Which scope - AR

[lokidog]

I'm looking at the Bushnell AR 3-9X40, the AR 2-7X33, and the Nikon Prostaff 3-9 or 4-12X40, or the Nikon P223 3-9X.  This is for plinking and possibly coyote hunting out to 200 yards.

I like the size of the 2-7X, but the dots on the crosshairs are calibrated to .22, would this be a big deal?  I can also get it for $99+tax with the current Bushnell AR $30 rebate.  The  3-9X I can get for $113+tax.  It is only a half inch longer than the 2-7 but looks a lot larger.

The Nikons are a lot more expensive, relatively, but man thaose Prostaffs are sure light.  I haven't had my hands on one of the P223s.

Any thoughts?

[Special T]

The P223 can be had for $150 ish even cheaper if you find some one upgrading. Bushnell with the (Bad) lever illuminated reticule and bullet drop, first plane reticule used in many 3 gun competitions... Nikon predator... My Favorite all sweet scopes. IMO Nikon is more $ but definitely best bang for buck category.

[lokidog]

The P223 is $160 at Amazon.

What model is that Bushnell with the IR and BDC?

[Special T]

Bushnell BTR also the dropp zone I like the BTR but its more $ BTR is more tactical/3gun style but very doable cor coyotes at the range your talking... I think you could do a dog iron sites at 200...

[pianoman9701]

A friend of mine just received this Steiner scope for his AR build. About $250 off MSR. 2-10x42 with special coating that bring out animals against leafy or grassy backgrounds. Shipping is free.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=1027247&is=REG

[lokidog]

Thanks Pianoman, but that is about 3X my budget,   

I'd really like to do the Bushnell AR Optics Drop Zone in the 2-7X, but the dots are calibrated for .22lr ballistics.  WIsh I knew what the ranges would be for the .243 I meant .223.

Here is a pic of the calibrations on the BDC.  If this was zeroed at 100 (for .223), what would the dots be?  The .22 is calibrated at 50 yd zero with high velocity ammo.  Anyone have ballistic software and the time to mess with this? If it was something like 100, 180, 260, 310, I'd be fine with it.

Thanks for looking.   

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/review_bushnell_ar22_scope.php

[pianoman9701]

Understood. It was out of my friend's budget, too. He bit the bullet, though, and bought his wife cheaper chocolates for Valentine's Day! 

[lokidog]

Ineedmoregear.com has some great prices on scopes.  With Bushnell's $30 rebate, I can get the AR Optics 3-9X40 for $116 including shipping.  Or, the Nikon Prostaff 4-12X40 BDC for $191 inc. shipping.  Both of these are less than Amazon.

I like the low price of the Bushnell and that the BDC is correlated to 100, 200, 300 yards, but I've been thinking of getting a more powerful scope for my 30-06 and could mount my Leupold 3-9X from that on my AR.  Hmmm, too much to think about, maybe I'll buy both for $298 and save $9 in shipping.   

[Bmcox86]

I put the vortex diamondback 4-12x40 BDC on my ar on the rock River rings and am really happy with it. I think it was $180 shipped from elknut. I know this wasn't one of your choices but it's a nice scope for a decent price amd works great on an AR

[fly-by]

Thanks Pianoman, but that is about 3X my budget,   

I'd really like to do the Bushnell AR Optics Drop Zone in the 2-7X, but the dots are calibrated for .22lr ballistics.  WIsh I knew what the ranges would be for the .243.

Here is a pic of the calibrations on the BDC.  If this was zeroed at 100 (for .223), what would the dots be?  The .22 is calibrated at 50 yd zero with high velocity ammo.  Anyone have ballistic software and the time to mess with this? If it was something like 100, 180, 260, 310, I'd be fine with it.

Thanks for looking.   

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/review_bushnell_ar22_scope.php

There are a number of calculators that support popular reticles and a few manufacturers have programs that support just their own.  I have this on my Android tablet:  http://www.borisov.mobi/StrelokPlus/      May be worth checking out.

No need to have the dots correspond to round numbers since there is little chance of an animal apprearing at exactly 200, 400, or 600 yards.  You'll probably need to interpolate anyway.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have to P-223 and I like it. Even my gunsmith liked it and he only likes Leupolds.....

[Jingles]

I have no intention of Pizzing anyone off or making anyone mad but WHY the BDC, multiple distance markers and all the fancy scopes with adjustable turrets on these rifle that you aren't going to be shooting more than 350 yards MAX?? And most everyone says they use Range finders anyhow...
Maybe I am just super old school (after all I am 66 YR's old) and was raised and still have nothing but the old style scopes, single set of cross hairs, and don't use range finder, but if a person learns their rifle, learns where it shoots, and semi learns how much the bullet drops at the different distances why do you need all the fancy bells and whistles?.
Once you know what you are shooting, bullet weight and speed set your scope to MAximum Point blank Range and use good ole Kentucky windage if needed.. Get back to basics

[lokidog]

Jingles, I understand what you are saying.  However, for the same quality glass, it seems that it is pretty much the same cost to get a bdc reticle versus a plain duplex reticle.  I do not have anything other than duplex reticles and have managed to only miss two deer (not the fault of my scope), even dropping an elk at 300 to 500ish with no rangefinder.  However, if it helps, just once, down the road, and does not hinder my shooting, why not?

Thanks for the input.

[AWS]

The request was for coyote hunting and plinking to TWO HUNDRED YARDS.  There is no way you would need all that cr-p in the scope.  A good 1x4x20 or 1.5x6x40mm scope with a plain heavy duplex would be perfect at the most an illuminated dot would be useful.  I'd look at a Leupold VX-r 2x7,  FOV is your friend when calling coyotes, most of my called coyotes are in the 10 to 100yrd range.

This seasons coyote gun and even with the VX-1 1x4 she will shoot sub MOA at 200 yards 16x16x6.5x58R Sauer.



She is even shooting  better with .264 bullets sized to .260 to fit the groove diameter.

[lokidog]

Cool gun!

OK, maybe I need to keep the riff-raff at least 400 yards off the beach.....   

[AWS]

Burris FF-II 2x7 w/BDC/Ballistic-plex, nice scope.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/fullfield-ii-riflescopes-series/fullfield-ii-riflescope-2-7x35mm

[lokidog]

Alright, I'm heading out of town tomorrow, so I bit the bullet (so to speak   ) and bought the Bushnell AR optic 3-9X for $137 + 9 shipping and will get a $30 rebate from Bushnell (Ineedmoregear.com).  Couldn't argue with the price point, though the extra 1/2 pound might not be fun.  This will put my gun to the 8 1/2 pound mark with a 16" barrel.

I won't get it mounted and shoot until after March 4.

Thanks for all of the input.

[fastdam]

Loki, i dont know if your aware or if this has been mentioned but be sure to get the correct scope rings for the AR.   They should move the scope forward. A nice solid one piece ring/mount works well.  This will help give you proper eye relief.  Regular scope rings put the scope in an akward position.  I just went trhough this a few months ago myself.   

[lokidog]

Thanks, yes I have ordered a one piece ring.   

[fastdam]

Your welcome.