Which scope for 243 AI?

[CamoManJ]

I have a Winchester model 70 CRF, of course, in 243 AI that I am in the process of setting up.
My dilemma is that I have 2 NIB scopes. A Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 FireDot & a NightForce NXS 5-22x50 Moar-T.
I plan to use this rifle for med to long range culling, steel plinking & small game hunting using 80gr to 95gr pills out to 500-800+ yards for plinking and hunting much less.
I’d rather sell one of the 2 scopes…any opinions are appreciated.

What would you do and why.

 

[Russ16]

I’d always go with the Leupold. Not much of a fan of nightforce.

 

[AZDAVE]

I would use the leupold, x18 is more than enough to get out to 800 on coyotes and other small game plus id weights less than the NF. I like NF but would use it on a dedicated long range rig.

 

[CamoManJ]

Decided to run the the trusty Leupold VX6-HD 3-18x44 FireDot with Seekins rings & Murphy Precision rail.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a Winchester model 70 CRF, of course, in 243 AI that I am in the process of setting up.
My dilemma is that I have 2 NIB scopes. A Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 FireDot & a NightForce NXS 5-22x50 Moar-T.
I plan to use this rifle for med to long range culling, steel plinking & small game hunting using 80gr to 95gr pills out to 500-800+ yards for plinking and hunting much less.
I’d rather sell one of the 2 scopes…any opinions are appreciated.

What would you do and why.

@CamoManJ
I wouldn't be using a .243 anything on medium - long range culling even with 95 grainers especially after 500 yards. To me there just ain't enough oomph left in the projectile. Even with a sub half inch rifle that just ain't the right cartridge to me personally.
Others can disagree and a lot are better shots than I will ever be but anything 6mm just don't cut the mustard in my book.
Best of luck with what ever you choose to scope it with.
Bob

 

[roklok]

@CamoManJ
I wouldn't be using a .243 anything on medium - long range culling even with 95 grainers especially after 500 yards. To me there just ain't enough oomph left in the projectile. Even with a sub half inch rifle that just ain't the right cartridge to me personally.
Others can disagree and a lot are better shots than I will ever be but anything 6mm just don't cut the mustard in my book.
Best of luck with what ever you choose to scope it with.
Bob

Just for you Bob !

 

[Luvthunt]

Wow, that is a lot of scope. Have hunted and called coyotes for 50 years using a 243 mainly with a 2 1/2 x8 and have never needed more. But my style is run and gun so I keep the wait down. Never shot a dog at 800 but a few at 450/500 (range finder). Handloads of 65 gr V max at 3550 (last 15+years) do it for me.
Good luck with the dogs they can be challenging.

 

[CamoManJ]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
Ha… thanks for being this up.

I’m sure you are right, but I mentioned “much less for hunting…”

To clarify my intentions…I plan to do some plinking at the local range which the longest target is 800 yards, another range a bit further, that’s just shooting for fun.
For long range culling, I meant much less, in fact I’m not exactly sure how far I’ll getting comfortable taking kill shots. I’ll have to see what I can do as a shooter, what the rifle can do & the ammo, etc.

In the past, when my wallet was much lighter…I did some volume culling of MLD whitetail deer for a prominent south Texas ranch. I used a custom .223 Wilde AR-15 with reliable success with mostly head & neck shots with 75 gr BTHP’s. Shot distance was less than 100 yards. Pigs and coyotes, much further.

With this new 243 & in Africa, the idea is to do a cull safari for mostly springbok…start out close and farther as they get wary. As to how far, it would be a guess to say at this point.

 

[CamoManJ]

@Luvthunt.
Yeah, it’s a lot of scope…it is what I have, might as well use it as I paid too much for it realizing that it was too much scope for my WSM, oh well.

 

[HankBuck]

Just for you Bob !

@roklok @Bob Nelson 35Whelen - That was a good video, you could Sell a lot of .243’s showing that video——-but NOT TO “Bob” !!

 

[roklok]

I have two .243s, one set up for deer hunting with a Leupold 2-7 compact, and one set up for long range varmint/predator hunting wearing a Swarovski 3.5-18 with BRH reticle. I don't think your choices are overboard for a .243 AI intended for long range shooting.

