Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

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Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 1:09 pm

Hey Guys

I hope that everyone is well and I hope that everyone is staying safe during the Corona Virus crisis

Lads, I’m looking for a scope to go onto my 223 and I’m wondering if you guys have any suggestions for me for what I want

My requirements are:
- The Magnification needs to be able to reach at least: 24x
(However, the more magnification the better)
- The Objective Lense needs to be either: 40mm or 50mm
- Variable v/s Fixed: I prefer variable
- Light Transmission: anything above 90% would be good
- MOA v/s MRAD: I prefer MOA
- Fully Multi Coated is preferable
- Second Focal Point is a must
- AO v/s Side Focus Parallax Adjustment: I prefer Side Focus Parallax Adjustment
- Lifetime Warranty is preferable
- I would like to have the thinnest reticle possible
- My budget is around $700 approximately for this one
- I would rather buy brand new over second hand if possible

It’s for target shooting work only (shooting at paper)
So, I would like to be as accurate as possible obviously
Regarding the distance at which I will be shooting at, I'm not too sure about that, I'm not sure at what distance do the 223 stop being accurate?
But I will try to shoot my 223 as far out as possible

Please note;
- I already have a Bushnell scope so for this time around I would like to try a different brand to mix it up a little, to experiment a little
(I'm not fussed about brand at all, I'm keen to experience any brand as long as it's good)
- The eye relief I’m guessing wouldn’t matter too much as there’s not too much recoil on the 223
- The turret type doesn’t matter too much however I would prefer exposed tactical turrets
- The weight of it doesn’t matter at all as the rifle will just be sitting on a bench

Please do let me know if you guys have any suggestions, I’m really open minded

Thanks guys

I look forward to hearing your recommendations
Last edited by TheFirearmEnthusiast on 11 Apr 2020, 5:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 10 Apr 2020, 1:31 pm

Get a Chinese scope there are a few on eBay.

There have been plenty of threads about scopes.
Have a search for those threads.
You can get brand recommendations there.

Basically for $700 you are not going to get that decent a scope brand new esp with lifetime warranty.

I do have a brand new Athlon Argos BTR 6x24x50 and a used Leopold vx3 8.5x25x50 for sale....
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 1:33 pm

Mm
I could experience a bit with the Chinese scopes just to see what they're like lol

Well
Even if I don't get lifetime warranty
That's okay
I'm not too fussed about that to be honest
I just wanna get a scope that ticks my boxes
That's the most important thing

How much are you selling your scopes for Ziad?
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by SCJ429 » 10 Apr 2020, 1:41 pm

That Leupold VX3 is a very nice bit of kit Ziad. How much are you looking for?
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 2:29 pm

I'm looking at the Visionkings right now on EBay Ziad

They're so cheap....

I wonder if they're any good

I'll have to do more research about the Visionkings
I'll have a look at their reviews
So far it seems that people like them
I'm surprised
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by SCJ429 » 10 Apr 2020, 3:14 pm

You already have a cheap Chinese scope, why get another one. The Visionking is usable but ordinary glass, the tracking is off and they are using cheap components. I bought one and have it on a Magnum hunting rifle looking to shake it to bits. It is surviving so far, I am thing of attaching it to a big bore to see if that will make it fail.

Why don't you save up a bit more and buy Ziad's Leupold?
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 3:48 pm

SCJ429;
Isn't Bushnell American?
My scope is made in South Korea I think
I wouldn't mind considering buying Ziad's Leupold.
That's why I asked him for a price lol
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 4:03 pm

I'll keep doing some more research about Visionking SCJ429

So far
Everyone seems like them
From the reviews that I've read so far anyway :unknown:
I'm intrigued lol

If there's any other brands or specific scopes that anyone can recommend please do let me know
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by SCJ429 » 10 Apr 2020, 4:26 pm

If you look underneath your Bushnell, it will say where it was made. I saw one AR optic and it said "Made in China". I could be wrong but I don't think Bushnell has made anything in Korea for over 20 years.

That said the glass in your Bushnell is better than what you get from Visionking. Not that that is saying much. You can bolt that scope onto a rifle and hit stuff. I have used one for six months and have not broken it, for $150 it is amazing to me that you can produce a scope that is useable. If you get one, be prepared to chuck it in the bin some day. Don't pay too much for these scopes. A couple of hundred is what they can be bought for. At $300 or more you are paying too much and should put the money towards Ziad's Leupold. I have the same Leupold scope on a 378 Wea Mag and it has not missed a beat. It is about 100 times better than a Chinese made scope and it has a lifetime warranty
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Rwd22 » 10 Apr 2020, 4:36 pm

Didn't you have a mate that was a shooting guru that knew everything? Maybe check in with him and his recommendations.

