Magnification question

[Curley Red]

I am building my first AR with a 20" barrel in .223 with the plans to shoot out to 600 yards. What type of magnification on a scope should I be looking at? I am new to scopes so I have no idea on what is needed. I'll load my own rounds for accuracy. This is my first venture into long range past 200 yards for me. I used iron sights on my other rifles for 100 - 300 yards but that was shooting steel targets, but with my new AR I plan to shoot paper.

Thanks for any info.

[brando]

10x is plenty for that distance. I ran an NXS 2.5-10x on my SPR for many years without a hassle. Even a 4x ACOG will be fine at that distance, unless you're trying to shoot X-rings.

[Curley Red]

Thanks brando, this is the one I plan to get.

http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/riflescopes/p-223/3-9x40_BDC_600/8497

[ejhc11]

If you plan to shoot paper at 200yds you may want a bit more magnification. I have Burris E1 3-9x40 its good for 100yd paper but not 200yd. For steel out to 600yds its good but to get groups kinda hard to see - but maybe its my eyes...

Right now Nikon high power scopes are being discounted.

http://www.nikonpromo.com/precision.php

This would be a good choice

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-monarch-4-16x42sf-riflescopes.html

[OpticsPlanet]

ejhc11, I'm with you for a bit more magnification for paper, but I'm down to one good eye, and it's over 50 years old. Technically, both eyes are over 50, but I digress....

I've had good luck with this:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-4-16x40-matte-ao-semi-target-turrets-elite-riflescope.html

Mark H.

[HK Dave]

For a man sized target, 1x mag per 100 yards. So 600 yards... 6x should suffice.

If the glass is exceptional 4x will probably do.

Having said that, I use a SWFA 3-9 and a Nightforce 2.5-10 to hit 600 yard steel all the time.

[HK Dave]

Just caught the shooting paper bit... shooting paper and trying for groups, I personally like as much mag as possible. :P

[Curley Red]

Looks like I will be looking for a different scope with higher magnification. I am lucky to still have excellent eye sight, so I think when I go to Sac Valley this weekend I'll ask around and have a look through a couple different scopes to see what it looks like.

thanks for the info everyone.