That is a cool video (not mine). Some may call it a stunt, but the folks involved (Greybull) are or were top notch gun builders and shooters. The .243 would not be my choice for a long range shot on an elk, but the cartridge is a lot more capable in the right hands than some would believe. I figured Bob would enjoy it, or maybe choke on his coffee Haha.

 

[Flbt]

@CamoManJ
I wouldn't be using a .243 anything on medium - long range culling even with 95 grainers especially after 500 yards. To me there just ain't enough oomph left in the projectile. Even with a sub half inch rifle that just ain't the right cartridge to me personally.
Others can disagree and a lot are better shots than I will ever be but anything 6mm just don't cut the mustard in my book.
Best of luck with what ever you choose to scope it with.
Bob

I like the 6 mm rem a lot
300 yd max on our little fl deer if it’s not all ready been shot
And I want 200 and in on hogs

My heavy 700 is easy capable of 500 yd hits but I don’t think it has the power or bullets for animals

If I going out to 500 it would be the 257 or 7 weatherbey for me

 

[daxter11]

Magnification wise, Id go something in the order of...

2.5/3-15...
or...
4-16

 

[CBH Australia]

Decided to run the the trusty Leupold VX6-HD 3-18x44 FireDot with Seekins rings & Murphy Precision rail.

Sorted , done , solved.
Sounds like all quality gear and you made the decision.

a .243 is not so bad and it’s been doing it for decades.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I have a Winchester model 70 CRF, of course, in 243 AI that I am in the process of setting up.
My dilemma is that I have 2 NIB scopes. A Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 FireDot & a NightForce NXS 5-22x50 Moar-T.
I plan to use this rifle for med to long range culling, steel plinking & small game hunting using 80gr to 95gr pills out to 500-800+ yards for plinking and hunting much less.
I’d rather sell one of the 2 scopes…any opinions are appreciated.

What would you do and why.

Nightforce! I mean…

Does it have zero stop?

I use NF on my .243 and it’s been killing PG out to 380 yards.

It loves Barnes TTSX 80 Grain

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Just for you Bob !

@roklok
To me that's just stupid stunt shooting. I ain't hunting to me
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@roklok @Bob Nelson 35Whelen - That was a good video, you could Sell a lot of .243’s showing that video——-but NOT TO “Bob” !!

@HankBuck
You couldn't even give me a 243 let alone sell me one no matter how cheap.
Bob

 

[CamoManJ]

Nightforce! I mean…

Does it have zero stop?

I use NF on my .243 and it’s been killing PG out to 380 yards.

It loves Barnes TTSX 80 Grain

Yes the NF has zero stop.
NF is an awesome scope with amazing glass and very useful MOAR-T illuminated reticle…but the thing is a big, heavy and long Beast!
Originally, I got the NF for a 6.5 PRC custom rifle designed to shoot out to a mile. That rifle got sold to a person who had to have it & bought it at a premium.
When I have time, I’ll eventually sell the NF, NIB.

The 243 that I have is intended to compliment a 2 gun Safari in addition to either my 300 WSM or 458 B&M. Essentially covering the bases with 80-100 gr for the 243, 165 gr for the 300 & 250-450 gr for the 458.

I have not yet reamed the 243 to AI, thinking about it, debating with others. I do have several boxes of Barnes 80 gr TTSX, which was part of my original idea. I do appreciate the feedback on my original idea & set up…validation.

243 win shooting 80 TTSX vs 243 AI shooting 87 or 95 VLD?
I might add, the rifle has a ghastly 1-10 twist barrel…wished it was a 7 or 7.5 or max 8.

That’s where I’m at now, just getting ready to start reloading has broadened my horizons and making me rethink what I’m going to do.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I believe my .243 is 1-10 twis rate and is amazingly accurate, fast and deadly. You may want to hunt it as it is. I’ve killed a lot of animals with mine….

 

[CamoManJ]

@NIGHTHAWK …I think you’re right.
I am going to keep it simple and try it just like it is, thank you. Besides, let’s see what a Portuguese made Winchester can do. I have already installed a Timney Trigger & about to have the stock bedded.