Scope for 223

[Summit1966.]

Hi all,

Looking to buy a half decent scope for a 223. I have a Nikko Sterling currently which for no obvious reasons looses zero.
Looking to spend up to $1000. My current scope is a 4.5 x 14 x 50 which I like.

What scopes would people recommend?
Thanks

[GQshayne]

What do you use the rifle for?

[Wapiti]

A hunting 223 rifle, a 2.5-36x VX3HD.
A field varmint 223 rifle, 4.5-14x VX3HD.
A range queen, the biggest largest coke bottle you can find.

[Oldbloke]

What do you use the rifle for?

Yes, this is important.
I'll assume hunting.
I use 3-9×40. But for more open country,
4-12×40 would be suitable.

[GQshayne]

What do you use the rifle for?

Yes, this is important.
I'll assume hunting.
I use 3-9×40. But for more open country,
4-12×40 would be suitable.

For hunting in the thick stuff I use a 1-6 on my 243. Very much depends on usage.

[Wapiti]

Mate, don't overscope it.
In that case, a good low power variable is outstanding, which is why I recommended the 2.5-8x36.
Low for thisker stuff and 8x for when your country opens up.

Look at this little 223 spud gun of mine with the 2.5-8x scope on it. Imagine the hideous top-heavy mess of anything bigger. More magnification does not make up for the real-world idiosyncrasies of people, conditions or the cartridge.

[Oldbloke]

What do you use the rifle for?

Yes, this is important.
I'll assume hunting.
I use 3-9×40. But for more open country,
4-12×40 would be suitable.

For hunting in the thick stuff I use a 1-6 on my 243. Very much depends on usage.

Yes, 2-7 is very popular. Just depends where you hunt most of the time.

[Cape_Yorkee]

Agree with not over-scoping.
Earlier this year I purchased a Outback Optics 4-12×40 Matilda RF for one of my 222's and anything beyond 12 is splitting hairs at 100m (IMHO). I run it on 8 or 9 and find this a good range. Good for hunting and good for paper targets.

Have a good look at Hawke scopes. They are a surprisingly good brand, bit of a sleeper amongst the pack.

[Oldbloke]

I'm now using all Leupold freedoms 3-9×40.

Vortex are generally considered pretty good.

No personal experience tho.