Building 24" AR in 223 to shoot 1000yds. Scope Suggestions?

[bcox]

No scope info, but in this video
HERE
Travis Haley posted on Facebook that the longest shot he took that day was 720 yards

 

[ez bake]

There are guys keeping the 223 supersonic out to 1000 yards with 70 and 80 grain bullets. These are handloads, usually in 26" barrels with 1:7 twist. You need your starting velocity to be over 3000 fps to keep it supersonic the whole way. The drop is in the same ballpark as a 308. So it can be done.

3000fps out of the muzzle of an AR sounds super-scary to me. Not saying it's not true, but man, that's pushing things isn't it?

Meh, you'll leave it on max power anyway shooting 1k. No reason to spend the money on FFP.

Unless the scope's reticle is accurate for MOA/MIL measuring at 10x or 12x only and you want to go to max magnification and not have to double your math to range-find. Then an FFP makes sense to me (I don't know at what power Night Force reticles are accurate). Then it would make sense to me.




To the OP - what kind of long-range shooting do you want to do? Are you going to be setting things up at known fixed distances or are you wanting to be able to use the reticle in your scope to measure how far the target is at unknown distances?

If you want to be able to measure distances, then you'll want a MIL or MOA based reticle (preferably one with matching knobs, but its not absolutely necessary).

Also, if you want to be able to spot for yourself on paper, you'll want the same sort of reticle to measure/adjust how far off of center your shots are so you can make adjustments as you shoot (either with the reticle or the knobs).

That being said, if I were on a budget for optics, I'd look at SWFA's SS series, Millet's TRS-1 or LRS-1, Bushnell's Elite 4200 series.

If you had more money, check out Vortex Optics or Night Force.

Having said all that, you probably want to pick and choose your advice from someone who actually has shot long-range. Not from someone who calls names and makes threats on the Internet because they take them self too seriously.

Or who makes posts like this (regarding advice on which bipod to use):

If it's not at least 18-24" or more, bare minimum, it's as useless as teats on a boar hog in reality, in Oklahoma, "in the flora" (i.e. when not on a mowed range), to get yourself above the weeds/grass -- Since I believe that everything should have an actual use, and you should 'practice like you play'.

Well, a 24+ is way too heavy and cumbersome on a rifle, folding, collapsible, or otherwise. Not to mention expensive to dedicate a different one to each rifle. Therefore a QD setup or just a separate bipod or tripod like Stoney Point Polecats and such are the way to go.

If you're shooting from a bench only, and that's the purpose/use of it, then why handicap yourself instead of getting a more solid bench rest, like real sandbags and such?

I suppose if you do all your shooting from the hood of 'the pickup', then a 4, 6, 8, 10 -ish could prove useful. But if hunting, that doesn't work except for prairie dogs (not legal), and if training / practicing for SHTF, I should think you'd want to be 'trained on' and ready for other shots besides just from the hood of a vehicle or a portable bench you have to tote around on your back to be ready for a solid rest shot. Practice like you play - get some polecats.

In Nevada, it would be a different story. I could see a 9 - 12 getting you above the flora in most instances/places there and other deserts. I suppose if your SHTF bugout plan is to head for you ranch in the desert somewhere, one of these l'il ones would make sense.

IMO.

 

[WhiteyMacD]

Or who makes posts like this (regarding advice on which bipod to use):

Who originally said that? I guess I have been doing it wrong on all my hunting rifles. That 24" magnum barrel on my RMEF 700 and all those deer and Elk I have taken without a bipod are just a drop in the bucket compared to the game I could be taking...

 

[338Shooter]

NF is accurate at max power on the NXS 3.5-15x and 5.5-22x.

 

[ez bake]

NF is accurate at max power on the NXS 3.5-15x and 5.5-22x.

Really? Hmmm. That's kind of cool to know. I wish more scope manufacturers would do that.

 

[Ksmirk]

Guys ya know I was having a great day! got most of my SP built and fitted and it's looking pretty cool, been working some long hours for a little rathole money, came home to post some more pics of my newest and thought I'd stop in and see what was going on with this post and well I had to laugh so thank you.

I've got it figured out how to solve this little delima we seem to be having of who's who and what who can do better, granted it would be a chip shot only 500 meters but we could all meet up at OKC gunclub with rifles in hand and take headshots at the silhouete range it might be fun and who knows we MIGHT get along

I'm just goofin' with everyone so smile and see if everyone can get ack to helping the OP figure out we need to know WHAT his intentions are and some of us I'm sure can give some good advice. I'm gonna go play with my toys now Later,

Kirk

 

[ez bake]

Dustin, when you quote him, those of us who have him on our ignore lists can see what he says.

I can't believe someone would take themselves so seriously that they would challenge someone to a fight over being called out for bad advice. That in itself is stupid and proves nothing.

BTW, nice link - so in order to prove that no one uses Harris 6-9" bipods, all that's needed is a google search of "us army using m4"? Hahaha - I guess if I were dumb enough to put an AFG on a single-shot hunting rifle (mounted ridiculously close to the trigger), and a single-point sling on a bolt-action rifle, I'd justify myself with a google search of why Harris Bipods aren't used on US Army M4 rifles. If this actually proved anything at all, then why doesn't the army use the super-long bipods on their M4s?

BTW, several folks have seen Dustin's rigs and seen him shoot them to a very long range. There are actually several really good long-range shooters on this site who all have Harris 6-9 or 9-13 bipods on their rigs.

 

[338Shooter]

I've hunted too for the record. A lot.

 

[vdub]

Hold on I have to get out of my ghillie suit from playing sniper on COD:MW. I feel I do better when I really get into my role in the video game.

First, I need to call my dad and tell him he owes me about $15k for all these 18lb AR's, 25lb Bolt Rifles and Suppressors he didn't buy me.

Second, I need to get a new scale because it must be wrong. It reports all the weights of my guns about half what you just told me they were.

Third, I love the fact that you rail on people about offering up Nightforce Scopes because they are out of his price range but continue to spout a bunch of junk about scopes that are fixed power, way more than the Nightforce, and even more outside his price range. Ironic!?!?!

Fourth, I find it interesting where this guy is talking about shooting a .223 out to 1000 yards, that you use a search about "us army using m4" to talk about bipods. I didn't think the M4 was designed in any variety to actually make hits out to 1000 yards. I thought that is where the SPR/DMR rifle and bigger caliber rifles come into play. I think a bipod on an M4 makes about as much sense.....well it doesn't really make sense.

Fifth, I think you have a problem with reading comprehension. The OP said he wanted to shoot the AR at 1000 yards. Does it really matter what he wants to shoot at that distance? I can almost say the OP is not looking to make dime size groups at 1000 yards since he would be best served using a bigger caliber for that. It is going to be a challenge no matter what he wants to hit at that distance.

Fifth, I can see you take this internet business very seriously so I offer this. Please step back, take a deep breath, realize people mess around and rib each other, and calm down before you stroke out. Seriously!!!

Sixth, I have killed a wide variety of your typical birds, crow, dove, quail, squirrel, and deer. I have tried hunting coyotes but hunting during duck season is even more serious business than the internet.


EDIT: Dang it Ez, you beat me on the bipods on M4's. I find it funny that the guy talking about all these 20-something wannabe "seel" posers is making internet threats. E-thuggin' at its best!!!

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

Harris Bipods on Army DMR rifles.