Burris 3-9x40mm Scope Opinions

[CTGunner]

Let me start off by saying that I am new to rifles and know very little about scopes. I just picked up by first rifle, an AR-15. I am shooting pretty well using the stock sights. However, my eyes are not the best and I have a very difficult time seeing my hits without physically traveling down range.

Based on my preliminary research I have come up with the Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 as a good value. Most of my shooting will be 50-200 yards. This may be a completely ridiculous question (keep in mind I have never used a rifle scope) but will the Burris offer enough clarity for me to see the tiny .223 holes in my targets?

I am willing to spend a little more if need be and am open to other suggestions. Thanks for the help.

 

[One of Many]

That scope is for aiming the rifle, not for spotting holes in the target. You PROBABLY will not be able to see individual holes of that diameter beyond 50 yards, if at that distance. Much higher powered spotting scopes will have difficulty with holes of that diameter at 100 yards and beyond. The quality of the glass required to do that is extremely expensive.

Burris makes excellent products for a good price. I use Burris, and think it is a good product, but you need to use it in the manner it was designed to be used, or you will be disappointed.

Burris makes a spotting scope (two or three) that will come much closer to doing what you want to do, but that small bullet hole will still be a challenge to any spotting scope at most rifle range distances.

 

[cbrgator]

No, it wont. If you want to see holes in the paper, get a spotting scope, not a mounted optic. Something 20x+. If you want improved accuracy mount a scope. The Burris you listed is a good (not great) scope, and for the distances you mentioned it is entirely adequate.

 

[OhioChief]

As an added thought, get the targets (or the stickers for your targets) that highlight (in yellow or orange) around the hole. I love them, as my eyesight blows as well. Makes it so much easier to see, and since you've invested so much in the gun and scope, an extra buck for a better target or bag full of stickers shouldn't bother you. Most places carry them.

 

[CTGunner]

Thanks for the replies. Can anyone make a specific recommendation on a spotting scope?

 

[Harold Mayo]

Vortex Optics is really up and coming but with a proven track record, too. Great company with great products.

 

[rangerruck]

that is a good scope for starters, but you will not be able to see holes on paper past 50 yds or so. No way at 100. most spotting scopes are fine, I actually use a Winchester labeled scope; not sure who the maker is.
don't get one that stops at 20 power though, get one that goes to 45 or 60 power; that will let you see holes at 200. the 20 power will not.

 

[ArmedBear]

My Fullfield II lets me see .30 caliber holes at 9X and 100 yards, on a light-colored target. I do think it's a good value, though my last two scopes have been Leupolds.

 

[timbertoes]

I Find it takes a 14x scope power to see the bullet holes, even on the black/yellow target papers. Having said that, I have ordered a 20x x 50mm burris spotter