I have a Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm on a Savage 111 in 338 win mag. It worked well on a .308 but I think the 338 recoil is throwing the scope off zero. It's a cheapo scope, I paid about $140 a few years ago for it. I have a Viper PST on a 300 win mag and it holds zero very well but this Diamondback is I think junk.

Before I go dump a couple of hundred on a scope, anyone know a very *tough* scope? I am looking at a Leupold VX-3i right now. How much should I spend? I am heavily leaning on Leupold, they seem to have the best reputation outside of sniper level stuff like Night Force, which needless to say isn't what I need.

IMO, you are on the right track with a Leupold VX-3i. I do not think that the Vortex Diamondback is "junk" but, do believe that a .338 is a different animal and requires a more resilient optic.

Contact Vortex if you think it’s going out of zero. Vortex has a lifetime warranty and will fix or replace it if there’s a problem.

Got a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8 on a Montana Rifle Company .350 Remington Magnum with zero issues...can't remember any of my Leupolds not holding zero regardless of the recoil.

Had the same scope on a Remington 7KS .350 Mag. and at only 7# loaded ready to hunt if the scope was going down it would have been with that rifle...

Bob

Longer distance shooting is naturally going to need more magnification. The VX-3 Leupold might work well as stated by the earlier poster for general use. For an Elk hunt out west you might want to go up from there.

But I will tell you what I have mounted on my Winchester model 70 in .338 Winchester magnum is a Leupold 3X M-8. These were essentially dangerous game scopes that will take a lot of recoil shock with no problem and deliver 3X magnification which normally works about right for heavy or dangerous game.

I do not anticipate any long distance shooting with my .338. But I might use it for hogs or bear at fairly close range. Again depending on your intended use, you may want to go this way. Unfortunately Leupold no longer makes the 3X M-8. But if you look around at gun shows and such you can usually find one. They will not come cheap from someone that knows what they are however as they are pretty highly sought after.

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I would hold off buying that Leupold VX3i because I believe they
are coming out with the VX3HD (to be in line with the rest of
their HD models).

The VXIII and VX3i are high quality, reasonably priced, and just
a nice Scope. I own several, always looking to own another one
and have had no trouble.

Recently bought the 2020 Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40, 30mm
tube, Red Dot reticle, Matte finish (meant for my 270WSM), I
really like it, reasonably priced, gathers low light nicely, the
FireDot is a nice addition, and Adjustments track to what I turn
them to.

To bring in the VX3HDs I'm sure you'll find Close Out deals for
the excellent VX3i, an excellent Scope.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

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I have a Leupold 2.5 X 8 on My 300 Weatherby MK V, and a Leupold 1.75 X 6 on My Magnum Research Mountain Eagle in .340 Weatherby. Both have been there for at least 2 decades without a problem. The only scopes I have that aren't Leupold are Kahles and swarowski and o nly one of each. Get a Leupold Vari X 3 and You will never look back. I would get a 2.5 X 8.

My father has had a Leupold scope on his Ruger 338 for some 40 years.

Every year just before hunting season we would sight in the rifle. We would shoot five, verify and shoot five again. I don’t recall ever having to adjust the scope. He hand loaded some very hard hitting rounds.

For moose and bear in Alaska the 338 and Leupold never failed him. Most of the time one shot one kill.

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