Need help 338lpm optic

[Tyler Scott]

Well Im the first to admit this is not a good rifle for an amature long range shooter. I recieved a brand new Savage 110 BA in 338Lapua Mag as a gift. I have not owned many bolt rifles but Im not completely ignorant.
Im now in the market for an optic. I understnad it takes expensive equipment and lots of time behind the stock to be a 1000+yd shooter. But Im willing to put in the time and effort to become a good shot (good, not perfect). Im budgeting upto $1300 for an optic. Leup?Millet?

[brando]

That's kind of a bare minimum for a decent long range optic. Don't go crazy with magnification, up to 25x is plenty good to a mile. Because it's a larger magnum and will vibrate the crap out of any optic you put on it, that's another reason to spend the money on a good quality one. Personally, I'm a "buy once, cry once" kind of guy, but if you're really budget conscious, go for a good value scope (ie bang for buck).

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x
Vortex PST 6-24x
IOR 6-24x FFP
Leupold Mk4/ERT

These generally hover around the $2k mark and while not having some of the features or quality of the higher end S&B, Hensoldt, Leupold (Mk6 & 8) or USO, they blow the doors off of lower end Bushnell, Burris, Redfield, etc.

But that only solves one problem. The other major one you will find with that rifle is the cost of feeding it is astronomical compared to the average AR-15 or .308 bolt gun. If you don't do your own loads and rely on factory ammo, you're likely to search out the cheapest .338LM ammo, which may not be the best performing in the long run. Inside of 1000 yards this is often not a big deal, but beyond that quality ammo is important.