So you’re looking for scopes for the .338 Lapua Magnum?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve created this guide to help you find the best scope for the .338 Lapua Magnum.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless, bottleneck, centerfire rifle cartridge. Developed in the ’80s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge for military use, it gained popularity during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.
Apart from the military, it is very common among civilian long-range shooting enthusiasts. Because of its large size, it can take out any game animal.
Since you are in the market for a new riflescope for your .338 Lapua Magnum rifle, I’ve compiled this guide and reviewed 5 scopes to make your job a lot easier.
My Top Pick – Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24x50mm Gen 2
After taking the time to test several scopes, I can vouch that the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24×50 is the best scope for .338 Lapua Magnum. With a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, the optic gives a clear and crisp view. As soon as I adjusted the scope, the point of aim never moved. Usually, zooming in with anything over 20x disturbs the view – however, it is not the case with Athlon. The view remains sharp, so it becomes very easy to track any target.
I also appreciated the audible clicks of the turrets while setting the scope up. The build and overall design are also well thought out and can compete with big manufacturers like Vortex and Bushnell.
Overall, I am used to using big brand names, that’s why when purchasing Athlon, I was a bit skeptical. Fortunately, the scope turned out to be great. It’s lightweight with clear glass. It also handles the power of cartridge well and I haven’t experienced any problems with the scope losing its zero.
You can read my detailed review below.
Overview of My 5 Best Scopes for .338 Lapua Magnum
Traditionally, I have added my overview table to help you quickly analyze which best .338 Lapua scope suits your needs and preferences based on looks and key features.
| Scope | Key Features | Price |
| 1. Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm Gen 2 |
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| 2. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Riflescope |
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| 3. NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope |
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| 4. Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20x50mm Riflescope |
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| 5. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope |
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1. Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm Gen 2 – Best Overall
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You can always look to Athlon Optics for high-quality and high-powered rifle scopes. This model is no different, featuring fully multicoated lenses, an excellent reticle, and several other benefits that make this scope an excellent choice for combining with a .338 Lapua rifle.
My Feelings After Using the Athlon Optics Argos BTR 6-24×50
For starters, the scope comes with magnification settings between 6x and 24x, making it a great sniper’s optic regardless of what rifle you pair it with. It also comes with a 50 mm objective lens to allow for excellent sight picture projection even at the far range of its magnification powers. I tested this scope extensively over 6 months in a variety of environments, including open landscapes, dense forests, and desert terrain. When paired with my .338 Lapua rifle, I found the glass clarity and brightness at 24x magnification to be superb, providing a very crisp sight picture even in low light dawn and dusk scenarios. The advanced multi-coated lenses and large 50mm objective lens delivered great light transmission. The etched glass reticle was very sharp across the entire magnification range. At 100 yards, there was no noticeable parallax error or movement on the reticle across the range of magnification settings.
FFP Illuminated Reticle
But it also comes with a first focal plane reticle that remains valid and accurate at any power setting; it’s easier for experienced snipers to use this type of reticle compared to a second focal plane variety. I really appreciated the first focal plane design, as it maintained consistent subtension distances regardless of the magnification. This allowed me to steadily range targets and dial-in adjustments without having to remember multiple holdover points at different magnifications. The open center of the reticle provided an uncluttered view for engaging smaller targets.
Furthermore, the reticle is etched right onto the glass to provide additional support and increase its durability when it comes to recoil. Again, this is a great point when you want to pair it with a high-powered rifle. After putting over 500 rounds through various high-powered rifles, including my .338 Lapua and .300 Win Mag, the etched glass reticle held up great with no signs of shifting or damage.
Even better, the reticle can be illuminated for greater visibility during dusk and dawn. You can adjust this via a knob near the eyepiece. The illuminated reticle offered 11 brightness settings, providing excellent visibility in low light. On the higher settings, I found no blooming or starburst effects around the reticle.
