Scope blues

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Hmmm. I’m trying to find a scope for the big Ruger .338 and I’m hitting walls.

I’m looking for a fixed-power scope somewhere between 15x and 20x, with as big an objective as I can find.

Closest thing I can find is the IOR Valdada 16x-56mm which is pretty much exactly what I’m looking for. Problem is, no one has it in stock. They also make a 16x-42mm but why would I get that when I could get a 56mm?

I prefer a fixed-power scope for the long range stuff because, to me, it’s one less thing to worry about. Yes, I’m sure the so-n-so brand of variable scopes are 100% repeatable and all that. But…I want fixed-power.  Having said that, I’ll get fifteen comments to this post – two will tell me where there is a scope in stock somewhere, the other 13 will be people trying to tell me to get a variable scope. No means no, dude. No variable.

I cant find any other major manufacturer who makes a scope in that 15-20x range, fixed power, with a large objective. I can find a few fixed 10x scopes, and plenty of fixed 25x, 40x, 50x scopes but thats too much magnification. Leupold, Nikokn, Zeiss, etc… nada.

So, it looks like I’m on a unicorn hunt until I find this 16x-56mm. I’m not married to that particular scope, its just that so far I can’t find anything similar.

I can see its gonna be a while before I get this .338 up and shooting.

 

18 thoughts on “Scope blues”

    • I came here to recommend swfa. I use my 12x to shoot 308 at 1k. It is at the edge of its envelope, but it works and you won’t find a better price for equivalent gear. The turret tracking on the swfa is excellent. I dial it, and it is right on.
      For big hitters, you might want to look at the fixed power stuff on the Bushnell elite line. I know that it is bushnell, but supposedly the elite stuff is pretty good, I understand that Barrett ships some of their models with those scopes.
      I agree with you about fixed power, I also find it much more affordable when you want good glass and turrets that work right.

  2. The link provided doesn’t show that they don’t have it stock. It just shows not available for export. Their in NJ so that shouldn’t be an issue.

    • Also it allowed me to place it in the cart and it didn’t show unavailable or backordered.

  3. I’m with you zero on fixed power. A few years back I had a fixed power ACOG on my primary 5.56 and it was incredible. Best glass I’d ever looked thru. Keep up the awesomeness dude 😀

  4. Are internal v. external adjustments an issue?

    I had a 24x Unertl w/ a 2.5 inch objective lens and it was The Titz!

    • Yeah, but between the 42mm and the 56mm objective, Id rather the 56mm. Although, as I said, this one is a good second choice.

  7. https://www.outdoorsbay.com/product/ior-valdada-16×56-sf-riflescope/

    https://www.opticsbrands.com/product/ior-valdada-10×42-sf-tactical-riflescope/
    Although I suspect they are the same company with two different websites.

    https://www.bearbasin.com/ior-valdada-scopes.htm
    It’s a little ways down the page, but it’s in there. Seems you have to phone in the order.

    I have not had dealing with any of the above, but that is what I could find. I didn’t think it would be hard to find a fixed power scope in this day and age until I started casually looking for that scope. Anyway, good luck.

    • Those first two vendors concern me. They both have the same phone number.

      • That screams shell corporation. Such behavior is standard in some businesses (construction and real estate) but in businesses where t isn’t standard it should be a major red flag of shadiness.

  9. No means no, dude. No variable.
    I hear you. However, could be a reason that flavor of optic is not so popular.
    I have spent many days on the 1k range and have seen lots of days when the ability to use a much lower power saved the day. If I had to be stuck with fixed power it would be 14x or less.

  11. I got an email from Classic Firearms in North Carolina. They are having a sale on optics. Saw several that might be to your liking and suit your needs.

    • I have to agree. I’m slowly switching my long range weapons to SWFA, only a couple left. There are trade offs, of course but they are hard to beat on the price point. I’m happy with them.

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