Question re: 50mm scope at 200 yards (and beyond)

[GetmeoutaCT]

I tried my StagArms at a 200 yard range for the first time a couple of days ago; it's scoped with a Leupold AR MOD 3-9x 40mm objective. The black "disclosing" target I used was clearly visible through the scope at that range; however, the hits were not that clear. A walk to the stand revealed I'd hit paper with four out of five shots (see photo); however, that was a fair walk with a bad knee.

I'm curious - would a good 50mm riflescope with, say 22 or 24 power, disclose such hits clearly? Id like to avoid buying a separate sighting scope; figure the money I'd save on that could go towards the riflescope. I suppose I should also mention that for the moment I'm sticking with the 5.56/223 semi-auto platform for such shooting; it's quite a bit cheaper than shooting .308. I have also sprung for and am waiting for a 24" Stag Arms bull barrel stainless upper for this rifle. Finally, since I'm a lefty (handed, not politically), any serious bolt-action purchase is going to likely be a life-time commitment, and I'm not ready to spend that cash right now.

Also, how far would this platform, combined with a good 50mm riflescope, be good for?

Thanks all-

-Alan

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Forgot - here's the target

Forgot the photo -

 

[Laphroaig]

As long as you continue to shoot into those shoot-n-see type targets a higher power scope would probably let you see those hits.

I've shot a fair amount of highpower at 200 yds. into a black bull target. .22 cal hits are very difficult to see when in the black, and my optic is a Kowa TSN-821 with a 24x eyepiece. That's not a top of the line spotting scope, but I figure its better than 90% of rifle scopes, and it has a 80 something mm objective.

The trouble with a 50mm scope on an AR platform is the height above the comb. It might be tough to get a good cheek weld on the stock unless your stock has an adjustable comb.

I've never tried it, but I've heard 24 inch .223's can shoot out to 1000 yds., with proper bullets like 80-90 gr. vld's.

Laphroaig

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

Laphroaig -

Thanks. Yes; Id heard that the height/cheek weld issue. This is why I'd settled on the 50mm and not a 56. I note that the Leupold 56mm's (or is it the 50's?) have a round indent on the bottom of the objective; I assume for this reason. However, I have to think that this cuts down on the light gathering-focusing-collecting (whatever you want to call it) ability of the objective.

 

[hq]

I'm curious - would a good 50mm riflescope with, say 22 or 24 power, disclose such hits clearly? Id like to avoid buying a separate sighting scope; figure the money I'd save on that could go towards the riflescope.

While a good riflescope is always a sound investment, $200 or so buys a very decent spotting scope you can use no matter which one of your rifles you're shooting. Magnification and clarity/contrast are the key to seeing details as small as .223 holes in a (black) target and that's what spotting scopes have plenty.

I got my first dedicated spotting scope only about ten years ago. It's nothing special, just another 20-60x80 can't-even-remember-which-brand, most likely chinese sub-$100 scope on a camera tripod, but it works and it has quickly become one of the essentials in my range bag. For locating bullet holes it's up to par with high-$ 20x riflescopes.

 

[witchhunter]

Can I suggest that you change your target. Use the smallest target you can see with your scope at that range. maybe a 2" black block. Use it on white paper, this makes it a lot easier to see hits. You can use black tape or print targets on white paper. All of those shots should show up on an 8 1/2 x 11 standard paper. Aim small, miss small.

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

HQ-

I bought a cheap chinese-made Winchester spotting scope from CTD some years ago; think I paid $99. It's a 12-24x50mm. My Leupold 40mm riflescope is much better!

That's a good point - buy a decent spotter and you can use it with any rifle. Unfortunately, my current spotter is not up to "decent" standards.

 

[hq]

Unfortunately, my current spotter is not up to "decent" standards.

50mm cheapo spotting scope with 24x max magnification definitely isn't, and I'm not surprised it's soundly trounced by a 40mm Leupold. The only reason I bought a 80mm spotting scope was that the 30-90x120 (for $20 more) was too bulky to fit in my range bag. 60x magnification isn't great but combined with a decent lens size, it'll do just fine up to 200 yards with .223 sized holes.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Leupold Ventana 20-60 power80mm spotting scope. Buy once well.

http://www.leupold.com/observation/...1-ventana-20-60x80mm-straight-spotting-scope/

 

[jmr40]

The 50mm objective is a non-factor. More magnification is what you need and any scope with enough to help you has more magnification than is practical. The scope you have is just fine. it will be a lot cheaper to just buy a decent spotting scope than to replace the scope with something of comparable quality and get enough magnification to matter.

 

[Mike C2]

The centerline of the optic doesn't change as the objective diameter increases. Most AR's use high rings anyhow so I would think it would be no issue to run a 50mm objective.

I know most of my 40mm objective scopes on one piece mounts have nearly 1/2" of clearance between the top of the rail and bottom of the bell. Only have of the 10mm increase in diameter would be between the rail and the bell.

If you are target shooting in daylight, just about any 40-42mm objective higher mag scope would work.

 

[redneck2]

I have a 40mm on my AR and it is way above the barrel. A 50 would easily fit, but I'm not sure it will achieve what you want. The two word answer is clarity and magnification

 

[GetmeoutaCT]

This is my setup with the 40mm

Plenty of room and not too high - can still get a good cheek weld.

 

[artee]

Change your target. Not all "shoot and see" style targets are equal. The original seems to work best. The "dirty birds" by Birchwood Casey are pretty good. They give a bigger "ring of color" around your hole.

BLACK holes in BLACK targets just don't make it. Better yet, STOP using this style target completely. Switch to a "florescent orange" aim point/Sight-In style target. The background of the target is white. Use the various targets with the 14 inch Grid of 1 inch spacing that have a four to six inch square or circle for an aimpoint (often with a smaller 2 in square inside). You can then see the hits in the white, and the hits on the colored part. You have to pick the target based on the needs of your scope. I've beaten a lot of guys and won a lot of bets with a M8 (4X) fixed power Leupold by using a target that works WITH my scope instead of against it.

Witchhunter, Laphroaig, hq, and jmr40 are all on track. You're better served overall with a good spotting scope than a different riflescope; and a different target.