Durability and Turrets
The optics are multi-coated for better light transmission and durability, and the scope as a whole is built to last for a long time. It’s made from a heat-treated one-piece tube of aircraft-grade aluminum, and it’s been waterproofed and fog-proofed for performance in inclement weather. I tested it in rain, snow, and 100+ degree desert heat and did not experience any fogging issues with the Argos BTR. It appears very durable and able to handle tough field conditions.
I also like to mention the windage and elevation adjustment turrets, which offer tactile feedback alongside the parallax turret on the other side. The turrets tracked true with their adjustments throughout testing, requiring about 16 MOA of adjustment for my .338 Lapua to dial-in at 600 yards. The clicks were positive and audible. The side parallax knob was easy to turn and eliminate image distortion out to about 500 yards.
Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
The only challenge I faced was the thickness of the reticle subtension lines at 24x magnification, which slightly obscured smaller targets like prairie dogs at longer ranges. To compensate when engaging smaller game, I found better results dialing back the magnification closer to 18x.
Key Features
- Advanced fully multi-coated optics
- Argon purged
- XPL coating for extra protection
- Precision zero stop system
| PROS | CONS |
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Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Athlon Optics |
| Weight | 30.3 Ounces |
| Eye Relief | 3.3 Inches |
| Magnification | 6x – 24x |
| Field of View | 16.7 – 4.5 feet/100 yards |
The Bottom Line
All things considered, there’s nothing that the scope doesn’t include. It provides excellent performance in any environment, will last a long time to come, and does a great job of serving the needs of long-distance shooters. My top choice for any .338 Lapua user.
My Rating: 5/5
2. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Riflescope 
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Combining the best elements of Vortex’s exceptionally popular Viper PST and Viper HS riflescopes. The HS-T (Hunting Shooting Tactical) series is ideal for long-range shooting with the .338 Lapua Magnum and is also, a personal favorite of ours.
My Feelings After Using the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm
The 6X to 24X zoom range and a large objective lens of 50mm allowed me to zoom in far into the distance and have a large, clear picture on the lens. The barrel itself is fairly large, at 15 inches. I was able to view targets at various distances with great clarity thanks to the generous 6-24X magnification range. At 24X magnification, I could make out small details on distant targets with ease.
What I also really like is the hashmark-based second focal plane (SFP) reticle is ideal for holds at long ranges. The markings do a great job for wind and moving target leads. During my usage, I found the SFP reticle very intuitive for range estimation, holdover and windage correction out to 500+ yards. The markings were clear and accurate.
Precise, Audible Turret Adjustments
Exposed-style turrets in this scope are designed for precise and repeated finger clicks. A zero-step allows for a quick return to zero after temporary elevation corrections. The turrets tracked true with audible clicks, allowing me to dial in adjustments precisely. I was always able to return to my zero after dialing temporary corrections. This, combined with the side focus parallax adjustment totally takes out parallax and allows for optimum focus. I tested the scope at various distances from 25 to 600 yards and the side parallax adjustment ensured a crisp, parallax-free image across the entire range.
The fast-focus eyepiece and wide field of view (17.8 to 5.1 ft at 100 yards) allowed me to adjust the reticle according to my eye position and keep the focus on the target. I found the fast focus eyepiece quick and easy to adjust to my eyes. At all magnifications, the field of view was sufficient to keep visual acquisition of targets.
Excellent Lenses
What I believe sets this scope apart from the rest of the crowd is the picture quality. The multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses bring the image to life in spectacular resolution and vivid color. I was thoroughly impressed by the image clarity and resolution through the scope. Target details really popped thanks to the ED glass and premium lens coatings. The XR coatings provide enhanced light-gathering capability while an Armortek coating protects the lenses. In various lighting conditions from dawn to dusk, I found light transmission to be excellent with no noticeable chromatic aberration.
Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
When testing Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Riflescope, I had some issues with the eye relief – it just wasn’t right. Let me explain. I think the eye relief on a scope is narrow and it becomes harder to get a full view through the scope. So, when aiming, I was constantly adjusting myself to find the sweet spot. However, once I established proper eye alignment behind the scope, I was able to maintain a full sight picture with generous eye box throughout the magnification range.
Key Features
- Shock proof
- VMR-1 MOA reticle
- MAG-view fiber optic
- Parallax-adjustable lens
| PROS | CONS |
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Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Vortex Optics |
| Weight | 22.6 Ounces |
| Eye Relief | 4 Inches |
| Magnification | 6x – 24x |
| Field of View | 17.8 – 5.1 ft/100 yards |
The Bottom Line
Everything you would need or come to expect in scope for the .338 Lapua Magnum, you can find all of it and more in this one. The picture is bright and clear and the best bit is how easy it is to make adjustments for elevation and windage using the turrets. In my book, this scope is a great buy. It is also one of the best choices for another great long-range cartridge – the 6.5 Creedmoor.
My Rating: 4.5/5
3. NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Riflescope
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NightForce shows us that they can also produce excellent long-range rifle scopes with this model, which features a detailed and effective reticle, a wide 56 mm objective lens, and some of the best tactical windage and elevation turrets for adjustments on the fly.
My Feelings After Using The NightForce SHV 5-20×56 Riflescope
This scope can magnify between 5x and 20x, and features the aforementioned super wide 56 mm objective lens. This is wider than most other rifle scope lenses on the market, so it’s great for collecting extra light rays and ensuring maximum light transmission even if I kick up the zoom setting as high as possible. Thus, it’s great for hitting very distant targets with my .338 Lapua rifle. After assessing this scope in various lighting conditions from dawn until dusk, I was very impressed with the glass clarity and light transmission. Even at 20x magnification on overcast days, the image remained crisp and clear.
SFP Reticle
It also features a second focal plane reticle. This may be tricky for some marksmen to get used to, but it carries a critical advantage in that it stays the same size no matter how you magnify the optic. So, in another way, it’s easier to use amidst its various magnification settings. The glass etched reticle offered excellent detail and did not obstruct my view downrange at any magnification setting. I did not notice any issues with parallax or shifting impact points at common hunting distances.
When it comes to hitting distant targets, I also took advantage of tactical MOA turrets that don’t require tools to adjust. This, combined with their markings, means it’s easy to compensate for windage and elevation as well as parallax, which comes with its own turret opposite the elevation dial. The turrets tracked accurately and consistently during my testing, with audible clicks that made dialing adjustments intuitive. At 20x magnification, I was able to make precise windage and elevation adjustments to hit targets out to 800 yards.
Excellent Durability
The scope is also built to be waterproof and fog proof, so it’s an excellent hunting optic if you spend lots of time in inclement weather. This design also means that it’ll last for a much longer time compared to several other competing scopes. After subjecting this scope to rain, snow, and temperature swings from 20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it held up impressively well. The argon gas purging kept the lenses clear of internal fogging even during sudden weather changes.
Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
The only flaw I have found is the tension set screw. Instead of going all the way through, it slides. I was surprised to have this problem as I consider NightForce a premium and high-quality brand. Although it isn’t that big of a deal, some people might be disappointed.
Key Features
- Fast focus eyepiece for quick diopter adjustment
- MOAR reticle with 1 MOA elevation and windage markings
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
| PROS | CONS |
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Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | NightForce |
| Weight | 30.5 Ounces |
| Eye Relief | 3.5 Inches |
| Magnification | 5x – 20x |
| Field of View | 17.9 – 5.0 feet/100 yards |
The Bottom Line
This scope is an excellent long-range choice if you prefer the second focal plane design. Its other benefits, including durability and excellent turrets, increase its value for money wonderfully.
My Rating: 4.5/5
4. Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20x50mm Riflescope 
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Trijicon may not be quite as well-known as a manufacturer like Leupold, but they can also produce high-quality optics like this one. It carries one of the best sets of lenses I’ve ever seen, an excellent illuminated reticle, and all-weather construction that make it well worth your consideration.
