I ordered me a Predator custom shop 338LM and while it is being built thought I would shop for a scope for it. I am new to the long range game and very confused about scope selection. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks for the input
Rifle Scopes Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
- Thread starter Outlaw38
- Start date
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
If you want to stretch the legs of that 338 LP you are probably going to want a fair amount of magnification. The 5.5-22 NXS seems about right. Only thing is that it's a second focal place scope. That may or may not matter for what you will use it for. On my 338 I wanted the magnification and first focal place, so I went with the S&B 5-25. If you are stuck on Nightforce and want a first focal place scope the 3.5-15 F1 is what you'd want, and if you are limited in how far you will actually shoot it then that's probably a fine choice.
If you want to stretch the legs of that 338 LP you are probably going to want a fair amount of magnification. The 5.5-22 NXS seems about right. Only thing is that it's a second focal place scope. That may or may not matter for what you will use it for. On my 338 I wanted the magnification and first focal place, so I went with the S&B 5-25. If you are stuck on Nightforce and want a first focal place scope the 3.5-15 F1 is what you'd want, and if you are limited in how far you will actually shoot it then that's probably a fine choice.
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
The 5.5-22 will have more adjustment than the higher mag NF scopes. A 12-42 is marginal in adjustment on my 308 for 1000yd, even with a 20moa rail, but the 5.5-22 has plenty. I use a np2 dd reticle for target, but for hunting, etc., I would consider either the mil dot/mlr or the new moar reticle.
MFH
The 5.5-22 will have more adjustment than the higher mag NF scopes. A 12-42 is marginal in adjustment on my 308 for 1000yd, even with a 20moa rail, but the 5.5-22 has plenty. I use a np2 dd reticle for target, but for hunting, etc., I would consider either the mil dot/mlr or the new moar reticle.
MFH
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
how far is long range for you? what do you have access to?
the 5-22 NSX wil have the most travle at around 90MOA
the 8-32 will have have around 60 MOA
i think the 12-42 has around 45 MOA
with my surgeon XL action, the 30MOA allows me to shoot with the 8-32 as most of my shooting is under 1100 yards.
i have recently got access to 2500 yards and will need to swap out to a 5-22 or pick up a new leupold mk6 or mk8 to get there.
i got the 8-32 to use it as a quasi spotting scope, and it has worked very well for me
how far is long range for you? what do you have access to?
the 5-22 NSX wil have the most travle at around 90MOA
the 8-32 will have have around 60 MOA
i think the 12-42 has around 45 MOA
with my surgeon XL action, the 30MOA allows me to shoot with the 8-32 as most of my shooting is under 1100 yards.
i have recently got access to 2500 yards and will need to swap out to a 5-22 or pick up a new leupold mk6 or mk8 to get there.
i got the 8-32 to use it as a quasi spotting scope, and it has worked very well for me
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
Reticle/knob angular system should match (i.e. MOA/MOA knobs/reticle or MIL/MIL knobs/reticle)
Here's a video on FFP vs SFP.
Reticle should match your shooting preference. More detail/increments allow for more precise hold offs/overs, but do clutter up the FOV.
Illuminated reticle would be nice to have if you're going to be shooting in low light situations, or have a "finer" reticle that lacks the "point and shoot" contrast that a thicker style would offer.
A Lapua can generate significant recoil stress that some optics aren't up to the task for, so it should have a "bullet proof" reputation.
Conistency of the mechanical tracking function of the scope will be paramount (even over optic quality if you must choose between one or the other), as the distances involved to see the Lapua's potential will involve you dialing in the ballistic solution.
Determine your desired zero range, and then plug all environmental factors into ballistic software. Where the bullet slows to 1150-1200 fps, is a good place to call the maximum distance you can plan to shoot that rifle effectively. Determine how much total adjustment you'll need out of the optic to go from your desired zero to see that range.
The above will also ensure the cant on your base isn't too much (for a closer range zero) or is enough to achieve the supersonic range potential of your intended bullet.
You have to view the optic as equally important as any other component on the rifle. It's part of a LR system (that includes the shooter, ammunition, ballistic software, and rifle), that will be limited by it's weakest component. You should strive for that to be you during the rifle build spec process.
And then with practice, move that "weak link" to another part of the system (i.e. bipod, or your ammunition making skills, etc), improve on that part.....move the weak link to another part...and so on.
Be sure to have fun too!
Good luck, and be sure to post up what you finally decide on.
Reticle/knob angular system should match (i.e. MOA/MOA knobs/reticle or MIL/MIL knobs/reticle)
Here's a video on FFP vs SFP.
Reticle should match your shooting preference. More detail/increments allow for more precise hold offs/overs, but do clutter up the FOV.
Illuminated reticle would be nice to have if you're going to be shooting in low light situations, or have a "finer" reticle that lacks the "point and shoot" contrast that a thicker style would offer.
A Lapua can generate significant recoil stress that some optics aren't up to the task for, so it should have a "bullet proof" reputation.
Conistency of the mechanical tracking function of the scope will be paramount (even over optic quality if you must choose between one or the other), as the distances involved to see the Lapua's potential will involve you dialing in the ballistic solution.
