Scopes and AR's for hunting.

[Russ Jerome]

I've owned ARs in the past but all of my dedicated hunting guns
have been bolts when it came to .223's. I just got one of these:
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/Model_R-15_VTR.asp

Asking about scopes and mounts on AR.15.com would net a lot of
useless returns as most of us on here mount our scopes 1/16"  off
the barrel for the longest POI accross the range. The AR although
verry accurate these days requires a high mount because of the spring
buffer in stock and long eye relief do to its comb.

Given the high mount requirments of the AR chassis what are you
guys zeroing in your 223s so you can still blast squirels at 20-30yrds?

I dont mind mentaly doing the math next fall deer hunting on POI
but my main targets are close range squirels and 200yrd fox, much
smaller target then most AR owners would have in mind.

[teddy12b]

An AR-15 for squirrels!?!?!?!?  Man you must really really really hate those things.

I zero all my rifles for 200 yards.  Do that then check where it hits at 25 yards, should be reasonably close to your point of aim. 

As far as mounts I use the high burris tactical rings because they're built like tanks and I have a Burris 2-7 with the ballistic reticle.

Squirrels with an AR-15, wow.

[Totenkopf]

Budget?

[Russ Jerome]

Yup Squirels are on my list of things like incumbant Presidents
who promise stronger gun laws and hangnails, hate em all equaly!
I dont throw 55gr bullets at 60* in thin limbs, ground and tree
trunk shots on private land only

Budget? Well a few years ago I bought a Mueller scope and was so
happy I've owned several since then. My eyes require vari- power
scopes so no Halo-sights unless they are multi power. Anything over
80 yards I tend to zoom up into the 8x area to watch the victoms
last breath. Im open to suggestions, apreciate any input very much.

[Totenkopf]

I like the leupold vx2 3-9 for my ar varmint rifle. Has a 4.9" relief. A lot of folks on this board are big mueller fans, I've never seen one. I don't know what the eye relief is. But if you like the scopes that well and relief is short, nothing wrong with the nose on charging handle mount.

[Russ Jerome]

Usualy about 3.5" eye relief on my prefferd scope (4-16x50).
http://www.muelleroptics.com/

I've been reading all day, im thinking I will zero the scope given
it will probably be 2.5" high from bore to be no more than 1.75"
high between its first and final POI.....what do you think? Will
require a little holdover up close but pretty squirel happy anywhere
from 50yrds-200yrds?

[Totenkopf]

Try to run your ballistic calculator sighted in at 220. It will give you about 1.5 + at 20 and 1+ at 30. It settles down better all the way to about 90 where it gets back to 1+. Let's you stay under your poi till 250. The farther you can handle having your zero with a high mount the better you are going to be at 20 and 30.

I recently built a 243 wssm upper in prep for long range work. Those mueller 8.5-25x50 spec out good. How are the muellers on clarity? That would save me a bundle. It's just going to be field use on vermin.
Thanks

[Russ Jerome]

sighted in at 220. It will give you about 1.5 + at 20 and 1+ at 30. It settles down better all the way to about 90 where it gets back to 1+. Let's you stay under your poi till 250. The farther you can handle having your zero with a high mount the better you are going to be at 20 and 30.

 Those mueller 8.5-25x50 spec out good. How are the muellers on clarity?

You mean 1.5- at 20 right? Those numbers look great if they hold true for a
18" barrel with the scope up 2.5". Thanks for the info.

My 4-16x50's have been crystal clear, Ive owned plenty of decent scopes like
Nikon and Burris and these are fantastic. POI stays solid during zoom

[Totenkopf]

Sorry Russ got a nasty head cold can't think straight. Yes you're right. I ran it on 3300 fps thought it would have a longer barrel. Got a link to an online BC. Numbers should stick and you just change as you see fit. If they don't just respond back. Just try to play with your zero range shorter and longer till it fits your needs.
http://www.biggameinfo.com/index.aspx?page=/balcalc.ascx
Here's a handy wright up on 223 barrel lengths.
http://www.(censored word)/223sb.html
 I ordered a mueller yesterday, thanks for the help, should get it in after the Holidays.
Don't know what happened on that second link, just take the spaces out of this. http// www. accurate reloading .com/ 223sb. html

[Russ Jerome]

Thanks verry much much for the info, I like the answer!
I'll let you know where it comes out at.

You will like the Mueller, Im getting another myself.

[Russ Jerome]

PICs:
http://sites.google.com/site/miscmicsforlinks/Home/RemR15side.JPG
6-18x50 Bushnell just over handgaurd, great relief and just a hair lower
than should be to be comfortable, work go tho.
http://sites.google.com/site/miscmicsforlinks/Home/RemR15front.JPG
Now to the range!

[Totenkopf]

That thing is huge. Those little varmints had best stay in their nests. Good luck. It looks like you have made a good little tack driver.