Rifle Scopes .223 Scope Advice 3-500 Yards

[ccasanova]

• What is the platform for the scope? Tikka Tactical 20”
• What cartridge are you shooting? .223
• What is your intended use for the scope? Paper and Steel, hunting rarely.
• What type of conditions will you typically shoot in? Mostly daylight, but have killed deer with this rifle at dusk with S&B 8x56.
• What are the typical distances you intend to shoot? 100-300yd at home, 4-600yd available nearby I’d like to work up to.
• Are there any specific specifications you would like? Not Really - looking for additional insight.
• What is the price range you can afford? $5-600ish. Need to be pretty strict as I’d like to add a Bravo chassis.

I’m mostly a hunter and love light, fast calibers (.204 & .243) point and shoot, no thinking; but have always wanted to get into more serious shooting and honing my skills. I pulled the 8x56 off this .223 and need to get something more suitable for the task at hand.

I’ve researched for some time now but haven’t been able to decide. I don’t think a SWFA 10x will give me the magnification I want. A used Razor HDLH 3-15 hrs-4 is tempting (have the same with g4 reticle I love) but is it “tactical” enough? The Steiner px4 4-16 looks awesome, but is out of budget if I’m gonna add the Bravo anytime soon. I’ll call Doug in a bit, but wanted to check the knowledge base here as well. Lord knows y’all have spent enough of my money over the past few years!

Shooting ASYM 55gr vmax at the moment, very accurate at 200, but will move to something heavier as distance increases. Advice on factory ammo welcome as well. Thanks

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Keep in mind, next week (May 20th - June 3rd) the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MIL will be on sale for only $549.99

 

[ccasanova]

I saw you mention that in another thread. It’s at the top of the list.

 

[ccasanova]

Is holding off on the Bravo in order to get the p4xi a better plan?

Or is the BTR “enough” scope for my stated needs?

Does x16 vs x27 make a big difference at 3-400 yards?

 

[kornface13]

Is holding off on the Bravo in order to get the p4xi a better plan?

Or is the BTR “enough” scope for my stated needs?

Does x16 vs x27 make a big difference at 3-400 yards?

I personally wouldn't spend over 2x more for the Steiner. With the BTR, you get HD glass, more magnification, decent turrets, superior reticle, theres probably more that I'm not thinking of.

 

[Nukes]

Tactical Scopes–field test results, summary

Tactical Scopes: Field Test Results Summary & Overall Scores

This is the executive summary and overall scores from an epic scope field test focused on long-range...

precisionrifleblog.com

 

[IndustrialHalo]

The Steiner he's considering has been on sale for $800 recently. (Still is IIRC)
I bought the 2.5 - 15 Ares BTR in the last sale and am happy with it at the short range I've been able to test. Have not used the Steiner, but from what i've read once the turrets loosen up it's good. Go after the reticle you prefer.

 

[ccasanova]

The Steiner he's considering has been on sale for $800 recently. (Still is IIRC)

Correct...basically $550 vs $800 with sales for those two.

Trying to compare ~$5-550 Scope+Bravo to ~$800 Scope. (Not necessarily limited to these 2 scopes, but they are at the top of the list)

 

[patriot07]

This is really a tough price range because you're starting to make sacrifices that matter.

I'd be tempted to find a used XTR II 3-15 or 4-20 for around $650-ish if I could, but neither the Ares BTR or P4xi are bad options at all.

 

[b6graham]

Tactical Scopes–field test results, summary

Tactical Scopes: Field Test Results Summary & Overall Scores

This is the executive summary and overall scores from an epic scope field test focused on long-range...

precisionrifleblog.com

you're joking right? that's from 2014 and not helpful at all for what's being discussed in this thread

the ares btr should suit your needs just find for a while

 

[Nukes]

you're joking right? that's from 2014 and not helpful at all for what's being discussed in this thread

the ares btr should suit your needs just find for a while

No, not joking.

Most of the tested scopes or their upgraded variants are available, new and used, hence at prices suitable to the very deserving Tikka Tactical.

Ares on a Tikka? Are you joking?

Capitalization and punctuation matter.

 

[b6graham]

No, not joking.

Most of the tested scopes or their upgraded variants are available, new and used, hence at prices suitable to the very deserving Tikka Tactical.

Ares on a Tikka? Are you joking?

Capitalization and punctuation matter.

please tell me where I can buy any of those for $500-600 and i'll buy a crate full.

he's shooting to 600y max with a 223, and has a budget. suggesting a ATACR or PM2 is comical at best

reading ability and comprehension matter more

 

[Nukes]

please tell me where I can buy any of those for $500-600 and i'll buy a crate full.

he's shooting to 600y max with a 223, and has a budget. suggesting a ATACR or PM2 is comical at best

reading ability and comprehension matter more

Shop seriously.

