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

I appreciate the opportunity to ask this question here.
I�ve had a Ruger 77, in .338 for 25+ years. I topped it with a Leupold VariX III, 2.5 to 8 scope. Both rifle and scope have served me well on many hunts over this time.
I have a grizzly hunt planned in Alaska this fall.
I got complete confidence in the rifle, but when I think about the scope and the many heavy loads through it over the years, I wonder if it is time to top it with a new scope.
Here is my question.
What new variable power scopes should I consider for this .338?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

i did not respond in the gunwriter thread because I thought you might want a gunwriter opinion.

My suggestion is not much different from the Big Redhead. I say go with the newer, brighter 2.5-8 of the same ilk. I have some Vari X III scopes about as old as yours that still function fine. My suggestion is to leave the old one in the rings and take it as a spare. Mount the new one, sight it in and give it about a 50-60 shot shakedown, then go hunting. Best wishes, jack

My .338 also has a 2.5x8 that I bought new in the late 70s. I recently sent it to Leupold for a check up and refurb, and it works great and I have complete confidence in it. I'd suggest you consider doing the same.

FWIW, I also have the same scope in VX-III and VX-3, and if I really try, I can tell a difference, but not much and certainly not worth the trouble of upgrade and check out of a new untried scope. Good idea on the spare business; I do the same w/ an older and indestructible 4x28 M8.

I put a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x32 on my 338wm. It will be more money but the glass is better and from what I can gather they are very robustly built.

And I'm taking it grizzly hunting next weekend.

The 2.5-8 is a nice scope on a .338, but my favorite by far is a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 (that specific model).

bingo!!

I like the idea of sending it for a thorough look at Leupold.
BUT it is always nice to have an excuse to get something even better! That scope you have is just hard to beat for that rifle.

I'm with Jeff. The 3-9x40 conquest has gobs of eye relief and a long enough tube to fit on my .338 without extended bases or rings.

But I also agree with the others that the scope you currently have is a great match. I don't think I would be worried about a scope that has lasted that long with no problems...