Long range shooting ability????

[rosscrazyelk]

 So I am not a long range hunter but want to keep  my options open.
I have a .338 with a Burris on it now but I was just given a brand new Leopold  3x9x40.  I know they have a program you can send it in to have custom turrets on there.
I also have a Leopold  on my 7mm mag. 3x9x40.
Both  are varix  scopes.
My question do you think a 3x9 is a powerful enough scope for the system?
Thanks In advance

[trophyhunt]

Im no expert but not a novice either, I'd say that's a bit small if you want to really see your target at 600 plus yards.  Not just see it but feel good about your aiming spot, even with my huskemaw 50 power, it's a smallish target at 650, 700 yards.  Now I'm sure someone will post that I'm completely wrong, I could be, but in my opinion I'd go with a bit bigger?  But I'd also sell the .338 and get a .300 win mag.  I have a .300 win mag with the huskemaw and it can shoot 1000 yards, with a 40 power scope, could you see the aiming point? Just my thoughts Ross.

[Karl Blanchard]

You're wrong Jerry 

[trophyhunt]

You're wrong Jerry 

lol, not the first time!!!  But thanks for calling me out Karl 

[Magnum_Willys]

I have 3-9, 4-24, and 7-42 on my most used rifles.  9 is fine, 18 is better, 24 is about perfect and about max for spotting own shots with a .338 and 10# rifle.   42 power is even better but don’t expect to spot your shots. 

[bobcat]

I would suggest not sending your scope in to Leupold for custom work. Just recently the price for this has increased substantially, so much so that I feel you're better off selling the scope you have and buying the one you want. As for power I'd go with just a little more, a 4.5-14 or 3-18 would be about right.

[Timberstalker]

Im no expert but not a novice either, I'd say that's a bit small if you want to really see your target at 600 plus yards.  Not just see it but feel good about your aiming spot, even with my huskemaw 50 power, it's a smallish target at 650, 700 yards.  Now I'm sure someone will post that I'm completely wrong, I could be, but in my opinion I'd go with a bit bigger?  But I'd also sell the .338 and get a .300 win mag.  I have a .300 win mag with the huskemaw and it can shoot 1000 yards, with a 40 power scope, could you see the aiming point? Just my thoughts Ross.

When did huskemaw start building 50 power scopes ?

 

[trophyhunt]

  oops, I was thinking 50mm objective.  My scope is 5-20x50

[j_h_nimrod]

I’ll weigh in on this with my opinion.  I’m no expert either but well versed. 

First, long range is subjective.  I am thinking 600 would be where most would start and it sounds like that is where you are at.

Second, I think the 3-9 is a perfect place to start for training to be a better LR shooter.  Personally, I feel iron sights is the place to learn to shoot and when you are proficient there, graduate to a scope of moderately low power without turrets. You will be a better shooter for it and train you to hold a better site and target picture as well as teach you to project an aiming point to a spot that may be covered by a crosshair.  It is also good to practice at your lowest power and set the scope for the conditions of the moment, if you are gonna reach out for a shot then you should have time to crank it up, not so when the bear comes out at 20yds. I had a guy miss (make a bad hit) at 19yds this year because unbeknownst to me he decided to carry his 3-9 scope at 6x.

I think the current practice of people slapping a huge scope on whatever and deciding they are gonna go LR is ludicrous.  It is the same thing as the guy buying the Raptor and thinking he can run the Baja.

The 338 (Win Mag I assume) is capable, but the advice to get a 300WM is a good one.  Even more so if you don’t reload, last I looked there were not many LR loads for the 338 but quite a few for the 300.  I think the 4-16 is a versatile scope out to 600 and beyond if necessary and stepping up to  ~6-24 is all (and more) than 99+% of shooters need. My current favorite midrange scope is a VX5 2-10 on my .375 H&H that is good point blank out to 400, beyond that my load is falling too fast for comfort!

There are a lot of other opinions, this is mine n how I will teach my kids n others who ask.

[rosscrazyelk]

Thanks all. I don't want to become a long range shooter but just in case I have no other way to get closer  I want that option.  I am very comfortable at 400 and my longest was my moose at 472.
I have had a couple run ins with having an animal out at 550 and was unable to get closer and thus lost my opportunity..
I am not really one to go buy all kinds of guns. Not my thing.
I like my .338
And 7mm I feel I cover  my bases with those 2 options..
Thanks everyone

[MHWASH]

I’m more than happy with my 2-10x40s for 700 yards. I have no problem sighting in on a 4” bullseye at 600 with a max of 10x. I’ve scoped several animals on 10x also at those ranges and see no reason why they won’t work, unless you’re trying to count antler points.

[jackelope]

I really like the Leopold I have that is 4.5-14 and I have a Vortex that is 4-16. Great power range and neither are obnoxiously big. I have a 5-20 on a rifle and it is enormous.  I’m not sure I’ll be keeping it.  It’s great to look through and shoot through but it’s giant.

[Crunchy]

Another Leupold guy here.  I like the 3-18X44.  Gives you good bottom range magnification at 3 as well as 18 for the zoom.

[buckfvr]

3-18x sounds great for a hunter who wants 650 capability as a back up.......True LR hunting requires a dedicated LR rifle/optic combo that is as capable as the cartridge.  Magnification is subject to individual preference and quality of eye sight.  Older guys often times need a bit more magnification than younger eyes.  Mag is relative to anticipated range of fire......

[trophyhunt]

Older guys often times need a bit more magnification than younger eyes. 

  you need a bigger scope Ross!!