Scope for 200-400 yard shooting

[Jerry D]

Alright guys, my .223 is finally almost here and it is time for a scope and I am lost.

I do not know which power range to go with however I have some criteria I want to follow.
-I want nothing larger then 40mm objective lenses
-I am open to fixed powers.
-I also wouldn't mind target or tactical styles knobs on the scope.
-Shooting distances will be 400 max with an average of about 250 yards
-I am varmint hunting, but the rifle/scope will see most its usage target shooting for fun.
-I want the magnification/clarity on a scope to be able to easily see a pop/soda can sitting on top a fence post at 300 yards

So basically I just want to know the power range required. Will a 3-9 be enough as I am looking at a lot of models in that range, or a fixed 10x? What about a 4-12 or 4x16? Keep in mind that I really want to be able to see and shoot pop/soda cans at 300 yard as I will be target shooting generally at ranges around 300.

 

[dakotasin]

at 400 yards, even a prairie dog is easy enough to pick up w/ most anything. suggest a leupold 6x42 and have target knobs installed on it. doubt you'll ever find a reason to replace it.

 

[popeyespappy]

Well you said no bigger than a 40mm objective but I’ll throw this out there anyway. Super Sniper 10x42 $299.95. I have 2 of them and for $300 they are hard to beat.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-4304-231-swfa-ss-10x42-tactical-riflescope.aspx

Another decent fixed power is the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 $179.95. I’ve got 1 of these too and been happy enough with it.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-8352-184-bushnell-10x40-elite-3200-rifle-scope.aspx

 

[1858rem]

i dont remember who makes it but in walmart....... yah walmart, there is a 4-16 power with adjustable, ummm parallax(adjusts between 5-infinity yds for focus)? 40 mm with mil dots illuminated red or green, big windage/elevation adjustment knobs and easy to use lock rings. 65 odd dollars and can see fine to about, well i dont have anything farther than 400 yds an i was puttin hits on a b-34 at 350yd w/a 22mag bolt rifle, give it a shot, ya can return it if you dont like it too.

 

[Art Eatman]

The wind will eat you up, with a .223 at 400 yards. 300 yards on prairie dogs, no big problem, this side of a real gale.

I have an old Leupold Vari-X II on my 77 Mk II .223, 3x9x40. I sight in for a 200-yard zero, which puts me roughly five or six inches low at 300. As always for my hunting rifles, it's a case of "set it and forget it". If I'm going to shoot a lot of paper at a known distance, I'd most likely re-sight for the distance.