Thoughts on AR scope on Varmint HB rifle ?

350tracker

350tracker

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I have a 223 Rem. varmint rifle with 24" barrel coming my way with the 9" twist. Was thinking of a AR scope and wondering if this would make for a good match? I know it's just a scope and rifle but would this work or will I be missing on something as for good combo ? I've been finding it hard to find a good reticle but I think I found the good reticle for my requirements. Any info would be helpful...
 
Give it a try as long as you can comfortably shoot the rifle I would imagine you may have issues with eye relief and the likely hood that between an AR15 and your varmint rifle you may have a different length of pull (LOP) which may cause you to lean into your rifle to see the scope clearly
 
You should have no trouble with it. Just choose an appropriate mounting system and away you go. I used a Bushnell AR scope on a bolt gun with no issues whatsoever. Good luck!
 
adamg said:
I'm not aware of any distinction that makes a scope an "AR scope".
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Big letters on the side that say AR.

They tend to have a BDC reticle calibrated to 556. Not really sure if there's anything else about them that makes them different from an equivalent model that's not sold with AR branding. Looking at bushnells page they mostly have exposed turrets and quick throw levers as well - in other words they have "tactical" features without the price point that usually accompanies them.

https://www.bushnell.com/riflescopes/ar-optics/

Considering those features, I suspect the OP would get better glass from a different line of scopes if he's spending the same money.
 
Suther said:
Big letters on the side that say AR.

They tend to have a BDC reticle calibrated to 556. Not really sure if there's anything else about them that makes them different from an equivalent model that's not sold with AR branding. Looking at bushnells page they mostly have exposed turrets and quick throw levers as well - in other words they have "tactical" features without the price point that usually accompanies them.

https://www.bushnell.com/riflescopes/ar-optics/

Considering those features, I suspect the OP would get better glass from a different line of scopes if he's spending the same money.
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Yeah, BINGO on that. :)
 
Why not get one with a real MIL/MOA ranging reticle?

To me BDC is just a gimmick, they all just have 3 - 4 elevation crosshairs as already stated 'calibrated' for 5.56 for some said distance that might be fairly close and some funky math from the company that designed it to truly dial it in...

The gun you have coming with the 1-9 twist barrel will probably shoot everything from 50-69gr projectiles and they will all have different ballistics, a true MIL/MOA will be far easier and faster to dial in with different rounds and even transfer to any different gun after that.
 
sk8snwmx said:
Why not get one with a real MIL/MOA ranging reticle?
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Well to be honest, I'm not even sure how to use this type reticle. I've been doing lots of searching on different types of scopes with different styles of reticles and find some are very busy or cluttered. And also FFP vs SFP make for lots to study although I do understand the difference between the 2. I thought the BDC reticle would make for a simple application and my shots are within 500 yards (ish). I'm still on the search for that scope;)
 
350tracker said:
Well to be honest, I'm not even sure how to use this type reticle. I've been doing lots of searching on different types of scopes with different styles of reticles and find some are very busy or cluttered. And also FFP vs SFP make for lots to study although I do understand the difference between the 2. I thought the BDC reticle would make for a simple application and my shots are within 500 yards (ish). I'm still on the search for that scope;)
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I find a bdc works fairly well in a hunting gun, I use quite a few Burris scopes with it and they all work as intended. I have a 223 AR scope as sold by Nikon. Mounted it on a 223 bolt gun. As long as your bullets stay in the range it was designed for (52-55 gr) it works. Heavy bullets in a fast twist gun won't match the crosshairs, neither will lighter bullets. MOA or mills work as well, just have to pay attention to what you are doing and figure out all your drops at various distances. - dan
 
dan belisle said:
I find a bdc works fairly well in a hunting gun, I use quite a few Burris scopes with it and they all work as intended. I have a 223 AR scope as sold by Nikon. Mounted it on a 223 bolt gun. As long as your bullets stay in the range it was designed for (52-55 gr) it works. Heavy bullets in a fast twist gun won't match the crosshairs, neither will lighter bullets. MOA or mills work as well, just have to pay attention to what you are doing and figure out all your drops at various distances. - dan
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And if you're capable of figuring out your drops on a mil scope, you're probably also capable of figuring out what distances your hash marks equate to with a bdc reticle if you're using bullets heavier than the scope is calibrated for.
 
