Selecting the best scopes for .338 Lapua Magnum rifle is paramount in optimizing its long-range precision and power.
A high-quality scope is essential to fully utilize the potential of this powerful and high-performance cartridge. It’s crucial not to compromise the performance of your top-tier firearm by pairing it with a subpar scope.
The versatility of the 338 Lapua extends to hunting, especially for larger game, which appeals to numerous hunting enthusiasts. This cartridge is highly valued for its ability to excel in various hunting scenarios.
After intensive research here are to top scopes for .338 Lapua:
7 Best Scopes for .338 Lapua
- Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope VMR-1 MOA
- NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
- Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56mm First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
- Steiner T5Xi 1-5×24 mm Rifle Scope
- Vortex Optics Razor HD 3-18×50mm Riflescope
- Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope
- Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
1. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope VMR-1 MOA
The Vortex Viper HS-T stands out as the best scope for .338 Lapua rifles due to its exceptional features tailored for long-range shooting:
This scope boasts a flexible magnification range, from 6X to 24X, ideal for precise targeting at extended distances, aligning well with the .338 Lapua Magnum’s capabilities.
Equipped with a 50mm objective lens, it offers clear and expansive imagery even at higher zoom levels, thanks to its light-gathering capability.
The scope’s Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle, featuring hash marks, excels in long-range holdovers, aiding windage estimation and target tracking.
Its exposed turrets allow precise and consistent adjustments with tactile clicks, offering a zero-stop feature for a quick return to zero after elevation changes
The inclusion of a side focus parallax adjustment ensures eliminating parallax for precise targeting at varying distances.
With a rapid focus eyepiece and generous field of view, it allows for comfortable adaptation of the reticle to the eye while maintaining focus on the target. The 4-inch eye relief adds to the shooting comfort.
The scope employs high-quality, multicoated lenses with extra-low dispersion for exceptional clarity, resolution, and contrast. The XR coatings enhance light transmission, while the Armortek coating safeguards the lens from damage.
Pros
- Top-notch optics
- Excellent light transmission
- Relatively lightweight
- Durable construction
- Versatile magnification range
- Accurate reticle for long-range shooting
Cons
- Some users note the turrets might feel slightly sharp
2. NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
The NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope, known as the “Shooter Hunter Varminter,” is tailored for professional hunters and shooters, offering impressive long-range precision at a reasonable price point. Whether for varmint hunting or pursuing a larger game, this scope excels.
It provides exceptional clarity, vivid colors, and sharp contrast throughout its magnification range, ensuring a clear sight picture.
Featuring an 80 MOA elevation adjustment, side parallax control, and ZeroSet technology, it guarantees a swift return to zero after elevation adjustments, maintaining accuracy even with numerous changes.
Its sturdy construction ensures durability, capable of handling powerful calibers without compromising performance.
The scope offers a magnification range from 5x to 20x, facilitating precise sight-in. However, the higher magnification might limit versatility at close ranges.
Available with Forceplex and MOAR – 20 MOA reticles, the MOAR reticle with 20 MOA center illumination aids accurate elevation and windage markings, ideal for precise targeting at extended distances.
Conversely, the Forceplex reticle, designed based on customer input for hunters, offers an unobstructed view.
Depending on the SHV variant, these reticles are available in both illuminated and non-illuminated versions, with the Forceplex performing exceptionally well in low-light conditions, suitable for various hunting terrains.
Pros
- Durability
- Excellent light transmission
- Responsive turret
- Outstanding magnification range
- Easy to use and sight in
Cons
- Tight eye relief
- Higher cost
3. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27×56mm First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
The Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56mm scope holds an esteemed reputation, boasting a history of triumph in various shooting competitions. This optic stands out as a top-tier choice suitable for both long-range shooting and hunting expeditions.
While slightly heavier, the Razor HD Gen II is renowned for its consistent reliability. Its established presence in the market often leads to attractive deals, adding to its overall allure.
This rifle scope delivers superior image clarity and brightness across the entire field of view. It showcases a 6x zoom range, a robust 34mm single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube, and an advanced L-Tec turret system. The L-Tec turret system is engineered to prevent accidental adjustments of the elevation turret, ensuring it stays within the sight-in range.
An exceptional feature of this shockproof rifle scope is its Apochromatic objective lens system. This system employs index-matched lenses to rectify color aberrations, offering precise color correction throughout the visual spectrum.
Pros
- Locking illumination ring
- Availability of Horus reticles
- Outstanding optical clarity
- Spacious eye box
- Exceptional durability
- Good light transmission
- Excellent turret adjustments
Cons
- Relatively heavy weight
4. Steiner T5Xi 1-5×24 mm Rifle Scope
The Steiner T5Xi Tactical Rifle Scope Line stands as an exceptional choice if you’re looking for a high-quality scope regardless of the budget.
Although these scopes come at a premium price, they offer a lifetime warranty and a selection of five distinct magnification ranges to suit individual preferences.
Crafted with a robust one-piece 30mm tube, this scope ensures heightened durability, providing precise elevation and windage adjustments crucial for accurate shooting at extended distances.
The P3TR reticle, featuring center-dot illumination, is a standout feature, perfectly balanced to avoid obstructing the sight picture.
A notable attribute is the tapered, all-metal magnification ring positioned at an angle. This design allows shooters to easily view their magnification settings even when directly behind the scope, enhancing user-friendly operation and quick adjustments during shooting.