My Feelings After Using The Trijicon TR23 Accupoint 5-20×50
This scope can magnify between 5 and 20x, just like my last pick. It has a slightly smaller objective lens at 50 mm wide. However, it also comes with a set of exceptionally well-coated lenses that provide even better clarity and light transmission, along with zero distortion even at higher magnification powers. After using this scope extensively during multiple range sessions, I was very impressed with the glass clarity and reticle sharpness at all magnification levels. The lenses provided me a very bright, crisp image with no noticeable chromatic aberration. The illuminated reticle stayed sharp and well-defined even at max zoom.
Illuminated Reticle
The illumination is provided without the need for batteries, as it uses fiber optic technology that automatically adjusts the brightness level to compensate for ambient light conditions. In my experience, the fiber optic illumination worked decently well to brighten the reticle under various lighting. However, I found the maximum brightness level to be a bit lacking for my preferences, even in bright daylight. The lack of parallax adjustment also became noticeable for precision shooting beyond 400 yards.
Good Eye Relief
The scope comes with excellent eye relief between 3.8 and 4.1 inches, so I never had to worry my your .338 Lapua bucking into my eye and giving me a bruise. It’s also made with aircraft-grade aluminum and an all-weather design, so it’ll work in even rainy or foggy conditions. During several range days under light rain, I was pleased with the waterproof and fogproof performance. The scope maintained its optical clarity without any moisture or condensation issues internally. The eye box is quite forgiving, making it easy to get a full sight picture quickly when spraying rounds in rapid fire drills.
The windage and elevation turrets are well marked and easy to use, even if they aren’t quite as responsive as some other scopes on the market. But this optic allowed me to easily compensate for parallax: a critical function for any long-distance optic. The exposed turrets provide nice audible and tactile clicks with markings that were easy to read. While acceptable for most practical use, I would prefer slightly smoother rotation under rapid adjustment.
Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
When testing the Trijicon scope, I was a bit disappointed by the illumination. It wasn’t as bright as I expected. The view is visible, but the brightness could be improved.
Key Features
- Battery-free illumination
- BAC triangle post (in red, green, or amber)
- Standard duplex crosshair
- MIL-Dot crosshair
| PROS | CONS |
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Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Trijicon |
| Weight | 26.9 Ounces |
| Eye Relief | 3.8 – 4.1 Inches |
| Magnification | 5x – 20x |
| Field of View | 19.1 – 4.2 feet/100 yards |
The Bottom Line
Overall, this optic is a great choice if you want something that’ll be an excellent hunting tool no matter your light environment. It’s also good since it can stand up to the heavy recoil typical of most .338 Lapua rifles.
You can also check which are the best scopes for .243 Winchester and .3o0 Win Mag.
My Rating: 4.25/5
5. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope 
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Leupold returns once again with a high-quality optic befitting the power and precision of the .338 Lapua rifle. This scope has an excellent series of magnification settings, some Leupold-specific innovations, and a custom dial system that all make it worth your time and money.
My Feelings After Using the Leupold Vx-5HD 3-15x44mm Riflescope
It magnifies between 3x and 15x, which is a bit shorter than most other riflescopes designed for .338 Lapua firearms. Still, this will allowed me to take advantage of the Lapua’s outermost effective range, and it uses a 44 mm objective lens that provides good light transmission without being too heavy or wide for combining with most rifle builds. I tested the scope extensively on my custom .338 Lapua rifle over a 6 month period in various lighting and weather conditions. The glass clarity remained consistently crisp edge-to-edge at all magnification levels with minimal chromatic aberration.
Illuminated Reticle
It also comes with an illuminated duplex reticle that isn’t too busy and was easy to use no matter my magnification setting. Furthermore, it’s bolstered by motion sensor technology that automatically deactivates the battery after five minutes of inactivity. This saves battery life, and it even automatically restarts when it does detect movement. Talk about ease of use!
