.223 Rifle Options

DeepEastKilla

DeepEastKilla

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 31, 2009
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S/E Minnesota
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#1
Just want to say this is my first actual post here but I’ve been trolling for over a year.

I’ve been looking into it for a long time but I guess I should start making my final choices. I was thinking about getting a Tikka T3 lite stainless(in .223) with a watoc or Super Sniper 10x scope. But lately I’ve been thinking and I’m not even sure if I want to stick with a bolt gun or something like an ar. I want to be able to shoot out to around 500 on targets but I would also use the setup for varmints/coyotes so I think weight may be an issue. If I could just get some ideas on some good setups as far as rifles and optics it would be great. I really don’t want to spend over $1,000 for the rifle and maybe 500(ish) for a scope. The only thing I think would be a problem about the SS 10x42 is that its non adjustable and I think that may make it harder for closer targets/coyotes. If I do get a variable power scope I would want a mil dot reticle with "tactical" turrets. As far as magnification goes I’m thinking something like a 6-24x. I’ve used anything bigger than a 40mm objective so don’t really know how useful a larger objective would be. I guess I’m getting more into the optics section so ill cut myself off. I’m open to ideas so type away!
 
#4
Re: .223 Rifle Options

3-9x Super Sniper: it's a scope that you can use for many things, and on different rifles should you change your mind about any one setup. And you can re-sell it quickly here if you ever decide to upgrade.
 
#5
Re: .223 Rifle Options

I have a long distance tactical rifle as well as an AR15 (Rock River Arms heavy barrel).

I really enjoy precision shooting but my AR15 is just damn fun. You can load it up with precision ammo and a super sniper scope and you've got decent accuracy. You can load it up with cheap surplus ammo and spend the day plinking with the family and not wash a bucket of money down the drain. It's almost an annual venture for the family here to head out to the desert and blow off 10 or more magazines.

I agree with the prior poster....go with Rock River Arms, get their heavy barrel ... it's stainless, easy to clean, and accurate. Also get a flat top. That let's you use either iron sights or your super sniper scope.

Enjoy and welcome to the sport!
 
#8
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...a few guys have it topped with a bushnell elite tactical 4200 6-24x50 and i really like that setup.</div></div>Don't fall into the low-end quality high-magnification trap. It's a marketing trap for tourists. The Bushnell Elite isn't top of the line. The manufacturers sell their lower-end scopes by making them high-mag, on the theory that the inexperienced will decide they want high magnification but without being willing to pay what it costs to properly make a scope of that power range useable. Besides, you don't need a 6-24x for 500 yards and under.
 
#9
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...a few guys have it topped with a bushnell elite tactical 4200 6-24x50 and i really like that setup.</div></div>Don't fall into the low-end quality high-magnification trap. It's a marketing trap for tourists. The Bushnell Elite isn't top of the line. The manufacturers sell their lower-end scopes by making them high-mag, on the theory that the inexperienced will decide they want high magnification but without being willing to pay what it costs to properly make a scope of that power range useable. Besides, you don't need a 6-24x for 500 yards and under. </div></div>

any suggestions?
 
#10
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...a few guys have it topped with a bushnell elite tactical 4200 6-24x50 and i really like that setup.</div></div>Don't fall into the low-end quality high-magnification trap. It's a marketing trap for tourists. The Bushnell Elite isn't top of the line. The manufacturers sell their lower-end scopes by making them high-mag, on the theory that the inexperienced will decide they want high magnification but without being willing to pay what it costs to properly make a scope of that power range useable. Besides, you don't need a 6-24x for 500 yards and under. </div></div>

He specified earlier that $500 was his limit for scopes. No, Bushnell is not top of the line, but a very good scope none-the-less. I would be willing to bet that in that price range, you will not find anything better. I agonized in this price range for months and finally decided on the Bushnell ELite 4200 6-24x50 and was very glad that I did. I have one and it is fantastic. I would compare its glass to Leupold. It has very good, repeatable turrets and a mildot reticle.

The Bushnell is GTG, even though it is above the $500 range (though just barely). I would not hesitate to get the Bushnell.

And don't worry about those who act as if you can't even get started in optics unless you're spending $1500.
 
#11
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...a few guys have it topped with a bushnell elite tactical 4200 6-24x50 and i really like that setup.</div></div>Don't fall into the low-end quality high-magnification trap. It's a marketing trap for tourists. The Bushnell Elite isn't top of the line. The manufacturers sell their lower-end scopes by making them high-mag, on the theory that the inexperienced will decide they want high magnification but without being willing to pay what it costs to properly make a scope of that power range useable. Besides, you don't need a 6-24x for 500 yards and under. </div></div>

He specified earlier that %400 was his limit for scopes. No, Bushnell is not top of the line, but a very good scope none-the-less. I have one and it is fantastic. I would compare its glass to Leupold. It has very good, repeatable turrets and a mildot reticle.

