Are you in search of a scope that can handle the .338 Lapua Magnum? You don’t need to search any further. This article dives into the best scopes for 338 Lapua Magnum that will help stretch the limits of this beast. With a wealth of features, the scopes will help you make the most of the cartridge.
The.338 Lapua Magnum is a high-powered, rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge renowned for its astonishing long-range capability and unprecedented accuracy. It is commonly found in hunters, elite marksmen, or long-range shooters’ collections. The military originally used it because of its magnificent power.
The cartridge requires good optics to unlock its beast mode. The scope you choose will make or break your shooting when using this phenomenal round. That’s why you can’t afford to choose the wrong scope.
What Magnification Range is Ideal for a .338 Lapua Magnum?
The ideal magnification range depends on your shooting application. For long-range shooting, a scope with a variable magnification of 5-25x or higher is recommended. This allows for precision at both short and extended distances.
How To Choose the Best Scope for 338 Lapua Magnum
This buying guide narrows down essential factors to help you as you shop for the best scopes for .338 Lapua Magnum. With these in mind, making a decision will be an easy ordeal.
Magnification
A scope with 3-9x magnification is ideal for hitting a human-sized target at 1000 yards. Higher magnification makes long engagements easier. So, it is advised to get powerful magnification. A scope with a minimum of 5x and a maximum of 15x is a good option. You can still go higher, though.
Reticle
Choose a reticle that helps you attain the best possible accuracy. A BDC or Mil-dot is a good option as it has dots or hash marks along the crosshairs. The marks give MIL or MOA information, enabling you to figure out holdover or windspeed compensation.
Construction Quality
Construction quality is another vital facet when buying the best scopes for the .338 Lapua Magnum. The cartridge is high powered and hence demands a durable scope. The scope should be military-grade to take a beating. Look for aircraft-grade aluminum-made scopes.
Eye Relief
This round has some pretty heavy recoil. A scope with generous eye relief enables you to mount the scope further forward on your rifle and makes it comfy to shoot. Look for a scope with a minimum of 3.5 inches to prevent being hit in the brow by the scope after firing.
Accuracy
You want to get your target with one shot, right? You thus need an accurate scope. Accuracy should be the primary focus of any weapon. It will make your shooting successful, thus preventing the wasting of ammo.
8 Best Scopes for 338 Lapua Magnum
Countless scopes are being sold. This makes it a puzzle to know the one that perfectly suits your cartridge.
Here is a roundup of the best scopes for the .338 Lapua Magnum:
1) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
NightForce SHV 5-10x56mm is the best scope for 338 Lapua hunting for medium to long distances. It is perfectly suited for making tight groups down at the range, varmint, or big game hunting.
The scope manages recoil pretty well, owing to its shockproof design. Its reticle is on the second focal plane, making it suitable for hunting.
The adjustments include side parallax that keeps parallax at bay. Windage and elevation adjustments have 1/4 MOA clicks and an adjustment range of 80 MOA. The ZeroSet tech promotes an easy return to zero after making adjustments.
A standout attribute is vivid and crisp images produced even at high magnification. This is beneficial at twilight or early morning when lighting is weak.
This .338 scope is built from quality aircraft-grade aluminum hence is built for lifelong performance.
Features
- Gigantic 56mm objective lens
- Ideal magnification range for hunters
- Side parallax knob
- Magnificent 5-20x zoom
- Zero Set technology
- MOAR reticle with 1 MOA elevation and windage markings
- Eye relief of 3.5 inches
Pros
- Adaptable for various situations
- Easy adjustments
- Available in First or Second Focal Plane
- Top-notch construction
- Crazy light transmittance
- Striking precision
- Weatherproof caps
Cons
- Quite pricey
2) ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x70mm Day/Night Rifle Scope
If you are looking for the best scope for 338 Lapua Magnum day and night application the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro Edition 5-20x70mm Day/Night Rifle Scope should be your top choice.
The scope’s night vision mode allows you to hunt in the dark with ease. The spin-to-zoom wheel makes it natural to use, while the tactile buttons allow you to feel every click for maximum control.
The Ballistic calculator ensures your shot gets to the target, promoting responsible hunting. Sighting in couldn’t be easier. The One Shot Zero makes sure that you only have to take a shot and customize the reticle, and you’ll be good to go.
The Smart Mil-dot reticle is dynamic and is on the first focal plane. You can program the variance between hashmarks in mils into this reticle based on your load.
The scope is configured to hold up to recoil and is long-lasting owing to its hardened aluminum alloy build.
If you are looking for phenomenal performance both day and night, this ATN riflescope is your best bet.
