Scope Suggestion?

[chipmunk]

I recently got a .223 ultra.  Right now it's wearing an old 3-9x32 I had laying around but I would like to put a better one on it in the near future.  I've been looking around and there are so many it's hard to choose.  The gun will be used mostly for groundhogs and coyotes.  Most shots will be 1-300 yards with some out further so a fairly strong zoom would be nice.  I also hunt coyotes at night alot so a large objective and some illumination might help me make a few more hits.  Target knobs aren't important to me as I rarely actually adjust them but most scopes meeting the above criteria seem to have them.   There are scopes like this from under a hundred to more then a few thousand dollars.

Here are a few I am considering - but I'm very open to other suggestions

Bushnell Elite 3200 3 - 9 x 50 with firefly reticle (has anyone used the firefly?)
Barska 3-12X56 IR EURO-30 PRO
Millett 4-16x56 TRS Tactical

There are better looking ones out there, but I cant afford to drop $5-600.  I sorta like the Barska but Im afraid to buy it since I've heard a few bad things about Barska.

Anyone have a suggestion?

[quickdtoo]

I'd add the Mueller APV to the top of your list and consider it over the others, great .223 glass for $115 shipped. 

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,113790.msg1098357975.html#msg1098357975

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,129224.msg1098472123.html#msg1098472123

[chipmunk]

Thanks I've never looked at Mueller before.  The apv looks nice but i was drawn to their sport dot 4-16x50.  It fits my description of what I want perfectly plus its in my price range!  After a quick search it seems to run around 220 or so.   Have you ever dealt with their customer service?  I have a burris scope that I LOVE but will not buy another after a bad CS experience.

[quickdtoo]

Yup, I've worked with Mueller for several years both as a customer and product testing and development,  I have 6 Mueller scopes, had a problem with one, Rich replaced it immediately, you won't find better customer service and they're a GBO sponsor ta boot.  I have the 4-16x50 Sportdot, it's a good scope, mine is on a .243 Ultra. Check out the Mueller reviews in the Optics forum here.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/board,54.0.html

[chipmunk]

Sounds great. It's at the top of my list right now.  I like the small illuminated dot.  My brother has an NC Star scope that when you turn the illumination on at night, its so bright that you can't see anything.  This one shouldn't do that!

I don't know how I managed to miss the OPTIC forum on here.  I'll spend some time digging through it.   

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[petemi]

Nothing new to offer, but I'll back Tim's suggestion a thousand percent.

Pete

[myarmor]

Or you could go a step up for not that much more $$ and get the Mueller 8.5-25x44 Tactical Mil-Dot

http://www.swfa.com/pc-10573-1507-mueller-85-25x44-tactical-riflescope.aspx


Also heard lots of good report on them, though I still haven't been able to pick one up yet.



-Aaron

[chipmunk]

I like the idea of a really high zoom scope like that but i'm afraid that I would loose the brightness that is so vital when night hunting with a dim red spotlight.  Can anyone that has used one before let me know if that happens?

[revbc]

Don't know about night hunting, but I have the 8-24 tactical on my AR.  Great scope, but I doubt you need mil dots for night hunting.

Bobby

[SM Bob]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I vote for the Mueller APV as well.
I have one on my 223 bull barrel Handi and it works fantastic! With medium
Burris Zee Signature rings and a Sierra 55 gr spitzer bullet over a load of
BLC 2 gives me groups well under 1" at 100 yards consistently. I also have
Mueller APV scopes on several other Handis. 30-06, 22 Hornet, 17 HMR, &
17 M2. You get a lot of scope for the money with the APV! Try it, you will
love it!

                                       Robert

[LaOtto222]

+1 on the Mueller scopes. I only have 4 of them - not 6. 3 are APV's and one Tactical 8-24. I do not use that much power as a general rule. I use is set about 16X most of the time. All four are good scopes for the money. The APV's set on a custom 10-22, Marlin 22 Mag and a Savage model 40 (22 Hornet) and the Tactical sets on a custom barreled 221 Fireball Remington 700. I think they are an exceptional scope for the money. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Swampman]

You can't beat a Bushnell 3200 for twice the money.

[mitch132]

+1 for the Bushnell 3200 series or better. They are extremely exceptional scopes and well worth the money. I have not tried the Mueller scopes, but after reading all the praise they get on this site I may need to just to see what I've been missing.

[chipmunk]

Thanks Guys

Sounds like a Bushnell or a Mueller would be the way to go.  And since for the same money I could get a Mueller with more options, I'll probably go that route. 

Tim, do you mind telling me what mount you have holding that 4-16x50 sportdot on your .243?  Just in case I happen to buy one before I change my mind again.

[quickdtoo]

Medium Burris Signature Zees, you should be able to mount it with the hammer between the power ring and ocular bell, here's a pic of the 8.5-25x50 Eraticator on my 204 Ruger, it's made the same front and rear as the 4-16x50 Sportdot. 

Tim