Scoping a .338 Win Mag

[Bishopus]

So I've been struggling to find just the right optics for my .338 Win Mag. I had a big ol' 50mm objective on it previously, which was fun at the range but not so much out in the field. I switched to a medium magnification variable (ye olde 3-9x40), but I keep feeling like I'm giving up a 'best' choice in favor of a good 'all around' choice.

Please feel free to chime in with personal experience, or just vote and throw nickles from the peanut gallery;-)

 

[MHUNT]

Well.. I've always had a leupold 2-7 on my 338, because I like to be able to have it turned down for close in stuff, particularly when gutting a moose in grizzly country. That said the only time I've shot something in defence, was a cougar that was climbing into the boat after my then nine year old son. That was with a 2-7 set on 7 power at very close range. A little bit fuzzy but it worked.
My son and I are currently collaborating on his graduation present which is a Sako 75 stainless synthetic in 338. We have decided on a Zeiss 3 1/2 - 10 X 44. That won't be happening till the term deposit matures in October, so we still have time to change our minds.
My 338 is a Belgium made browning, and if I have any funds left over I may upgrade to a Leupold 2 1/2 - 8 X 33.
What rifle is your 338?

 

[Gatehouse]

It really comes down to how far yo intend to shoot!

I use Vari X III 2.5-8x36 on my 7RM, 300WSM and I had oen on my 338WM when I owned one. To 350-400 yards, i dont' think you need more.

 

[BC Bigbore]

A standard power Leupold VariX III 2.5-8x36 is what's mounted on my .338WM. From close to far, it covers it all. FWIW, I think it looks better than those huge lensed "spotting scopes" some folks mount on their rifles

 

[Scott_N]

Right now I have a straight 4X on my 338, but I've been thinking about changing it to a 2X7 for a little more versatility..... so that's what I voted for.

 

[BIGREDD]

I have a 2-7 on one and it works great... lots of eye relief and enough magnification for a long range shot.
If I was buying new it would be a Luepold VXIII in a 1.75-6 X 32mm or a 2.5-8 X36mm.... depending on the weight and intended use.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Most of my 338WM shooting was inside 250 yards, so i opted for a leupold 1X4
Worked well for me, and was small in size too.

 

[B.Ruddick]

Well I don't have a 338Win Mag, but close enough with a 340Wby on it's way.

After reading this thread, I am wondering if I made the right choice, I have selected a 4.5-14X40 AO Vari-X III for this heavy hitter.
But
I also have a 3.5-10X40 AO Vari-X III that may stay on it, when it's done being built.

I might have a Vari-X III 2.5-8X36 coming soon also (providing I win the bid).

Or I could switch out one of my Vari-X II 4-12X40 AO in place of one these instead.

Maybe I should just mount some of those Leupold Quick Release mounts and switch out scopes for a bit to see what I will like the best while I break-in the barrel and fiddle with some loads.

I also thought about having this sort of base system just for in case of a slip and smash a scope (don't want it to happen but it could) this way rather than bringing a second rifle as a backup, a second scope would weigh far less and just drop in place. (this is for when I'm up on the plateaus hunting sheep)

I wonder how well these bases would hold up to the recoil though? and how well they would hold zero while in use or just dropping in another scope that was already sighted in? UHM? Any thoughts?

As you see these are my four choices.
By the looks of things most that replied so far are aimming at the Vari-X III 2.5-8X36mm.
Decessions decessions, what are we to do.

Mhunt - nice gift.

 

[mcrae555]

I like the Leupold 2.5x8x36mm VXIII. I have had about three .338 Win Mags in the past couple of years and they all wore the Leupold. I currently have another on the way and waiting for it is a Leupold VXIII 2.5x36

 

[stanway]

Well, from the information you supplied, I would suggest the 'all around' variable.

 

[true north]

12 years ago I put an Elite 3000 3x9x40 on my .338, fully intending on replacing it with an Elite 4000 1.5x6x36. It never happened, and the 3x9 was such a nice fit, I left well enough alone.

 

[Levi Garrett]

Tough choices, toss up between the low var, and the fixed 4 or 6 power.
I got a 6 x 42 fixed leupold on my 375 h&h . Would change that for dangerous game, but for now its perfect for Elk/moose

 

[Steyrtac]

Scope

I put a Burris 2-7X35mm, it's a pretty compact scope and it don't look bad at all on my Mannlicher stocked .338.
The optics are great as good as a Vari-X-x III in my book.

 

[DarrylDB]

I have a Burris signature 3-9 on my 338, and its IMHO perfect for the rifle...
Not too high magnification, and not to low for long range shooting with it either...
All I can say, is it works for me...

 

[beretta boy]

Either a Leupold VXII in 1-4 for the thick stuff, or 2-7 if the habitat/range
provides for some longer shooting. Even at 300 yards, 9 power isn't substantially any better on a moose-sized target than 7 power ... so my option would be for the more compact scope size ... with lots of eye relief.

 

[t-star]

i went with a bushy 4x12 x40 banner dusk- it was roughly the same price as the 3x9x40 but you get a better scope, only lose 1 x mag in the botton and gain 3x in the top-i was finding i was on 4x most of the time anyway, so now all my rifles wear the 4x12

 

[Silverado]

I'll ditto all the other reco's of a VXIII 2.5-8X36, and I'd get the B&C reticle.

I've settled on this scope for all of my all purpose hunting rifles. The only ones that are wearing something different are my varmint rifle (VXIII 4-14X50) and one of my bush rifles (VXII 2-7X33)

 

[Elk man]

Well, from the information you supplied, I would suggest the 'all around' variable.

X2

 

[Ruger No.1]

Great timing on this post, Bishopus. I'm just going through the same quandry with scoping a Ruger No.1 in this caliber. I have been leaning towards the Leupold Fx 6 power because:

1. I usually run my variables at 5 - 6 power
2. I think the fixed power gives about 1 in. more in eye relief if I'm reading the spec charts correctly.

I got this caliber because I've been spending more and more time in very active griz country and while I have no interest in shooting one, that would change quickly if one got nasty while I was gutting an animal. The idea of having a variable cranked down for this situation that another poster mentioned has a lot of merit.

 

[Bishopus]

I got this caliber because I've been spending more and more time in very active griz country and while I have no interest in shooting one, that would change quickly if one got nasty while I was gutting an animal. The idea of having a variable cranked down for this situation that another poster mentioned has a lot of merit.

Yeah, that's just it--I don't _intend_ to take any short range shots with this rifle, but you never know... the FXII 6x is a sweet scope with plenty of eye relief, I just don't know how useful it'd be in a 20 yard omifrickinggodshootitshootitshootit-type situation...

Thanks for all the feedback guys, as much as I like the simplicity of a fixed, I think the variable is where I'm leaning too.