Target scope .223 bench gun ideas?

Status
Not open for further replies.

horsemen61

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
6,724
Howdy folks I am looking for a new scope for a soon to be purchased rifle

the rifle - Savage Model 12 VLP .223


Uses to shoot itty bitty little groups at small targets such as playing cards

I would like a fine duplex reticle

price let’s keep it under $1,000

Any suggestions?
 
Yeah, a fine reticle fixed 36X weaver is perfect for doing just that. I used those exclusively for 50 and 100 yard rimfire. Now that they are hard to find and impossible to get fixed, I'd look to something from Sightron. You should be able to find something nice for $500 or under.
 
At what ranges will you be shooting? I'm not a fan of scopes much over 10X and you can probably shoot groups smaller than the rifle is capable of with a 10X scope at any range a 223 is good for.
 
I have a Mueller 4-16x 50 AO Tactical Scope on my Savage 12FV .223 rifle. I’ve only been able to shoot at 100 yards, but with handloaded 55gr Vmax.....it’s a laser!
 
Forgive me if I have made the incorrect presumption here, but when you say, “itty bitty groups at small targets like playing cards,” it skews my perspective to shooting at least a few hundred yards. Personally, I very rarely shoot less than 12-15x, and when shooting at small targets, even at 50 or 100 yards, I’ll crank up pretty high - typically as high as my optic will allow, which is typically 16-30x. I never can convince myself - outside of fixed distance competition format - to like a fixed power scope. Even in fixed distance BR, I would occasionally vary my magnification based on mirage or light conditions. A criticism I have of the T36 and Leup Comp 45x is the exceedingly small inherent exit pupil of high magnification optics with small objectives. The sensitivity to light condition in a 1-1.1mm exit pupil kills my eyes - a decade ago, I could manage it, today, no way. So between mirage management and light sensitivity, I just don’t love high magnification fixies.

At $1,000, consider calling GA Precision and purchasing a Bushnell DMR II 3.5-21x50mm with a free Kestrel Sportsman for $940. It’s a G3 reticle, which is busier than you need for your task, but the center of the reticle is a finer line than the main stadia, and the glass is great. Admittedly, I do have a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50mm on my “bench 223,” but I have to also admit, I’m disappointed with it every time I take it afield. But for $600ish, it will do what you need.
 
I have a Nikon monarch mildot 4-16x42 on my 223. I prefer the mildot to a duplex scope for target work. I also just picked up a Bushnell banner 6-18x50 with a duplex to test out, but haven't used it over 100 yds yet.
 
Midway has a sale on some optics right now. A Vortex Viper 6.5-24 for $299, Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14 for $699, Leupold 8.5-25 $999, Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 6-18 $379. Looks like Mil-Dot reticles so that may not work for you, but just a heads up on some sales.

Eurooptic has some Vortex Viper PST 6-24 models that are FFP, but the reticles may not work for you. They are at $499.

Eurooptic also has some Like New Demo scopes from Zeiss. They are a Conquest V4 for $899 6-24 models.
 
Wow, a 46X. You'll be able to pick a bunch of targets on something as big as a playing card with that. Man, what's the field of view going to be at 100 yards with that.
 
Forgive me if I have made the incorrect presumption here, but when you say, “itty bitty groups at small targets like playing cards,” it skews my perspective to shooting at least a few hundred yards. Personally, I very rarely shoot less than 12-15x, and when shooting at small targets, even at 50 or 100 yards, I’ll crank up pretty high - typically as high as my optic will allow, which is typically 16-30x. I never can convince myself - outside of fixed distance competition format - to like a fixed power scope. Even in fixed distance BR, I would occasionally vary my magnification based on mirage or light conditions. A criticism I have of the T36 and Leup Comp 45x is the exceedingly small inherent exit pupil of high magnification optics with small objectives. The sensitivity to light condition in a 1-1.1mm exit pupil kills my eyes - a decade ago, I could manage it, today, no way. So between mirage management and light sensitivity, I just don’t love high magnification fixies.

At $1,000, consider calling GA Precision and purchasing a Bushnell DMR II 3.5-21x50mm with a free Kestrel Sportsman for $940. It’s a G3 reticle, which is busier than you need for your task, but the center of the reticle is a finer line than the main stadia, and the glass is great. Admittedly, I do have a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50mm on my “bench 223,” but I have to also admit, I’m disappointed with it every time I take it afield. But for $600ish, it will do what you need.


I checked on the GA Precision site, but for the Bushnell DMR II 3.5-21x50mm with a free Kestrel Sportsman price was a tad over 1500. Is there a discount code or secret pass word? Or does one need to call?

Thanks,

Russellc
 
@RussellC - Call and ask for Ken Lin. I was mistaken on the price - $960, not $940, per his FB Messenger reply 2wks ago. I ended up ordering another XRS II instead, $1360 with a Kestrel Sportsman.
 
I bought a Nightforce BR 12-42x56 for my son’s .223 that he shoots in F/TR

They can be found used for ~$1,000. I got his for $900.

it is a fantastic scope for precision shooting

View attachment 902649

I’m a big fan of nightforce, but it isn’t the best glass for the money. If something in the BR line is within your budget, I’d look at vortex pst and sightron. Much better glass. Not nearly as tough, but better glass. I opted for tough and almost as good glass.
 
It’s a Savage 12 BVSS with a Shilen 30” match barrel 1:7 twist.

With that Nightforce scope on top it shoots the itty bitty groups you’re after and does it from 100 out to 600 with a 90g Berger VLD

0.2 MOA 5 shot groups are common
View attachment 902706

View attachment 902707

I may be sending you a PM. I'm interested in your rig and if I remember right, you said that you just put it together yourself with off the shelf parts.
 
Forgive me if I have made the incorrect presumption here, but when you say, “itty bitty groups at small targets like playing cards,” it skews my perspective to shooting at least a few hundred yards. Personally, I very rarely shoot less than 12-15x, and when shooting at small targets, even at 50 or 100 yards, I’ll crank up pretty high - typically as high as my optic will allow, which is typically 16-30x.
This^^^^

I think you’ve got to figure out some of the replies. What one guy thinks is “itty bitty groups” is far different from mine.

When guys suggest a 10x for target shooting, I know right up front their expectations are different from mine. There’s a reason best groups are shot with high magnification. If you’re gonna shoot small you’ve got to aim small.

I shoot informal target with my CZ .22 and use 14x at 50 yards. I don’t aim at the bullseye. I aim for a specific pinpoint spot on the bullseye

If I were shooting at a playing card, I wouldn’t be shooting at the card, I’d be shooting at the eye on a one eyed jack.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top