on a 300WM, 30-06 and now lives on a 223 Rem.

I have not experienced any issues at all, however, it is a fairly large scope for my Finnlight but ideal for a heavy tactical or varmint rifle.

Zero stop is nice, dials stay put with positive 'clicks', battery went dead after a couple years.

I also have a 4x16 PST on a 300WM tactical and have yet to experience any issues.

I have nothing bad to say about these scopes at the price point they are offered.

I also run Bushnell, Sightron and Leupold on hunting rifles......Leupold's are the only ones sent for repair but prefer them on a hunting rifle.

The 3-9x40 Conquest (old style) is what's on my .338. I'd call it a perfect fit. The ER characteristics are superb on a heavy kicker. Great bargain.

I have a 1968 Sako 338. Realizing the significant recoil, I opted for the most rugged scope I could get. She wears a Schmidt & Bender 3x12x42 Klassic. No worries, forget about scope troubles...not going to happen. Best glass out there.

I've had a half dozen 338's over the years & have never had a problem with Leupold 2x7's or 2.5x8's.

MM

For $600 with ill reticle you are looking at the Leupold VXR.

Here is what you want but way more money.
http://www.scopelist.com/kahles-helix-csx-25-10x50-l-4-dot-10220.aspx

What reticle ?

Not 57 but mine has a #4 and I love it. powdr

Under 300 yards and dead reliable sounds like a 4x application to me...Weaver Classic K4 or Leupold FX-II. Either would make a tough compact package and a std plex would cover all of that without any fuss. Of course it's not the "sexy" pick...

FWIW, all of the .338 Win Mags that I have owned wore 3-9x40 Leupold variables--VX IIs and Vari-X IIs and IIIs. Never had problem with any of them, even the VX II that I put on my 1903 Springfield custom back in 1991. I found that I used the 9X settings in the field just often enough to justify their presence, but never had the need for an illuminated reticle.

YMMV.

Get a Leupold 3.5 x10 CDS VXIII

I always liked my 3-9's on mine.

I'll have to research that Leupold 2.5-8x. It sounds promising. I've had good luck with Leupolds in the past.

The 2.5-8x36 is a great scope. The only hindrance with it is the tube mounting length. Sometimes not offering a lot of fore to aft adjustment, especially when mounting on a long action receiver (which a 338 win mag would have).. That's why on a long action, If I were going to use a Leupold it would be a VX3 3.5-10x40: Not giving up much on the low end and gaining more on the upper end. Also, better mounting length and similar weight as the 2.5-8...

Leupold 6x36 LRD

BSA's point is a good one... not much fore-aft with a 2.5-8 on a .338.

I ran a 2.5-8 on mine for a season or two, and while it was ok on low powers, very nice actually, the eye relief would really pull away from ya as the magnification went up... not a good feeling, to chase it forward on a heavy kicker!

I also ran a 3.5-10x44 Conquest on it for a couple years. That was pretty good, but I'm tellin' you, at this price point the 3-9x40 Conquest is an amazing optic on a long action rifle with some recoil. Miles of constant (more or less) eye relief, huge FOV, bright as heck, very visible etched reticle.... and plenty of tube length for mounting.

I've had good luck with my Leupold 2.5-8x36 Vari-X III I bought 25 years ago. It has never let me down even with the amount of recoil generated by the .338. I imagine the newer ones would be that much better.

Mine sports a Weaver K-2.5