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Low-mag fixed or variable for .338 Win Mag

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hadama View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hadama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Low-mag fixed or variable for .338 Win Mag
    Posted: March/04/2010 at 19:34
Does anyone have any recommendations for a low-power fixed or variable optic for a .338 Win Mag?

I've looked at the Leupold 1-4x20mm heavy duplex offering that is for shotguns and muzzleloaders and really like it but have concerns about durability on the .338WM.

Looked a little at the 1X Sightron, too, though I would like the possibility of SOME magnification.

Any information would be greatly appreciated on not only these scopes but any others.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 20:02

I think something in the range of a 2-7 or 3-9 is really useful in the 338. I won't name favorites here, but look for scopes in the $300-$500 range from reputable companies.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 22:29
ive got a 2x7x32 vortex viper on my .375H&H no issue there. you may consider a 1.75x6 vx3 too.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 22:38

I believe the correct choice would be the Leupold FX3  6x42 with long range duplex. 6x is low enough power to get onto something under 100 yds fairly easily but still enough to get you out to beyond 300 yds easily and the long range duplex gives marks for known distance hold over which should be fairly close to (100 200 300) or 200 300 400 which is what I would probably test it at because the difference between 100 and 200 for a center zero should still put you in the kill area easily.

Other than that I would look at the Trijicon Accupoint illuminated reticle scopes.
 
stay away from the shotgun scopes parallax will be set too close likely 50 to 75 yds.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hadama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 22:47
To reiterate, I want a low-magnification optic with the bottom at 1X (or as close as possible).  I'm not using this to shoot anything at extreme long range.  Parallax set in relatively close is fine.

I'm asking about these types of scopes, not for recommendations for a .338 Win Mag optic.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hadama Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2010 at 22:49
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

ive got a 2x7x32 vortex viper on my .375H&H no issue there. you may consider a 1.75x6 vx3 too.

I have a similar Viper on a .308 and love it.  Considering this optic on the .338WM with the versa-plex but want a lower power than 2X.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 07:48
i would get a 1x4 then.
They call me "Boots"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Folically Challenged Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 07:54
Originally posted by hadama hadama wrote:

To reiterate, I want a low-magnification optic with the bottom at 1X (or as close as possible).  I'm not using this to shoot anything at extreme long range.  Parallax set in relatively close is fine.

I'm asking about these types of scopes, not for recommendations for a .338 Win Mag optic.  

Here are some possible candidates, in order of price:

http://swfa.com/Weaver-1-3x20-Classic-V-Rifle-Scope-P2864.aspx

http://swfa.com/Nikon-1-4x20-Monarch-African-Riflescope-P42349.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-25x20-FX-II-Ultralight-Riflescope-P3263.aspx

http://swfa.com/Sightron-125-5x20-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9152.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x20-VX-3-Riflescope-P12633.aspx

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-125-4x24-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P11605.aspx

These should all be up to the recoil of a .338 WM, they're all 1" tubes, and they're all at or under $400-ish.  To choose among them, I'd ask Koshkin for his thoughts.

If you're willing to go above that price point, you can check out many of the 30mm scopes, and/or peruse the offerings from S&B, Zeiss, Swarovski, etc.  Or, if you're inclined to go retro, you can look around for an old Lyman Alaskan, Leupold Alaskan, or Weaver 2.5x.

Good Luck,

FC
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 09:02
how about a 1x like they used to make you use on muzzleloaders?
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 09:43
Hello hadama,

I see our less- than- hirsute friend already posted this Sightron:
http://swfa.com/Sightron-125-5x20-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9152.aspx

Sightron duplex reticles seem much darker and more visible than most competitors. While not quite as thick as the Leupold heavy duplex, you may want to check out the Sightron.

