Need opinion regarding choice of scope

[marchboom]

Have a 26" bbl AR used primarily for coyote and PD hunting. Max range probably 500-600 yds. I have narrowed my choice of a scope to the following:

Nikon M-223 4-16x42 with BDC 600 reticle OR

Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 with Dead Hold BDC and 30mm tube.

Would the extra power with the Vortex be beneficial or no big deal at the distance I'm shooting?

Any other info would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dub]

I have the Viper on my yote gun in
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 Riflescope with the lighted reticle.
I do not get shots as far as you do so the extra power would be good for you. the lighted reticle is outstanding for night time predators.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Magnification is your friend............

 

[Sniper338]

The vortex is way better quality then the nikon... but get the viper PST model if those are your choices.

Depends if you hunt at night... but during the day, a SWFA SS scope is a really good scope too. I shoot a fixed 10x out to 1000 yards. But it doeant collect enough light to shoot at night or under spot lights.

 

[CharlieNC]

Instead of a bcc reticle I would choose either mil or moa, preferably ffp which also matches the turrets. Bdc is a rogue which does not translate to a wide, general purpose application.

 

[Shynloco]

Magnification is your friend............

+1, especially for your longer distances and the Vortex is the better scope of the two.

Alex

 

[muleystalker]

SWFA 3-15x42 is way better glass than any of the scopes you listed, its bullet proof and tracks great,very repeatable. It is offered in several very nice reticles and now in MOA or Mil, and in FFP and SFP. Power is not your friend if its not good glass, I would much rather have great glass with less power than more power and lesser quality glass. And being variable it will bring in plenty of light for spot lighting.

 

[swd]

SWFA 3-15x42 is way better glass than any of the scopes you listed, its bullet proof and tracks great,very repeatable. It is offered in several very nice reticles and now in MOA or Mil, and in FFP and SFP. Power is not your friend if its not good glass, I would much rather have great glass with less power than more power and lesser quality glass. And being variable it will bring in plenty of light for spot lighting.

I'll second the SWFA 3x15. Its a really nice piece of glass, ALOT nice than any Vortex in its price range.

 

[nakneker]

I'd second the sentiments on the SWFA scopes. I have a couple 3-15x, a couple 3-9x and one 5-20x. They are tough, they are repeatable, they have an awesome warranty. The 3-9x has HD glass and a easier turret design to adjust.

I've heard some shaky reports on Nikon's warranty and service. vortex does an awesome job and they have good glass and track very well.

Not to confuse you , you seem to have your choices narrowed down but Sightron SIII scopes are a really good choice too. You can find used SIII Sightron that will save you a lot of money. I just bought a 6-24x for 475.00 here on the forum.

 

[Spike A]

I agree with a lot of what others have mentioned...

I always thought power was king.. Till I had a little better scope than an off brand bottom barrel... I went from 8-32x down to 6-24x.. And would never go back... When it got hot I had to drop power on cheap scope .. A lot lower than I do with my new one which is a Sightron sIII.... And a lot of times when I am out hunting I only have it on 10-12 so my field of view is wider... Makes for faster target acquisition IMO...

Another note.. I also have a ffp which i like for hunting because like I said often I am on lower power so no math to figure out line values... I normally dial elevation and hold windage... But some times I feel I don't have time to dial so I hold elevation.. And again I know my line values no matter what power I am on ...

These are just my preferences... Now if I was just using the scope for strictly target shooting .. Would pb lean towards a sfp...

I see u mentions a Nikon with bdc.. Only problem I have with that is I feel like with the circles accuracy is lost because the are sort of big and loose...

Well good luck with your choice.. Let us know what u decide to go with

Spike