DD on a 338 I would put ONLY top a quality piece of glass. You know the difference between "ok, good and great" so I wont go there. Especially for a scope that is not only gonna see knocks from a 338 but is gonna be subjected to MUCH worse treatment... the baggage apes at the airport [:@]! I say go with the 3x10x44 Conquest. Might even order one in mil-dot, though for only 250 or less yard shots you won't need the mil setup. The 3x9x40 Conquest is an equally impressive tube of glass!

If you want other options how about the 4x12x50 VXII? Or the 3.5x10x50 or 4x12x40 Monarchs from Nikon? Awfully hard to beat ANYTHING Monarch for the money. I'd stay away from the cheap imports on something that is gonna be atop a medium bore (or larger) and ESPECIALLY if I know I am gonna be taking that rig on travel hunts. Saving a couple hundred bucks on a scope is NO place to skimp when it's failure could cost you THOU$AND$on a out of state/country hunt!!!

Good luck,
RA