I have a couple Hawke scopes(1 x Frontier and 1 x Endurance) and a Vortex Crossfire II, I'm happy with each of them, but for the price points on each, I don't expect them to do more than the dollars I paid for them.

My research usually consists of starting at what I think I'm willing to pay, seeing what comes up and going from there, rarely I'm paying less than what I want to.

Jump on various suppliers websites and have a squiz at all the scopes that are sub $700, note some of the specs that they offer so you can compare as you're going along.

Get down to your LGS and peep through some glass, look at the cheapest ones possible and then look at the ones that make your wallet turn inside out. I wasn't much on the Hawke's until I actually looked through them, comparing them to Swaro, Meopta and Leupold. For the price on the Hawke's I was quite surprised and willing to take the gamble.

I get asking for recommendations on specs, but nothing compares to actually looking through them to see if you can validate the personal cost.
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 4:37 pm

SCJ429;
Okay
I'll look underneath my Bushnell scope and I'll see where it was made
I'll let you know

And you're right
I agree
I always loved Leupold
And I always wanted to own one

And regarding the Visionking
Even if I were to go down that path
Even it it breaks in 5x years time
For $150
I wouldn't care too much
$150 it's nothing
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Rwd22 » 10 Apr 2020, 4:39 pm

On the same token of actually looking through glass, saw some cracking deals on the AR optics, so much so that for price I just had to have a look at one. After looking through it, even though it was stupid cheap, I didn't feel it was worth the money.
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 4:49 pm

Rwd22;
Yeah
I was gonna ask my friend
But I don't wanna bother him too much
He's helped me so much already when it comes to firearms knowledge
I don't wanna bother the Lad too much becoming a pest lol

Thanks man
Yeah
I was considering looking into the Hawke's and Vortex's

Yeah I had a quick look at suppliers web sites
But I didn't come up with much to be honest
That's why I thought I'd ask for suggestions on here

Yeah
I don't blame you
I think I may try the Hawke's as well
I've had a few people telling me they were satisfied with Hawke
(For how much it costs)

And yeah
I understand what you're saying
Nothing beats looking through the actual scope to see for yourself
I will definitely do that as well

Thanks for your advices man
I appreciate this a lot
Thank you
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by bigpete » 10 Apr 2020, 5:25 pm

4x32
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 10 Apr 2020, 5:53 pm

This one doesn't look too bad
https://www.thebarn.net.au/Products/VOR ... 4x50/84673

The VORTEX STRIKE EAGLE 4-24x50

Around the $700 mark

Seems to tick all my boxes Mm

I'll keep researching
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Shootermick » 10 Apr 2020, 7:01 pm

I’ve got a Meopta Meopro 6-18x50 on my 223, cant fault it, it was about $900ish. A cheaper option might be a Zerotech. I’ve got the 4.5-18x40 on my Grendel, haven’t shot it much yet, but so far so good, $349.
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by solarpak » 10 Apr 2020, 7:21 pm

Mmmm a curly one........
with the price point in mind and a mag of 24 x at the top end i would try to get your hands on one of the old Meopta Meopro 6-18x50 which i think have been superseded by the new Optika range - but there should be a few still floating around in the shops new.

Price maybe around $800 but a superb scope for the coin.

For a 223 (as a hunting rifle ) there would only be one choice - a fixed 8x56 - and the Hawke Endurance with the LR Dot reticle and illumination cant be beat at around $500.

C.
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Peter988 » 10 Apr 2020, 8:09 pm

The Zeroteck Trace got a good write up in the latest SSAA magazine. It was tested at 900 metres. A different review here

http://www.sportingshooter.com.au/gear/ ... iflescopes
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by SCJ429 » 10 Apr 2020, 8:40 pm

Peter988 wrote:The Zeroteck Trace got a good write up in the latest SSAA magazine. It was tested at 900 metres. A different review here

http://www.sportingshooter.com.au/gear/ ... iflescopes

Would they write a negative article for a product that advertises in their magazine? I think that $900 is too much for a Chinese scope. You could offer that to Ziad for his 8.5 to 25 Leupold.
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 10 Apr 2020, 9:02 pm

Lol thanks scj.

