Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics New scope for a .338 Win Mag

The first gun I built in gunsmithing school (TSJC, 1992) was a .338 Win Mag for hunting elk in Colorado. The scope I put on it was what I could afford at the time being a self supported student. Went elk hunting one season (unsuccessfully) and haven't been in elk country since. Now I'm in Kentucky for good and will be putting in for the elk draw until I can't go any more. I am a proficient shooter, but will limit myself to 500 yards (and considerably less if possible) on any animal nowadays.

I need some recommendations for a new scope for my .338 WM with a max budget of $1K. I am not a scope snob, meaning I don't care where it is made, etc. I just want the best performing piece of glass I can get for the $. Any real world assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Leupold VX 111 3.5-10x40

I had one of those on a tactical rifle, but sold it to a buddy. Perhaps it's time to get another. Thanks for the quick reply.

Look at Meopta too, give Doug at Cameraland a call. He will hook you up

Nightforce 3-10x42 SHV.

Leupold M8 4x or 6x

I hunt moose in Alaska, and one of my .338WMs has had a Leupold matte Vary-X III 2.5-8x since the early 90's. This scope is a little on the short side for my LOP. However, it should be just fine for others (my arms are on the short side, too). I have never had to take a shot that required more than 4-6x. All depends on how far your self-imposed shooting distance is (300 yards for me on moose). The other .338WM rifle (new) has a Leupold VR-X 3-9 x 40 FireDot #4 reticle. The reason why I prefer the low end of the power side to be 2 to maybe 3x is because sometimes moose (or something else, for that matter) can be close, and I want a field of view as wide as possible.

For $1K you could always buy a better scope than the one I have on my rifles.

Yes! What he said! memtb

Zeiss 3.5-10x44

VX-3i 2.5-8x36 Leupold with the Boone and Crockett reticle, fills the bill for me. From dark timber to 500 yards and low light conditions. Plus, it's lightweight to handle the recoil of stout loads....with plenty of eye relief.

The bad news is, it looks like Leupold has dropped that combination from it's lineup. WTF?

Andy3

3 x 9 or 3.5 x 10 Meopta, Luepy, or Zeiss. A couple nice used Kahles 3 x 9s in the classifieds now.

The Meopta MeoPro is a great choice. I'm in all day Monday so give me a call, 516-217-1000, and I for sure will hook you up.

AGREED X2 I just ordered another Niteforce 3-10x42 from midway

When I was a 338 WM devotee, all mine wore the simple Leupold 2-7x33. I think that scope, a 6x36 or 2.5-8x36 are ideal.

I'd get some sort of aiming marks like the LR duplex or B&C reticle. However, Leupold has stupidly ditched dots and the B&C in the 2.5-8, so you may have to search a bit.

Or just get a Burris 2-7x35 with ballisitc plex:

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/fullfield-ii-riflescopes-series/fullfield-ii-riflescope-2-7x35mm

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I've had a half dozen 338's over the years; all wore either e Leupold 2-7 or a 2.5-8.................none broke, all worked.

But I also really like the package that is the NF SHV 3-10x42, just wish the reticle was a little heavier; I have a couple with the MOAR version.

MM

Leupold VXIII. 4.5 x14 x50.

2.5-8X36 LEUPOLD

Mine is getting a zeiss HD5, 3-15X50 mostly because that's the one I have available right now. Probably more than I need at the high end but it'll work.

MontanaMan,

Nightforce has had a heavier, plex-type reticle they call the Forceplex in the 3-10x42 SHV since last year--and now offers a 4A reticle as well.

Mule Deer, I checked the NF website and saw this....

The Nightforce™ 4A reticle adds a high degree of precision to a classic hunting design. Posts at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions bring the eye quickly to the target, but unlike many heavy, bulky plex-style reticles, the 4A provides an exceptionally clean, uncluttered field of view. This makes it ideal for running game, as well as on stationary targets, virtually anywhere in the world. (Not available in North America)


I guess its a German #4 reticle that is truly made for Germans (or....other than North Americans!). Maybe that will change?

Andy3