Features
- More than 18 hours of battery life
- Recoil activated video
- Smart range finder
- Ballistic calculator
- Weather-resistant
- 4K ultra HD sensor
- Dual-core process for video recording and streaming at the same time
Pros
- Incredible Recoil Resistance
- Brilliant clarity
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption
- Features a Smart Range Finder for accuracy
- Ultra High Definition 4K Sensor
Cons
- Battery life could be better
3) Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm Riflescope
The Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm is a .338 Lapua Magnum riflescope featuring an EBR-7C reticle that stays true to the magnification. This reticle provides fast reads regardless of the lighting condition or power level.
The scope is highly prized because of its faultless construction. The body consists of aircraft-grade aluminum with a shockproof factor. It is also waterproof and fogproof to chemically ignore water and fog when the weather is unideal.
The foundation is on a 34mm tube, providing huge amounts of windage and elevation travel. The RevStop mechanism ensures a hassle-free return to zero after altering adjustments.
The scope is geared towards fast execution in the shooting arena as it has a throw lever responsible for seamless power changes. A fast-focus eyepiece intensifies the target acquisition speed. It will get and keep you on the target.
The exterior lenses are well protected from harsh elements by Armortek coating. A full multi-coating delivers extraordinary images from low-light to high-light conditions.
Features
- Nitrogen-purged and o-ring-sealed
- Adjustment on the left side of the turret housing keeps parallax at a minimum.
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Reticle focusing is easy
- Locking turret system to stop accidental shifting
- Armortek-treated outer lenses
- Magnification is flexible from 5x to 25x
Pros
- High-quality lenses with astonishing light distribution
- Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant lens coating
- Fully Multi-Coated Optical Coating
- Stable, repeatable adjustments
- Aircraft Grade Aluminum Construction
- Quick and easy reticle focusing
Cons
- Quite heavy at 30.4 oz
4) Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
Leupold Mark 5HD has a generous 5-25x magnification that hands an unfair advantage at medium ranges and is adaptable to reach out to extended distances.
While the enormous objective lens could be heavy, it shines as durable and collects as much light as possible. It is fully multi-coated for extraordinary color tones, brightness, sharpness, and minute details. Whether shooting when facing the sun or in dismal lighting conditions, the scope delivers beautifully.
Parallax is adjustable from 50 yards to infinity. This makes the Mark 5HD outshine other scopes that provide much space to make fine adjustments beyond 400 yards.
Another inclusion is the fast-focus eyepiece with a locking mechanism intended to ensure it remains in focus even when you move or shake the unit.
The lighted reticle has an off position between each setting. Motion sensor technology saves you from constantly renewing the CR2032 battery by shutting the illumination if you forget to do so.
The elevation turret locks into position. You do not require tools to set the zero on the turret. Unlocking and locking the turrets only demands a simple push of a button.
Features
- First focal plane reticle
- Tactile turrets that lock into position
- Illuminated with a couple of brightness settings
- Parallax can be changed from 50 yards to infinity
- Full multi-coating on the lenses
- Motion sensor technology conserves battery
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Waterproof and fog proof for reliability
Pros
- Superb performance in dim light
- Tough build quality
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Scratch-Resistant Optical Coating
- Clarity from edge to edge is on another level
- Lens shade and cover included
Cons
- Quite expensive
5) Vortex Razor HD Gen III 6-36x56mm Riflescope
Another Vortex product is the Razor HD. The 34mm tube is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. It is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof to remain new even when exposed to rough conditions.
The index-matched lenses increase brightness and sharpness, while the HD optical quality results in maximum resolution and color fidelity minus color fringing. The lenses have proprietary coatings that amplify light transmission, contributing to the lovely image rendition.
The riflescope provides a good blend of magnification and field of view, allowing clear views of targets at extended distances. The EBR-7D reticle delivers a clean sight picture. Ranging information and ample holds will not bother you as the reticle takes care of that.
The L-Tec turret system is notable as it makes zeroing easy and quick. The external rotation indicator offers a visual reference to the elevation turret’s rotational position.
Armortek protects exterior lenses, while the locking side illumination has eleven settings with an off position between each.
Features
- Plasma Tech coating on the lenses
- XR full multicoating
- L-Tec turrets
- EBR-7D reticle that is etched on glass
- Argon purging and o-ring sealed
- Parallax can be set from 10 yards to infinity
- 56mm objective lens
- Extraordinary 6-36x magnification
Pros
- Operator-friendly during installation and use
- Incredible glass quality
- Clear and precise clicks
- First-rate durability
Cons
- Expensive
6) Burris Xtreme Tactical 5-25x50mm Riflescope
Burris Xtreme Tactical 5-25x50mm is an illuminated scope with eleven settings to suit varying lighting environments. The Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses increase light transmission and fight glare for good image delivery.
