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What optics should I buy
I am looking for advice on what Optics I should use on my rifle. I will only be using the gun for paper targets with a distance between 25 to 100 yards. The rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite in 223 caliber. I have installed a Mountain Tactical Thumbhole Sporter stock. I have a Mountain Tactical Performance 0 MOA Picatinny Rail (not yet installed). For this distance should I install a Red Dot Sight or a Scope and what would be your choice of either make or model. Also what rings would you use? This will be my first rifle so I know nothing about rifle optics and mounts.
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14 Replies
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Hi on my .223 I use a 5.5 -22-52 nightforce if your budget is bigger than mine I'd get some European glass like s&b etc
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I put a Tasco varmint/tactical 6-24x42AO Mil-Dot on my 223. Works perfectly and for the price you can't beat it. Very accurate adjustments and clear glass. I was skeptical when I was thinking about it but now its the only scope I use on my varmint rifles. I also like the warne maxima rings they work very well. Hope this helps.
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Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14X44MC.
Euro Optics is closing them out. I just bought my 3rd one, and for your application, you will not find a better scope at a reasonable price.
It will transition to a hunting scope nicely, if you ever go that route.
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SWFA SS10X42 retails for $299.95 and is possibly the best value in quality tactical scopes available. It's a very tough, single power, mill dot scope with great reviews. The lack of variable power is not a problem for me since fewer lens elements tend to make for a brighter image. This model scope is available in 6X, 10X, 12X, 16X and 20X, but the higher magnifications exhibit some image issues due to non apochromatic glass. As I understand it, apochromatic glass corrects the problem of different wavelengths of light focusing at slightly different focal points which makes an image blurry regardless of how you focus. The effect is increased with higher magnification and you certainly won't find apo glass anywhere close to this price range.
In this model series I would not go higher than 12X unless you are going to be target range shooting with good contrasting targets. The 10X is a good compromise between field of view and long range clarity and ability.
What ever scope you choose I heartily recommend the new elite gen II picatiny base from the performance shop. I mounted one on my Tikka T3 Sporter and it gives you a lot of ring options. You wont need the +20 moa base with SS10X42 since it has a huge adjustment range. Short rings should be fine for this scope along with the Elite gen II pic base. -
I'd like to put a word of caution in here. Many of the scopes mentioned are very good if not great scopes, but that said, if you need them repaired or adjusted you could pay a real big price. A friend of mine put a very high end (I won't mention its name)on one of his rifles and had to have some aftermarket work done to it. It was very expensive to say the least.
I stick with Leupolds and have for over 50 years. Two years ago I sent in three of my older ones to make sure they were still sealed well. Leupold went completely through them and sent them back with a note telling me what did to them. The total bill for all this was zero. I didn't even have to pay for return shipping. You won't get this kind of service out of even the high quality Europe glass.
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PM me here or e-mail at p69n92@ubgznvy.pbz i have 2 scopes for sale-not high end but decent and usable. buris 3-9 full field 2 and bushnell 3-9 bone collector. they are very serviceable with optics quite better than price with usable ranging reticles. way inside your budget. tried to PM you but wasn't allowed to-why? who knows? not trying to make an auction but only way to get to you.
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Rule is buy the best your can afford
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I would also recommend the SWFA 10X for what you describe. I have a 10X, a 12X and now a 3-15X SWFA and they are awesome scopes for the price. Although you only describe shooting paper at up to 100 yards, if you get the opportunity to shoot at some longer ranges, you will really appreciate the tactical knobs. SWFA is also really cool about trade-ins so if your ship comes in and you want to trade up at some point, they will give you fair value for your trade-in.
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Hi on my .223 I use a 5.5 -22-52 nightforce if your budget is bigger than mine I'd get some European glass like s&b etc
Hi over the weekend I tried a Schmidt and bender PM 11 if your budget is on the larger side , for shooting paper these scopes are a revelation, I thought my Nightforce was good but the S & B PM 11 is in a different class , I'll be getting one for my 6.5 x 55 custom build
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If I could afford a Schmidt & Bender I would reccomend that I think.
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Value for money IMHO
Sightron S111 check it out awesome glass for the money spent!!! -
I own Nightforce and Vortex. The Vortex PST Argon filled shockproof is hard to beat for the money. Outstanding reputation, and they'll fix it regardless of how it breaks. Accidentally run it over with your truck? According to Vortex, they'll replace it…..hard to beat that kind of guarantee!
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I agree tikka 300
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Just switched my Vortex pst 6-24 with my 30-06 (from my T3 Sporter in .223.) Not as close as I hoped but still good. I recommend buying the good rifle, and investing in the scope once and if your shooting habits fit.
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