338 Lapua Optics Question
- Thread starter Bowie
- Start date
With a big boomer you might also want to consider construction. Might be worth upgrading to the NSX over the SHV.
As I've said here before, the further you go out, the less critical magnification is.
If you are shooting precision at 100-300y, then you want all you can get. You measure accuracy in heartbeats, etc.
When you are shooting 800-1500y, a heartbeat isn't going to affect your shot. Wind calls are far more important. Zooming in all the way reduces the information you receive, and if your gun's recoil isn't controlled, also prevents you from seeing hits.
I often shoot 800-1000 at 13-16x. With larger view scopes I can bump that up to 20-25 and still have a wide field of view (Razor Gen II, ATACR, etc). The NSX, SHV, and my Gen 1 Razor is a narrow field of view scopes.
As I've said here before, the further you go out, the less critical magnification is.
If you are shooting precision at 100-300y, then you want all you can get. You measure accuracy in heartbeats, etc.
When you are shooting 800-1500y, a heartbeat isn't going to affect your shot. Wind calls are far more important. Zooming in all the way reduces the information you receive, and if your gun's recoil isn't controlled, also prevents you from seeing hits.
I often shoot 800-1000 at 13-16x. With larger view scopes I can bump that up to 20-25 and still have a wide field of view (Razor Gen II, ATACR, etc). The NSX, SHV, and my Gen 1 Razor is a narrow field of view scopes.
Glock4ever
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
The .338 LM is a very capable round and you would be limiting your ability to shoot at longer ranges (>1200m) with a 15x scope. I am running a 5-25x56 S&B on mine. I would never use this type of scope on anything smaller than a .30 Cal or greater magnum as it is way too big a scope but I generally never shoot my .338 at distances less than 300m because it is a massive waste of cash and you won't really glean any pertinent info regarding your rifle's exterior ballistics at such short ranges. That being said it is your baby so you need to figure out what you are realistically going to shoot (what your range will allow you to do). I prefer higher grade scopes at lower powers to higher power lower grade options for heavy recoiling rifles simply because I need to know with certainty that the adjustments are correct.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I would be looking at the NSX out of your choices there. Unless your going for super small groups at 1000+. I find that almost all of my longer range shooting is done at 10-16x, my spotting is done at higher mag, that is a personal choice, your results may vary. I am running a 5.5-22 with a MOAR reticle, it will give me any range I need. Be patient and wait for a used 5.5-22NSX, it will be the answer your looking for. The SHV is great for hunting rifles, maybe not for precision and tactical, but I could be wrong. There is a reason the price differs...
captainmike
CGN Regular
- Location
- GVA- fraser valley BC
for my 338 i like 5-25 either NF Sightron or S&B or if you have the $ go for the tangent theta
Unless you don't plan to shoot your .338 to its true range, I'd stick to the 5.5-22x NXS or similar. I don't know what they cut corners on to reduce cost on the SHV models, but that's not something I would run on a rifle with moderate recoil.
I use the 5.5-22x NXS for my big boomers, and between all my guns I have about 2500 .50BMG and 3000 .338LM with those scopes, with no problems of any kind ever.
I use the 5.5-22x NXS for my big boomers, and between all my guns I have about 2500 .50BMG and 3000 .338LM with those scopes, with no problems of any kind ever.
Reticle is too thick for precision work. I sold mine at 600$ loss to upgrade to a sb pmii 5-25.
Other than lack of target turrets and 1" tube it's pretty good glass. I wouldn't hesitate to recommended to a hunter, but precision work is not it's intended rol.
Save yourself the head ache and jump into a scope you can dial, you won't regret it, if you like Night force great go with it but don't rule out other options of brands in the same price range that are equally as good, Kahles, US Optics are a couple that seem to show up once in a while for a good price....as far as magnification 15x will allow you to go to a mile and beyond as your practice and knowledge grows, but the higher Magnification never hurts.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Sightron, NF, March, S&B and tangent theta are certainly brands that are doing well on boomers. Glass and mechanicals - become more important the further you go.
Jerry
Jerry
Sorry if I missed someone else's comment about this. Make sure you buy a scope with a minimum of 100 MOA of vertical adjustment. Eventually someday you'll appreciate the extra adjustment. The 5.5-22x56 NXS is an awesome place to start looking. You have enough scope there with a 20 moa rail to hit 1760 yards easily. And, in all honesty, that's where all the fun is when shooting the Lapua! Good luck and choose wisely.
If you have a scope with 100 moa of adjustment why would you use a 20 moa rail? That means you would be wasting the bottom 30 moa left in the scope. Much better to go with an easily available 40 moa rail, at least, and use the full potential of your scope.
