Best 223 Bolt Action Scope Choice

[AlaskaRed]

What is the best 223/556 bolt action scopes out there? My rifle will be used for predator, bird, and varmint hunting, also will be used for a lot of practice and long range practice.

Right now I am leaning towards a credo 2-10x36 with the mrad ffp reticle. The new nightforce nx6 2-12x44 with the mrad ffp reticles is interesting as well. Lighter weight and lower magnifications are what I am leaning towards. Of course it must be a reliable scope too.

Looking forward to hearing some thoughts.

 

[AndrewMT34]

I have a Maven Rs1.2 on my 223 and love it.

 

[AlaskaRed]

I've been planning on getting one of the RS1.2 but the recent price change has it in similar price range of other scopes I'd probably buy over it.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I would watch the classifieds for a lightly-used SWFA 3-9x, 6x, 10x, or 3-15x in mil-quad (or get a 10x or 3-15x new).

 

[Luvbowhuntn]

Right now my Tikka has a Maven RS1.2 on it.

 

[ALF]

Razor 2-10x40, illuminated reticle, side focus, 18.4 ozs.

Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2-10x 40mm

Go lighter for heavier pack outs. From Midwest whitetail fields to open-country mule deer, the Razor HD LHT is the one long-range hunting optic you need...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Steve300xcw]

Ive a 6x on one and 3-9's on a couple of others

 

[AlaskaRed]

Razor 2-10x40, illuminated reticle, side focus, 18.4 ozs.

Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2-10x 40mm

Go lighter for heavier pack outs. From Midwest whitetail fields to open-country mule deer, the Razor HD LHT is the one long-range hunting optic you need...

www.midwayusa.com

How well has that held zero? All my rifles get beat up and tossed around in Alaskan mountains.

 

[Schmo]

What is the best 223/556 bolt action scopes out there? My rifle will be used for predator, bird, and varmint hunting, also will be used for a lot of practice and long range practice.

Right now I am leaning towards a credo 2-10x36 with the mrad ffp reticle. The new nightforce nx6 2-12x44 with the mrad ffp reticles is interesting as well. Lighter weight and lower magnifications are what I am leaning towards. Of course it must be a reliable scope too.

Looking forward to hearing some thoughts.

I’d go with a SWFA 3-9 HD, which is what I did.

Also, a buddy of mine is about to sell a nice RS1.2 mil.

 

[Schmo]

How well has that held zero? All my rifles get beat up and tossed around in Alaskan mountains.

None of the Vortex scopes that have been tested have held zero

 

[AlaskaRed]

I’d go with a SWFA 3-9 HD, which is what I did.

Also, a buddy of mine is about to sell a nice RS1.2 mil.

Let him know I may be interested.

Last I looked they quit selling the 3-9?

 

[Schmo]

Last I looked they quit selling the 3-9?

They still sell it, but it’s currently out of stock. Who knows when a restock will happen

 

[AlaskaRed]

None of the Vortex scopes that have been tested have held zero

I've had my own experience with vortex and leupold not holding zero to have that as a priority.

 

[Schmo]

I've had my own experience with vortex and leupold not holding zero to have that as a priority.

That tracks with the experience of a lot of others here. One caution about the Credo 2-10x36. They are a great scope, but the reticle is very thin and fine. I picked up a used one, and promptly sold it after looking through it and realizing how thin the reticle is. It’d be rough to hunt with. Otherwise, it’s a great package

 

[AlaskaRed]

That tracks with the experience of a lot of others here. One caution about the Credo 2-10x36. They are a great scope, but the reticle is very thin and fine. I picked up a used one, and promptly sold it after looking through it and realizing how thin the reticle is. It’d be rough to hunt with. Otherwise, it’s a great package

Good to know. Thanks for the info. Thin reticle may be a problem for predator hunting. Plus no parallax had me looking at some others.

 

[Schmo]

Thin reticle may be a problem for predator hunting.

That one definitely would be a problem. I was blown away at how thin it is