Hey Dan, since you mentioned Burris, just curious as your thoughts on the Burris with E3 reticle ? I like the looks of the Burris Fullfield IV 6-24 x 50 with Ballistic E3 reticle as I find it not to cluttered. I know it'll take time and practice to find the bullet drop at different ranges but practice is good.
 
Suther said:
And if you're capable of figuring out your drops on a mil scope, you're probably also capable of figuring out what distances your hash marks equate to with a bdc reticle if you're using bullets heavier than the scope is calibrated for.
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Yeah, so much to look at when getting a new rig for target and varmint hunting. I'm used to just the standard x reticle so I just want to buy the right scope for the job and only once.:rolleyes:
 
Any scope you get, whether AR, BDC, or MIL/MOA still needs to be shot in (if that’s the right term). No matter how complicated or simple the reticle, you need to shoot it on your gun, with your barrel, with your ammunition, to find out what exact range those hash marks will correspond to. And it will make a difference at what range you sight it at. Sighting your gun in so the crosshairs are dead on at 100 might mean that the hash marks on the BDC are 200, 300, 400, 500, or it could mean they are 239, 365, 473, and 557. Or if, like me you sight at 200 yards (about 1 1/4” high at 100 with 55gr) those hash marks could be 337, 409, 517, and 589. All of those things will make a difference when you are talking about a varmint gun. At 400 on a coyote, 40 yards can make a big difference, and it can make the difference between a hit, and kicking up dust in front of him.

My advice: get the reticle you want/like and that you are comfortable with. Then shoot it at the different ranges, with your chosen ammo so you KNOW what those different hash marks represent.
 
KePet said:
Any scope you get, whether AR, BDC, or MIL/MOA still needs to be shot in (if that’s the right term). No matter how complicated or simple the reticle, you need to shoot it on your gun, with your barrel, with your ammunition, to find out what exact range those hash marks will correspond to. And it will make a difference at what range you sight it at. Sighting your gun in so the crosshairs are dead on at 100 might mean that the hash marks on the BDC are 200, 300, 400, 500, or it could mean they are 239, 365, 473, and 557. Or if, like me you sight at 200 yards (about 1 1/4” high at 100 with 55gr) those hash marks could be 337, 409, 517, and 589. All of those things will make a difference when you are talking about a varmint gun. At 400 on a coyote, 40 yards can make a big difference, and it can make the difference between a hit, and kicking up dust in front of him.

My advice: get the reticle you want/like and that you are comfortable with. Then shoot it at the different ranges, with your chosen ammo so you KNOW what those different hash marks represent.
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If your reloading make 50-100 rounds at one time sometimes if you only make 20 and then make more reloads they may not function as the first lot did - this is what I do I will make about 100 at one time then I am good
 
IvoB said:
If your reloading make 50-100 rounds at one time sometimes if you only make 20 and then make more reloads they may not function as the first lot did - this is what I do I will make about 100 at one time then I am good
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Sounds like very good advise. I usually reload 5 rounds at one time from different bullets and powders to see how things work. When I have one that looks good, I'll start working on that load and see how the groups hold out. I'm going to try what you suggested. Looking forward once I have my rig setup.
 
350tracker said:
Hey Dan, since you mentioned Burris, just curious as your thoughts on the Burris with E3 reticle ? I like the looks of the Burris Fullfield IV 6-24 x 50 with Ballistic E3 reticle as I find it not to cluttered. I know it'll take time and practice to find the bullet drop at different ranges but practice is good.
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I like them, probably have 4 or 5 in various powers. I find for me that they work at any ranges I should be shooting at game. - dan
 
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