Would this be to much scope?

[choppertime]

I finished my build, it's a 20 inch super sniper wilson combat barrel, 223 wylde chamber,ar platform,I'm liking the trijiccon accupower scopes wondering if the 4x16x50 would be to much scope for shooting paper,steel,an occasional groundhog out to maybe 600 yards or would the 3x9x40 be a better fit......mostly 55 grain handloads. Scopes are as hard to choose from as ar bolt carrier groups. Thanks for input

 

[cdb1]

For 600 yards I'd prefer 16x over 9x.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I have a 3x9 on my 20 inch AR and often wish for a little more magnification. Go with the 4x16.

 

[Walkalong]

wondering if the 4x16x50 would be to much scope for shooting paper,steel,an occasional groundhog out to maybe 600 yards

Not at all.

 

[grampajack]

For groundhog sized targets at 600 yards 16x might be too little scope. 9x is good for shooting groups at 100 yards, so I think that would be way too little. 10 and 12x wouldn't be much better, so yea I would go with at least 16x.

 

[imashooter]

Probably just about right. Do a little practice on simulated groundhogs at 600 once it's dialed in at same distance. Make sure you stick to one load at that distance.

 

[Varminterror]

Some of my AR's have 5.5-22x, 4.5-30x, 6.5-20x, or 6-24x scopes... I had a 6-18x on a 16" carbine for about 10yrs as one of my primary coyote calling rifles, with a red dot on a 45degree mount for close up, fast movers.

The optic is for the shooter, not for the rifle. If the shooter's application dictates a need for precise POA placement, meaning relatively smaller targets and/or relatively longer ranges, then a higher mag scope is indicated.

I can say, I have never - ever - felt myself to be over scoped. I have many, many times felt I was under scoped. I've never had trouble picking up those close range shots guys claim will render a 4+ or 6+ scope useless. If the target is man sized, sure, a 3.5-10x will get me past 600yrds, but if I want to hit prairie dogs, the likelihood of impact is MUCH higher with a higher magnification scope.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a 6x18 on my .22 Hornet.

 

[redneck2]

My varminter AR has a 6.5-20 VX-III

Shooting 9x at 600 yards is equivalent to zero magnification at 50 yards. Maybe you can shoot tiny groups at 50 yards with no magnification but I can't

 

[cdb1]

My varminter AR has a 6.5-20 VX-III

Shooting 9x at 600 yards is equivalent to zero magnification at 50 yards. Maybe you can shoot tiny groups at 50 yards with no magnification but I can't

Neither can I.

 

[GRIZ22]

I'm not a hunter but 16x seems appropriate for as small as a groundhog.