Twenty years ago, I picked up a CZ .308 for my ‘long range’ gun. It’s been a wonderful rifle and my best day was a .512″ group at 200 yards. I put an IOR fixed 10x scope on it and have not regretted that choice. Why a fixed power? Honestly, because its just one less thing to go wrong. I figured 10x was about right for the distances I imagined I might need to shoot at.
A few years back, I wanted to bridge the gap between .308 ranges and .50 BMG ranges and decided to get a .338 Lapua. After some thought, I went with the Ruger Precision Rifle in .338 Lapua. And….its been sitting on my gun cabinet for the last several years. Why? Because putting a piece of appropriate glass on the thing was gonna cost as much as the bloody gun…and the gun wasn’t cheap to start with.
Eventually, I had to just bite the bullet and spend the moolah. Theyre a bit of an ‘off the beaten path’ brand, but I’ve been very pleased with my IOR fixed 10x and my IOR M2 4x. So, I decided that for my needs I wanted a fixed power scope again, but with a bit more magnification to go with the .338 Lapua’s extended range over the .308.
Do you know how hard it is to source decent fixed power scopes these days? Everything was either too much magnification (25x and up) or too little (4x, 6x, 10x). And, really, anything below 20x in a fixed power was a toughie. So…back to IOR. They had a 16×56 with the reticle (MP8) that I used on my .308. The 56mm objective is enormous but lets in plenty of light. I figure 16x is about the right magnification to cover the range of distances I’d be shooting the .338 at, so let’s get that puppy ordered. It’s a 35mm tube (light transmission, baby!) so rings aren’t just going to grow on trees…better order up a set of those too.
When it’s all said and done, it cost slightly more than the bloody rifle itself. But, at least I’ll be able to shoot the thing now. Pics when its all put together.
Actually not bad (glass costing as much as the rifle). I was taught (and adhere to) the concept of the glass costing TWICE as much as the rifle…… same concept in photography…. I have lenses that cost 3-5X as much as the camera.
Yeah, I know that’s the reality but, wow, sometimes it’s tough to swallow when you’re thinking you already paid crazy money for a rifle and it’s gonna be useless unless you spends at least crazier on a scope.
I’ve heard the recommendation also, but wow is it hard to really consider!
I haven’t done it yet because I’m not a good enough shot to be worth the extra quality and distance.
Eventually I hope to get there.
The next glass I am buying will be for my 20 Vulcan… It’s the most expensive gun I’ve bought, and it will have my most expensive glass on it.
I would love to hear more about this.
https://www.valdada.com/
A few years ago, I placed a 4×24 M1 tac .308 win 168 gr. BDC
with an illuminated MP-9 Dragunov on my HK-91…full length barrel.
High end quality piece on the lower end of the price range.
One might consider looking at one or similar at the site noted above
I need more magnification than the M1 or M2 provide. The 16×56 IOR Valdada I went with should meet my needs.
I set mine up for…well…you know…500 yds. or less
I suppose your looking at longer range
https://brushbeater.store/products/agm-rattler-1
You might consider this as an addition to your new scope…
Mine is on the way…
This gives one the best of both worlds for a reasonable price…without having to keep changing optics and losing zero.
that is one heck of a scope. I thought the trijicon T55 was a lot of dough. . . . and it is only 5.5X
My heavy barreled 308 has a 10x SWFA scope on it. I’m pretty happy with the whole thing. Fixed power gets you a lot more glass for the money and are simpler.
If/ when I do another precision bolt gun I’d likely go fixed power.