Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Big P on April 22, 2012, 08:37:11 AM

Title: New optics help please
Post by: Big P on April 22, 2012, 08:37:11 AM: I just bought my first AR and am looking for a solid coyote scope for $300-400. I have never specifically gone coyote hunting so I'm not exactly sure what to look for. Here are some options that have already been suggested:

Nikon P-223 Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm BDC 600 Reticle Matte
Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm w/ the Accurange reticle
burris fullfield 2 2-7
Vortex 3x9x40

Does anyone have experience with any of these or have another suggestion. I will be mostly hunting in the mountains around Ellensburg. Thanks for the help
Title: Re: New optics help please
Post by: uplandhunter870 on April 22, 2012, 10:37:17 AM: i dont have any of the ones you listed but i do have a nikon buckmaster in the 4.5-14x40SF BDC on my 22-250, i paid just a touch over 300 after tax for it. its a great scope, crystal clear and holds zero real well (its taken some good thumps when ive slipped and fell a couple times and was always spot on after wards) the BDC recticle takes some range time to figure out where all the aim points are actually hitting, the Nikon spot on thing works pretty good for ballpark estimates

my hunting buddy has a burris fullfield in a 3-9x on his varmint rifle and he loves it, not sure if its a fullfield 2

i dont have any first hand experience with the redfields but have hear good things about the newer ones after leupold took over.
Title: Re: New optics help please
Post by: BullMagnet76 on April 22, 2012, 11:41:26 AM: Go with the Nikon m-223, it is a great scope for the price!!! :tup:
Title: Re: New optics help please
Post by: AWS on April 22, 2012, 01:12:56 PM: I think it depends alot on the type of hunting you plan to do. If you hunting coyotes by calling them most of your shots will be under 200yrds with some as close as your shoe laces. I like a 1.5x6x40mm scope with up to 70' FOV on the bottom end and a German #4 w/Ill. dot reticle. Hunted central WA sage country and NM and AZ this year and never felt under scoped, longest shot 190yrds, closest 10 ft both were shot on 1.5X, I didn't have time to change.

!90yrd shot in this pasture on 1.5x
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FTonyTebbeHunt006.jpg&hash=629758940b806fff57d5a6457d174906c7beca78)

If your hunting alot of closer cover, forests heavy sage etc. a 1x4x20mm isn't out of the question. I have a 1x4x20mm on my combo gun and am good to 300+ yrds but have a 90ft FOV for close in stuff with the shotgun.

My Combo rig with 1x4x20mm 70yrd coyote with the rifle barrel.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2Fmontanaandmoseslake2010021.jpg&hash=fb5cc5f55ce1d80c5c8bbb523cc7cd7a01d866ff)

For open farmland and grass lands I have a 22-250 rigged with a 2.5x10x40mm it will pretty much work as far as a 22-250 will be effective. It still has 40 ft of FOV on the bottom end for that one that sneaks in along a fence line or unknown ditch and pps out right in front of you.

My open country 22-250
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FDogsandrifles011.jpg&hash=36a3f474ac4120092934b8384c1444e8310c7a86)

The Burris FF-II 2x7 w/BDC is a nice scope, lots of FOV and the hash marks if you think you need them. Most of my guns shoot flat enough to hold on fur to 300 yrds so I like to keep it as simple as possible. With no turrets, AO or SF there is nothing for me to forget between stands.

Now if your just potting coyotes when you see one out in a field a higher power scope might come in handi if you have the horse power to be effective on coyotes at long range. If yours is a 223 it's effective range is about 300yrds so no need for a higher powerscope unless your going to use it for PD and Sage Rats, but then if it were me I'd get a different scope for shooting the little stuff and a large FOV scope for coyotes.
Title: Re: New optics help please
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on April 22, 2012, 08:22:05 PM: I've got Nikons and Burris Fullfield II scopes, and like them. I have a Nikon Coyote Special on my 22-250, and I think it's closely related to my Buckmasters, only with a different reticle, and comes with an ARD (Anti-reflective Device) which would cost $125.00 if bought separately, and keeps the yotes from seeing the shine from the scope lens. There are some really good scopes out there in your price range. I've ordered quite a few from Natchez Shooters Supply.