Scope for .338 LM rifle

[Brian838]

Hi,
I'm hoping to pick up my new Savage Arms 110 FCP in .338 Lapua Magnum this week. I'm looking for a MRAD scope with high enough magnification to eventually get me out past 1500 meters and my budget is £1500.
I've heard good things about Sightron scopes and the Sightron SIII Tactical 10-50x60 LR IR Mil-Dot is just within my budget.
I'm also looking at the Athlon Ares BTR HD 4.5-27x50 FFP which is £300 less than the Sightron and has lots of features but I can't find any reviews.
Does anyone have any experience with the Athlon or have any suggestions for scopes that would suit my needs?

Many thanks,
Brian.

[Sim G]

As a new Athlon on one of the members rifles a couple of weeks ago. Chinese made and really not that good. Should have spent the money on a secondhand quality optic....

[Brian838]

As a new Athlon on one of the members rifles a couple of weeks ago. Chinese made and really not that good. Should have spent the money on a secondhand quality optic....

Maybe why there's not any objective reviews? I'm leaning more towards the Sightron now to be fair.

[The Lord Flashheart]

I'm not familiar with the Athlon but the Sightron's that I have looked through have been ok.

With a budget of £1500 you could get a SH S&B PMII, which would be my preferred choice.

[David TS]

Nightforce have probably won more long range awards than anyone else. My two long range rifles both have NF NXS 8-32x56 on.

I had a Sightron SIII but got rid of it, couldn't fault the glass but didn't like the tacky graphics or, more importantly, I didn't feel the click adjustments were positive enough.


PS - hello Mr Flashheart

[sapper811]

Look at a S & B second hand. remember you will need a good mount with enough MOA built it to get out there. I have a 44 MOA Spuhr with my 5-25 S & B sat on my .338 AW. Previously i had a 25MOA mount and ran out of elevation at 1485 yards roughly

[Duey]

Most high mag scopes loose out on elevation( about 45 MOA on average ) and will require a large MOA canted rail or mount so I would suggest no higher than 8-32 power scope
The other option would be one of the IOR 40mm tubed scopes, Terminator or Crusader, both of which have I believe 100 MOA

[Brian838]

I've seen a clearance Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS 4.5-30×50 FFP which 90 MOA of adjustment and is well within my budget. Any thoughts?
I don't think I will be lucky enough to find a used S & B anytime soon

[Brian838]

Most high mag scopes loose out on elevation( about 45 MOA on average ) and will require a large MOA canted rail or mount so I would suggest no higher than 8-32 power scope
The other option would be one of the IOR 40mm tubed scopes, Terminator or Crusader, both of which have I believe 100 MOA

If the rail on the rifle is 20 MOA and the scope has 90 MOA, what size mount/rings would I need to get me past 1500 meters do you think?

[Duey]

Brian838
I'm afraid I cannot answer that as I don't shoot 338 so don't have any ballistic knowledge of the round
There will be several factors, what ammo you intend to shoot, 250gr or 300gr and how fast it's going, and also what your zero is
If you zero at 100 yds and have an available 110 MOA elevation then you are likely to have 50-60 MOA adjustment left
You then need to check with ballistics table and see what you require
I have an idea that you will require in the region of at least 40 MOA extra to the scope 90 MOA to have a chance
I'm sure someone with more experience with the 338 will advise shortly