.224 scope recommendations?

[Az Erik]

Hi there, I'm noticing not many 224 conversations around here (might not be the bestest of choices but it's going to get me longer than my 300 and get me to buy a real scope)

Most shooting would be 200 -500 yards at the range, daylight or early evening. Steel mostly with paper once I get settled into it. Just a PSA 18 inch 1:7 upper on a AR platform. I'm looking to not break the bank so I've been looking at used Vortex and Athlons. I'd love probably to get my hands on a Ares ETR (really like the reticle and weight) or Razor 5-20, both are a bit more than I had figured. I went into the 224 know I needed something other than my 5x32 burris lol. But didn't figure I was going to almost justify a $1500 scope out the door. I also have no mounts and havnt shot prone since I was 15. But I'll try. I've also been looking at the lower end Vortex to get started but know upgraditus will set in and I'll be trying to flip a PST somewhere down the road if I bought one.

I'd also plan on the occasional hunt for deer or Elk (maybe elk, probably should have checked if it could knock one down). I'm also planning on a bolt action build. Since being here all of a couple days I can also nearly justify a AI build in 6.5 though I have no experience at all with it. Well for that matter none with my 224 either.

Was hoping to be between $500-$1000 with the scope, rings, sunshade, no problem going used if it's got a end to end warranty. Currently using a Areo Lower with Magpul MOE and a Larue cheek riser.

 

[Kickin45]

Athlon has some great stuff in the price range you mention. I haven’t gotten to look through one yet, but their Tac line fits your bil

 

[Basher]

See if you can find one of the Bushnell LRHSi scopes that GAP recently cleared out. For around $750, you get 4.5-18x, 10mil elevation turret, zero stop, covered windage, the G2H reticle, and illumination. Best bang for your buck for a Japanese made optic right now, IMO.

 

[GrandpaDeadLegs]

I would sell you the shirt off my .224 back - Burris 5-25. Got it used here on the Hide in the spring it's all good. Shot like 5 times so far with it myself. I want a 4-16 ATACR due to ScopePickyItis, a common infection of the brain

PM if interested

 

[Alabusa]

Sightron Siii 8-32 falls right in your budget. Get a 20moa pic rail and get a good quality 20moa rings. You'll be set.

 

[padom]

Athlon MIDAS TAC in the $600-$750 range which has the same reticle as the Ares ETR and has gotten a lot of praise or get the Ares ETR for $1000.

 

[Az Erik]

Do I need a rail or cant mount for an ar upper?

 

[padom]

Depends what scope and how far you want to shoot

Out to 500 with the 2 scopes I mentioned, no

 

[Az Erik]

I’m leaning towards the Etr due to the reticle and illumination, I end up using my green on low when shooting out 200 yards, I seem to lose the etched reticle on my Burris 5x32. As the ETR is a 56 I’m assuming I need a cant mount.
I put in an offer on a gen 1 razor in the PX, but having a 29x reach probably wouldn’t hurt 1 bit.

 

[Az Erik]

500 is my current limit until I meet up with some others in my area and go out to the desert. But I’d really like to try to group this 224 at 1000.
Spent too much time in a gun shop that was close if it’s doors today. Almost ended up with a bolt 308 but did get a 223 suppressor and a 3x magnifier for my 300. They didn’t have a single scope over 3-9. But we’re blowing. Everything out at cost. My senses finally told me to stop trying to get everything in the store and focus on this project and actually shooting it first. Which will happen thanks to the 6-8 month wait lol

 

[Az Erik]

Going with the hopeful, buy once cry once, ETR is now inbound. Need to find rings, or a 1piece mount now.

 

[RTH1800]

What is a.224?

 

[TonyTheTiger]

What is a.224?

I'm guessing it's just a random measurement that means nothing on its own.

 

[RTH1800]

Ok, let’s choose a scope for a random number.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Quigley Ford and don't look back.

 

[lash]

He is talking about a .224 Valkyrie. There are a number of conversations here about it. It has similar ballistics to the 6.5 Creedmoor/.260 Rem in that it has the ability to fling some heavily for caliber projectiles that have BCs in the same range as many 6.5 offerings.

As such, he'll only need about 10 mild to get out to 1000 yards. Less with some of them. It's built on a small AR frame semi upper/lower, so big heavy optics may not be the best choice.

I personally picked up one of those Bushnell LRHSi scopes mentioned above and happen to think that it is the perfect fit for this caliber-platform combination.

 

[RTH1800]

Thanks, I am familiar with that cartridge. Just was not sure what he was referring to.

 

[Az Erik]

The ETR is a bunch lighter than the Razor I had in mind. But I havn't lugged anything around much more than the truck to the bench. I'm sure with some miles under my boots I might regret the ETR but if that happens I'll get a lighter hunting scope I figure.

 

[para1505]

Scope recommendations that's easy one that has good glass a reticle that u like and tracks perfectly

 

[Retvet2009]

I have the Athlon Ares ETR and really like it. I like it enough I will most likely buy another and maybe a Cronos BTR as well. I've looked through both as well as the Ares BTR. They all have good glass to my novice eye (not a glass snob by any stretch of the imagination). I also was lucky enough to pick up their Midas 1-6X24 that they have discontinued. I haven't had a need for their warranty but the way I understand it they stand behind it and their products. Burris XTR II is another option to look at. In my opinion pretty much the same story as Athlon. They have good glass and Burris' forever warranty. If you are LE/military, both offer a discount.

 

[Az Erik]

So to follow up on this and my twisted logic, I bought the Ares ETR, then realized it is, yes too heavy for this .224 AR, so I put it on my 308 Ruger Precision. Then because I got free scope rings with my RPR, I bought a Argos BTR for the .224. Having a mil. reticle and illumination was a must.

 

[Az Erik]

Rings look too high but it’s comfy to shoot

 

[*AimSmall*]

Get a 1 piece cantilever mount. Keep the mount or rings on your reciever and not on your handgaurd

 

[Az Erik]

Funny you mention that, I have done exactly that!