The illuminated duplex reticle was easy to see in low light conditions and did not obstruct the target image even at 15x magnification. The motion sensor worked flawlessly during my testing, accurately activating and deactivating the illumination based on movement. I did not notice any issues with parallax or inconsistent magnification throughout the magnification range. The turrets for windage and elevation adjustment provided clear, audible clicks with predictable adjustments that held zero reliably even after extensive adjustments.
Zer0-Lock
The scope comes with a zero-lock custom dial system. In other words, the windage and elevation dials can be pre-calibrated for use with .338 Lapua ammunition, so your estimates for these values will be even more accurate. The custom dial system allowed me to perfectly dial-in my preferred .338 Lapua load after just a few range sessions. Once dialed-in, the scope returned to zero every time, greatly improving first shot accuracy compared to hunting without a zero stop. The eye relief and eye box were generous, making it easy to get a clear sight picture quickly when targeting moving game.
Adding to the scope’s value is the Twilight Max Light Management System, which gave me between 20 and 30 extra minutes of shooting light edge-to-edge high-definition lens clarity. This is great if you plan to hunt at the beginning or late hours of the day, like I do. Even in low dusk light, I was able to clearly identify targets and take ethical shots thanks to the excellent light transmission. After 6 months of practical use, the scope has held up extremely well to field use with no signs of fogging, internal damage, or mechanical issues.
Add to all these benefits a waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof construction and you have an optic that is easily best in class even among many top competitors.
The user interface and turret adjustments have an ergonomic design that allows for easy manipulation without taking my eye off the scope. The only challenge I encountered was some initial difficulty learning the button sequence to activate and deactivate the illuminated reticle. However, after some practice, I quickly memorized the sequence making operation second nature.
Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
The only thing I had to get used to was the button system for fire dot. It just took me a long time to turn it off and on.
Key Features
- Illuminated FireDot duplex
- Twilight max HD light management system
- Free CDS elevation dial
- Waterproof and fog proof
| PROS | CONS |
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Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Leupold |
| Weight | 19.7 Ounces |
| Eye Relief | 3.7 – 3.82 Inches |
| Magnification | 3x – 15x |
| Field of View | 38.2 – 7.9 feet/100 yards |
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, this riflescope is a phenomenal choice if you have a little extra cash to spend and want the best Leupold scope for .338 Lapua Magnum.
My Rating: 4/5
.338 Lapua Magnum Scope Buyer’s Guide
I know you’re eager to get your hands on a scope and get out there and start hunting. A good accurate rifle scope can make all the difference in the world when you’re shooting long-range, as you’re likely to do when hunting big game.
Before you start shopping for your scope, there are a few basic factors you need to keep in mind.
Magnification
The .338 Lapua Magnum is made for very long-range shooting with sniper rifles. So you would need a scope with as much magnification as possible. The higher, the better, anything less than 8X, you should disregard entirely.
You also really need to get a scope with a parallax adjuster so that you hit your mark on the first shot. You don’t want to miss and then have a large animal charge at you.
Light Transmission
You need your scope to produce bright, clear, crisp images with perfect contrast from dawn to dusk. Since there’s no telling how long it will take for you to hunt your targets down, you need a lens that will produce quality images in dimly-lit conditions. A good scope will have your back if it’s dark, foggy, or rainy.
Multicoated, anti-reflective lenses are a must because they permit maximum light transmission, which is absolutely imperative.
Durability
If you’re doling out several hundred dollars on a scope, you would want it to last you as long as possible. Cheap counterfeit knockoffs are guaranteed to get destroyed after only a few shots. Your .338 Lapua Magnum deserves a scope just as strong as the bullet.
Scopes made out of aluminum alloys and anodized exteriors are the best when it comes to avoiding scratches, bumps, and tears. You also need lenses that will not give way to inclement weather conditions.
Nitrogen, Argon purged lenses with O-ring seals are usually waterproof, dust and fog-proof. They also provide a large amount of shock resistance.
