WHICH 223?

[ratherbefishin]

I want a 223 for casual shooting probably with surplus ammunition.Which model would likely fit my criteria?Are the scope packages worth considring?

[hoytcanon]

Just pick-up the standard barrel .223 in the pallet wood stock or synthetic, whichever suits your fancy.

[petemi]

I like the Superlight cause I'm lazy.  It's light and swings fast.  BEWARE of surplus ammo.  Not good in the Handi.  There's lots here about it.  I'd use only .223, not milsurp.

Pete

[RangeRat]

Good question. I have wondered about the quality of the H&R factory supplied scopes. Keeping in mind the price of course. If anyone has used one of them could we have some feedback on ruggedness/useability please? Sorry if this is a subject highjack.

[petemi]

My wife's got a factory scope on one of her Handis.  I don't offhand recall which one, but all of her Handis are light recoilers.  We haven't had a problem with it.  Her rifles all shoot MOA so accuracy isn't an issue.

Pete

[RangeRat]

One would think that most scopes designed for centerfire would stand up to the .223 in any sane loading. Actually being usefull is the $64 question. What about the lenses/reticle? A gun for "casual shooting" sometimes ends up being used for hunting where useable accuracy counts. OK yes I am an accuracy junky. Sub-MOA is always nice.      How about "out in the woods" clarity? Is it easy to see the reticle and target in less than ideal conditions?

[tacklebury]

I have a 4-16x40 BSA mildot on mine.  Shooting around .31" groups at 100 yards and no issues to date. 

[petemi]

RangeRat, not to sound sarcastic, but my wife and I are both 71 and see the entire world in less than optimum conditions    Cheaper scopes work fine for us.  We're usually home shortly after the sun hits the horizon.  Not bragging, just stating fact, I always shoot for a bang flop or I don't shoot.  When the light gets questionable, I'm gone.  I've done the "look for the deer in the dark" routine in my youth...no more.  If a scope gives a clear image of a target in daylight, it works for us.

Pete

[RangeRat]

Petemi, that would be sarcastic only if I didn't know what you were talking about.       Unfortunately for the last 20 years or so...  Scopes have been an increasingly attractive sighting option.
 Like ratherbefishin I am interested in feedback on the factory scopes supplied. Are they worth considering as opposed to the inexpensive Redfield and Weaver types available? 
 Ratherbefishin, if I am missunderstanding, please let me know.

[ratherbefishin]

I'm 65 and my eyes just don't work like they used to-so a fixed low powered[4X] scope is ideal for me.I've killed a lot of deer -mainly under 50 yards,and I don't like tracking.....especially black bears[no-I don't plan on hunting black bears with a 223-my 6.5x55 swede with a broadside point of shoulder shot puts their nose in the dirt]
What Iwould like to know is-what brand of scope comes with the package?I'm hearing good reports from Nikon Prostaff.

[Flynmoose]

My answer to the first part of the OPs question was a standard synthetic 223 Handi. I had the barrel shortened to 16 1/2 inches and it is more accurate than before. This made an OK shooter into a very good shooter that is not fussy about ammo at all.
FM

[ratherbefishin]

what do you account for the increased accuracy?

[petemi]

Shorter barrel...less oscillation???

Pete

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

RangeRat, not to sound sarcastic, but my wife and I are both 71 and see the entire world in less than optimum conditions    Cheaper scopes work fine for us.  We're usually home shortly after the sun hits the horizon.  Not bragging, just stating fact, I always shoot for a bang flop or I don't shoot.  When the light gets questionable, I'm gone.  I've done the "look for the deer in the dark" routine in my youth...no more.  If a scope gives a clear image of a target in daylight, it works for us.

Pete

I'm not 50 yet, and I've been hunting like that for the last 10 years..   at least!

[ratherbefishin]

there is a cheap fix for open sights that works for me and that is soldering/JB-Welding on a washer on to the rear sight-it acts like a ghost ring.Great improvement.They also make a ''bullseye'' replacement rear sight that is basically the same thing-costs about $12 .Its not a ''target''type sight but for hunting it works fine
but back to the question on the scope package-what brand do H&R use?

[quickdtoo]

H&R scopes are the same as those on packaged Remington firearms, made offshore by an unnamed OEM mfr.

Tim

[ratherbefishin]

back to ''which 223'',living in Canada we don't have the option of the barrel program because the US Homeland security prohibits individuals shipping firearms and many related accessories[ie:scopes] across the border....like a single shot rifle is going to result in armed insurrection...

[redleg11b]

The scope that came on my 223 combo is a 4-12x40 and looks earily like a Bushnell Banner.  I used it for one range session before I made the barrel a few inches shorter.  It now wears a Fullfield II.  I had no problems with the scope, it was just too big for a shorty imho.  It may eventually get put on something else, but for now all my rifles already have a good set of eyes.  No odea where to direct you for model selection, but thinner barrels heat up faster.  For pot shots and plinking vs serious target work, choose accordingly.

[ddelaurant]

Shorter barrel...less oscillation???


Just a quick aside: ever watch "Gun Stories" on Outdoor Channel?  They do this extreme slow motion photography, where you can actually see the amount of barrel whip in different platforms -- AKs wobble like they are made of pasta!