Scope for my 338LM??

[Jeff000]

Right now I have a 6.5-20x44 Vortex, and while I love the scope, it just doesn't have the magnification to get out there. Realistically 1000m is about where I will call my long shots, but will still try farther out for fun.
I was thinking of going for a fixed power, something like a 36x sightron. But have a feeling that the fixed high power will not be so great all the time. I will still use this rifle to take down coyotes, and well probably whatever gets in the crosshairs.

Is the sightron the most cost effective option? would something like the 8-32x56 be enough? Or will I be left wanting more?

And what reticle do I want? I figure picket fence might be the best eh?

 

[ivo]

6-20x is more than enough to get you well past 1000yds. Having said that, I don't know what quality of glass is like in your Vortex. I have shot past 1000m with my USO 3.2-17 and most recently today 930m with a friends .308 wearing a Schmidt and Bender 4-16x with no issues at all. Maybe you should be looking at better glass opposed to more magnification, just a thought.

BTW I would highly recommend NOT going with a high fixed power scope, if you want fixed power go with a straight 10x, maybe USO(there are others, I am just not too familiar with the latest offerings of fixed power scopes these days) or some other scope with good glass.

Again just my opinons here.

 

[Kevin M.]

To start with a budget would be nice...

Don't go with a fixed power for the kind of shooting you will do. I have a fixed 20x sightron on my .338LM and it is very good glass, a good scope, but there are many times I wish it was a variable for long range or short range, and for spotting other shooters.

In my opinion, anything in the 5-25 magnification range is ideal for multi distance shooting.

I have many scopes, Sightron, Nightforce, Premier, Burress, Vortex, Leupold, etc.

My absolute favorite of them all is the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22. Everything about this scope is what a tactical scope should be and more, if you have the budget.

If not, I would still highly recommend sightron as your scope, just not a fixed. They have excellent quality glass and precise turrets for the cost.

 

[Jeff000]

6-20x is more than enough to get you well past 1000yds. Having said that, I don't know what quality of glass is like in your Vortex. I have shot past 1000m with my USO 3.2-17 and most recently today 930m with a friends .308 wearing a Schmidt and Bender 4-16x with no issues at all. Maybe you should be looking at better glass opposed to more magnification, just a thought.

BTW I would highly recommend NOT going with a high fixed power scope, if you want fixed power go with a straight 10x, maybe USO(there are others, I am just not too familiar with the latest offerings of fixed power scopes these days) or some other scope with good glass.

Again just my opinons here.

I have the mildot reticle. At 1500m the dot covers a fair amount of the target. The glass is good, it's just still too far away.

To start with a budget would be nice...

Don't go with a fixed power for the kind of shooting you will do. I have a fixed 20x sightron on my .338LM and it is very good glass, a good scope, but there are many times I wish it was a variable for long range or short range, and for spotting other shooters.

In my opinion, anything in the 5-25 magnification range is ideal for multi distance shooting.

I have many scopes, Sightron, Nightforce, Premier, Burress, Vortex, Leupold, etc.

My absolute favorite of them all is the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22. Everything about this scope is what a tactical scope should be and more, if you have the budget.

If not, I would still highly recommend sightron as your scope, just not a fixed. They have excellent quality glass and precise turrets for the cost.

Budget, cost effective. I hate buying stuff twice. But I don't need to spend silly amounts either.

Is the nightforce that much nicer than the sightron? You don't find the lower magnification an issue shooting longer range?

 

[marcoman]

How much magnification do you need? I've shot to 1000m many times with a 6.5x55 wearing a Leupold Mk4 3.5-10x40 with mil-dot reticle. No muzzle brake and could easily spot my misses and correct accordingly. This is not to say higher magnification isn't appreciated but 20-25x is plenty for 1000m+.

 

[pilot2001]

I shoot out to 1400 with my 22x NF , Its fine. I look at 1800yds with it and will have no problem at that range with it either. Dont know what else to say other than your glass may not be that great due to Make/model

 

[savagelover81]

I use a 12.5-50 smit and bender on my PGW .338 and a 2.5-10 hi lux on my HS .308. SWFA makes some awesome scopes with clear glass at great prices if your looking for fixed. I use one ( fixed 16) on my Savage 110 BA.

 

[johnl]

Get a 42x USO SN-9 or a March 80x

 

[JayCarver]

To start with a budget would be nice...

Don't go with a fixed power for the kind of shooting you will do. I have a fixed 20x sightron on my .338LM and it is very good glass, a good scope, but there are many times I wish it was a variable for long range or short range, and for spotting other shooters.

In my opinion, anything in the 5-25 magnification range is ideal for multi distance shooting.

I have many scopes, Sightron, Nightforce, Premier, Burress, Vortex, Leupold, etc.

My absolute favorite of them all is the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22. Everything about this scope is what a tactical scope should be and more, if you have the budget.

I agree with kevin, I have spent the last year shooting a 308 out to 1200yds with a NXS 5.5-22, never once felt that I needed more magnification, sometimes I even dialed it down to 15-20 in heavy mirage. I picked up mine used for $1800, can't go wrong for the value for the dollar.

 

[ivo]

I have the mildot reticle. At 1500m the dot covers a fair amount of the target. The glass is good, it's just still too far away.

Its not too far away, your reticle is too fat! Take that into consideration when you are shopping for that scope, maybe FFP or a SFP with a finer reticle. I still think your glass is an issue, maybe it looks good to you but have you compared it side by side with some high quality glass like a S&B, Premier Reticles, USO even Zeiss or Nightforce? Maybe thats your next step.

You have to remember at 1500 yards away, regardless of which reticle you go with, it will cover a fair amount of the target.