"All around" scope for .223

G

Gatorgrizz27

New member
I picked up a Weatherby Vanguard carbine in .223 and need a scope for it.

Intended uses will be punching paper out to 300-600 yards, a lightweight ranch/truck gun for riding around in the woods and shooting coyotes, raccoons, pigs, etc from 30-300 yards. I would also like it to be able to work as a prairie dog gun out to 300 yards, though I will pick up a .22-250 with a high power scope before I do any serious prairie dog shooting.

I am partial to Leupold scopes, and was looking to spend around $450. Top choice so far is the Mark AR, though i have no idea which power or reticle would be best. Ballistics charts show the rifle can be sighted in so the bullet remains in a 5" zone out to 300 yards, which is around the max I will be hunting, though the adjustable turrets and mil dots may be handy at the range and allow me to start learning about longer range shooting.

I realize the scope has to be a compromise but is 3-9 or 4-12 generally sufficient for everything from coyotes up close to paper and varmints at 300 yards? I could pull my 3-9 off my deer rifle and shoot the .223 for a bit to see which end of the power range I would prefer to compromise on.
 
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I'd put a 3-9x on it. Prolly try to find on that was lighter weight like the older Nikon Prostaff.
 
They make the Mark AR in a model called the Mod 1.

The Mod 1 has a turret calibrated to a 55gr bullet @ 3100 FPS. So if you know your yardage you can dial to it on the turret.

I have one in 4-12 and its a nice little scope.
 
Mod 1 version is what I was checking out. Leaning towards the 3-9x40 now since most people say it is sufficient out past 300 yards and it is lighter. Now the question is duplex or mil dot reticle? Since it is so easy to dial in I doubt I would use the mil dots for holding over while hunting, but they may be handy at the range to learn fundamentals.
 
I really like that Weaver Tactical for $300 that Midway sells. A great scope. Well made and precise. I'll be buying a few more of those.
 
I have a Leupold Mark AR Mod 1 P5 4-12x40 on my CZ527. I had the same scope in 3-9x40, and really prefer the little bit of added magnification, and the adjustable objective.
 
Redfield makes a dang good all around scope also with or without built in range finding reticle.
 
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I tell ya, for a .223 I really like a 3-9x40. I fitted mine with a Zeiss and man is it a nice calling rig. You can get into some nice glass with $450 like a Zeiss or higher end Leupold or Nikon.
 
I have a Redfield Revenge Accu Range Reticle 3x9 that I just bought for my 45/70. It's not going to work on that gun. It sets back to far and I don't need stitches in my eyebrow I already have an extra Leup. MK4 that I'm not needing.
 


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