Here are some other interesting scopes:
http://swfa.com/Vortex-1-4x24-Viper-PST-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P44569.aspx
http://swfa.com/Burris-1-4x24-Euro-Diamond-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P5957.aspx
http://swfa.com/Burris-15-6x40-Euro-Diamond-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P2984.aspx
http://swfa.com/Burris-15-6x40-Signature-Select-Rifle-Scope-P3600.aspx
http://swfa.com/Weaver-15-5x24-Super-Slam-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P40570.aspx

Something on this page would be fun:
http://swfa.com/Trijicon-Accu-Point-Rifle-Scopes-C207.aspx

If I find a used Leupold M8 in 2, 2.5 or 3x, I'm jumping all over it. Leupold doesn't make anything comparable these days, other than an ultralight, but neither does anyone else- damfool for tradin' the one I had.









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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 10:13
I would look at a 1.5-6X class scope if it were me, but  wouldn't rule out scopes with 2X on the low end.  Depending on how much you're willing to spend, here are some good options:

http://swfa.com/Leupold-175-6x32-VX-3-Riflescope-P12640.aspx
http://swfa.com/Bushnell-125-8x32-Elite-6500-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P13138.aspx
http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x32-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11227.aspx

(In addition to some of the scopes already mentioned)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 10:18
If you want a variable with a true 1X low end, you're pretty much limited to 1-4X24 scopes (of which there are several good ones), except for uber expensive options like the Swarovski Z6 1-6X24.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ckk1106 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 10:28
I actually had the VX I 1-4x20 heavy duplex on my 338 win mag.  The scope was durable and held zero well, but it wasn't on there for long.  The glass wasn't good and I decided that a little more power would be nice on the 338 win mag.   I now have a 3-9 Team Primos on it, but I haven't shot it yet.  
In other words, I wouldn't get the Leupold that you described in your original post.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 10:39
I stick with my suggestion for a FX3  6x42  the one I bought for my .375 H&H works fine and has the heavy duplex but I would probably prefer the long range duplex.  Fixed power scopes tend to be much tougher than variables. The glass in the FX3 is much better than the glass found in most 4x and lower scopes.  Burris no longer makes their 1x.  Nobody seems to be smart enough to make a 2x or 2.5x suitable for long action rifles.


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - March/05/2010 at 10:48

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 10:41
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

I stick with my suggestion for a FX3  6x42  the one I bought for my .375 H&H works fine and has the heavy duplex but I would probably prefer the long range duplex.  Fixed power scopes tend to be much tougher than variables. The glass in the FX3 if much better than the glass found in most 4x and lower scopes.  Burris no longer makes their 1x.  Nobody seems to be smart enough to make a 2x or 2.5x suitable for long action rifles.

if i hunted over a field of something like that it would be a good choice, but for me 6x in the woods is way to much, most of my shots are 50yds or less. i cant see putting a straight 6x on a dgr, maybe on a .308
They call me "Boots"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 11:13

There is always a trade off with fixed power scopes you either have too much sometimes or you have too little but I seem to be able to do just fine with my 6x so Im talking about one I actually own, and anything that needs to be faster than that should be an illuminated Trijicon or an Aimpoint. My fixed 10x and the fixed 20x that I have had always left me feeling that they didnt come on target as quickly as I would like under 100 yds but I have never felt that way with the 6x. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Longhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 20:50
Weaver 1.5-5x32 Grand Slam.  Wide-open view (even at across-the-room ranges), bright, and enough magnification at the high end to be useful.  I've got two of them, and really like them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote boliodogs Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2010 at 23:00
The 1.5-5 Grand Slam is everything Longhunter said but sometimes you need medium rings for the bolt to clear. The Leupold vxll 1-4 is a great scope, light and very tough. If you need better glass the vx3 1.5-5x20 is very simular but I find the vxll glass very good. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2010 at 11:00
What is your budget?
What is your target?
Will you be shooting in low light?


Can't answer without more info - or, I could, but not intelligently.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/06/2010 at 11:24
gotta agree on the 6x being too much magnification for a fixed power scope for a 338 Win Mag .. I (for now) have a 2-8 Monarch on my 338 ..but will probably swop it out for a Trijicon 1.25-4
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