Help Me Choose a Reticle for a .223

[BigWoods]

I'm putting together a Howa Mini in .223 on somewhat of a tight budget. The rifle will be used for my own enjoyment at the range, kids trigger time and deer hunting in northern New England. Most shots on game will be in the 30-70 yard range with occasional opportunities 100-150yards. It's possible that every once in a blue moon a 200-300 yard shot could present. I would like to find a place to stretch out to 4 or 500 yard for range time.

I have one of the Sightron s1 g2 1.75-5x scopes from Camera Land which I've been very happy with in form factor, light gathering, clarity and eye box. As such, I'm very likely to go with a 3-9x40 version for this rifle. Midway has one with a Mildot reticle for $125 so that's very tempting. That said, I've not used a mil dot reticle and don't know if that would get cluttered. I have seen that mismatched turrets can be problematic. The other options would be the standard duplex or, the HHR/Hunter Holdover Reticle. The latter seems like a nice middle ground; with a bit of information for distance but still not cluttered.

I'm certainly open to other suggestions as well in the $200 +/- range. There is a real lack of lower magnification and lightweight scopes on the market now. I had looked some at the LPVO's available, but many of those are rather heavy with less than ideal reticles for hunting.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Walker6]

If you’ve had good luck with Sightron, try the mil-dot reticle 3-9 that you mentioned for $125. Those dots will look smaller in real life and will be more useful than the HHR.

Also, since you mentioned LVPO’s, I believe there is a SWFA 1–4 in the classified right now (not mine) at a good price…

 

[bnewt3]

Havent seen a whole lot in the way of reviews about them yet but Vortex just came out with the Crossfire HD line. 3-9x40 with illuminated BDC, 4-12x44 with illuminated BDC and parallax adj, or for lighter weight, 2-7x32 illuminated BDC. all $170-$230.

I have a Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40 duplex on my TIkka that I like. Just a good, honest, basic scope. Unfortunately the price went up on them by $100 and I dont think they are worth it now.

 

[liv3mind]

Not light but the SIG 1-6 msr SFP might be the best for the price when you find them on sale, punches well above its price point, mine has taken an absolute beating, reticle is fine and hunts fine for myself and my 2 older boys have used it without confusion. It's helped harvest a dozen deer so far out to 300y and as close at 10y.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Trijicon accupoint 3-9 with mildot. No batteries, lighted center, mildots for holding wind, been through some serious dumbassery and hasn’t lost zero.

Downside is mildot reticle with moa adjustments.