[burntmypiston]

Just got my first 14" 223 barrel for my Contender. Anybody ever tried putting a nice higher powered variable riflescope on one of these? Any clearance or othet issues? I'm used to big bore rifles, so I'm not really concerned about getting hit in the noggin with this one. I'd just like a big scope so I could see way out and watch my dog run away for three days.

 

[poncaguy]

Won't work, you need a pistol scope..eye relief will not work at all.......

 

[burntmypiston]

Why wouldn't the eye releif work? This is a low recoiling gun. I've had my eye against a 460 weatherby without a problem. Am I missing something? Thanks

 

[neil]

rifle scope on 223

Works great. I have a 6x24 Weaver on a 15 inch 221 contender barrel and a 6x24 Tasco on a 222 mag barrel. You do have to be aware of eye relief when shooting. I have shot some really nice groups with both barrels and scope combos.

 

[Gregory]

I tried it on a 16" 223 and I was not comfortable with the set up, you'll have to try it for yourself.

 

[xphunter]

Have used them on a number of SP's (Rear & Center grip) from 260 Remington all the way up to a 338 Lapua Improved. Primarily though I have used riflescopes on the 6mm-284, 6.5-284, 284 Winchester, and about 50 rounds with 6.5x57R (Thor SP). Using 20-25 power with both Burris and Leupold riflescopes.
I back off the scope and am UNABLE to see a full field of view. This has not been a problem for me from the bench or from the prone position out to about 700 yards. From the bench I have shot out to 1k without problems. When shooting prone with a riflescope I was using my David White built 6mm-284 XP-100 (center-grip) with a Burris Black Diamond 6-24 power, set on 16x to use the Ballistic Mil-Dot Reticle (It works great!).
Let me know if you have any questions on this.

 

[HAMMERHEAD]

The IHMSA guys use rifle scopes all the time. The 'taco' hold is most popular with the scope about 4" from the eye and the off hand over the top of the front bell on the scope.
I'm strictly an iron sight guy now, but check out these mounts for Contenders:
http://www.kenlightmfg.com/products.html

 

[burntmypiston]

Think I'll give it a try. If nothing else, I'll have another new scope. Just don't like the idea of paying $300 for a max of 12x. I've had a couple of inexpensive rifle scopes that held up well to some big boomers. My personal favorite for economy and performance is the Burris Fullfield II 3x9x40 with the ballistic plex. You can pick those up for <$200. Not sure what to get for more power in the same cost category.

 

[wheelgun]

scope

I tried it on my 7mm supermag,6.5 tcu and 22 hornet barrels.I still have one on my hornet but I never did get comfortable with the other two.

 

[Big Gun]

I guess in my opinion the 223 has a bit too much recoil to set up with a rifle scope - you might be able to get away with it using Fajen Big Shot grips or something similar. I put rifle scopes on my 17 Mach 2 and 17 HMR - I sure do like this set up. I think it would be ok on a 22 Hornet as well, although I have not tried. Good luck.

 

[xphunter]

Big Gun,
When you use a rifle scope do you get a full field of view or a partial?

 

[MnMike]

It would be nice if some company came up with a scope that was half way between a pistol scope and a rifle scope. I would be happy with about 4-5" of eye relief. This would improve the field of view and yet be enough to prevent wounds.

mike

 

[xphunter]

Mike,
My hunting buddy (Steve Hugel) and I have been talking to a couple of the scope manufacturers about a higher magnification scope the past year or so, to no avail yet. Sillywet shooters would want a different eye relief (especially with a rear grip) than say a center-grip shooter would for shooting prone on PD's or big game. Ultimately what we will get is a long eye relief scope that has a eye relief similar to the Burris 3-12 LER. It has to much eye relief on 12x when shooting prone for center-grip shooters and not enough for some sillywet shooters.

 

[Steelbanger]

IHMSA Field Pistol is fired from the standing position and I bet 95% of the scope shooters are using rifle scopes on their FP guns. Granted, most are 22 Hornets but you'll see them up to the larger calibers.

My personal FP pistol is a 10" 22 Hornet with a Leupold 3.5-10 mounted.

 

[xphunter]

Steelbanger,
Do they allow optics ever when you are laying down? I don't know dirt about Silhouette, but I was under the impression that there was a unlimited where you could use optics that involved a creedmore or similar position. Thanks.

 

[Big Gun]

XP - on my 17 Mach 2 I get right up on the scope - same eye position as rifle shooting, and have a full field of view. This is on an 8" contender barrel - it works best with a rest.

As far as scopes with intermediate eye relief - I wonder if some of the "scout" scopes or shotgun scopes would be a good middle ground option - of course for the same money as one of these a guy can buy a pistol scope.

 

[Steelbanger]

xphunter,

Yes, there is a class called UAS, Unlimited Any Sight, where they shoot scopes from the Creedmore position. I'm not one of them but I believe their scope of choice is the Leupold 2.5-8 LER, mounted on a base that extends to the rear and gives them proper eye relief.

 

[HAMMERHEAD]

Steelbanger is right on.
I shot IHMSA Field Pistol today, and everyone who shot with scope had a rifle scope and used the 'taco' hold. Everyone seemed to agree that a .270 Ren, .22 Hornet and light .357 loads were about as much reoil as the short eye relief would allow.
Shot my first official match today. Field Pistol, .38 spl, open sight. Shot a 21. Dern turks!

 

[xphunter]

Here is a pic of my hunting buddy, Steve using a customized 243 WSM Striker with a Leupold Variable Rifle scope.