Scope suggestions

[A-13]

Hello all

For my new rifle (18 inch bolt action 223) I’m looking for a new optic. I’d like something very solid, illuminated reticle (if possible)with ranging capabillity, parallax adjustment would be nice. It will be a varmint rifle up to 150 yards. Preferably in the 42-44 mm objective range, low range of 2 or 3 x, budget under 2000 gbp… second focal plane prefered.

I like the delta optical (discounted for f1 at this point), nightforce nsx 2,5-10,… currently put my 2,5-10x50 steiner on there and find it too bulky for the rifle…

Any tips and experiences welcome!

 

[old 30-06]

A-13 I have a slightly different perspective to your train of thought. I use a 222 on varmints and on it I have a Zeiss Duralyt in 3 to 12 by 50 illuminated. The "dot of death" is very useful after dark, and I would not buy a scope without it. Your expected range is not excessive, so why complicate it with parallax.

Having said that, I use a torch on top of the gun, not anything night vision or thermal. Parallax is yet another thing to adjust and fiddle with, rather than just taking the shot. How often has an animal moved just as you were about to fire ? Simplicity works ! Do not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by complicating things.

 

[old 30-06]

A-13, I should have said that I bought the scope second hand (but in very nice condition) from a local dealer for £450.

 

[angusb1]

Are you going to use night vision add-ons with it?

 

[Will the chippy]

150 yds on foxes etc is point and shoot at that range for a 223. The more you have to fiddle with the more doubt you will have wether you've dialed it right, have you got this right or that right. Keep it simple. Get to know it and go and shoot stuff.

 

[Bowland blades]

Hello all

For my new rifle (18 inch bolt action 223) I’m looking for a new optic. I’d like something very solid, illuminated reticle (if possible)with ranging capabillity, parallax adjustment would be nice. It will be a varmint rifle up to 150 yards. Preferably in the 42-44 mm objective range, low range of 2 or 3 x, budget under 2000 gbp… second focal plane prefered.

I like the delta optical (discounted for f1 at this point), nightforce nsx 2,5-10,… currently put my 2,5-10x50 steiner on there and find it too bulky for the rifle…

Any tips and experiences welcome!

There are some contradictions with those you mention when you say up to 150 yards and " varmints " and dropping 2k on the scope - To me that means Rabbits /fox / crows ( though the 223 is very good for English Roe and Muntjac / CWD) . I use a 6x42 S+Bender for this job with my 223 , its all that's all i need tbf . Your dumping a heap in cash on the scope , having had big NF scopes i think they are more a target / tactical tool i sold a few weeks after giving up long range target shooting events ( never missed them and it must be 14 years now ) .
Everyone likes something different but starting out reading your post was the 150 yards , i shoot my 22 hornet without dialling in the dope at 150 yards.

 

[Dalua]

( though the 223 is very good for English Roe and Muntjac / CWD) .

Lawful in England only for the latter two, though.
Roe (of whatever nationality) in Scotland, on the other hand...

 

[A-13]

Hi all

Please allow me to clarify: I’m currently using the rifle as described mostly due to my own perceived lack of capabillity. I’m fairly new to centerfire rifles ( well versed with fac air rifles where kill zones are less than an inch, not 3 or 5). I’m only shooting to a level that I’m currently comfortable with on live quarry. I don’t mind investing in future capabillity though. Roe deer are .223 legal here too, provided that your (literal translation) hunting plan allows it. We (for now) do not have that allowance from the gvt. As said I come from a background in fac air rifles, most recently helping with goose pest control up to 120yards, I’m used to using rangefinders, adjusting parallax,… on my mtc copperhead. I’d use the same tactics on fox. High seat, measure distances,…

I don’t baby my rifles and nightforce, steiner and others have a reputation for reliabillity. Zeiss and swaro have had some dings in that reputation of late…

I calculated parallax error for my current 100m fixed and within my current capabillity it will put me max 2 cm off target with a 42 or 44mm objective. Plenty good for fox and eventually roe.

Using night vision/thermal is illegal out here, at least still for now. But compact scope, low end mag +adjustable parallax does set me up for the possibillity to use it if it becomes legal one day, turning the scope into a truly versatile unit.

for now I’ll be using a very good 2-10x50 steiner but was just checking in on what options people liked. All advice is welcome and most certainly considered. What do you use and why on your .223 rifle is always interesting for me and others after me coming to this forum.

Thank you all

A.

 

[Bowland blades]

Lawful in England only for the latter two, though.
Roe (of whatever nationality) in Scotland, on the other hand...

CWD and Muntjac are very, very rare in Scotland ( they should be none existent though ) . Roe and the 223 , 222, 22-250 etc are a perfect match for Roe - the law is often an Ass In England and Wales on this matter

 

[Dalua]

CWD and Muntjac are very, very rare in Scotland ( they should be none existent though ) . Roe and the 223 , 222, 22-250 etc are a perfect match for Roe - the law is often an Ass In England and Wales on this matter

It was more the point that .223 can be described as 'very good' for roe in England only if you don't mind breaking the law.

 

[Wmjas]

Leupold VX-5HD in 2-10 or 3-15 with a fire dot reticle