Optics for an SL8 (.223)

**FireGS** · August 25th, 2008, 11:30 PM

Hey there,

Just picked up an HK SL8, and would like to do long range shooting with it, aka, 100 yards+. Right now, the range I'm at only has a max range of 100 yards, but plans to expand to almost 500 yards.

I looked at an Osprey 10-40x50mm w/ rangefinder, but I'm sure some will say thats way too much, but I have an NcStar 3-9x32 for an AK, and even at 9x, 100 yards seems really really small. Is it just me? I figure 10-15x at 100 might help me better, and 40x at max ranges for the .223 might work best. Anyone have any thoughts?

Think low(er), my wallet is REALLY hurting..
~Fire

**hzox221** · August 26th, 2008, 12:35 PM

How much $$$ do you want to spend?

What will the max range you plan on shooting?

Will ranges vary or will you be shooting at a set range(say 100 yards) consistantly?

**FireGS** · August 26th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by hzox221

How much $$$ do you want to spend?

What will the max range you plan on shooting?

Will ranges vary or will you be shooting at a set range(say 100 yards) consistantly?

About $300 max, max range of about 500 yards, and yes, ranges will vary from 50 to 500 yards.

**hzox221** · August 26th, 2008, 02:00 PM

For $300 you are limiting you options.

I would look at a fixed power scope with a mildot or BDC.

The SWFA Super Sniper scopes are a good choice. www.swfa.com

You will need to practice at various distances and keep a log of the hold overs.

You should be able to zero the gun at 50 yards and it should still be zeroed at 225 yards.

**FireGS** · August 26th, 2008, 08:57 PM

Any reason to go with the fixed power vices the variable power? Just curious

**hzox221** · August 27th, 2008, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by FireGS

Any reason to go with the fixed power vices the variable power? Just curious

Simpler scope. Less weight.

Shooting distance is about practice and knowing your hold overs. A 10x scope should do fine for everything under 500 yards. Anything over 10x would give you an extremely small FOV.

If you want to see a fly on your target at 500 yards, invest in a good spotting scope.

**c.sander** · August 27th, 2008, 03:02 PM

i agree.... 9x at 100yds is way more than plenty... 1x at 100yds is fine. get a fixed something in a 9 or 12 power for your 500yds shooting and anything closer as well

**Hozen** · September 15th, 2008, 01:59 PM

For what its worth, here is my experience...

I bought a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40 scope for my AR15 and I found that, for me, it was fine to about 200 yards but that was the max. I had planned for "precision" shooting and being able to hit small targets at 50-300 yards. That said, I switched to a Burris Fullfield II thats 4.5-14x42 and I'm glad I did. The extra power really helps me. If your target is larger or if you're just generally a better shot than I am, the lower power scopes will probably work just fine for you. For me, I'd go with something like 6-18 variable power scope for those distances. Also, my Burris has a reticle that is configured for 55gr .223 rounds so each hash mark is another 100 yards out to 500. So, sight in at 100 and then you automatically have hold over points for 200, 300, 400, and 500.

The short of what I learned is:
1) a multi range reticle is the way to go (or turrets and lots of practice).
2) the further I shoot, the more power I want.