Author Topic: Scope question? (Read 587 times)

jphelps · « **on:** May 02, 2005, 07:47:25 AM »

I am new to the hole coyote thing but thinking about getting a handi in .223 but dont now any thing about what size of scope to use. I live in Co and am going to use it mainly on yotes but prarie dogs every once and a while. What would you guys think is a good size to use? Thanks

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2005, 08:16:06 AM »

From a fellow Coloradan ...welcome. Where abouts in Denver ?

For prairie dogs I like nothing more than 16x and quite honestly found little use for more than 12x out to 400 yds. Too much mirage and too small FOV with anything more. I can use a 10x all day and never feel underscoped. For coyotes that I have hunted most were called in pretty close and I could easily work with a 4x.
I guess thats why my 4x12 Leupold Vari X II works so well for both.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2005, 12:32:09 PM »

For predators my preference is a straight 6x scope. My 223 wears a Leupold 6x42 which is absolutely the nicest calling scope you could get in my opinion. There's plenty of power for 300+ yard shots, but the FOV is fairly large, and you don't get just a blurry mess in your scope when the animal is right on top of you.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2005, 10:42:30 AM »

Although we dont have Prairie Dogs out here we do have Ground Squirrels which are near the same size. When shooting varmints of this size one needs all the magnification one can get in my opinion. My .223 WSSM wears a Burris Black Diamond 6X24X50mm with a 3" stackable sunshade(cuts down on glare) which lets me see what sex the critter is before shooting. In fact all of my varmint rifles wear 6x-24x-50mm or larger scopes. Lawdog

trotterlg · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2005, 06:40:35 PM »

I had a Rossi single shot in 243 and finally got rid of it, I think the handi suffers from some of the same problems the Rossi has, like a weak fireing system and poor accuracy. I know there are people who sware by both but the design just doesn't lend it's self to accuracy. Take a look at a Stevens (Savage) in 22-250, or the .223 if you like that round, they are cheap ($250.00) and will shoot rings around a handi. WallMart sells a 243 package rifle in Savage brand with a 3-9 simmons scope for $349.00, (I have one I put a custom 22-250 barrel on and it is great) 243 would be a good bet if you don't mind sewing up holes in the Coyote hides, plus you could shoot Deer or most anything else with it. Larry