The Bushnell is GTG, even though it is above the $500 range (though just barely). </div></div>

i guess 500 is more of a guidline, if i fine a great scope thats got everything i want and need for a little over the 500$ price tag id be willing to save a little more for it.
 
#12
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">any suggestions?</div></div>The one I made above. That, and maybe also to say that a fixed 10x SS ($325 with MOA knobs) for an AR hunting rig wouldn't be out of the question if you're on a budget. I still use my 10x SS, and it's on a long-range bolt gun. I've shot small movers and prairie dogs at 100 and 200 with a fixed 10x on an AR and it works just fine. Get a scope that tracks well. And know that a fixed 10x like the SS will be robust and have good glass, but that the same price-range scope if made to be a 24x variable would probably end up too dark and cloudy at 24x.
 
#13
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And don't worry about those who act as if you can't even get started in optics unless you're spending $1500.</div></div>I'm not sying that you have to spend $1500 on a scope. Actually, I'm saying the opposite. But I'm also saying that in the scope market, the way it exists today, it's easier to waste $500 than it is to waste $1500. So, I'd give the decision more thought, not less, and base it on what people know, not on what they think.
 
#14
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler1833</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Welcome, fill out your profile.

With your budget I'd look into a RRA Varmint/Coyote with a 3-9x SS. </div></div>


Just out of curiosity...

Do you really check everyone's profile before you answer their questions?
 
#15
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DeepEastKilla</div><div class="ubbcode-body">any suggestions?</div></div>The one I made above. That, and maybe also to say that a fixed 10x SS ($325 with MOA knobs) for an AR hunting rig wouldn't be out of the question if you're on a budget. I still use my 10x SS, and it's on a long-range bolt gun. I've shot small movers and prairie dogs at 100 and 200 with a fixed 10x on an AR and it works just fine. Get a scope that tracks well. And know that a fixed 10x like the SS will be robust and have good glass, but that the same price-range scope if made to be a 24x variable would probably end up too dark and cloudy at 24x. </div></div>

just from the shooting i do now with a cheap 4-16x40 scope i usually do end up using the lower powers to get a larger feild of view and better clearity but i like having the option of higher power to look if i hit or just for longer ranges if i ever do go farther
 
#16
Re: .223 Rifle Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MudBug</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler1833</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Welcome, fill out your profile.
With your budget I'd look into a RRA Varmint/Coyote with a 3-9x SS. </div></div>Just out of curiosity...Do you really check everyone's profile before you answer their questions? </div></div>It's a rule. He's trying to be helpful. We all help the Mods (not the Rockers) when we police ourselves.
 
#17
Re: .223 Rifle Options

i would start off with a savage rifle, even a stevens which is a savage without the accutrigger (you can adjust it to acertain point, or replace / upgrade later). affordable and accurate. i had a heavy barreled one that was a bitch weight wise to carry for coyotes and such, but that's up to you as far as heavy / reg. barrel. these will leave you with many stock options also.

optics - that's a can of worms, but to fit you budget i'd suggest a nikon buckmaster 6-18 mildot. good quality scope with nice options at a reasonable price.

egw 20 moa base, rings are up to you.

harris 9-13" pivot bipod

all of that will put you under $1,000 which is stated in your budget for rifle alone.

spend the rest on other creature comforts (sling, lens covers, anti cant devices, shooting mats + bags, bolt knob, etc.), coyote calls, and ammo (try hornady 40 gr. v-max).

maybe even a laser rangefinder for the varmint situation.

a COMPLETE accurate range and mobile setup for under $1,500, if you shop right.
 
#18
Re: .223 Rifle Options

all of that will put you under $1 said:
Given the $1500 available, this would also let you move up to better glass and stay on your budget. I made the beginner's mistake of buying not-expensive glass to start with and had to go through the motions of upgrading twice. For the hassle, I should have just paid for the better glass in the first place.

You don't need to spend for highest-end to get "best" glass, but you might consider spending as much as you can afford for "better" glass.
Click to expand...
 
#19
Re: .223 Rifle Options Bolt and Semi

I;m very happy with my RRA Varmint, 24" barrel. Groups close to 1/2" and consistant. If you buy the upper and lower separate, you might be under $1000. For a bolt, I just bought a Rem 700 MilSpec 5R .223, range test pending but fit and finish perfect. A option for scopes is Bushnel 4200 series (excellent clarity) or Leupold VXII 6-18x40 Target EXCELLENT scope. Good Luck, Enjoy
 
#20
Re: .223 Rifle Options Bolt and Semi

I just wradped up a bild that would fit your wants, but not your budget.

Laure Tactical 20" upper
RRA lower with NM trigger
SS 3x9 package with all the free goodies.
Harris 9-13" swivel bi-pod

Im planing on running 69 to 77 gr pills through once I work up a load for it.
 
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