What scope would you put on a 223 Bushy Varminter, 24" barrel? Regardless of the price, for now. Intended use - prairie dogs and coyotes up to 250 yards. What mount would you use?
What reticle do you like? I am curious about the Burris new one that comes in the E1 series of Fullfields (4-14 is interesting).
Thanks!
-P

I can say that the Burris scopes I have had have been rugged and rugged is important on an AR. the SLAM - BANG of the action cycling after the rifle goes off is harder on the scope than the recoil by far. My main piecve of advice is to not skimp here. I like the way the VOrtex riflescopes have set up thier erector asembly which is the part of a scope that goes kaPUT when stressed and banged around. My next AR will likely get a Viper series from Vor Tex and probably in the same power range you are considering.

Doug currently has Vortex Vipers 6.5-20x for $259 .... Hard to demand Leupold when there are such good other deals out there too.

If your going to be calling coyotes I'd look at something in the 2x10 to 4x12. Most of my coyote calling rigs have 1x4 or 1.5x6 scopes, my open country rig(22-250)wears a 2.5x10. It doesn't take alot of X's to shoot coyotes even at longer ranges but FOV is where it's at when they sneak in to you shoelaces.

erich

I have not found a 4-12 or 4.5-14 to be a handicap with close in Yodeldogs, so long as hey are set on lowest settings until more X's are truly needed, which is actually pretty rare.

Unfortunately, these are on backorder, otherwise would be a very interesting option.
I also have a .243 with a 6.5-20 VariX-III for longer range coyotes; the two rifles somewhat overlap but the .223 has no scope (and no irons), so it really needs one.

I have a Leupold 3.5-10x40 on my AR and dig it

Leupold 30MM 4.5x14 Mil-Dot Warne Rings QD

Vortex Viper 3-12x40mm or a Zeiss 3-9x40mm. Either way: you win, coyotes don't.

Didn't know that there was a 3-12 Vortex. Must have one of those. If you want a tough as all $%#& scope I have a Burris Signature series 2-8x32 WITH the posi Lock feature on it that I might sell off. Let me know if interested. MARK

That Burris would get my vote. I have a FFII 4.5-14 and love it. I can only imagine I'd like the E1 just as much if not more.

Burris 6-24x.

Burris Fullfield Tac 30 with Fast Fire Sight. Unless you want the bigger magnification it works great for yotes at the range you indicate and you can jump to the fast fire if one comes up behind you to the call.

A 3-9 range scope is about as perfect a calling scope as you'll find.

I use Leupold 3.5-10's and a 1.5-5 on my ARs and with as many rounds as I've put downrange with H buffers and hot loads, I've never had a problem.

As for the mount, I use LaRue Tactical LT-104's but have used Armalite and RR when quick detach wasn't needed. Main thing is a cantilever type mount to get the scope forward of the charging handle so you won't want a stupid extended tac latch.

Leupold 8.5x25 Mark 4 with turrets on my Ar-15.

Folks, just ordered a Fullfield E1 4.5-14 and an Eliminator for another rifle, but may try it on the AR too just to see how handy it is for fast target ranging. I think it may be handy for quick ranging in an open field where there are no distance cues. I expect its home will be on the 300 Wby elk rifle but if it works well on the varminter, I will buy another for it. In either case the 4.5-14 E1 should be no handicap.
Thanks!
-P

Burris rocks and you are close to them to get it fixed.

I have had great success with a Burris FF II 4.5-14X44 on my bolt gun 223.
Steve

I would give Weaver Grand Slams a look. They are hard to beat for the money.

Has anyone tried that Nikon for 223s, that are always advertised above???

I am using a Vortex Viper 2x7x32 on my DPMS sweet sixteen. 2-3 inch groups off sticks at 200 on 7 power. Works for me.

Well, received my scopes. Both happy and disappointed.
I like both scopes. The E1 is much lighter than the Eliminator, but that is no big surprise. I like the Eliminator's function, I am yet to shoot with it but the thick post on it makes me wonder if it is well suited for a small target like a prairie dog. Probably is Ok for coyotes. Will be fine for big game for sure. Ranging is instantaneous and operation is problem free, as was the mounting on the 300 wby.
The mounting on the AR is what was disappointing. I didn't go with integral fwd rings, and ordered a Yankee Hill 6" riser. The thing has two Allen screws threaded into aluminum on the opposite side, and fit loosely on the flat top. I installed it and while inspecting it, realized that the cantilevered forward part flexes under finger pressure by at least 1/16". I did not like this, why would I want a flexing part supporting the scope? When trying to take it off the rear bolt has galled in the aluminum and was impossible to remove, the Allen stripped and I ended up cutting a slot in it and using an air hammer to drive it loose. Pretty shabby design, even though the workmanship was good.
New mounts are now on order. The YH base will go back to Midway or in the scrap pile.

Have had awfully good performance out of the Nikon Buckmasters
6-18. Don't much care for the goofy vertical post rings but I've learned to ignore them. I like your choice of rifles.

Paul, The Nikon M-223 line of scopes would have been great for your application.
Wouldn't matter if you choose the Rapid Action Turret that lets you dial the elevation Turret to your target yardage or the BDC Reticle. Either would have served you well. Also the Nikon M-223 AR Mount is a quality mount for a good price.

Update: received the Burris PEPR mount and a Millet 6" riser from Midway. Both parts are *solid*. The Burris mount is strong enough to use as a carry handle. The Burris E1 scope fit very well but I did use two layers of wax paper to take up the loose tolerance on the rings. Zeroed the rifle last weekend. It required quite a bit of vertical adjustment, was shooting 3 feet too low at 100 yards with scope at factory zero.
Once zeroed, the rifle shot 4 shot group under 3/4" with Walmart special Federal bulk ammo. I am quite happy with this! The trigger is very nice, not quite as nice as the 60-year old Swiss K-31 but better than typical off-the-mill hunting triggers I have used before. I really like 2-stage triggers and this one is a two stage with, interestingly, gritty feeling in the first stage, then a clean let-off on the second. I think all it needs is a cleaning of the trigger group, no reason for it to have grit in the first stage, which is just a spring.
Bman and Joatmon, yes I agree and have considered a Nikon but I liked the Burris E1 reticle better. I didn't like the little circles very much when I tried the Nikon.

I put a 6-24 Signature w/Bal-Mil dot on my sons RR to do some accuracy testing, its now on my 6mm.

Leupold 3.5-10x50 balances nicely. I had M1's installed on this one, when I had it on my Bushmaster Varminter in a Larue mount. Nice setup, but I lost interest and parted it out.