New precision shooter looking for scope help

[Road_Clam]

Hello gentlemen !
New shooter precision here, and recently purchased a used bushmaster AR-15 varmint with a 6-18X50 Bushnell banner scope and bipod. Been shooting at a buddies' field up to about 230 yds and doing well. My ultimate goal is to qualify for my gun clubs' 200 and 600M ranges. Been researching scopes. I have about a $900 budget, and looking for a higher powered scope that suits me properly. My biggest issue is that I am very nearsighted. Thus far aquiring a standard 50' paper target at 230 yards is no problem, however 600M is obviously a HUGE step. I'm reading info about "mirage effect" and these scopes seem to be my logical choices. Do you think these scope are powerfull enough to get me to 600M, but not be hindered by the mirage effect other shooters speak of ? The Sightron SIII 8-32x56 :

http://www.opticsplanet.com/sightron-siii-ss-8-32x56mm-side-focus-riflescope.html


and the Leupold VX-3 8.5-25x50 :
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx3-85-25x50mm-riflescope.html



Booth seem to have excellent reviews, problem is I have no experience with either, so I would appreciate your input ! Any other scope suggestions would be great as well. Thanks in advance !

Rich K.

 

[JRS]

Either will work just fine. Both are reputable companies.
Mirage will be less noticeable with the lower powered LEUPOLD. 25 power is more than adequate for 600 yard shooting.

 

[krktractor]

The 8x32x56 sightron would be my pic. Excellent tracking and very good glass. Don't like the leupold the eye relief changes too much between low and high power the sightron doesn't

 

[butchlambert]

Mirage is always there. A scope does not make it disappear.

 

[NateHaler]

Thus far aquiring a standard 50' paper target at 230 yards is no problem, however 600M is obviously a HUGE step. I'm reading info about "mirage effect" and these scopes seem to be my logical choices. Do you think these scope are powerfull enough to get me to 600M, but not be hindered by the mirage effect other shooters speak of ?

Rich, being nearsighted is no problem. The scope will fix that. And where did you find 50' paper targets? Do they come on a roll, or folded up? I have to put stuff longer than 8' out the passenger window of my SUV, or on the roof rack. And if a 50' target is folded up, I'm guessing it would be like a stack of magazines, and then unfolding it in the wind at the range? Crazy.

Forget "mirage", and don't overthink what you're trying to do. In fact, just use the gear you already have, unless you're trying to justify buying it to your wife. We all understand that, um, challenge.

Assuming your vision is corrected with contact lenses or glasses, you'll have no problems using a scope. Trust me, keep what you have. 600y is not that far. 18x is more than enough to see the target. For pete's sake, the targets typically (in various competitions) get bigger as the range increases. And if you're not competing, then that 50' target (tall as a five story house!!!) will be fine, or use an even bigger one. Make the X ring the size of an XL pizza from Shakey's, and paint it flourescent red.

 

[Road_Clam]

Thus far aquiring a standard 50' paper target at 230 yards is no problem, however 600M is obviously a HUGE step. I'm reading info about "mirage effect" and these scopes seem to be my logical choices. Do you think these scope are powerfull enough to get me to 600M, but not be hindered by the mirage effect other shooters speak of ?

Rich, being nearsighted is no problem. The scope will fix that. And where did you find 50' paper targets? Do they come on a roll, or folded up? I have to put stuff longer than 8' out the passenger window of my SUV, or on the roof rack. And if a 50' target is folded up, I'm guessing it would be like a stack of magazines, and then unfolding it in the wind at the range? Crazy.

Forget "mirage", and don't overthink what you're trying to do. In fact, just use the gear you already have, unless you're trying to justify buying it to your wife. We all understand that, um, challenge.

Assuming your vision is corrected with contact lenses or glasses, you'll have no problems using a scope. Trust me, keep what you have. 600y is not that far. 18x is more than enough to see the target. For pete's sake, the targets typically (in various competitions) get bigger as the range increases. And if you're not competing, then that 50' target (tall as a five story house!!!) will be fine, or use an even bigger one. Make the X ring the size of an XL pizza from Shakey's, and paint it flourescent red.

Not sure if your just busting the newbies chops or not , but what I actually mean when I state "50' target" I simply mean a standard 50' target (measuring 12"X12").
I spent some time at the range today, did my 50 yard zero, and then shot again at 100 yds. my groups were about 1" high at 100 yards, and according to .223 ballistics i'm pretty darn close. I must say I love the Bushnell. 10x was about good for me at 100 yds. Very happy with the AR thus far, seems to be an excellent and user friendly platform moving foreward. Thanks to all for the help !

 

[NateHaler]

guilty as charged. ;D For sighting in at 600y, add 13 MOA to your 100y zero, crank your mag to 18x, and go for it. 600y will be too far to see your bullet holes on the target, unless viewing conditions are virtually perfect. But you'll be able to see the target just fine, presuming the aiming spot is big enough. At my local range, we use the NRA Highpower targets intended for the 600y (prone) stage. The aiming black will be way bigger than your 50' smallbore (or pistol?) target. Another option is to use Shoot-N-C or whatever they're called. Were I going for 600y, I'd use the 5" diameter size on a light color target background. Bullet strikes in these might even be visible at 600y if you/scope/daylight are in harmony.

There's no reason to change your gear IMO until such time as you know you've outgrown it. But getting new gear just for the heck of it is probably what most of us do, regardless. Good luck, and post pics of your results after you've stretched your rifle's legs. BTW, 69 grain loads will be much better at 600y, most likely, than lighter weight bullets. Wind will be your nemesis at distance.

 

[Road_Clam]

BOhio,
Thanks for all the great advice ! I have one last question in regards to my rifle. I have a VLTOR adjustable butstock which is perfect for tatical CQB training (which i'm also doing as well). This stock has some inherent wiggle that is a concern for me for precision shooting. I also have the original fixed A2 stock as well. Would it be better (or easier) for me to advance my skills using a fixed stock ? Thanks again !

 

[NateHaler]

The wiggle you really need to be concerned about is in the scope mounts... and in your position, whether prone, from the bench, etc.

However, when it comes to benchrest shooting, rest assured that buttstocks, forends, etc. are all tight as a drum, but we're typically talking different stock designs. Unless the stock is wiggling while you're breaking the shot, I wouldn't worry about it. However, once you get hooked on the precision game, you'll probably find yourself shopping for some new/different gear.

If you're trying to gauge how you're doing, maybe follow the longstanding procedure that 'American Rifleman' magazine uses. Five consecutive 5-round groups, per type of ammo being used, at whatever distance you're attempting. The average group size of those is your accuracy indicator. But you'll probably look at the smallest group and think "yep, that's the one I'm going to try to beat, each and every time". Frustrating, rewarding, and keeps many of us coming back for more.