Looking to get a scope for my 223 to shoot out to 500yds. I've never really shot at these ranges. I have seen the M-223 series from Nikon but would like something that is not nailed down to one caliber and that I can adjust with lots of practice. Price range is $1000 and under. Thanks guys!

Going on a Hawkeye btw

I just ordered a Burris MSR .223 but I don't plan on those kind of ranges with it, however Im anxious to see how it all works, as Im new to spinning turrets( relatively.....)

Got the turrets more for switching between loads than long range, but you never know....


Ive had great luck with Burris Ballistic Plex if you like dotz....

I have a SWFA fixed 10-power on my Ruger American and it is a good option. You could do 12 as well, but loose FOV.

6x will be fine to 500, assuming you ain't shooting tic-tacs.

How about the Viper HS-T?

I would get a 6X Super Sniper or a 3-9X Super Sniper with MIL turrets and MQ reticle.




Dave

Vortex has a great warranty and service department!!!

Dear god.....



Every scope thus far named, save the SWFA, will fail you if you use the turret. Both the Burria and Vortex will make you want to smash it with a hammer when you run a tracking test on it.


Start and stop at the SWFA SS 6x or 10x. 6x if you will hunt it, and 10x if it's a range toy.

I shoot an MOA target at 550 yards as well as other ranges, with my 223 all the time with a Vortex 2.5x10 PST SFP. Dials have been twisted a lot in several 1000's of rounds with no issues at all.

If you want to spend most of your budget, Bushy LRHS 3-12 is solid.

If you want to spend half your budget, SWFA SS 3-9 or even less for fixed 6x or 10x.

Made me laugh.




Travis

I run the box occasionally, but no issues yet, waiting to see how good that warranty is .

What do you mean when you say "run the box"?

Without getting into pissing matches, my Mark AR 4-12 has lived on my CZ in 223AI for about three years now. It gets run to 750yd somewhat regularly, and it has yet to fail me. If, and when, it does, I will address it. Im not holding my breath.

Travis13,

You will find some here agree and some don't, but here are the facts from my experience. I had three Burris Signature 8X32X fail on me. I installed a Tasco World Class 6-24X with a turret and never had a problem with it. I did lots of dialing with it and never had a problem. I shot rockchucks out to 527 yards with it.

Fire one shot then 5 moa up bang, 5 moa left bang, 5 moa down bang,5 moa right bang. Last shot will be on top of the first shot if all is right and the shots will be 5 moa apart.

Are you actually measuring 5 MOA? I.e.- 5.235 inches? Or just eyeballing 5 inches?

As well, unless your rifle system consistently (means everytime) shoots in the .2 inch range, firing one shot has so much slop in it as to be nearly useless. The "box test" is too small in adjustments (not even using as much as required to reach 500 yards) to measure anything.




If you want to test your scope(s), and you do,-

Hang a 3-4 foot clean cardboard or paper backer with a dot at the bottom and then dots every 4 to 5 MOA (you can use inches, you'll just have to do some math) or every mil (3.6in per) at 100 yards. Use a straight line insuring the dots are straight and a level when hanging the board.


That will let you KNOW when you have a problem......





And when you don't....

I have two of the Mod1's and they have not failed me yet.

But with a budget or $1K, I'd probably get a SS.




Travis

HO LEE [bleep], does the postal service know you are bogarting their proprietary shipping containers for targets?

I do that when the scope is installed initially, the erector is not always 100% vertical in adjustment, especially in scopes of this price range $1k. This affords the opportunity to make things right in the vertical, but skews the horizontal some what, the degree it skews it can be a little or a lot. Boils down to what you will accept at the price point your willing to pay.
My 223 is a slightly less than an moa rifle (10 shots) so there will be variances in the box, but as long as it is in the realm of available accuracy is all I can do.
In a round robin style the 4 points (groups,usually 5 shot for the test, 20 total) of impact should all look the same. If not I would suspect an issue with the erector system, especially on a proven platform.
Anyway, I have been warned about the Vortex but have not encountered any issues thus far. Get consistent hits on moa sized targets to 550 yards.

The Leupy Mark AR with the p5 turrets is definitely on my list. I should probably lower my price limit to $500, use the rest on reloading supplies/ammo and practice, practice, practice

RWE,



He's being modern and recycling a package he received.

Last year I set out to do what you are writing about... lots of practice with a 223. The SWFA 10x MQ was great, and did well far beyond 500 yards. If hunting were mixed in, I'd go 6x or 3-9x. I think Steelie, Flave, and Formi already mentioned it though.

If the shooter was capable, then all went well. If not, it was readily apparent... and it wasn't the rifle, scope, or the load at fault .

The steel target in the pictures was 12" across, for reference. Some decent groups, but also some dropped shots. I could still spot hits and misses at 500y with 10x on the RAR.

Nice groups, typical Tikka performance and a steady hand.