Long Range Scope

Don't go night force or any other glass for that matter get a smit & bender pm 2 I'd go the 5-25
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Being more than double the price of other options discussed as well as better than $1,000 (and about 40%) higher than the OPs's max budget, I don't see how that suggestion works out.
 
The problem with FFP is the reticle grows when you add magnification instead of the target which usually means your lines on the reticle get thick and cover your target. Only a problem if your shooting small targets or groups far away.I highly recommend IOR Valdada scopes they use German glass like Schmidt & Bender and are built like a tank.

If you want a SFP scope I think this would be perfect for that beast

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1178
 
Here is my opinion of the scope breakdown

USO - not an option, glass is terrible for what you pay and I have seen more USO's go down in competition than any other scope.

Nightforce- tough as nails and so-so glass, tracking is always spot on and if FFP isn't somthing that Intrest you in would defiantly take a look at these. The ffp F1 is a nice scope but i think it's outshined by alot of the competition.

Vortex- the razor line is a great scope from a great company, there warranty is second to none if you ever have to use it. They can be had used for around $1650~ and are a good Baffin for that price.

IOR- beautiful glass and that's about it, don't see any around the tactical shooing comps becuase of reliability issues.

S&B - One of my favorite scopes, glass is awesome and tracking and durability are one of its strong suits. That being said I would not buy a new one, they have raised the price and dropped the lifetime warranty and went with a 2yr. No way I would pay $4k+ for a scope with a 2 year warranty. The older PMII 5-25 one of the best of the best and carry the standard lifetime warranty.

Bushnell- the new bushnell elite DMR and XRS scopes is one of the best values out there. Alot of shooters are switching to bushnell for the retical selection and total ruggedness and tracking of the new line of scopes. IMO the bushnell XRS is is THE best value out there for scopes @ $2k.

Leupold- finally starting to catch up with technology of today's shooters. For the longest time leupold relied in the MK4 line and was not willing to upgrade while other compmanys passed them up. The new scopes in the leupold line seam like quality products but for the money I think they get outshined by the competition.

I would also give a serious look to the new kahles 624i and the Steiner tactical series. I will give the edge to the kahles as far as features and glass but I don't have enough time behind either to give my full opinion.
 
Here is my opinion of the scope breakdownUSO - not an option, glass is terrible for what you pay and I have seen more USO's go down in competition than any other scope.Nightforce- tough as nails and so-so glass, tracking is always spot on and if FFP isn't somthing that Intrest you in would defiantly take a look at these. The ffp F1 is a nice scope but i think it's outshined by alot of the competition.Vortex- the razor line is a great scope from a great company, there warranty is second to none if you ever have to use it. They can be had used for around $1650~ and are a good Baffin for that price.IOR- beautiful glass and that's about it, don't see any around the tactical shooing comps becuase of reliability issues.S&B - One of my favorite scopes, glass is awesome and tracking and durability are one of its strong suits. That being said I would not buy a new one, they have raised the price and dropped the lifetime warranty and went with a 2yr. No way I would pay $4k+ for a scope with a 2 year warranty. The older PMII 5-25 one of the best of the best and carry the standard lifetime warranty.Bushnell- the new bushnell elite DMR and XRS scopes is one of the best values out there. Alot of shooters are switching to bushnell for the retical selection and total ruggedness and tracking of the new line of scopes. IMO the bushnell XRS is is THE best value out there for scopes @ $2k.*Leupold- finally starting to catch up with technology of today's shooters. For the longest time leupold relied in the MK4 line and was not willing to upgrade while other compmanys passed them up. The new scopes in the leupold line seam like quality products but for the money I think they get outshined by the competition.I would also give a serious look to the new kahles 624i and the Steiner tactical series. I will give the edge to the kahles as far as features and glass but I don't have enough time behind either to give my full opinion.

Good info here although I didn't know about the problems with IOR I have one of there CQB 1.5-8x but i don't dial it has a BDC reticle. I just got a AR30 in .338 Lapua and I think I'm going get the Bushnell XRS
 
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OK I here guys saying the FFP reticles block your target and you cant see enough to make precise shots . Although that is true to a point . I don't think it's as bad as people make it out to be . As you can see with the reticle above the cross hairs are .18 moa . That means if your looking at a target 600yds away the reticle will cover about one inch of the target or under 2 inchs at 1k .So at 600yds it would cover a deers eye or man sized targets nose etc . Thats not really blocking out the sun as some may lead you to believe . If your just ringing steel at long ranges the FFP would not be a handy cap and is what I would get . If your shooting competition for smallest group size I would get something with a very fine cross hair like Bart recommends .

I would stay away from mil-dot cus they will block a larger area of the target . I'm a big fan of reticles with hash marks like the one above .
 
Good point metal god I think if your not bench rest shooting for groups get a FFP.

I'm running a Bushnell 6-24x FFP with the G2 reticle on my .308 and I love it
 
you want to go with a night force, the ATACR is your best option out there hands down. I currently have the NXS 5.5-22x56 in mil/mil, got it right before the ATACR came out. The ATACR has glass comparable to the S&B's and with a 34mm tube has a lot of adjustment I think 120 moa. Don't get a 12-42x56 benchrest scope unless that is all you plan to do, those scopes have less field of view and a lot less elevation to dial. You can see torso targets just fine with 22X shooting 2000+ yards. Forget about the FFP unless you plan to shoot moving targets at various ranges that you would need to range distance for with your reticle. SFP is where you want to be for long range precision shooting, but it is a matter of preference.
 
Man up: Put some Redfield Olympic iron sights on and get after it.

Just kidding (kind of)

Both Night Force and S&B are good scopes, both will soak up the recoil of the 338 (as well as many other less expensive scopes).

But the difference in price you can buy a lot of ammo, and ammo cost is going to be your big concern.

I use a Weaver K-4 on my 375 H&H, so it would take up the recoil of the 338s, Unless you just want to spend the money the Weaver Tactical (Mil/Mil) 3-10 will suit you and they will hold up to recoil.

Weaver's are good scopes, people don't buy them cause they don't cost much. Scopes aren't cool unless they cost $2000 or better.

I've been using a Weaver T-10 on my Model 70 300 Win Mag for about 35 years and it never hick-up'ed.
 
NightForce ATACR 5-25x56. ED glass, go mil/mil with the Mil-R reticle and enjoy. I have one on my 300WM and it is a wicked scope. I put it on par with Premier,S&B or USO. With a rifle like that, you need to put the best glass you can. With scopes, you get what you pay for generally.

The NF ATACR is rated at 120 MOA (34.9mil adjustments) but it is actually about 130-134 depending on your scope. NightForce only make 1 better scope and it is the B.E.A.S.T., the only reason I don't recommend it is it almost $3500. But has the same glass as the ATACR. It's difference is it is FFP and has more reticle options...
 
Well gentlemen the Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm Riflescope w/ Zerostop - .1 Mil-Radian - Mil-R Reticle, Black C446 is on it's way to my house. Thank you all for the advice. I hope when I get it I don't regret not getting the MOA instead of MRAD. Only time will tell. Scope is $2,328 and the Nightforce mounting rings were another $209
 
That's one sexy rifle, I got the Savage 110ba myself. It does have a little M98b blood though. I came across an M98b butt pad and did the mods to make it fit my savage. The butt pad is 10X nicer than the crappy savage one, now I can shoot lot's of rounds with no shoulder pain!
 
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