Glass for .223 bolt action...

[Wallabing]

Just paper at 100 yards, then Redfield Revolution scopes.

[Rosebud22]

The Nikon with BDC is made for the 5.56/223 and is a great scope. Not pricey either.

^^^This is what I was going to suggest. Not too many$$, clear glass and more then enough for 100yds. Go 9 or 12X.

[ar15barrels]

However those cheap scopes are definitely getting better.
Not quite ready for prime time but give it 5 more years.

LOL.
Keep dreaming.

[ElvenSoul]

LOL.
Keep dreaming.

Go ask Swatch Group who is laughing now!

http://m.memorigin.com

They once thought the Chinese will never be able to make a watch as good as the Swiss. Those little guys just love a challenge!

[toby]

$300 is a starting point for a decent serviceable scope, anything less is a crap shoot literately.

[BamBam-31]

We are already seeing it. I have been very impressed with what has been introduced to the $2k market.

Vortex Razor Gen II 4.5-27x56
Kahles 624i 6-24x56
Nightforce ATACR F1 5-25x56 (Personally haven't seen it yet, but from those who have had a preview, I've heard great things)

Notably, Vortex was good for entry level scopes, but they really stepped up and joined the big leagues with that Gen II 4.5-27x56.

The problem with the very cheap Chinese scopes is that they simply cannot compete with the ability of Zeiss for making lenses as Zeiss dominates the global market for making lenses for super high end scientific and medical equipment. Pretty much all the best scopes will have their glass sourced back to Zeiss or one of its affiliate companies such as SCHOTT.

A scope maker simply cannot get lucky and cut lens to perform like Zeiss, as the Zeiss has had billions of dollars poured into it for R&D by governments and major corporations. The Chinese makers will need to partner with a Zeiss affiliate to really get off the ground, and this will require extra costs. Then, they need to beef up the construction for functionality.

Optics are a science, not an art.

Well, it certainly aren't English.

I keed! I keed! Back to your regularly scheduled optics lesson.

[TMB 1]

I have one of the Chinese Weaver 3-9 scopes on my 22 Hornet that has been a very good scope. It's bright & clear on all settings and holds zero. Put a Nikon 3-9 on my MVP 223, same thing with it.

[JMP]

Well, it certainly aren't English.

I keed! I keed! Back to your regularly scheduled optics lesson.

No, them ain't.

It's been too long, BamBam; you still haven't shot my big 45. It's shooting like a dream.

[1859sharps]

I saw an acquaintance at the range and he let me shoot his Sako in .223 and I really liked it. I'm just curious, if I had a bolt action .223 that was accurate how much would I spend to put decent glass on it. No competition, probably just paper at 100 yards. Is that too vague of a question?

Going to make an assumption or two based on your posts, that being you are just looking at maybe getting a bolt action in 223 for some informal recreational shooting out to 100 yards primarily and want to stay on a budget.

Based on that, the minimum I would personally recommend is something from the Leupold line. For example the Mark AR Rifle 3x9 40mm objective.

I put one on my R700 "tactical" sps in 223 and it is plenty capable out to 100 yards so far. nice tight, small groups.

I like the 223 because while not as cheap as a 22lr, it offers more a challenge than a 22lr.

for informal, recreational, just have fun shooting out to 200 yards on the rare occasion, but 100 primarily, this is the minimum you want. Doesn't have to be Leupold specifically, but something about this "class" price/feature point.

of course, if your interests get more specific, have a larger budget etc then that may change recommendations.

[NorCalFocus]

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper6-20x44

Sweet deal right here. I bought this scope, my dad has one, and my buddy. Its a way better scope than $300 price point. The glass is clear, tracks well, and the BDC reticle isn't all clutred up with dots or rings.

[bombadillo]

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/v...exviper6-20x44

Sweet deal right here. I bought this scope, my dad has one, and my buddy. Its a way better scope than $300 price point. The glass is clear, tracks well, and the BDC reticle isn't all clutred up with dots or rings.

I have this also on a Rem 700 5R, and it is a really great scope for a budget setup. It has glass way clearer than any 400-500 dollar scope for that matter that I've seen lately from Leupold or Nikon.

[bigbob76]

So from some of the info I'm getting from you guys these are sounding like reasonable entry level glass. A special thanks to those of you that actually read my OP and some of the other posts, lol. I appreciate the advice to not buy junk and I also don't want to wander off into expensive capabilities I'm not looking for at this time. If I ever want to go big at a later date with a high end rifle that will be another bridge to cross. Many of you obviously have extensive experience and have probably learned some things the hard way. Thanks for your help with this.

As I do some reading I started thinking about a 16 inch varmint barreled AR I have in the safe that has never been fired. I am not an AR enthusiast, i just happened to have a bunch of stuff from various trades and assembled a fixed Choate stock, bipod, and Ergo target pistol grip onto a vanilla lower and inexpensive stainless 16" bull barrel upper. I can't believe I've never shot it. I'll have to test it for function and put a scope on it and see if I really want to buy a bolt action. Kes's idea of a complete Savage rifle and scope setup was definitely economical. If this varmint barreled AR is reasonably accurate I may be on my way to some enjoyable 100 yard shooting with it. Would I use something like the Burris P.E.P.R. mount for one of these scopes?

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53714.aspx

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-3-12x42sf-nikoplex-bdc-riflescope-8488-8489.html

[bombadillo]

Owning both the P.E.P.R. and the ADM Recon-S mount, my nod goes to the far more expensive, but worth the money ADM mount. If you do get the PEPR or the SWFA mount, get the Q.D. version of it so you can use flip-ups when needed. The ADM stuff also re-mounts within 1 MOA of where you take it off if you put it in the same slots of the rail.

[Guardian Mode]

Primary Arms 4-14X44 Mil Mil FFP for $230
UTG Scope Rings for like $25.

Shoots sub moa all day.

[NorCalFocus]

Would I use something like the Burris P.E.P.R. mount for one of these scopes?

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53714.aspx

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-3-...8488-8489.html

I have a buddy that loves the P.E.P.R. Its a fine scope mount. I personally like Aero's because they're light and slim.