Scope recommendation for.223 Varimint gun

I purchased a Windham Varmint Exterminator AR. It is chambered specifically for .223. It is already fit with Picatinny optics riser blocks. It has a 20" stainless barrel 8 in 1 turn.

I have another AR with iron sights that I use under 200 yards. I want to set the Varmint rifle up to shoot as far as possible.

I think I want a variable scope, but am not sure how high to go on the high end. What range of magnification do you recommend for rountinely shooting at 200 yards, and occasionally out to 400, or even farther?

I want to stay under $1,000, and if I could find something very good for half that, it would be even better.

Thanks for any feedback in advance.

There are a number of scopes currently available from the better companies that are specifically calibrated to the .223/5.56 rounds. Leupold has their Mark AR Series, Nikon M-223 Series, and there are a few others as well. I would probably stick with Leupold or Nikon however. Here are a couple to consider:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-3-12x42sf-nikoplex-bdc-riflescope-8488-8489.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-mark-ar-4-12x40-riflescope-matte-finish-fine-duplex-mil-dot-reticle-67390-673.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-mark-ar-4-12x40-riflescope-matte-finish-fine-duplex-mil-dot-reticle-673-cfcce.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-mark-ar-6-18x40-riflescope-matte-finish-fine-duplex-mil-dot-reticle-67400-674.html

Feel free to contact us for additional recommendations!

George P.

Thanks. How much will it impact the calibration if I shoot 78 grain .223? I'd rather shoot as heavy a bullet as possible.

Also, what do you think about the Vortex HS scopes?

Lastly, what rings will I need? I have a flat picatiny rail with rail risers already on the gun. What is the height over the base rail that I will want to achieve for a 40 mm - ish scope?

Thanks