Help me pick a LongRangeHunting/Target Scope for a .338 LM

M

MattMoser

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I am in the processed of purchasing a rifle for dual purpose, hunting and long distance target shooting. I am pretty sure I have made up my mind on the .338 LM in a higher end or custom rifle. I have been looking at some high end scope manufactures but I am not “clear” if the retard-idly high prices are worth it. I currently have multiple rifles toped with Leupold scopes. Most reticles I own are the B&C on the hunting rifles and I have a Mil Dot on my AR. I guess I like the Leupold’s.

I have been looking at the Premier, Schmidt & Bender, Night Force, and cant forget about the Mark 4. So with this being said what would you guys do? I want to stay to the 25x Max magnification. I don’t want to go broke but I also don’t want to regret anything. I am a “newbie” to the long distance stuff so go easy with me.

Rifle will more than likely be the PGW C14 Timberwolf.

Please specify what reticle and as much detail as you can type out in the time you alot.

Thanks in Advance.

Matt
 
The eight or so 338 LP magnums that came and shot at my 1 mile range,1 was wearing a S&B, 6 were wearing 5.5-22 X 56 NXS NightForce scopes. 1 was wearing a 8-32 X 56 NXS NightForce scope. The reticle's varied but most had NPR1 or NPR2's.
With my 5.5-22X56 I can see hits on steel at 1 mile. I directed 6 shooters to the 1 mile target with my scope, by watching puffs in the snow. 13 people are on the 1 mile club list. 24 are on the 1500 yard club list. The best attended day at my range there was 14 nightforce and 3 other types of scopes. You won't regret buying a NightForce!!
 
I go a Nightforce 5.5-25x56 NP-1RR and a Schmidt 5-25x56 P4F both are excellent scopes, but the schmidt is the top of the line. Anyway you wont regret any of those.
 
Magou said:
I go a Nightforce 5.5-25x56 NP-1RR and a Schmidt 5-25x56 P4F both are excellent scopes, but the schmidt is the top of the line. Anyway you wont regret any of those.
Click to expand...

You mean the NF R1 reticle I hope the 1RR is a dogs breakfast of circles and lines and assorted useless clutter.

I am with tigrr
NF 5.5x22 or 8x32 as long as you realize that at higher power the number of times the additional magnification is useful will be limited at long range
 
I am biting my nails trying to decide between the Nightforce 5.5-22X56 or the 8-32X56. Here is my logic - perhaps it will help you:

The 5.5-22 has 100MOA of internal elevation while the 8-32 has only 65MOA. 22X is a lot of power, but I often seem to want more; the only time it is not maxed out is to first get on target, and even then I usually only drop it down to around 10X. If I choose the 5.5-22 I know I will never be upset with it, but I may end up feeling like I am missing out on the extra magnification.
If I get the 8-32 I will be limiting the maximum distance I will be able to reach, but according to the math this maximum distance is still beyond 1 mile (with a .338 Lapua AI 300SMK @ 3000fps) and lets face it - I am not good enough to be shooting beyond that distance. An upside to the 8-32 is that its capabilities come even closer to that of a spotting scope. A downside is that I will have too much magnification to hit gophers 20 feet in front of me when they are dumb enough to be that close.

I already have a 5.5-22 and am happy with it, but for this round I am leaning towards the 8-32. It would be great to compare the 2 side by side, but I have not had this opportunity yet. You can't really compare them at the store because for one thing pointing a rifle around in the city is frowned upon, and even if you just have the scopes you usually can't find anything far enough away to see them in their glory.

edit... Another up side for the 5.5-22 is that you can get a zero-stop, unfortunately you can't on the 8-32.
 
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I would agree to go either 5.5-22x or 8-32x NXS, with the slight nod going to the 8-32x.22x will probably be enough, but 32 is sure to be enough. The only downside is that 8 is still a lot of power for a 100-200 yard shot.
 
I am running 8x32s on my own 338LAI and several of my 50s. With the right rail and not wasting spendy ammo at targets under 200 yards I have yet to see a down side. There are times when mirage dictates that I turn the power down, but I believe better to have power you don't use on a rifle than not having it to use when needed.
The 1 mile mark comes up real fast with the 338 and as long as you can live with a 200 yard zero by using a plus 40 moa rail on a 338 there is enough elevation to get the bullet there.
 
rar said:
how about a weaver t24.?
Click to expand...

The new Weavers from Japan have short range calibration on both windage and Elevation On the wind knobs you have 0-4.5 mins. right, and 0- 4.5 mins. left. With 9 mins per revolution and 1/8 clicks. If you need 6 mins right you need to show 3.5 mins left at you zero point. The same for Elevation. If you near 6 mins up you need to show 3.5 down. Confusing to say the least beyond 400 yds. Cost me a match in Ottawa as I put my 2 sighters into the dirt at 500 m and went down 3 points on the first 2 record shots

Before 1995 They came from Japan with 0-8 calibration with 1 complete turn giving 9 mins. These are good for long range.

The really old T24 Weavers built in El Paso TX were steel and had 0-12 calibration with 1/4 min clicks

Those additions/subtractions are wrong in my windage calculations... even after thinking about it... but you get the point.


If anyone has extra 0-8 knobs, (The scopes come packed with 2 sets) PM me and we can talk trade.


NormB
 
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Rick,
my Stiller action will have a 20 moa rail on it. If I were to use a NF 8-32 on a standard 338 Lapua, what would be my maximum range assuming average velocities? (approximate)

Thanks :)
 
Shooter ----/ said:
Rick,
my Stiller action will have a 20 moa rail on it. If I were to use a NF 8-32 on a standard 338 Lapua, what would be my maximum range assuming average velocities? (approximate)

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

The 8x32s as you probably know have 65 moa built into them, so you will have just over 50 usable moa with a 20 moa rail.
You will need about 24 moa to get to 1000 yards, without running a program I would expect 1600 yards will be attainable without any problems.
 
Hmmmmmmmm, too late, Sightron is a good long range choice that won't break the bank, tons of magnification, good glass lots of adjustment.

Lots of competitions being won with them.
 
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