It comes with lifetime warranty
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TassieTiger » 11 Apr 2020, 2:06 pm

Another vote here for the vx3 - they are a fantastic scope, I’ve been contemplating buying another one...
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
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Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 11 Apr 2020, 5:53 pm

TassieTiger;
Yeah man
I agree with you
I always loved Leupold
I always wanted to get one
The price point is what always prevented me from getting one
I reckon I will get one eventually though
Once I become more experienced etc

Peter988;
Yeah, I remember reading that review about the Zero tech trace as well
I was originally intrigued by it
I would probably go for it if it was $500
But yeah, like SCJ429 said, $900 it’s a bit much for a Chinese scope..
If it was $400 - $500 then I would probably buy it lol

SCJ429;
I've looked underneath my Bushnell scope AR Optics
And it's actually made in South Korea
I was a tad relieved by that haha

Okay, so awesome
You guys have given me plenty to work with/research on
In terms of "budget scopes"
We're looking at;
- Visionking (it’s so cheap, I might buy it just for the fun of it lol)
- Hawke
- Vortex
- Zerotech (if they have anything around the $500 mark)
- Meopta Meopro

Thank you so much everyone
I will keep on researching
(If anything else comes to mind please let me know)

I find that buying a scope is a lot harder than buying a rifle lol
Selecting a rifle that’s the easy part I find haha
:thumbsup:
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Re: Scope needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by bladeracer » 11 Apr 2020, 6:26 pm

TheFirearmEnthusiast wrote:I've looked underneath my Bushnell scope AR Optics
And it's actually made in South Korea
I was a tad relieved by that haha


Mine all have "Made in China" cast into the base of the turret block.
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TassieTiger » 11 Apr 2020, 6:52 pm

I bought my vx3i 8-25 for $850 from qld shop about 9 months ago, it was second hand but unmarked and obviously has life time warranty. So they are out there...my vx3 4-14/50 was only $699.
Even the vx2 6-18 is a great scope for the money and there’s an “as new” one on usual website right now for $650.
A little while ago, I bought a bushnell elite 4-32/50 for just under a grand. It’s not Leo quality glass but does the job for targets on the 300wm.
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Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by SCJ429 » 11 Apr 2020, 7:07 pm

That is interesting that Bushnell make the same optic in China and in Korea. I wonder why? Perhaps they have moved all production of the AR Optics to Korea.
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by JimTom » 12 Apr 2020, 6:58 pm

Mate I am running a Bushnell 3500 on my .223. I believe 3500 and better models are Japanese made as opposed to the cheaper being made in China. Relatively inexpensive and has worked a treat for the last few years.
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 12 Apr 2020, 7:31 pm

Bladeracer;
Ah, okay, yeah I’m not sure how I managed to get one from South Korea

TassieTiger;
Ah sounds like you gotta bargain man
The Leupold vx3i 8-25 for $850, that’s a bloody bargain I reckon, well done
Yeah, from what I read, the vx2 is still a great scope also
Ah okay, which bushnell was it? The one that you bought for under a grand? 4-32x 50mm
That might be something I'd like to look into
Where would I go if I were to look into buying second hand scopes?
Is there like a web site that you guys go to to buy 2nd hand?
I've only bought from gun shops before

SCJ429;
Yeah, I’m not too sure how mine’s made in Korea. Very interesting

Jimtom;
Thanks for your recommendation man
And I agree with you
The bushnell elite 3500 does seem like a great scope
However, the 3500 series only stops at a magnification of 12x unfortunately
And unfortunately, I wanna get as much magnification as possible. (24x minimum)
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TassieTiger » 12 Apr 2020, 7:40 pm

Two major websites - used guns and ozfirearms.
The bushnell I got was the elite 6500 tac it’s actually 4.5-30/50 . The newly released model of the same magnification (XRS2 - rrp $2500) has seen the redundant version come down in $ - I’ve seen them as low as $800.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by TheFirearmEnthusiast » 12 Apr 2020, 8:09 pm

TassieTiger;
Ah okay
Alright, I'll look into the Bushnell Elite 6500 Tac 4.5-30x50mm
It does sound alright
I'll look into it
I'll look into those second hand web sites as well;
- Used Guns
- Ozfirearms.
Thank you
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Re: Budget Scope Needed for 223. Suggestions?

Post by bman940 » 14 Apr 2020, 2:39 am

A new option coming out by Meopta is the Optika5 scope. 5X magnification and quality Euro glass and quality control. This won't be hitting the markets for a few months but it should fit the bill for many of you looking for a quality optic at a great price.
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