which scope to use on my 338 win mag
- Thread starter mikeboehm
- Start date
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Maybe it's the 50mm objective that makes it feel bulky. The 3.5-10x40 doesn't feel like an overly large scope. A 2.5-8 is smaller, but the tube is also shorter and with some rifles you run into problems with eye relief as you're limited on positioning between the rings.
Not my picture, but this shows size difference well. Top and middle is VX3 3.5-10x40, bottom is 2.5-8x36
http://s621.photobucket.com/user/hwgtyd/media/triplets.jpg.html
I have 3.5-10X40 & 4.5-14X40 VX3s on my Sako 75's, to me they are proportionate to the rifle. Where as I usually run a 2.5-8X36 VX3 on my M700's, again they seem proportionate to the rifle. I don't have any recent pictures with extra low Optiloks and/or ring mounts but this picture at least demonstrates proportions despite the too high ring height.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
The good sergeant isn't wrong. At the same time, the same scope you have with a 40mm objective would be much nicer than that 50mm abomination you have now. But I tend toward smaller objectives rather than larger ones so 33mm is more my speed than 40 or 50. 40mm seems to be a pretty accepted standard objective these days. last light has, apparently, gotten darker over the years despite better scope construction and lens coatings.
I believe that mornings and evenings have gotten progressively darker over the years; at about the same speed the trails are getting longer and steeper. I did hear an alternative explanation once, but its too ridiculous to repeat.
To all of you hunting under 1/2 hour before/after sunrise/sunset rules a good quality 40mm may be enough. To those hunting 1hr before/after it is not. Many people say, "shooting light is over" or "it's too dark to shoot" and pack it up without realizing there is still plenty of time to go. Of course the one's in the "it's too dark to shoot" category are probably right...but it's due to limitations in their equipment. I always check sunrise/sunset tables before I head out. It is a really eye-opening experience (no pun intended) to see how dark it is 1 hour before sunrise which is, in BC, legal shooting light.
I should add that reticle design and style make a very big difference in low light capability too.
I should add that reticle design and style make a very big difference in low light capability too.
my gun is a sako 75 stainless synthetic with a mcmillan hunter stock on it. it has sako optilock mounts and with the vx3 3.5-10x50 the gun weights 10lbs 1.2oz . the gun bare weighs 8lbs 11oz. i wanna get this rifle lighter. what would u do. i know the leupold ringmounts are the lightest but will they stand up to this calibers recoil
IMO it's not about the chambering. If you are going to be sitting in a blind, watching the edges of a cutblock or some other similar style of hunting and you want to take advantage of last legal light then get a good quality scope with a larger objective lens. IMO just getting a scope with a bigger lens is not a good trade-off for quality. You need to match the scope to the job, or find the right level of compromise. I think that the Leica ER 2.5-10x42 and the VX6 2-12x42 are both good compromises for all around use.
If weight is a consideration then look at the Swarovski Z3 in either 3-9x36 or 3-10x42. They are both very nice optically and are quite light too. As for getting your Sako lighter - you may be better off to just sell it and get something that is lighter to begin with. Is your McMillan a "magnum fill" stock?
If weight is a consideration then look at the Swarovski Z3 in either 3-9x36 or 3-10x42. They are both very nice optically and are quite light too. As for getting your Sako lighter - you may be better off to just sell it and get something that is lighter to begin with. Is your McMillan a "magnum fill" stock?
i have a sako 7mm-08 with the leupold vx3 3.5-10x40 b&c. im thinking about swapping it out and putting it on my 338 win mag and putting the leupold on my sako AIII 270 win and selling the bushnell elite 4200 that was on my 270 to purchase a leupold vx2 ultralight for my 7mm-08(sako 85 with a mcmillan edge and leupold ringmounts)
what do u think about this idea
what do u think about this idea
Of all the aiming devices I have had for hunting the variable scopes where always on 6X at the kill shot. So now all my hunting rifles (2) are 6x42 Leupold's. Range toys are different though 10x,2x10, 4x16,4x30 , these are in no way suited to general hunting although will work of course.
Ya, a 6X scope on a 30-06, boring but effective.
Ya, a 6X scope on a 30-06, boring but effective.
A Manners elite will probably save you 1.5lbs.
I have a 3-9x33 Ultralight and am not a huge fan of it. It is ok, but the eyebox is not that great. I would take a Z3 3-9x36 over it any day of the week - and the Z3 is only about 3oz heavier.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Another trick to a dimming scope at last light is to turn the power down. Dial your 9x back to 6x and voila...the 3.6mm exit pupil that your 33mm scope gave you is now a blinding 5.5mm!
Evil magic.
Evil magic.