The 5-25x magnification is for dedicated hunters and shooters who want to heighten accuracy when handling long-range targets.
The one-piece tube is sturdy as it is aircraft-grade aluminum quality. Shooting in harsh conditions calls for a quality scope like this. It is waterproof and fogproof to withstand heavy rain, submersion in water, or fluctuating temperatures.
Its shockproof capability makes it manage harsh recoil and hold zero through vibrations. Adjustments for windage and elevation are seamless, accurate, and repeatable. The Zero-click stop adjustment controls enable you to return to the initial yardage setting without counting clicks.
Features
- Stress-free and robust one-piece tube
- Triple internal spring system for consistent holding of zero
- Adjustment knobs facilitate easy windage and elevation adjustments
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Eleven illumination settings
- Indexed-matched lenses with Hi-Lume coating
Pros
- 11 brightness settings
- Aircraft Grade Aluminum for High durability
- Hi-Lume Multi-Coated optical coating
- Recoil resistant
Cons
- None
7) EOTech Vudu 5-25x50mm Riflescope
EOTech Vudu 5-25x50mm riflescope has high-density glass with anti-reflective compounds for effective light transmission and edge-to-edge clarity.
It has a single-piece structure that merges with o-ring seals to deal with moisture when shooting in inclement weather. It falls in the category of scopes engineered from aircraft-grade aluminum. The hard anodized top increases durability and eliminates glare.
The tough construction gives the scope power to handle mistreatment and recoil that could cause damage.
This front focal plane scope has a short design that gives the ability to mount a thermal or night vision instrument at the front.
Also, a locking system is integrated into the elevation turret to prevent accidental movements.
Features
- XC high-density glass
- Anti-reflective coatings improve image quality
- Resistant to harsh weather
- Throw lever for fast magnification changes
- A sunshade for glare reduction
- Made from long-lasting aluminum
- Laser-etched adjustment indicators
- Illumination controls with a push button
Pros
- Spot on tracking capability
- Hard Anodized finish
- Water-resistant and fog-resistant
- Shock-resistant for recoil
- XC High-Density Optical coating
Cons
- Water Resistant to 1M only
8) Vortex Viper PA 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope
Vortex Viper PA 6.5-20x50mm has a 50mm objective made from extra-low dispersion glass. Vortex’s exclusive XR coating increases light collection capacity. Overall, the scope will produce bright, clear, high-resolution images and color accurate.
The scope is a second focal plane, so you don’t have to worry about bothering the crosshairs when adjusting magnification. The magnification is versatile for handling various ranges in differing situations.
Besides that, the turrets produce audible clicks, making your time in the field a breeze. They have caps for impact protection.
In addition to that, it is virtually indestructible with top-quality construction. A fast-focus eyepiece delivers a beautiful visionary experience even in severe conditions.
Being waterproof and fogproof means the scope will not disappoint even when the weather does. This is made possible by o-ring seals and argon purging.
Features
- Heavy-duty precision force spring system
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Fully multi-coated XR coatings
- XD elements
- 30mm tube
- Pop-up dials for nice adjustments
- Capped turrets
- Armortek application of the exterior lenses
Pros
- Sturdy Aircraft-Grade Aluminum construction
- Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant lens coating
- Fogproof and waterproof
- XR Fully Multi-Coated
- Capped Reset Turrets
Cons
- None
Read:
Best Scope for 338 Lapua Magnum FAQs
What Is The 338 Lapua Used For?
This cartridge is used mostly by long-range shooters. Hunters also drool for its power, which is perfect for taking down big game like bear, elk, and moose. The round was initially tailored for snipers who needed to engage hostile targets at ranges exceeding 1000 yards.
What Are the Cons of the .338 Lapua?
It has limited availability compared to other cartridges. The cartridge has a relatively short barrel life than its counterparts. It produces high pressure and heat that can quickly wear out a barrel, which can be pricey to replace.
Should I Choose First Focal Plane (FFP) or Second Focal Plane (SFP) for a .338 Lapua Magnum?
FFP scopes are generally preferred for long-range shooting because the reticle subtensions remain consistent at all magnification levels. However, SFP scopes may be more cost-effective and are suitable if you primarily shoot at a specific magnification.
What Brands are Known for Producing Quality Scopes for .338 Lapua Magnum?
Several reputable brands produce quality scopes suitable for .338 Lapua Magnum, including Nightforce, Vortex, Leupold, Schmidt & Bender, and Steiner. Consider factors such as your budget, intended use, and desired features when choosing a brand.
Conclusion
With the right scope, you will be able to unlock the full power of the .338 Lapua Magnum and hit targets that are far away with precision. This is the best review for the best scopes that are a match for the cartridge, and we hope you have found one to carry on your next trip.