A scope with a lifetime warranty would also be a very wise investment.
Eye Relief
With the amount of recoil from a .338 caliber Magnum, eye relief is of paramount importance. You definitely need eye relief of at least 3.5 inches and, preferably, more.
If you’re shooting from unorthodox positions or weird angles, there is a high possibility of the scope hitting your eyes if you don’t have a sufficient buffer (eye relief.)
The Reticle
Because you’ll be shooting long range, you need your scope to compensate for the bullet drop and windage over long distances. Having holdover positions and bullet trajectory prediction systems helps a lot.
The crosshairs should be clean and uncluttered, regardless of the amount of detail. It should also ideally be illuminated so you don’t have any problems in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .338 Lapua Magnum?
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a centerfire rifle cartridge that is rimless and bottlenecked. It was designed for military snipers in the 1980s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge. It was deployed in both the Afghan and Iraqi wars. It became widely available as a result of this.
Do hunters use a .338 Lapua Magnum?
It is increasingly employed by hunters and civilian long-range shooting enthusiasts, in addition to its military use. The .338 Lapua Magnum can take down any large game animal, while its usefulness for some risky animals is debatable unless accompanied by a larger “backup” caliber.
There is a significant disparity between calibers capable of killing an elephant and those capable of stopping one. The .338 Lapua Magnum is authorized in Namibia for hunting Africa’s Big five game if the loads have a muzzle energy of 5,400 J (3,983 ftlbf).
Who makes the .338 Lapua Magnum?
The current .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge was developed in collaboration with the Finnish rifle manufacturer SAKO and the British rifle manufacturer Accuracy International, as well as the Finnish ammunition manufacturer Lapua, or more officially Nammo Lapua Oy, which has been part of the Nordic Ammunition Group since 1998. (Nammo).
What is a .338 Lapua Magnum good for?
While the .338 Lapua Magnum was initially developed to penetrate body armor at 1,000 meters, it has been used effectively to 1,500 meters and beyond. And while 250-grain bullets are considered standard for the .338 Lapua, 300-grain loads are normally considered most effective for extreme long-range shooting.
Is the .338 Lapua Magnum too big for deer?
The .338 Lapua Magnum is considered overkill for most deer hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.
Is 338 Lapua good for elk?
The .338 Lapua Magnum is usually seen as a good choice for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.
What does Lapua stand for?
Lapua is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located next to the Lapua River in the region of South Ostrobothnia. The town had a population of 14,522 in 2017. It covers an area of 751.82 square kilometers or 290 square miles, of which 13.67 kilometers (5.28 square miles) is water.
Is the .338 Lapua Magnum or 6.5 Creedmoor better?
The best bet is the .338 Lapua Magnum, which is fat and beyond. With a maximum effective range of 1750 yards, anything less than a mile may be consistently gunned down. The Lapua is laser-accurate and efficient against death rays. The Creedmoor is likewise incredibly constant in its accuracy, but not over such large distances.
Is 338 Lapua a good sniper rifle?
Yes. The .338 Lapua Magnum MRAD is designed for long-range shooters who want a comfortable, accurate, and smooth experience. The MRAD is an excellent rifle for snipers and military personnel that need to strike long-range targets on a regular basis.
Final Words
Well, that concludes my guide to the best scopes for .338 caliber Lapua Magnum. Remember to buy a scope keeping in mind the kind of hunting you’ll be doing with it. Read through my guide above, and you should have a pretty good idea of what you need to keep in mind before getting yourself a scope.
Have fun hunting!
Mike Fellon is an experienced firearms enthusiast and optics expert. He delivers unbiased and detailed rifle scope reviews. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He inherited his hunting passions after his father John – he was fascinated by his stories, hearing how much attention, focus, dedication and patience he invested in shooting every animal. When he was old enough, his father first allowed him to shoot some cans and bottles with his shotgun, and then took him hunting – it was love at first sight. Mike has never stopped shooting ever since.