Scope for .223

[Dogga85]

Hey guys,

I'm a newby when it comes to guns and shooting. I have put a deposit on my first rifle, a Weatherby Vanguard S2 Stainless Synthetic .223. I'm after some advice on some decent/good scopes.

It will be primarily used for range/target shooting, with the rare occasion of hunting pest wild pigs.

[Oldbloke]

what is the main use and budget?

[Dogga85]

Main use is target shooting down the range. Well the gun cost me $1300 so no more than that lol

[Oldbloke]

Not my area, one of the keen target shooters would give better advice. Im strictly a field shooter.

[Gwion]

In that price range, have a look at Zeiss HD5, Vortex PST or HST and SIghtron Stac. Nikon Monarch7 might be worth a look too, if you can find one. All fall between $700 to about $1300 and have 5x zoom (ie: 3-15 or 5-25 x magnification range); high enough to get up close for target but low enough for a good field of view for hunting ranges. You could find a fixed power high magnification scope for target but then it wont be very practical if and when you ever go hunting.

[Gwion]

It's a starting point for you to look at, anyway.

[Strikey]

What, no one has mentioned Leupold ? Should be able to pick up something from their range for $1300, lifetime warranty, but I would also suggest you have a look at Sightron, to me their optics are superb and seem to be a little bit under rated

[happyhunter]

.

[Gwion]

Hehe.... I knew someone would spruik the Leupold, so seeing I have never looked through one, I didn't mention them.

[juststarting]

Dogga85

Look at Vortex scopes, Viper models. Very good quality for the price and their warranty is crazzy good.

Any scope around 4-15x50 will do it justice. If it's just for the range the objective lense can be smaller, so maybe 6-18+x40+, this is not going to give you clarity in low light though. There is always a trade off.

Divide magnification values (e.g. 50/15 or 50/4) into objective lens diameter, you get a value that roughly indicates quality in low light conditions at that magnification. Anything at 3.5 and higher is good. 4+ is very good. Below mid-3 - not so good in low light.

You also want to research reticle - see what you like and will use, then decide, then moa or mrad. Wouldn't worry to much about first or second planes.

Definitely far from expert myself, but hope this helps.

[Dogga85]

Wow guys thank you so much for these suggestions and info, you have no idea how much this has helped me!

[Dogga85]

If I was to go with a Vortex Viper, which one would you chose for my purpose?

[Gwion]

I'd be inclined to get the 4-16x 44...

[Strikey]

Not a fan of Vortex but if I had to pick one it would be the 4-16x44 or maybe the 6.5-20, oops that's two have looked through a few of the 6-24's and you couldn't give me one, to my eyes there are scopes with better clarity in that price and magnification range

[juststarting]

to my eyes there are scopes with better clarity in that price and magnification range

There is always something better. But what you get for around 1k from Vortex, you would be paying 2k from any other vendor. And I suspect it's mostly based on fancy europian name and not quality.

[Dogga85]

Thanks heaps guys, the VIPER HS 4-16X44 or the VIPER HS 4-16X44 BDC SFP? I told you I'm a complete noob This price range is perfect for me.

[Strikey]

to my eyes there are scopes with better clarity in that price and magnification range

There is always something better. But what you get for around 1k from Vortex, you would be paying 2k from any other vendor. And I suspect it's mostly based on fancy europian name and not quality.

And you have been shooting for how long and how many scopes have you used in that time? If you are directing your comment at me, I do not own anything European, out of my budget and generally too heavy to enable my rifles to make weight for the disciplines I shoot. I reckon you might be like a lot of newbies who are drawn in by Vortex's slick advertising, they must have learnt something from Harley Davidson, personally I buy scopes that suit the intended purpose regardless of name that's why I have everything from a Sabre, Nikko Stirling, Leupold, Sightron and Nightforce, will not own a Vortex as I think they are over-rated and a person can do better with their money

[Gwion]

You wont need the BDC reticle, mate. Get the MOA jobbie.

I have a couple of Vortex and they work just fine for me. I have also used a PST at 500 yards and i thought it was pretty good. All features are solid and the glass is clear to my eye.

Still, i'd prefer a Zeiss HD5 3-15 or 5-25....

I was tossing up the Zeiss and Sightron Stac a while ago. Ended up with the Sightron because of the "tactical" style turrets for easy dialing at the range, but it was a very close call... actually ordered a Nikon Monarch7 first but changed my mind waiting for a back order.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/zeiss-hd5-c ... scope.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-4-16x ... scope.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/sightron-s- ... scope.html

[Dogga85]

I'm struggling to find a Leupold with similar specs at a similar price :s

[bigtone]

i will add my vote for the Zeiss if your budget goes there. i have a 3-12 x 50 on my 223 but sometimes could do with a little more magnification but maybe that is just my old eyes! had a 3-9 x 40 originally but wasn't as good as the rifle could shoot.

