Another scope question

cowboy38231

I need some suggestions on a scope for a long range hunting rifle. It will be going on a 30-338 mag with a 24" barrel. The rifle will be used for hunting big game out west. With shots maybe up to 500 yards. I have been using a 2.8 X 10 on my current rifle , a 30-06, because of woods hunting and 10 seems a little on the light side for those ranges when I have taken this rifle to Colorado. I have always limited my shots to 350 yards with it also. I am not really looking to take out a loan but I don't want to be disappointed either. Thanks in advance.

JustC

How much do you want to spend??

$500ish MHO Burris Signature series
$800-$1000 MHO IOR Valdada (used), Leupold MK IV, etc
$1000+ Nightforce, IOR Valdada, Swarovski, Schmidt and Bender, Unerlt

Do you want to use reticle holdover points? do you want target turrets? how much extra weight can you carry with heavier scopes?

stevecrea

Just a few comments.

I have had very good results with Leupold VX 3, 4.5-14 X 40 mm Adj Obj with 1 inch tube. I used a Leupold VX 3 3.5-10 X 40 mm AO to kill my last elk at 525 yards, so this should give you enough magnification. Although the 3.5-10 X 40 mm did not have the Leupold holdover reticle known as the 'Boone & Crockett', I am a believer in these, and use the Leupold 'Varmint Hunter' holdover reticles in several scopes.

I also have a number of the 30 mm Leupolds (Long Range with side focus), but I do not believe that most hunters gain much over the 1 inch tubes. The 30 mm are more expensive, and a bit heavier.

The Leupold Boone & Crocket reticle is quite effective, and quite easy to use. It has holdover gradations that should work for you in the hunting situation that you described with your 30-.338, which is a very fine cartridge. I recently read an article in American Hunter magazine (July 2009 issue), comparing a number of the holdover type of reticles, and the Leupold Boone & Crocket earned an 8 out of 10 points. It was edged only by the Zeiss Rapid-Z which earned 10 points, and beat out the Nikon BDC, Burris Ballistic Plex, Sightron HHR, Swarovski BR, and Bushnell DOA. However, the Zeiss may be more expensive. You can find the article online at americanhunter.org, and use the search function with the term 'holdover reticles'. Let me know if you have trouble finding the article.

I am very interested in the NightForce scopes, but have never had one. They are expensive, and quite heavy, but have a superb reputation. Just compare the weights with some of the others.

POIU8uhb

Be conservitive. If you have been content with the 30-06 and 2.5x10 combo. Dont stray to far from what works. 10x is enough scope if you practice, practice, practice. In positions used in the field. More scope and larger rifles will not replace practice.Larger rifles are heavier and larger scopes add to the bulk. It is amazing on how many people come out west, brag about the groups they get with there wiz bang getup then cannot hit a paper plate from prone, sitting or kneeling positions. Then they are convinced there is something wrong with the rifle. I use milk jugs at known ranges. Long shots are achievable but i do not reccomend shots over the 350 you already mentioned. It takes dicipline and practice. Lots of it. A 30-338 is a nice setup. I had one for years. I used a 2.5x10 Leupold. Good luck!!!

POIU8uhb

Typo i used a Leupold 3.5x10 Varix 3.

POIU8uhb

I just digested Steves comments. Overall real good advice. Benifit vs dollar really fades fast when you go above the two scopes he mentioned. I have used them both. I have tried the long range 30mm scopes and find them impracticle on a real hunting rifle. Also avoid the large objectives. Having to lift your cheek of of the rifle to see through the scope does not add to accuracy. Also for long range shooting. A set of GOOD bipods are a huge asset. Harris is the best i am aware of. Avoid the made in China cheapo's being sold at chain outlets lately.

JKB57

As far as long range hunting out west,I have lived and hunted Wyoming all my life and can say unless your hunting Antelope with the 30-338 most shots are under 300 yds there have been a few exceptions over my 52yrs but very few,elk around here are usually killed well under 200yds and most much closer,mule deer can be 300yd shots but just wanted to say that don't expect hunting out west to be all long shots as most are within reasonable range,I shoot a 338 win mag and have killed elk to 400yds but very seldom and most of my deer have been much closer.The scope I have on the 338 is a Leupold VarX-III 3.5 X10 X40mm and has worked fine for close or long shots.Unless you practice alot I have seen way to many animals cripled at 500 yd plus shots and run off. wind and bullet drop play a big roll in long range a 10mile an hour cross wind will move a bullet quite a ways at 500yds.So practice practice practice in all conditions.

