Big scope on small rifle?

[bushmaster1313]

Good results were achieved with the right ammo and a 1.5-4x20mm scope on a 16.5" post-Ban semi-auto with a 1:9 twist and a quality trigger:

The 4X setup:

The results at 100 yards
50 gr. AE223G
Aiming at center of oblong bullseye:

I wonder how much more accuracy can be wrung out with good technique, the right target and a more powerful scope with an adjustable objective (Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm AO) that now sits on a different rifle:

 

[white cloud]

Nice gun and good shooting.

What power is the existing scope? That group size may be difficult to improve on unless you go to match ammo. ARs are amazing guns. Personally I prefer lower power scopes on my AR because it gets used in the woods. That said, the VX3i is a really nice scope. I have a 2.5-8 VX3i on a .270. It is an amazingly accurate combination even with Remington Core Lokts.

 

[bushmaster1313]

What power is the existing scope?

1.5-4x20mm Leupold VX Freedom set to the 4X maximum.

That group size may be difficult to improve on unless you go to match ammo.

The ammo is a moderately priced factory "varmint" load. I do not hunt. But for me it's a boatload of fun sitting down at the range and poking holes at 100 yards into an area about the size of a quarter.

 

[LVSteve]

If the gun is up to it you might find an improvement is using more magnification. I find that much over 8X it really shows up how steady I can hold.

 

[chiefbob81]

I used to have a leupold 3x9 on a 10/22. Scope was worth way more than the ruger, but boy was it fun to shoot!

 

[white cloud]

Is your rifle "legal" in NJ? I feel for you people.

 

[shouldazagged]

A 40mm objective lens will have greater light gathering power, yes? As in 7X50 binoculars versus 7X35--the reason the Navy used 7X50 for lookout glasses.

Handy at dawn and dusk, regardless of magnification.

 

[Eric300]

More magnification can't hurt if you plan on mostly doing target shooting for groups, or long range varmint hunting. What you're shooting right now is pretty darn good, though. Hand loads or some good match ammo will help out as well. Quality optics are nice to have. Here's my 'tricked-out' 10-22. This little bugger is a good shooter with standard CCI ammo. If I run some match stuff through it like Eley, SK, Wolf, etc., (on a solid rest, not bi-pod) it'll print pretty close to 1 hole 5 shot groups at 25 yds.

My R15 VTR Varmint Rifle, that is pretty much stock other than the Timney #3 skeletonized trigger, will print pretty good at 100 yds. with Hornady 55 gr V-max. It has a Nikon M-223 4-16x42 scope on it. I've dropped quite a few Yotes with this combo between 250-300 yds.

 

[nachogrande]

DON'T DO IT!

That is a group many would envy & in no need of being fixed for practical purposes, and it fits the gun both physically and in looks. A 4x 14 will cost you speed on target acquisition & field of view, especially at closer ranges. A Leupold VXlll 1.5 x 5 with a heavy duplex reticle is my favorite & I could use 2-3 more. Faster on target at very close ranges (1.5 X) than open sights & able to mist grapefruits @ 300 yards (from a bench) What more could you ask for? IF you are out in big sky country with LONG shots, more mag COULD help (like a 2 -10X). You never know when game can pop up close & fast. I do have a fixed 24X Leup, good luck holding that off hand.

 

[Eric300]

A 40mm objective lens will have greater light gathering power, yes? As in 7X50 binoculars versus 7X35--the reason the Navy used 7X50 for lookout glasses.

Handy at dawn and dusk, regardless of magnification.


Check out this link...…

Nikon | Sport Optics | Exit pupil

 

[white cloud]

Eric, that is one very useful link.

 

[Imissedagain]

A Weaver T36 is a good scope to add to any rifle/scope collection.
We move ours to different rifles as necessary.

Ours sits on a No.1V in 223Rem now and on the next range trip I’ll take the Colt 6920 along as it’s never been scoped...... because my boy learned to shoot it with existing irons, and “clean it properly” at the direction of a Marine Gunnery Sergeant buddy..... why listen to your Dad.
Your tax dollars at work!

 

[weatherby]

Starting with the right target always helps.

 

[white cloud]

Weatherby, your comment is excellent advice.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My '96 Bushmaster A3 has a Leupold 4.5-14x40 AO Veri-Xiii, scope on it now. and I've had the same in 6.5-20x40. Off a rest the accuracy was the same when my eyes were better. But I've used straight 4x, 6x, 2-7 and 3-9 (all compact with 223. No Comparison at all, the big glass and more power, costs very little extra in weight and size, but yields much smaller groups.

All the mounts for AR systems are quick change, so my AR-10 has a reflex sight and a scope. The rifle bag has pockets for tons of stuff, so the tools are right there. If being slow, I can change over in 3 to 5 minutes.

That only leaves one problem; MONEY! But it is only money.

Ivan

 

[Eric300]

Eric, that is one very useful link.

Thanks. I'm getting lazy. I figured it's a lot easier to poat a link then try to explain it. Good info there. Glad it could help. A lot of folks don't consider the 'exit pupil' factor when choosing optics of any kind.

 

[hardluk1]

Bushmaster The 4.5x14 would be more than I want but if your hunt ground hogs , Go for it It will for sure allow for more accurate fire control when shooting for group size . I'm running a Nikon prostaff 7 30mm tube 2.5-10x42tmd on my AR15 and I have hunted with the same power level since '73 or '74 on a 308 bolt rifle . Good field of view at short range and you can pick shot at long range a 1x4 will not allow .

If that's a real 100 yard group- very good group .

 

[Nevada Ed]

The days of the slim line Weaver scopes is over with.

Big lens.......
BIG knobs......
it is not like it was twenty years ago.

I am waiting for the industry to do away with the "Rings" system!!

New, is starting to suck.

 

[M29since14]

I’d leave your set-up alone unless you intend to shoot a lot beyond 200-yards. You might shoot a little better with a higher powered scope, and the one you mention is certainly an excellent one, but depending on how far you shoot it just might not make much difference.

I have a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5X variable on a Winchester Model 70 .458. It’s a bear to shoot from the bench. Set at 5X, the last three rounds I fired measured 13/16” on centers, at 100 yards. That reminded me that high-powered scopes are mainly useful on rifles capable of very fine accuracy at extended ranges. At 100-200 yards, you can do some pretty good work with a four- or six-power scope. Every now and then I have to re-learn some of these basic lessons.

 

[LVSteve]

The days of the slim line Weaver scopes is over with.

Big lens.......
BIG knobs......
it is not like it was twenty years ago.

I am waiting for the industry to do away with the "Rings" system!!

New, is starting to suck.

I'd be happy with 4x28 scopes on most of my rifles, but once you get to 6x or more the exit pupil issue raises its head.

What do you mean by the "Rings" system? Are you saying you would prefer a bespoke mount for each type of gun?