Equipped with a locking diopter mechanism, this scope prevents unintended rotations, securing the chosen diopter setting for consistent visual clarity and maintaining shooter accuracy.
Consistency in eye relief and a generous eye box is maintained across the magnification range, ensuring comfort during use.
The inclusion of a throw lever enables rapid and effortless changes in magnification, contributing to the scope’s user-friendly design.
Pros:
- Illuminated reticle
- Exceptionally clear glass
- 11 brightness levels
- Excellent eye relief range
- Lifetime warranty
- High-durability build
- Lightweight construction
- Easy adjustments
Cons
- Higher price point
5. Vortex Optics Razor HD 3-18×50mm Riflescope
The Vortex Optics Razor HD 3-18×50mm Riflescope stands as an exceptional choice highly favored for long-range shooting, earning trust among law enforcement and military professionals.
Its standout quality lies in its versatility, available in 12 different configurations or models, ensuring shooters find an ideal fit for their specific needs.
Incorporating Vortex’s L-TEC turret mechanism with a locking device, this scope prevents unintended adjustments during use, enhancing precision.
The optical performance of the Vortex Razor HD is truly remarkable, owing to the use of high-density optical glass within the APO (Apochromatic) optical system. Utilizing index-matched lenses to correct color across the entire visual spectrum ensures exceptional image quality, providing a clear and sharp view of the target.
Durability is a key feature of this high-end scope. The lens is protected by Armortek coatings, shielding it against scratches, dirt, and oil. Fully multi-coated, the scope features an O-ring seal and argon purging, making it waterproof and fog-proof, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in various weather conditions.
Pros:
- APO System
- XR Plus Fully Multi-Coated
- Illuminated Reticle
- L-Tec Turrets
- Durable construction
- Easily adjustable
- Exceptionally clear optics
Cons
- Slightly heavy
6. Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Riflescope is an exceptional choice for hunters using a .338 Lapua, offering a range of features that elevate its status among hunting scopes.
Noteworthy for its exceptional optical clarity, this scope provides superb image quality. Leupold’s exclusive DiamondCoat2 lens coating reduces glare, protects against scratches, and enhances light transmission.
Featuring a Fine Duplex CDS reticle, this scope ensures quick and precise target acquisition. The Custom Dial System (CDS) allows personalized adjustments, catering to your firearm and ammunition for accurate ballistics calculations, particularly for long-distance shots.
Offering 3.7 inches of eye relief at high magnification and 4.5 inches at low magnification, it generally suits most shooting scenarios. However, it may feel slightly constricted at extremely long ranges.
The VX-3i’s durability is a highlight, passing rigorous testing, including Leupold’s recoil simulation machine, ensuring resilience against heavy recoil and adverse conditions.
Its elevation and windage turrets, with ¼ MOA finger clicks, provide precise adjustments with audible and solid clicks, ensuring ease of use.
Zeroing the scope is straightforward, requiring only a few shots, and it retains zero effectively even after firing over 5000 rounds.
With a magnification range of 6.5-20x, the Leupold VX-3i suits intermediate to long-range shooting, making it an excellent choice for .338 Lapua Magnum.
An added advantage is the side focus parallax adjustment, addressing distortion concerns and offering user-friendly functionality.
Pros
- Exceptional optical clarity
- Fine Duplex CDS reticle
- Accurate and user-friendly turrets
- Versatile magnification range
- Robust durability
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- Adequate eye relief
Cons
- Slightly restrictive eye relief at extremely long ranges
7. Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
The Trijicon TR23-1G AccuPoint Rifle Scope, boasting a 5-20x50mm configuration with a standard crosshair reticle and green dot, targets tactical shooters, varmint hunters, and law enforcement snipers seeking exceptional long-range precision in diverse lighting conditions.
Utilizing advanced fiber optics and tritium aiming-point illumination, this scope ensures rapid target acquisition and extends shooting hours even in low-light settings.
Its dual-illumination system automatically adjusts the aiming point’s brightness according to ambient light while allowing manual override for personalized reticle illumination.
Crafted from aircraft-quality hard-anodized aluminum, the rugged construction guarantees durability and all-weather protection, maintaining functionality in harsh environments.
With extended long-eye relief, this scope effectively mitigates recoil from higher caliber rifles, ensuring comfortable and safe usage.
The external turret controls for windage and elevation adjustment are user-friendly and easily accessible, allowing precise adjustments for the desired point of impact.
Additionally, the inclusion of a side parallax adjuster significantly enhances accuracy at long ranges, enabling shooters to eliminate parallax error and achieve precise aiming points for distant targets.
Pros:
- Automatic reticle brightness adjustment
- Durability
- Simple and easy-to-set parallax arrangement
- Illuminated reticles
- Edge-to-edge clarity
- Quick & easy adjustments
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Conclusion
The comprehensive guide provides valuable insights into choosing the right scope for a .338 Lapua Magnum rifle, covering essential aspects such as magnification, reticle type, weight, field of view, illumination, elevation adjustment, and zero stops.
Emphasizing the significance of investing in a high-quality scope, it’s crucial to understand that while these scopes might carry a hefty price tag, they are indispensable tools for maximizing the potential of a .338 Lapua rifle.
The .338 Lapua Magnum demands substantial distances to showcase its prowess, making it essential to pair it with the right scope for optimal performance.
Owners and shooters should consider the considerable expense, recoil, and proficiency required to fully utilize this caliber effectively.