[juststarting]

And you have been shooting for how long and how many scopes have you used in that time?

Two scopes, about 7 months shooting

If you are directing your comment at me

I have, indeed. More in a conversational way though, I wasn't having a go or anything.

I do not own anything European, out of my budget

This is subjective.

and generally too heavy to enable my rifles to make weight for the disciplines I shoot.

Brands you listed below suggest that this is not true.

I reckon you might be like a lot of newbies who are drawn in by Vortex's slick advertising, they must have learnt something from Harley Davidson

I would love to have a Harley!
Anyway, I understand optics - nothing to do with shooting. And I have done a lot of research before I dropped $1000+ on a scope. Everything I read lead me to Vortex, mind you I haven't seen any ads or heard about them before hand. I think it's time to stop clutching to old school brands and explore something new

personally I buy scopes that suit the intended purpose regardless of name

No, because you just discounted Vortex entirely, again, kind of contradicting yourself. They do have a big selection, you know. I think you just don't like them. That's cool though, each to their own. I personally, really dislike LG - but their latest phones are amazing.

that's why I have everything from a Sabre, Nikko Stirling, Leupold, Sightron and Nightforce, will not own a Vortex as I think they are over-rated and a person can do better with their money

Put your money where your mouth is... Show me the same specification at the same price on Leupold or Nightforce? Maybe on usedguns.com - but I haven't seen anything brand new with warranty. They are a new company and they sell stuff cheap and back it up by solid warranty. Not because they are s**t, but because they are a disruptor. I have no issues with that. Some people prefer to go with established old boys, me on the other hand, like you said, use my money wisely and chose right tool for the job.

[juststarting]

Dogga85, anyway been there, done that not very long ago... this was my thought process: http://myshootingjourney.com/2015/09/13 ... selection/ - perhaps links here will help you decide on what you need and what you should spend.

[happyhunter]

.

[Strikey]

Two scopes, about 7 months shooting

FMD, I wonder why I bother with forums at times

[Dogga85]

Since these recommendations i've been doing a lot of research across reviews and heaps of other forums. There is so much praise for the Vortex Viper scopes, I'm defiitely going to grab one for my .223, most likely the VIPER HS 4-16X44 VMR1 MOA RETICLE, perfect price for me at $800

[juststarting]

FMD, I wonder why I bother with forums at times

Don't know mate, maybe so you can rock-up and tell people how awesome you are, instead of using this as a collaborative forum that it is and answering OPs question, factoring in all variables set out by the OP and basing it on your worldly experience.

[MalleeFarmer]

Also look at Bushnells elite tactical series they are well priced and very good quality for the money I have an ET6245FG with the G2 reticle great scope with a great reticle I would definately recommend.

Edit: I have 4 bushnell scopes all the elite series. 3-9x40 duplex reticle (x2) 5-15x40 mil dot reticle great scope but reticle is too thick. The 6-24x50 Has the best reticle check out the G2 reticle

[brett1868]

Strikey & Juststarting - Relax / Rasslabsja

Has anyone on the forum had a bad experience with Vortex or know someone who has? I don't own any of their scopes apart from a spotting scope and have no exposure to their rifle scopes even though I have a dealer account with the importer (ExtraVision). Like yourself Strikey I'm a horses for courses type and fit the best possible scope to the rifle for it's intended purpose, Juststarting has never held himself up to be anything other then an enthusiastic shooter willing to openly share his learning experiences so that others don't fall into some of the same traps he did. Never wise to do the chest beating and bragging about how good you are or how many titles you've won cause as we all know, without proof / pictures it's all B.S.

The interesting thing about scope lenses is that the bulk of them are made in china, very few companies make their own glass these days. Leupold openly admits on their sight to procuring lenses from third parties.

https://www.leupold.com/about-us/americas-optics-authority/

Good reference to all sorts of things from the precision rifle blog about what the "Pros" use....Vortex was third most popular in 2014 which really surprised me. I was researching benchrest barrel choices in case Lilja won't make what I'm after.
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/12/22/best-rifle-scope-what-the-pros-use/

Where scope lenses come from....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nX-yMr0__Q

Enough of the chest thumping and back to playing nice, lest the mods get involved.

[juststarting]

Rasslabsja

I am impressed.

[Gwion]

As I keep saying. Both my Vortex scopes are good to look through and even go pretty good under a light. I found that the diamond back are great for repeatable tracking performance. The PST on the rifle used as a club rifle is on and off the rifle each week, soaked back and forth for range and windage; it is good and clear to look through and has held its zeros perfectly for the last year at least.

I don't think you will be to disappointed. If it suits your needs and budget, go for it.