rjloun

I agree with JKB57, I live and hunt in Colorado and most shots are under 200 yds. Usually 100 or less. At least in the unit I hunt (big game) it's almost impossible to find a spot to shoot over 200 yds unless your shooting from mountain to mountain. I don't mean hill to hill... I mean MOUNTAINS which would put your shot well over the 500 yards your talking about. For hunting, I wouldn't suggest anything over 6-18 and even that is pushing it. As far as brand, I'm not sure I'd buy another brand than Burris just because of personal experience. I'm with you on the "take out a loan" comment. I can't afford to buy anything more than a low end Leupold. The salesman suggested Burris fullfield II, so I bought it. This year while hunting, I leaned the rifle against the truck while I was pissing, it slipped *BAM*, the side of the objective bell hit a rock and bounced, flipping the rifle around on the opposite side, no dent but a nasty nick on the bell... 3 shots to check zero... It was perfect. Dropped my buck 2 days later. I can't speak for Leupold, nightforce, swarovski etc., but not only am I happy with my Burris, I'm friggin amazed!

FEENIX

The guys have provided you with excellent recommendations. I hunt with a couple of .300 WM (topped with Leupolds) and .338 WM (topped with Burris). For my old eyes and your range requirement, 14X magnification and 3.5" eye relief would be my minimum.

Here's a couple more for your consideration ...

Sightron SIII 6-24x50 LRMD, 30MM, it has 100 MOA of elevation

https://www.snipercentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=241861&sid=2a7e308aa3bfd7ebb8cd703f799bf7f8

Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50 MD, 30MM, it only has 50 MOA of elevation but with 20 MOA base or higher, it'll stretch it out there. The review link below is for the DOA reticle but it's similar.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/shooting-tips/2009/09/petzal-bushnell-elite-6500-rifle-scope-wdoa-reticle

Both of the scopes, if you shop around hard enough, can be purchased for <$800 and will stretch your set up well beyond 500 yards.

There lots of scope reviews out there, but the key is, buy the the scope that best works for you and your style of hunting/shooting.

Good luck and happy safe shooting/hunting.

Ed

cowboy38231

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Very true statements about the ranges out west. I have hunted there for over 20 yrs now with the 06 and have only made 2 shots over 300 yrds. And neither were more than 350, which I stated was my limit with that rifle. I practice out to 450 with the 06 and am comfotable hitting with it at that range. But just never wanted to take the chance on a bad shot. I use a bipod which I also think is a must. I hunt in area 421 and 42 and have only had the opportunity at 3 shots around the 500 yrd range in 8 or 9 trips. Had to pass on a nice bull and one of the largest muleys I have ever seen.

CryptoChief

cowboy38231,

I have a Huskemaw Long Range 5X20X50 on my custom 30-338. I sent in the required data that the folks at The Best of the West needed and they designed two turrets for my rifle, both calibrated out to 900 yards. Not that I would take the shot at that distance, but the option is there for the experienced and practiced shooter (yes, I would take almost any shot out to 500 yards). All you need is a good range finder and be able to dope the wind. Example: true ballistic range is 400 yards, you simply dial the scope to 400 (actually you go past 400 and then turn back to 400), wind is 10 mph full value left to right, simply hold 2 minutes into the wind and take the shot. 700 yards under the same conditions would require almost 4 minutes of windage. Windage/minutes are indicated on the elevation turret and are conveniently etched on the reticle. I received two turrets for my rifle, one for 3500 ft elevation and the other 6000 ft elevation. Turrets are good for changes in elevation plus or minus 2000 feet. Depending on what elevation you plan to hunt, high low or both, they will design a turret for you rifle. If you put the scope on another rifle of a different caliber, send them the data and they will design a new turret for that particular set up. First two turrets are free with the purchase of the scope. Any additonal turrets cost you a C note each. The scope itself isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for plus some. As a reminder, the date/dope indicated here is for my particular rifle/caliber/bullet/velocity/BC combination and may/will vary from your data. I am shooting a moly coat 190 grain Berger VLD at 3020 fps. I took my set up to Idaho this past season and most shots would be well within 200 yards but, some distances were well beyond the effective range of the rifle. It was good to have the capability of a long shot even if a long shot never presented itself. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to try and help you out. Otherwise, contact www.thebestofthewest.net. Great bunch of guys.

Cheers,

CC