223 scope - Page 2

603Country · October 17, 2012, 08:07 PM

A 4.5x14 gives you a nice range of magnification, and that statement about "rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" is just about as correct as a fellow can get. I hunted for years with a 4 power and then went to a 3x9 and then went to a straight 6 power and then moved to a 4.5x14. That last magnification range is just right for me. I can hunt the thicker areas on my place at 4.5 power and then go to whatever power I want (usually 8) for the open fields. And I will shoot at 14 power if the pig or coyote is way out there. The obvious answer to all of this is to buy what you personally want. After decades of hunting, I have done that. And the Leupold and Burris 4.5x14's are no bigger than my Dad's Zeiss Conquest 3x9, or if there is a difference it isn't noticeable.

As for scanning, I only use binocs for that. But if I see a big buck at the edge of my farthest field (500 yards or so), I will switch to the highest power I have to learn what I can. For that, more power is better. And if I find somebody in my crosshairs, he's trespassing.

coyota1 · October 17, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

"Scanning areas" with a riflescope?

Yeah, I hate to say how many times I've done this Jimbo, and yes If I see somebody they also are trespassing!

Quote:

Anything over 4X makes it harder to hit running game or make snap shots due to the small field of view

If you are trying to hit running game with a varmint rifle, you probably grabbed the wrong gun.

**Art Eatman** · October 18, 2012, 12:15 PM

coyota1, you're worrying too much about labels.

I've shot running critters with a light sporter .223, a lighter-weight .243 carbine, and a full-size '06. I figure that "game animal" includes coyotes if I'm hunting coyotes.

Granted, I wouldn't take a shot at Bambi when he's running, were I toting a .223.

4runnerman · October 18, 2012, 12:23 PM

Im in the More Power Group My 223 has a 6-24 x 56 on it. I do find most times Yote Hunting i am down to 8 power though. But for dogs at 300 yards. I definetly would be on 24 power. Or for Punching holes in paper i would be on 24 power

FiveInADime · October 18, 2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4runnerman

Im in the More Power Group My 223 has a 6-24 x 56 on it. I do find most times Yote Hunting i am down to 8 power though. But for dogs at 300 yards. I definetly would be on 24 power. Or for Punching holes in paper i would be on 24 power
__________________

**Tim Allen Grunting Noises**

coyota1 · October 18, 2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

coyota1, you're worrying too much about labels. I've shot running critters with a light sporter .223, a lighter-weight .243 carbine, and a full-size '06. I figure that "game animal" includes coyotes if I'm hunting coyotes.

OK I see. Where I live if a coyote is on the run, it's gone, and so are bambi most if the time. Lots of heavy forest and swamp here.

603Country · October 18, 2012, 04:30 PM

Can't help but smile about "when a coyote is running, he's gone". Heck, I hunt on pretty open ground and when a coyote is in full gear I don't think I can hit him at any range, so he's 'gone' for me too. I missed one a couple of years ago at maybe 60 yards (he was trotting, Ok?) and MAN he got into high gear so fast that I was stunned. He was just a blur as he disappeared into the distance.

jimbob86 · October 18, 2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

If you are trying to hit running game with a varmint rifle, you probably grabbed the wrong gun.

If you use one gun all the time, you can get right competent with it.....

"Specialization is for Insects."

**Art Eatman** · October 19, 2012, 10:42 AM

"If you use one gun all the time, you can get right competent with it.....

"Specialization is for Insects.""

Hmm. Think about that for a minute.

Do you chirp, or buzz?

jimbob86 · October 19, 2012, 10:49 AM

You seem to be confused, Art.

One general purpose rifle is not "specialization".

Having a "Deer Rifle", and a "Predator Rifle", and a "Target Rifle", OTH ....

coyota1 · October 19, 2012, 01:23 PM

I have a lot of rifles, and I am no less competent with any one of them because I own multiple rifles.

Picher · October 22, 2012, 06:58 AM

I also have lots of rifles, but try to stick with the same brand or at least ones that have the same safety location/operation. Scopes seem to be a special problem; however, since, when walking around with a varmint rifle, I may forget to adjust the AO for a shorter range, and/or turn the power down.

All my deer rifles are bolt actions and have 3-9X scopes, two are Remingtons and one a Tikka, but all have the same safety location/operation. My CZ .22 magnum "walk-about" (non-deer) rifle has a "reversed" safety operation that bugs me, but am fairly familiar with it now, but usually turn it on and off several times when in the field, just to become fully comfortable with the "backwards" operation.

allaroundhunter · October 22, 2012, 11:54 AM

My .223 AR is topped with a 1-4x scope. Shots are taken from 10 all the way out to 600 yards for 3-gun competition, but I would have no problem taking a 300 yard shot on a coyote with the setup if I had to....standing or running

coyota1 · October 22, 2012, 01:22 PM

allaroundhunter, what's the smallest thing you shot at 250-300 yrds?

jehu · October 22, 2012, 02:06 PM

My Weatherby Mark V Super Predator Master 223 wears a Swarovski Z6 2-12X50 mainly for GH's.

allaroundhunter · October 22, 2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

allaroundhunter, what's the smallest thing you shot at 250-300 yrds?

4"x4" steel plates on occasion, but typically it is a 5"x5" steel plate (with my AR).

