What Power Scpoe for 223 Varmint Gun?

[sw282]

Picking up a 700ADL Varmint in 223 Rem today. lt will be used strictly on Prairie Dogs..

Just trying to decide what power LEUPOLD scope to mount on it...

Thanks,

282

 

[xring]

I have used a Fixed Power 16X Leupold for Pdogs for many decades with a heavy Barreled 223 out to about 450 Yards , usually less . I have never found atmospherics ( heat waves ) or range limitations ( using 40 gr. Vmaxes ) where I wanted more than 16X ..... well ..... maybe a few times off a Bench ! That being said , I'm guessing you will want a Variable , so the 6-24x or 8.5-25X Leupold should work out fine for you . For Pdogs , where most of the time I'm wearing my darkest Sunglasses , I think any of the Vari X variations will work if you buy used . You might also want to look at the various Reticles as that is really a personal choice .

 

[CoyoteTan]

I have 3x15 and 4x16 on mine

 

[retired]

6-24 30mm tube or there about

 

[mmcu]

Variable 4-16X on mine.

 

[ben lurkin]

Mine wears an old 5.5-16.5 Nikon Monarch. Works great for colony varmints!

 

[johnfred1965]

I use the 6.5x20x40 EFR, gives me just a little boost over my 4x16 viper

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Picking up a 700ADL Varmint in 223 Rem today. lt will be used strictly on Prairie Dogs..
Just trying to decide what power LEUOLD scope to mount on it...282

sw282: All my rat rifles wear the same scope, the Leupy VX3 6.5-20X 40mm LR with VHR. So far after many years of launching grass rats, this model has worked out perfectly. Low power for scanning, plenty of power for those little 'peekers' over their mound at 400 yards. And the wind hold-off ticks are especially nice in the reticle.



By going with the 40mm model, the scope can be mounted very low over the bore to minimize any effects of canting. With a bubble level, the effect is then zero. Also no need for a hulking 50mm objective unless you hunt a lot at twilight or dusk. From experience, PD's and ground squirrels do not come out then anyway. Lots of opinions on this one, but this is what has worked for me on all my primary rat rifles. I think there's nine of them now in the safe.

 

[Prairiedogger]

6.5 X 20 Look at the varmint hunter recital. If you know the distance, it's a fast acquisition to the target.

 

[johnfred1965]

sw282: All my rat rifles wear the same scope, the Leupy VX3 6.5-20X 40mm LR with VHR. So far after many years of launching grass rats, this model has worked out perfectly. Low power for scanning, plenty of power for those little 'peekers' over their mound at 400 yards. And the wind hold-off ticks are especially nice in the reticle.



By going with the 40mm model, the scope can be mounted very low over the bore to minimize any effects of canting. With a bubble level, the effect is then zero. Also no need for a hulking 50mm objective unless you hunt a lot at twilight or dusk. From experience, PD's and ground squirrels do not come out then anyway. Lots of opinions on this one, but this is what has worked for me on all my primary rat rifles. I think there's nine of them now in the safe.

Nice brace of Coopers there! Just a bit jealous

 

[long40shot]

My first choice would be the leupold 6.5x20. For something more budget mined, i really like my Bushnell 4.5x14.

 

[Webster]

Picking up a 700ADL Varmint in 223 Rem today. lt will be used strictly on Prairie Dogs..

Just trying to decide what power LEUOLD scope to mount on it...

Thanks,

282

For GH: I have a 6-18 Leo on one rifle and a fixed 15X on another. With the higher mag you don't need a spotting scope at 100 yards. Should work at 200 also.

 

[Damon555]

My primary varmint rifle is a Savage BVSS 223 AI and it wears the aforementioned Leupold VX3 6.5-20X40. If I could afford it all my varmint rigs would wear that scope....they're that good IMO.

 

[Doug30racer]

for the shooting part, 10 to 12 power is fine to 400 yards. But to find them easier, 25 power is nice.

 

[Randall Hardy]

Another vote for the 6.5/20x40. I have one on my ar. I would get the 30 mm tube model with side focus as well.
Good luck on the p dogs. We leave in 4 weeks.
Randy

 

[17VLD]

For pds my older guns have the Leupold 6.5x20s once the 8.5x25 came along I got those on my newer rigs.Some of my guns that are hornet based for closer range do great with the Weaver V-16,a very nice scope for the money.I generally stick with Leupold’s though.
Matt

 

[boltgunluvr]

Picking up a 700ADL Varmint in 223 Rem today. lt will be used strictly on Prairie Dogs..

Just trying to decide what power LEUPOLD scope to mount on it...

Thanks,

282

Budget, distances you'll be shooting, and does it have to be Leupold?

 

[Tommie]

A variable with a max of 24 or 25 power. You’ll spend most of your time at 10-15X but higher power comes in handy sometimes.

 

[sw282]

Budget, distances you'll be shooting, and does it have to be Leupold?[/QUOTE

Leupold hasn't let me down after almost 50 yrs of hunting/shooting.

Can't say that for Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon, Simmons, or Tasco in my past..

Leupold 0nly

 

[K22]

Depends on distance you plan to shoot. For a 223 Rem you're probably looking at under 300 yards. A 4 x 16 will work very nicely with a 223 Rem. I have several on my 223 Rems and I'm very satisfied with them.