Using a long range scope.

[MichiganHunter]

Hey, I have had a .223 for a wile with a standard 3-9x50 and am going to get a new .223 it's a remington mdl 700 tactical urban sniper. It's great and I have been considering putting on a new scope on it in like a 6-18 or 4-12 for some longer shooting.

My question, I have never had a scope with an elevation and wind adjustment. How do I determine how to adjust the scope for longer shots, is it just shoot till I get it? I know BSA makes a .223 specific scope but have not heard the best thing about them. So just give me some guide lines of what to do.

Thanks everyone.

[hunterbobb]

Scopes with target turrets will usually come with a chart that helps you determine how many clicks to move how far at a certain distance.

However it usually comes down to practice practice practice, till you know what the scope rifle combination will do under different conditions.

Since it is a 223 you are using I wouldn't go any bigger than 4 x 12. If you get a scope 16x or higher you will be able to see the cross hairs move everytime your heart beats.

:gun2:

[doubleA]

For precission shooting at long distances I prefer dialing in adjustments rather than using a "BDC" type reticle. There are just to many variables in the shooting equation for the later to work in all conditions.

Basically you take your cartridge and find it's exact muzzle velocity, the bullet's ballistic coefficient and yardage among a few other things and input that into a ballistic calculater. You will get the bullet drift and drop in either inches, centmeters,milliradians or moa. You then simply adjust your scope accordingly. Most common scopes come with 1/4 moa turrets but can also be 1/8 or 1/2 moa too. Alot of LR shooters use mil adjustments as it's easier in the long run.

Not only are they physically stronger, 30mm tubes offer more internal adjustment range over one inch tubes and are ideal for getting way out there. Canted bases are also sometimes needed depending on cartridge and range. These are available in 0, 10,15,20,30,40 MOA.

These charts will get you close in most cases but it's always best to get out and shoot various distances and conditions. Tempetature, elevation, baroromic pressure, scope height, bullet BC and speed all are determining factors.

I have probably left things out but this is a simple run down.

[Leo]

Often "Ballistic reticles" are only good for one power setting on the scope. Even then you really need to find out how accurately they work with your rifle.

Target turrets are generally a better deal but if the scope won't "walk the grid" with turret adjustments they are pretty useless.

[dbHunterNY]

Better off dialing for elevation and windage. To do that though you'll have to shoot the setup in various cross winds and different yardages. Make sure you get a good scope that once dialed in for a range you can dial back the turrets to where they were and still have your zero be on.