RE: Scope opinions please
Considering the larger animals usually hunted with a .338 (elk, moose, bear), I honestly don't see how you would need much over 9x that a 3x-9x would provide-especially just starting out with a .338. You're not going to just pick up a .338 and be able to reliably make 500 yard shots with it. Leupold, Nikon, Burris, and Bushnell to name a few make scopes that fall within that quality/price level you want. Welcome to the forum!