Nikon m-223 problem

misterfuzzer

misterfuzzer

New member
I just bought a Nikon M-223 scope and it is "pre calibrated" for a 55 gr bullet traveling at 3240 fps. I can't get my 16 inch barrel to shoot much over 3000 fps. Any suggestions? I have even tried to use a 52 gr A-Max because the ballistics are VERY close, but it won't go more than 3000 either...
 
See if you can't use a power other than what is listed to make it work, or run the ballistics and check what the difference is in bullet drop at the different ranges.

You could try using a faster burning powder so that it burns completely before your barrel runs out.

I don't know a whole lot about reloading so I'd suggest looking into specifics yourself.

I'm guessing that your running an AR with a 16" barrel, maybe if your really want to use the scope you could buy a longer barrel or a different upper with a longer barrel. Not sure what to say.

If I had your problem my first plan would be run everything through a ballistics program and see if at the distances I'm shooting if it would make any difference. If so maybe right down what the difference is and post it on the stock or the top of the scope.
 
I have already done the whole ballistics deal. That's why I tried the A-Max.
As far as reloads go, I have tried the 2 fastest powders and that is how I got my 3000 fps. I don't know where to go from here. I really don't want to buy another barrel.
 
I can understand not wanting to spend the money on a new barrel. You could look around to see about a trade? Not real likely, but stranger things have happened. have you looked at 45gr bullets? I don't play around too much with the ballistics on a .223 so maybe they wouldn't be close at all?

How far out are you wanting to shoot and what size target?
 
All for yote hunting and plinking out to 600 yards. My supressor will be here in a month or so and I want things in order for when I get it.
 
Are your shots all off target since they are slower or something? I just ordered the 2-8x nikoplex for my RRA Coyote Carbine and didnt really think about that. How accurate have your shots been so far?
 
I honestly haven't even sighted it in to try it as of yet, but according to my ballistics chart, at 500 yards, at 3000 fps, it would be 10 inches lower than it would be going 3240.
 
What powders are you using? I wouldn't step down to a 45 gr! It would get its butt kicked out at 600 yards with some wind. I would just go out and shoot it and see where you are at. If I recall Horandy rates their 55's at
3240 and I think they don't even reach the 3200 mark on the factory loads. This is the reason all the scopes I buy are mil dot!
 
Sight in your 500yrd mark to be correct at 500yds. That should put you about 4-5 inches low on your 600yd mark and a couple inches high on your 100yd mark at 100. All the other marks in between should be closer than that even. Problem solved.
 
Originally Posted By: misterfuzzerI just bought a Nikon M-223 scope and it is "pre calibrated" for a 55 gr bullet traveling at 3240 fps. I can't get my 16 inch barrel to shoot much over 3000 fps. Any suggestions? I have even tried to use a 52 gr A-Max because the ballistics are VERY close, but it won't go more than 3000 either...


Here is an Idea! how about not using 16" Carbine barrels for hunting! How about you check out some thing at least 20" preferably 24"
They make them and they are not really that expensive.
 
Ze Stallion: I don't think there is a whole lot of difference when you shoot an animal. And, I don't think the yote's will notice his bullets at 2-300fps below someone else's. So long as he can effectively kill at what ever ranges he is engaging the dogs at I can't really see any validity to your argument. If you are worried about lethality at 600 yards 8 inches ain't going to help much.
 
Not to mention I do believe the M 223 was designed for the AR ! If nikon where to make a scope for the ar and not think that the 16 inch was the most popular barrel out there for the ar it would seem they should pull their heads out! So again I wouldn't worry about what the books say and just go out and shoot it to see where your at.
 
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I have just recently seen this scope being offered and know nothing about it. I am getting the impression from this thread it was designed to work with a 20+" barrel - is that correct?
Just curious as to why that would be the case, if so.
 
50 feet per second velocity loss per reduced inch of barrel..or something like that. I aggree with a previous post that states dont worry about what the paper says, take it out and practice. It should be close.
 
Most of the drop compensated scopes are calibrated to work at or very near maximum power only!!!!

Make sure you are on maximum and try it. If it don't work reduce your power until it does then remember the setting.
 
Quite positive the scope has paperwork that says that it is calibrated for a specific barrel and ammo. It's not even enough to say 55 grain bullet, because ballistic coefficient comes into play. Inside 300 yards it's no big deal but beyond that here ya go:

16inchARBDC.jpg


20inchARBDC.jpg


Disclaimer. These are theoretical velocities and I need to fine tune them by shooting them over my new chrono. I've already found the 20" shooting a little faster than the book says. Oh and don't forget weather. Long range shooting is not point and click. If it was then sniper school would take 20 minutes.

My suggestion is keep the scope. Get it to work by going backwards and determine where the rifle is shooting and then see where that works out on a "dope" table which you will always have with you (or memorize).

For example: So what if it hits one dot low at 180 yards instead of 200. BFD. Write it down. So it hits four dots low at 360 instead of 400. If you know the numbers you'll make hits.

I've never had an animal stand at exactly 200 or 300 yards yet.
 
Originally Posted By: aftCGLong range shooting is not point and click. If it was then sniper school would take 20 minutes.

Ain't that the truth.

Best thing to do is put it through the ringer at the range and when you have figured out write down the proper distances each mark correlates to, and as aftGC said right it down and keep with the rifle or memorize it.
 
Just saw your scope in the fall Cabela's and it looks like your scope uses a sight similar to the Nikon predator.

You have 50 and 100 yard increments you should be able to figure something out to 500yds or something worst case scenario.
 
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