What Power Scpoe for 223 Varmint Gun?

[ISS]

I do have a Chrono. They would just not let me use it at the privately owned indoor range in Boise. Boise is the Los Angeles of Idaho (Yuppie Scum).

 

[proud American]

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 .

I'm changing scopes from the current fixed 12X Leupold to my 6+24 Bausch & Lomb Balvar. Both have crosshairs without target dots. I'm thinking the variable power will give me more flexibility with the rifle.

 

[ken158]

You got a lot of good answers and I will give you my scope requirements. Since colony critter shooting is the target, you will likely be shooting off a table rest so objective size is of little concern. I always use 50mm and up. Side focus is a must and sure beats reaching up and turning that front obj ring hours on end. Minimum power for me has been around 14 and max is 25. The mirage is what gets you to dial back when things get wavy. I use Leupold, Swarovski and Nightforce. If you are a dialer, then reticle of your choice but some of the ranging reticles are pretty good. I have used the Burris Eliminator and the SIG BDX. I did not like the Burris near as much as the SIG and moved the SIG to a groundhog gun.

 

[5spd]

4-16×50, SF, 30mm tube on my pdog rig. 98-99% of my shooting is at 10x.