I picked up a used first-gen Bushnell DMR without any visible blemishes for $580 at my fav LGS.

Absence of capitalization and punctuation betray absence of reading ability and comprehension.

 

[FireShooter]

I think the Bushnell LRTS/LRHS is where its at for less than $1k. They can be found used well under $1k. I have had several of them and I am running the 3-12 on my 18 inch AR, I will always have atleast 1 in the safe. The Burris XTR 2 would be my 2nd choice. The G3 reticle on the LRTS works very well on a .223 in my experience. I didn't care for the SCR reticle on my .223 as much.

 

[bunsen27]

I will echo the suggestion for picking up a gently used Bushnell LRTS/LRHS. I snagged three through GAP last year when they were blowing them out for $750. I'm actually running all of them on .223Rem rifles (2 bolts and an AR-15) and the 18x top end and G3 reticule work well out to 600yds on steel.

 

[ccasanova]

How do the Steiner px4i 4-16x56 and Bushnell DMR 2 3.5-20x50 compare for my goals/needs? Both are great deals at the moment (same price basically if I sell the kestrel from the bundle). Thanks

 

[Jay Ell Gee]

I think the Bushnell LRTS/LRHS is where its at for less than $1k. They can be found used well under $1k. I have had several of them and I am running the 3-12 on my 18 inch AR, I will always have atleast 1 in the safe. The Burris XTR 2 would be my 2nd choice. The G3 reticle on the LRTS works very well on a .223 in my experience. I didn't care for the SCR reticle on my .223 as much.

If you don’t mind me asking, how do you feel about the LRTS for a combo hunting/steel shooting gun? I picked up a Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel on the cheap and the 3-12x44 with illumination is awfully tempting. I’m more or less avoiding FFP at all unless I can get something with illumination. Thanks.

 

[b6graham]

If you don’t mind me asking, how do you feel about the LRTS for a combo hunting/steel shooting gun? I picked up a Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel on the cheap and the 3-12x44 with illumination is awfully tempting. I’m more or less avoiding FFP at all unless I can get something with illumination. Thanks.

Most FFP has illumination

 

[Jay Ell Gee]

Most FFP has illumination

You would be surprised how many don’t.

 

[FireShooter]

@ Jay Ell Gee

I used the non-illuminated it in this role on My .223 tikka. Hunting Coyotes and ringing steel to 800 yards plus. The glass is very good in low light at dusk and dawn. I never felt I was missing illumination, but its never been a huge deal for me. Tracks well and I think it would be well suited on a Grendel. I prefer FFP.

 

[ccasanova]

There are so many good deals on scopes right now the choice is difficult! Athlon, Steiner, Bushnell, SWFA...the $550-$850 range is full of good choices with some heavy discounts currently.

 

[shooter98]

I just put an Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27 on my buddies Remmy 700 .223. We shoot out to 750 on my private range. Awesome scope, hard to beat for $549.

 

[SlimySquirrel]

Hard to go past the Ares BTR for that money.
I had one on my .223 and used it as my long range varmint rig. The Ares is great for what you’re looking for.

 

[Jay Ell Gee]

@ Jay Ell Gee

I used the non-illuminated it in this role on My .223 tikka. Hunting Coyotes and ringing steel to 800 yards plus. The glass is very good in low light at dusk and dawn. I never felt I was missing illumination, but its never been a huge deal for me. Tracks well and I think it would be well suited on a Grendel. I prefer FFP.

Thanks. My concern is that I hunt heavy timber and the FFP reticles are a nightmare to find anywhere near dusk and dawn.

 

[shooter98]

Thanks. My concern is that I hunt heavy timber and the FFP reticles are a nightmare to find anywhere near dusk and dawn.

The Ares is a lit reticle.

 

[FireShooter]

Thanks. My concern is that I hunt heavy timber and the FFP reticles are a nightmare to find anywhere near dusk and dawn.

I think you would be ok, The reticle is thicker in the center on the illuminated models. I think with illumination you would do fine.

Personally I would prefer a used LRTS over the Athlon stuff in the similar price range. I got a used LRHS on the classifieds on here for $600. For a LOW scope that tracks well with Zero stop thats pretty darn hard to beat IMO.

 

[Dustysa4]

I've used an SWFA 3-15x42 on an AR to make consistent hits at 750, and intermittent lucky hits at 1000. I know it's not the latest and greatest, but it's served me well. They go on sale for $550 a few times a year. You might find a used one for less than that. It's made in Japan, if country of manufacture matters to you.

 

[ccasanova]

Where does the Ares ETR fit in the discussion?