Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics what power scope for 338 win mag

So the two 338 Win mag rifles I got at auction need scopes, thinking should I go 2-7, 3-9, 4-12, as it being a fairly flat shooter might benefit from a high power scope, and not fixed power.

What do most use?

Something with enough eye relief to keep that sucker out of your eye I would think something with no more than 12 power on the top end.

Three of the four I had wore 2-7x33's. One had a 1.5-5x20. A 4x or 6x fixed or 2.5-8x36 would be a great choice too. Can't fathom wanting more X's than a 3-9.

I really like the trijicon 1-6 or 1-8 on a lead lobbying beast.

I'd use something that is mechanically SOUND,which precludes the Reupold Notions. Hint.

Zero stop,locking turrets,etched reticle,ilumination,parallax adjustment,FFP and an erector that jives,probably don't suck. Make mine a Gen 2 BTR Mil/Mil 2-12x,though I've barely a dozen of them in service. Beings you GOTTA look through the fhuqking thing to shoot it,you might as well have some mechanics that MATTER. Hint.











Though I've only had over 100++ Reupolds. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!..................

Mine has a 3.5-10x40 currently. Before that it had a 2.5-8x36. Both have worked well for me.

I'd say the main factor in deciding would be what sort of terrain you hunt in. In open country you might want more magnification than in the timber.

I’m a big 2-10 or 2.5-10 fan
I do like my Nikon m tactical in 3-12. Not many scopes in that 3-12.
Meopta has 3-15 as does tract.
Vx6 has 2-12
Wide field of view is much more important to me than max zoom. Get into thick stuff, you’ll be glad you have that.
Even though giant zoom now days it’s the hot ticket.
Here is a man Silhouette on the nikon at 850 yards on 12 power.
Zoom in and tell me if that’s not enough zoom and will you shoot that far?
https://i.imgur.com/n8jcekt.jpg

3.5-10x44 Zeiss Conquest works well on mine.

Thanks for the feedback, not sure where athlon is sold up here, on my 375 H&H I use 1,5-5 so thought this rifle will be used more in the open I hope.

I had a 2.5-8x36 Leupold on mine for almost 30 years. Recently switched to a 2-10x42 Tract Toric. I never felt handicapped with this power range even when shooting a caribou at 400 yards. Really like the lower power when hunting timber.

Mine wore a 3.5-10.

Have a couple of those too.

I've got an old 2-7 Redfield wideview on my 338.

2.5 x 8 Leupold VX3, mainly for the field of view when hunting in the trees.

IDK what most use, but I put a 2-10 VX5HD on mine.

I’ve got a 2.5-8 on one and a 6X with dotz on the other.

I’ve always had 3-9x40 on my .338’s but I’m thinking of getting another Athlon Helos 2-12 like Stick posted above. I put one on my Whelen and I really like it. I think it’s about perfect for my needs with a .338 in the dark jungle rainforests of the coastal PNW and SE Alaska.

4.5x10 Leupold on mine. I know it ain’t worth a cshit, but I can’t hit anything anyway.

I do like Big Sticks scope, need to get one to try.

Had a 2.5 - 10 B&L 4200 Elite on mine for many years but took a fall and bent the tube and had to remove it. Haven't decided on a replacement yet, but I'm leaning toward the Athlon Stick shows above. I have a couple lower models and I really like them. They are fairly compact and light for the range they exhibit... and the glass is excellent as are the controls....