Nikon M-223 vs Leupold Mark AR

[motorwerks]

please excuse my rookie question for just a second, but why the 20 moa mount over say my Warne ultra high rings? My plan is to poke holes in paper out to 600 yards (and Coyotes, Squirrels, and Prairie dogs from 400 to 500-ish) so thats something I will want to consider.

[Biggy]

please excuse my rookie question for just a second, but why the 20 moa mount over say my Warne ultra high rings? My plan is to poke holes in paper out to 600 yards (and Coyotes, Squirrels, and Prairie dogs from 400 to 500-ish) so thats something I will want to consider.

I have the Nikon M-223 3-12X 42 SF with the Nikoplex reticle. This scope is setup for the ballistics of a 55gr bullet out of a 20 inch barrel. Unless you use the Nikon 20 moa mount or another mount that has 20 moa or more you will run out of elevation adjustment before you get to 600 yds. This Nikon scope has 60 moa elevation adjustment and the Leupold AR 4-12x scope has 55 moa elevation adjustment.The Leupold AR scope is also setup for the 55gr bullet.

[motorwerks]

I have the Nikon M-223 3-12X 42 SF with the Nikoplex reticle. This scope is setup for the ballistics of a 55gr bullet out of a 20 inch barrel. Unless you use the Nikon 20 moa mount or another mount that has 20 moa or more you will run out of elevation adjustment before you get to 600 yds. This Nikon scope has 60 moa elevation adjustment and the Leupold AR 4-12x scope has 55 moa elevation adjustment.The Leupold AR scope is also setup for the 55gr bullet.

Ahhh gotcha. So when you say 20moa ( I understand moa ) is it angled up 20moa? I'm just a little confused.

EDIT: Nevermind got it..... from the Nikon site.... "Lightweight alloy construction with built-in 20-MOA incline to maximize elevation for extreme long range shooting."

[motorwerks]

Interestingly enough that's never been discussed anywhere with ether of these and the thought hadn't even crossed my mind that I would run out of elevation, since both of these are marketed toward AR's. The good news is it is going on a 20 inch gun.

The bad news is I may have to sell my damned rings.

I have to admit I'm a newb when it comes to Optics. The only magnified scope I have ever had is the POS Simmons I have on it now that I hate but its all I could afford while I researched and saved up a little. Other wise My EO tech and Vortex Strikefire have been good to me.

[motorwerks]

OK so question about the Nikon...... with the BDR you Zero it and then just drop the cross hair on target at your 100 yard Zeroed Range, then the first circle if you are at 200 yards from the target, 2nd circle for 300 yards and so on (or at least I think thats the case) if that is the case, then why the worry about the 20moa mount. Wont the BDC be pretty close no matter what?

Second think I think I am going to go to the Leupold reason being, I wont be stuck with a BDR limiting me to one caliber. Its mil-dot, that translates so if I say want to put it on a .308 someday down the line...... I call Leu with the specs give them my CC number and I have a new dial with the right notches, and the center of my Scope translates over. I know Nikon has Nikoplex (or whatever its called) but my local gun stores don't have one I can play with. I also think I may want to at some point build an AR-10 something to really get way out there, now I wouldn't use this scope but I would be looking at the Mark AR in 6-18 for that gun, and all of the stuff is in the exact same place and all translates right over for a quicker learning curve. So thats my thoughts as of today but I have been such a chick over this thing already I may change my mind 14 more times.

[Canonshooter]

I am also in the market for some magnified optics for my 16" mid length ss410 BCM. Looking at the specs for both of these scopes, the Leupold is over 4 ounces lighter. Four ounces here, four ounces there is how you end up with a 12 pound carbine. That said, both of these look good to me though I'd go with the lighter of the two.

I'm inclined to go with a H1/T1 in an offset mount (about 5 ounces total) for the close-range work and then go with something more specialized (higher magnification) as the main optic. With this approach, you're not limited to trying to "do it all" with one optic.

For example;

H1/T1 in offset mount (5 ounces) with;

1. Leupold 3-9X Mark AR - 12.5 ounces
2. Leuplold 6X36 FX-2 - 10.0 ounces
3. Leupold 6x42 FX-3 - 13.6 ounces
4. Leupold 2.5X20 - 6.5 ounces (ACOG/Mini ACOG magnification range with better eye relief and FOV)

Consider that some of the most popular 1-4X illuminated scopes weigh well over 16 ounces. With the above, you have the Aimpoint (and its "last forever" battery) advantage for close-range and better optics for the longer range/precision work, with equal or less weight. Of course, you still need to add in the mount for any of these scopes.

At the moment, this is what I'm looking to do.

[HeavyDuty]

OK so question about the Nikon...... with the BDR you Zero it and then just drop the cross hair on target at your 100 yard Zeroed Range, then the first circle if you are at 200 yards from the target, 2nd circle for 300 yards and so on (or at least I think thats the case) if that is the case, then why the worry about the 20moa mount. Wont the BDC be pretty close no matter what?

I recently decided between a Leupold Mark AR 3-9x and a Nikon M-223 2-8x. I went with the Nikon; I felt the glass and construction was higher quality than the Mark AR.

Mine has the BDC reticle and also the 20 MOA mount. My reasoning for combining the two was that I could use the BDC as a "hasty reticle" but still dial in elevation if I cared to or had more time. I didn't like the idea of estimating holdover with the Nikoplex reticle; of course, the Mark AR's Mildot reticle could be used the same way.

Somehow I've ended up with three Nikon scopes, and I'm satisfied with each.

[bman940]

H.Duty,
Take a look at Nikon's Spot On web site found on Nikonhunting.com
It will give you all the ballistic information so that you can make an accurate shot. It gives you distances for all the BDC circles at different magnifications that you can keep with you in the field or place on your stock.
This Ballistic program will work with all types of ammo from 22lr to 50cal. muzzleloaders.
Hope this helps?

[motorwerks]

I am still undecided, but since I ran out of money it doesn't really matter for today. Next check maybe. Lol

Weight isn't a real big deal to me, this things mostly a bench gun right now, but even if I go with a lighter barrel...... I'm 6foot4 260 if my guns to heavy....... I need to go to the gym.

[HeavyDuty]

H.Duty,
Take a look at Nikon's Spot On web site found on Nikonhunting.com
It will give you all the ballistic information so that you can make an accurate shot. It gives you distances for all the BDC circles at different magnifications that you can keep with you in the field or place on your stock.
This Ballistic program will work with all types of ammo from 22lr to 50cal. muzzleloaders.
Hope this helps?

Bart - Spot On was one of the reasons I went with Nikon's BDC over the Nikoplex. It's a nice little app!

Welcome aboard!