The smallest thing that I have ever shot at that range are prairie dogs with a rig better suited to the job.

Strafer Gott · October 22, 2012, 04:08 PM

Running coyote better not stop until way past 400 yards, particularly if I 'm holding a semi auto. Pooh pooh to unsportsmanlike conduct. Coyotes are verdammt enemies of the state, and 600 yards is still pretty far from out of range.

coyota1 · October 22, 2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

4"x4" steel plates on occasion, but typically it is a 5"x5" steel plate (with my AR).

Not bad at all for a 4x.

allaroundhunter · October 22, 2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Not bad at all for a 4x.

Thanks, I do okay...but it is most definitely not a first round hit everytime

It also helps that the BDC that I use is calibrated dang well to 55 gr FMJ rounds

(But those hits on Prairie dogs are *much* easier with a 16x scope

)

October 18, 2012, 12:15 PM	#28
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 21,050	coyota1, you're worrying too much about labels. I've shot running critters with a light sporter .223, a lighter-weight .243 carbine, and a full-size '06. I figure that "game animal" includes coyotes if I'm hunting coyotes. Granted, I wouldn't take a shot at Bambi when he's running, were I toting a .223. __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

October 18, 2012, 12:23 PM	#29
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnsota Posts: 1,849	Im in the More Power Group My 223 has a 6-24 x 56 on it. I do find most times Yote Hunting i am down to 8 power though. But for dogs at 300 yards. I definetly would be on 24 power. Or for Punching holes in paper i would be on 24 power __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

October 19, 2012, 10:42 AM	#34
Art Eatman Staff Lead Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX, USA Posts: 21,050	"If you use one gun all the time, you can get right competent with it..... "Specialization is for Insects."" Hmm. Think about that for a minute. Do you chirp, or buzz? __________________ You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

October 19, 2012, 10:49 AM	#35
jimbob86 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 5,311	You seem to be confused, Art. One general purpose rifle is not "specialization". Having a "Deer Rifle", and a "Predator Rifle", and a "Target Rifle", OTH .... __________________ TheGolden Rule of Tool Use: "If you don't know what you are doing, DON'T." http://nefirearm.com/

October 22, 2012, 06:58 AM	#37
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 2,328	I also have lots of rifles, but try to stick with the same brand or at least ones that have the same safety location/operation. Scopes seem to be a special problem; however, since, when walking around with a varmint rifle, I may forget to adjust the AO for a shorter range, and/or turn the power down. All my deer rifles are bolt actions and have 3-9X scopes, two are Remingtons and one a Tikka, but all have the same safety location/operation. My CZ .22 magnum "walk-about" (non-deer) rifle has a "reversed" safety operation that bugs me, but am fairly familiar with it now, but usually turn it on and off several times when in the field, just to become fully comfortable with the "backwards" operation. __________________ If I can't be with the rifle I love, I love the rifle I'm with!!

October 17, 2012, 08:07 PM	#26
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 1,752	A 4.5x14 gives you a nice range of magnification, and that statement about "rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" is just about as correct as a fellow can get. I hunted for years with a 4 power and then went to a 3x9 and then went to a straight 6 power and then moved to a 4.5x14. That last magnification range is just right for me. I can hunt the thicker areas on my place at 4.5 power and then go to whatever power I want (usually 8) for the open fields. And I will shoot at 14 power if the pig or coyote is way out there. The obvious answer to all of this is to buy what you personally want. After decades of hunting, I have done that. And the Leupold and Burris 4.5x14's are no bigger than my Dad's Zeiss Conquest 3x9, or if there is a difference it isn't noticeable. As for scanning, I only use binocs for that. But if I see a big buck at the edge of my farthest field (500 yards or so), I will switch to the highest power I have to learn what I can. For that, more power is better. And if I find somebody in my crosshairs, he's trespassing.

October 18, 2012, 04:30 PM	#32
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 1,752	Can't help but smile about "when a coyote is running, he's gone". Heck, I hunt on pretty open ground and when a coyote is in full gear I don't think I can hit him at any range, so he's 'gone' for me too. I missed one a couple of years ago at maybe 60 yards (he was trotting, Ok?) and MAN he got into high gear so fast that I was stunned. He was just a blur as he disappeared into the distance.

October 19, 2012, 01:23 PM	#36
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 656	I have a lot of rifles, and I am no less competent with any one of them because I own multiple rifles.

October 22, 2012, 11:54 AM	#38
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,027	My .223 AR is topped with a 1-4x scope. Shots are taken from 10 all the way out to 600 yards for 3-gun competition, but I would have no problem taking a 300 yard shot on a coyote with the setup if I had to....standing or running

October 22, 2012, 01:22 PM	#39
coyota1 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: West Michigan Posts: 656	allaroundhunter, what's the smallest thing you shot at 250-300 yrds?

October 22, 2012, 02:06 PM	#40
jehu Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Posts: 271	My Weatherby Mark V Super Predator Master 223 wears a Swarovski Z6 2-12X50 mainly for GH's.

October 22, 2012, 04:08 PM	#42
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 893	Straight out running! Running coyote better not stop until way past 400 yards, particularly if I 'm holding a semi auto. Pooh pooh to unsportsmanlike conduct. Coyotes are verdammt enemies of the state, and 600 yards is still pretty far from out of range.