Determine your desired zero range, and then plug all environmental factors into ballistic software. Where the bullet slows to 1150-1200 fps, is a good place to call the maximum distance you can plan to shoot that rifle effectively. Determine how much total adjustment you'll need out of the optic to go from your desired zero to see that range.
The above will also ensure the cant on your base isn't too much (for a closer range zero) or is enough to achieve the supersonic range potential of your intended bullet.
You have to view the optic as equally important as any other component on the rifle. It's part of a LR system (that includes the shooter, ammunition, ballistic software, and rifle), that will be limited by it's weakest component. You should strive for that to be you during the rifle build spec process.
And then with practice, move that "weak link" to another part of the system (i.e. bipod, or your ammunition making skills, etc), improve on that part.....move the weak link to another part...and so on.
Be sure to have fun too!
Good luck, and be sure to post up what you finally decide on.
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNNER10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how far is long range for you? what do you have access to?
the 5-22 NSX wil have the most travle at around 90MOA
the 8-32 will have have around 60 MOA
i think the 12-42 has around 45 MOA
with my surgeon XL action, the 30MOA allows me to shoot with the 8-32 as most of my shooting is under 1100 yards.
i have recently got access to 2500 yards and will need to swap out to a 5-22 or pick up a new leupold mk6 or mk8 to get there.
i got the 8-32 to use it as a quasi spotting scope, and it has worked very well for me </div></div>
Long range for me is 1000Yds. Gun will be used for shooting hogs, coyotes, maybe a deer, plinking steel targets, no benchrest shooting. I have acess to 22,000 acres of Texas flat land so distance is not a problem. On a 22x scope can your target been seen clearly at 1000 yds? As I said before I am new at this. I have been looking at the new Nightforce Velocity 1000 reticle. Thanks for all the info so far.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GUNNER10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how far is long range for you? what do you have access to?
the 5-22 NSX wil have the most travle at around 90MOA
the 8-32 will have have around 60 MOA
i think the 12-42 has around 45 MOA
with my surgeon XL action, the 30MOA allows me to shoot with the 8-32 as most of my shooting is under 1100 yards.
i have recently got access to 2500 yards and will need to swap out to a 5-22 or pick up a new leupold mk6 or mk8 to get there.
i got the 8-32 to use it as a quasi spotting scope, and it has worked very well for me </div></div>
Long range for me is 1000Yds. Gun will be used for shooting hogs, coyotes, maybe a deer, plinking steel targets, no benchrest shooting. I have acess to 22,000 acres of Texas flat land so distance is not a problem. On a 22x scope can your target been seen clearly at 1000 yds? As I said before I am new at this. I have been looking at the new Nightforce Velocity 1000 reticle. Thanks for all the info so far.
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
99.9 % of the time we are outfitting guys with the 5.5-22 and we haven't had any complaints. Personally I like the NPR-1 reticle for trying to shoot tiny groups.
Nightforce NXS Rifle Scopes
I would be more than willing to speak with you if you would like to call the shop. My number in in the sig line.
99.9 % of the time we are outfitting guys with the 5.5-22 and we haven't had any complaints. Personally I like the NPR-1 reticle for trying to shoot tiny groups.
Nightforce NXS Rifle Scopes
I would be more than willing to speak with you if you would like to call the shop. My number in in the sig line.
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
considering that there are people that shoot iron sights at 1000 at camp perry, i think that 22x is more than enough, remember, that up untill the wars most sniper scopes were 10x.
not so crazy about velocity based recticals as based on the angle you are shooting you are allways going to be off. its never going to be perfect.
i really like the MOA based recticals, very easy to hold over and range at the same time not being to busy
considering that there are people that shoot iron sights at 1000 at camp perry, i think that 22x is more than enough, remember, that up untill the wars most sniper scopes were 10x.
not so crazy about velocity based recticals as based on the angle you are shooting you are allways going to be off. its never going to be perfect.
i really like the MOA based recticals, very easy to hold over and range at the same time not being to busy
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
NXS 5.5-22x works just fine! You could go to the 32x, but you'd have more mirage. I like having more elevation travel that comes with the 5.5-22x. Plus for hunting, the 5.5x magnification might be useful as the minimum, as opposed to 8x. 22x times is plenty of magnification for 1k+
NXS 5.5-22x works just fine! You could go to the 32x, but you'd have more mirage. I like having more elevation travel that comes with the 5.5-22x. Plus for hunting, the 5.5x magnification might be useful as the minimum, as opposed to 8x. 22x times is plenty of magnification for 1k+
Re: Need Nightforce suggestion for a 338LM
+1 on the 5.5-22x, mine is awesome! Any higher and you will get insane mirage when it's above 77 degrees and/or higher humidity, or if you have fired more than 10 rounds in less than 2 minutes.
+1 on the 5.5-22x, mine is awesome! Any higher and you will get insane mirage when it's above 77 degrees and/or higher humidity, or if you have fired more than 10 rounds in less than 2 minutes.
