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.

[jpsauer88]

Vortex is nice, but only viper and up.
Their eye box is a little fussy though even on the 4-16.

Bushnell I find a nicer eye box, more CA and not as good contrast as the Viper but much easier to get behind and a much brighter image.

Go an extra $500 and you can step into Top Tier scopes, Zeiss, Schmidt Bender, Khales, KAPS, Leica, in used market. They leave the Vortex and Bushnell Elite (japanese series) look like crap.

I own a few of each Bushnell elite (jap made), trophy, banner, leupolds, Schmidt Benders, Zeiss, Meopta, Vortex, and a few new chinese makes out there that have got some traction - mounted, excited for a few days, unmounted and put something in top tier back on.

[womble]

I hate this question so much. So over it.
3-9 now piss off

[jpsauer88]

I hate this question so much. So over it.
3-9 now piss off

So pick another thread? Or does everyone have to ask questions that appease you?

Go the Zeiss V6 3-12x56, Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56 OR the Schmidt Bender Zenith 3-12x50

[straightshooter]

I hate this question so much. So over it.
3-9 now piss off

So pick another thread? Or does everyone have to ask questions that appease you?

Go the Zeiss V6 3-12x56, Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56 OR the Schmidt Bender Zenith 3-12x50

I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that opinionated people are affronted by other opinionated people who dare to shamelessly express their opinions and that on a shooting forum no less.
Where will it end?

[Billo]

New compact Burris Fullfields hit the shelves shortly, budget end of the market but loads of tasty features backed by the best warranty on the market.

Will compare to some of the other budgety scopes when it hits local gunshop

https://www.burrisoptics.com/riflescope ... ld-3-12x42

[deye243]

So nearly 3 months ago a bloke asks a question and hasn't yet replied and you blokes are still scrapping about it I find this hilarious

[womble]

New compact Burris Fullfields hit the shelves shortly, budget end of the market but loads of tasty features backed by the best warranty on the market.

Will compare to some of the other budgety scopes when it hits local gunshop

https://www.burrisoptics.com/riflescope ... ld-3-12x42

Ok nice. See the one on the right with the little illuminated cross yep that one. Just perfect for low light.
And fantastic price and it’s a wrap and we’re done here.

[Bugman]

New compact Burris Fullfields hit the shelves shortly, budget end of the market but loads of tasty features backed by the best warranty on the market.

Will compare to some of the other budgety scopes when it hits local gunshop

https://www.burrisoptics.com/riflescope ... ld-3-12x42

Ok nice. See the one on the right with the little illuminated cross yep that one. Just perfect for low light.
And fantastic price and it’s a wrap and we’re done here.

WTF?

[Billo]

New compact Burris Fullfields hit the shelves shortly, budget end of the market but loads of tasty features backed by the best warranty on the market.

Will compare to some of the other budgety scopes when it hits local gunshop

https://www.burrisoptics.com/riflescope ... ld-3-12x42

Ok nice. See the one on the right with the little illuminated cross yep that one. Just perfect for low light.
And fantastic price and it’s a wrap and we’re done here.

WTF?

Mate dont argue, Beretta sell these and they also sell Sako's and Tikka's, so only quality stuff