I finally bit the bullet. Here I go down a slippery slope. Yippee

[Fiftydriver]

My recommendations on the scope to Don were for several reasons. First the range he would be shooting out to is not out of the reach of a quality 15x scope by any means. Especially the NXS 3.5-15x 50mm.

Second, this scope will be on a 338 Allen Magnum and in a 20-22 lb class rifle. Recoil will not be severe by any means but it will be more then what many would be accustomed to with this weight of a rifle. When the rifles jump, field of view can be critical to getting back on target and spotting your own shot even if you have a spotter there for you. There is nothing more valuable then seeing your own bullet hit or miss to determine if a second shot is needed or not. The lower powered scopes are more forgiving in this area. Even if you are bumped off target by recoil, the larger field of view will give you a better chance of getting back on target to see your impact.

Many will say that shooting out to 1000 yards will give you plenty of time to get back on target to see your hits. To that I say, ya have to shoot a 338 AM at that range to understand how little time it takes for that bullet to get on target. If you have to readjust your rifle at all you WILL miss your impact at 1000 yards, its there that quickly.

Finally, this is a hunting rifle and most big critters die before the sun comes up or just after it sets. As such, the 3.5-15 is much brighter then the 5.5-22 is. Now you would be correct in saying that when both scopes are set on the same power, they would be equally as bright and to the human eye you would be correct. But, remember that the 3.5-15 reticle is calibrated at 15x. The 5.5-22 is calibrated at 22x. If your using the reticle for reference hold points, the top end of the lower powered scope will be much brighter then the top end of the higher powered scope.

Did that make any sense at all??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

As to the 40 MOA rail base. He will have a round with nearly 3000 yard reach, why not be able to use it???

Kirby Allen(50)

[pinshootr]

Hey Don just getting started so that sounds good matbe learn some things!!!! Email me when you have time Tod

[NYLES]

I think I got that........Lil carb wide open is better than big carb at 1/2 throttle.....all under it being equal!

[hoghound]

I could'nt have said it any better Kirby. The N/F 3.5-15 is an excellant scope of choice, plus you get 10moa more bars then the 22x before you have to play the crank game.

We have a feeder set up at 1150yds from the barn. Mike ask me where to hold and I told him the 11th bar. He said I ain't got but 10. I told him ain't that a bitch, guess your gonna have to figure the crank and I went back to shootin LMAO. I think I have it figured I can shoot form a 150yd zero to 1500yds using the 2moa bars and never turn a click. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Tim

[Fiftydriver]

The 3.5-15x 50mm NXS gets overlooked ALOT in favor of the higher magnification 5.5-22x. In some cases the higher power certainly has its advantage but for most big game hunting, even long range big game hunting, the 3.5-15 will give nothing up to the higher power scope and in many cases outperform its more potent brother.

If your looking for a great big game hunting scope, do not overlook the 3.5-15. YOu can not go wrong with any NF scope really but the 3.5-15 has some serious merits to consider before buying the 5.5-22.

Now for small target engagement, the higher powered scope will have more advantages. That said, I had my 3.5-15x 50mm NXS on Black Sunshine when I killed that chuck at 2370 yards set on 15x. It was certainly not overly magnified by I could tell what I was shooting at and I could take a quality hold for each shot as well.

I was not aware that the 3.5-15 had an extra hash in the NP-R2 reticle. Probably because I generally use the MLR reticle.

Kirby Allen(50)

[Eaglet]

my friends,
I can understand the reasonings for both, the 3.5-15x and the 5.5-22x. They are both strong and valid and professional. Now, I would probably do better in not giving my opinion but here it goes:
If my rifle was between 10 lbs to 16 Lbs or so, to where I would probably take it out and do some walking, I would definatelly would want the 3.5-15X, but with a 22-24 lbs monster that is capable to spit out to 3000 yards, I would take my chances with the 5.5-22X. That would be my personal choosing. Kirby's points are very strong and can not be ignored, that's the part that would make me some what nervous. But all in all I see both sides and I respect both opinions. Just more wisdom to me!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]