I haven't seen either available in years. Yes, some has popped up very briefly but practically speaking, it's really not meaningly available. I read somewhere both of these are produced in the same factory in central or eastern Europe. I also I understand the RL26 shortage is the root of...
Your intended use couldn’t be anymore matched to the Kowa 553 or 554. They can be found used for around $1300-1400. If you can raise the funds, you won’t need anything else for investigating something you’ve already found.
All the power to those who choose a small caliber for deer and other medium size game. They really are perfectly adequate with a good bullet and importantly, are easier to become accurate with. With that said, there's nothing wrong with choosing a more powerful rifle cartridge and becoming...
I believe in using the right tool for the job. I enjoy having a very stable view more than I am uncomfortable carrying the additional weight. Since you asked, I think mine is about 4.5 lbs including a VA-5 head. It's such a joy to use for many hours with a Kowa 883. I see a lot more game...
Marine Mike is actually Formidilosus in his Clark Kent disguise just to prove his point.
But seriously, this is where the ‘Marine Mike’ meme has begun.
You'd want the TE-11WZ eye piece for sure. After kowa made that update, I don't think there's been any update to the 88 model besides to the body. I think the 88 w/the '11' eyepiece would be the best bang for the buck scope by far in its class for $2k.
Right, compared to the 338 magnums that most 338 suppressors are designed for, such as the Lapua, the win mag is quite modest. It has the same powder volume to bore volume per barrel inch as a 30-06.
I would guess the pertinent analysis places a lot of emphasis on the pressure at the muzzle...
There's not a lot a compact spotter will do that a 12x50 on a tripod already does. 12x with both eyes vs 39x with one eye and through a small objective. I wouldn't bother brining the spotter unless I really needed it; and I did, it would be something of at least 65mm but probably larger.
If...
I don't recall my experience with the Tenmile very well as my ownership was brief, but I don't recall any significant difference when I went to the Credo. Both were perfectly adequate.
I encourage the 338 Norma Improved. I built a 33 Nosler with a 22" barrel and a 10 stack AB suppressor. With your extra room in the action and larger suppressor, I think you'll regret going with anything less than 338 RUM amount, minimum. Yeah you won't be getting what a 26+" barrel would be...
Similar enough cartridges have been done. The 338-375 Ruger wildcat, and the 33 Nosler. However these have been shown to not come close enough to the 340 Weatherby or 338 RUM to have any meaningful advantage besides efficiency. Meanwhile, trajectory and long range performance of the 300 PRC...