what scope is best for a .243

[Methow Packer]

I have nice Kimber .243 with a Leupold 3x9 scope. They state it has a match action and barrel ? It's plenty accurate at 2-300 yards. Anyway I want to up grade the scope to something that will be more long range. I realize there is only so much you can do with a light bullet .The question is what scope power is enough and which scope would be best for this rifle? I'm thinking Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 with dead hold reticle. Good for coyotes, deer, etc. What's your opinions?

 

[gebhardt02]

If you are thinking of shooting LR, you'll want to go with the heavier, higher BC bullets. To shoot those out of your rifle, you'll need to know the twist rate of the barrel and make sure the bullet weight you have will be stabilized by the twist. Example: I am shooting the 105 AMAX in my .243 Win competition rifle and pushing those bullets out to beyond 1K. Twist rate is 1:8 to properly stabilize the bullets. Heavier than that and most people will recommend a 7.5 to 7.7 twist.

So first, figure if you have a rifle capable of shooting to the LR that you would like to do. After that, I'd recommend a scope in the 3-15 range for an all around magnification range, preferably in FFP but that isn't an absolute must have.

Geb

 

[42769vette]

What is the best scope has more to do with purpose than caliber. The viper hs 4-16x44 is a great scope.

Dont underestimate the 243.

 

[Methow Packer]

Thanks for your responses. The Kimber has a light weight sporter 22" barrel with a 10' twist. Its stated that heavier bullets typically need a slower twist so I have stayed with 90 or 95 grain Bergers or Barnes TTX bullets. I wonder if anything more than 4-16 power would be beneficial . Longer shots with the lighter bullet and the lighter sporter barrel might be to far a reach. Possibly stay within 600 yards. I haven't actually tried the longer heavier bullets yet so I don't know how they'll perform. Fact is its hard to find a lot of components these days.

 

[42769vette]

16x will be more than enough for longer shots. A lot of folks have a tenancy to over zoom scopes. If you have 16x of zoom at 1000 yds and you miss its not because you were under scoped.

 

[gebhardt02]

16x will be more than enough for longer shots. A lot of folks have a tenancy to over zoom scopes. If you have 16x of zoom at 1000 yds and you miss its not because you were under scoped.

I agree completely as long as we are only talking magnification. I wouldn't put a Tasco 16X on it that is for sure!

Geb

 

[42769vette]

I agree completely as long as we are only talking magnification. I wouldn't put a Tasco 16X on it that is for sure!

Geb

Good point, I should have been clearer (no pun intended)

This scope at 16x will be fine at 1000 yds.

 

[Buano]

I'm with the others. Before I can recommend a scope for your .243, I need to know what you envision doing with it. I would be making far different recommendations if you were looking to extend your hunting range to 500 yards, Shoot woodchucks at 700-1,000 yards or shoot coyotes anywhere between 35 yards and 700 yards.

 

[Methow Packer]

It's a light weight sporter rifle weighing @ 6.25 Lb w/ a 22" .560 at the muzzle barrel. This is why I wondered how far out this rifle could be accurate. I can shoot .5 MOA and sometimes less at 100 yards. Shooting varmints etc out to 700 yards seems to be a poke for this rifle. It would be great if it could. If you guys feel different maybe I should think about more power. It's a $1400 rifle at best so I sure wasn't thinking about Nightforce products. Hope to build one some day. Maybe go with a Vortex Viper 6-20X50 ffp. I would like it to still fit in a scabbard though. I do more horse hunting than anything else. Thanks for all your inputs.

Ted

 

[gebhardt02]

Any rifle can be very accurate with the right load. I'd say if you are able to shoot 0.5 MOA at 100 yards then you are doing well. Find out the BC of the bullet you are shooting, figure out the velocity, and plug your numbers into a ballistics program to get an idea of where your bullet will be out to your max distance. Then go out and shoot on paper out to that distance to verify the drop. Start practicing at these distances and you'll become a better shooter than if you spend all your time at 100 yds. Once you know where your bullet is at any of those distances, you'll be deadly on game. Then comes the game of fine tuning your rifle, optics, and gear. Back to the original question, I think the 16X top end is fine for the distances you are planning.

Geb

 

[Methow Packer]

Thanks Geb and everyone, I'll do all that you have suggested. I'll keep everyone posted of the progress.

 

[sox35]

I mounted a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 on my sons weatherby in .243win. He had ever had problems on close targets and more than enough to reach out in the 600+ on small game. Our club has a 15x max on the sporter class for shoots, the Leupold max is over 14x but under 15x on specs. Most scopes in the mid range or under price will spec out under stated values instead of over.