. 338/378Wby scope choices

[Boomer68]

I have a Accumark and was wondering what a good scope would be for long range hunting. Also, what would be a good ring/base choice.

[Lloyd Smale]

how long of shots are you planning. IF it were my gun and i was to stick to my self imposed 500 yard max range that gun would wear a 3.5x10 vx3 or possible a 4.5x14vx3. If it was possible id use the gun for some shorter range in the woods work id go with the first choise. If all i hunted were fields id take the second. that gun has some serious recoil and needs a GOOD quality scope! theres scopes out there with slightly better optical performance (and i mean slightly)  in the same price range but NONE are any more rugged then a leupold. Ive used leupold duel dovetail mounts on some hard kickers too and never had a problem with them. I personaly prefer a 2 piece base as a one piece base can sometimes stress a scope if the holes arent drilled perfectly and i also am a believer in lapping my rings especially on a hard kicking gun. You want all the grip you can get from your rings and you want the scope stessed as little as possible if you want it to hold up to big recoil.

[drdougrx]

I might even have the screw holes enlarged to take the larger diameter screw as the recoil forces of that round will be pretty stout and I think a duel dovetail mount as well.

[Sourdough]

I love my Weatherby Accumark, with Night Force scope.
 
I shoot a Weatherby Accumark in .338/378.  At 1000 yards it still has more energy and velocity than most guns have at the muzzle.  So to utalize the capability of your cartridge you need a good scope.  I topped mine with a 3.5-15X50 Night Force.  No other scope even come close in my book.  Any larger than 15 power, your heart beat will interfere with your settling on your shot.  Each heart beat will cause the scope crosshairs to swing right, then back left, then come back to center.  I even notice it at 15 power, but am able to time it so I make the shot when the crosshairs come back to center.
 
Now for mounting the scope.  After ripping the lug off a set of Lupold Rings, then I had the original screws for the base plate sheared off.  Got a custom Base Plate with larger screws, that worked.  Then I found out Warne Rings could not hold the scope from sliding under recoil.  I finally called Weatherby and they put me in touch with a guy that makes a Picatinny Rail and matching rinds just for Weatherby Accumarks.  It was a bit spendy but I am totally satisfied with the results.  I did not get the picatinny rail just the rings.
 
I am shooting a 225gr Nosler Accubond in front of IMR 7828, at 3210fps.  I can not remember the load off the top of my head.  When I get back home in March I can give you my loading data.  So far I've dropped a Moose at 810 yards with one shot.  I killed a Grizzly at 620 yards.  First shot complete pass through right behind the shoulders.  Took out both lungs and nicked the heart.  Bear turned and started running towards the spruce trees.  Second shot hit the spine, just behind the shoulders.  Bear rolled behind a bush.  Then I saw the bear standing on it's front legs looking around, I could not see the rear.  I put a third shot through the neck dropping it instantly.
 
I am currently hitting a gallon milk jug at 1000 yards.  At 1200 yards the jug has a 50/50 chance of surviving.  I'm still working for 1200 yards.

[Sourdough]

By the way, the 338/378 is just above the 338 Lapua performance wise.  Good choice.

[JustaShooter]

Any larger than 15 power, your heart beat will interfere with your settling on your shot.  Each heart beat will cause the scope crosshairs to swing right, then back left, then come back to center.  I even notice it at 15 power, but am able to time it so I make the shot when the crosshairs come back to center.

The effect of your heartbeat is there no matter what the scope power is, you can just see it with higher powers. This isn't a bad thing, as you mention, being able to see it allows you to counter the effect by timing the shot. 

Just a Shooter

[FPH]

Any larger than 15 power, your heart beat will interfere with your settling on your shot.  Each heart beat will cause the scope crosshairs to swing right, then back left, then come back to center.  I even notice it at 15 power, but am able to time it so I make the shot when the crosshairs come back to center.

The effect of your heartbeat is there no matter what the scope power is, you can just see it with higher powers. This isn't a bad thing, as you mention, being able to see it allows you to counter the effect by timing the shot. 

Just a Shooter

I agree, I slow mine down to about 40 beats per min.(at bench rest) and then just adjust to the rhythm.  I have an arryithmia and that can throw things off at times.

[tomtomz]

You bought a long shooter, might as well give it a nice scope with tactical knobs and a MILDOT reticle to help with ballistic adjustments at full range.
I like Millett tactical LRS-1. Get the six bolt rings or your scope will eventually slip. Add a little scope ring rosin and tighten to proper torque.

[Sourdough]

Mil Dot reticle are old school.  Too much math required.  The new Tacital scopes with calibrated turrets, to your cartridge is a lot faster, and easier to use.  Just dial to the correct yardage and shoot.  No hold over or guessing.
 
Lupold will custom calibrate their scopes to your cartridge.  Just give them the bullet weight, velocity, and coefficient.  They will calibrate a set of turrets for your cartridge.