Question about shooting distances

[MikeBjerum]

Ok ... who the hell are you guys, and what have you done with the real Haz, Tom and MB 

Thank God FQ chimed in and I knew that the entire forum wasn't screwed up 

[JC5123]

Hey! things got pretty heated yesterday so we're being nice. Don't worry, I'm sure it won't last long.

[pequin06]

It seems I worded my question correctly  

But I'll give more details. I have a SX-AR and I would like to get a new scope on it. I didn't want to choose a scope that is good for 1000 yards if not needed, but I didn't want to get a 4x scope either for something at 100yards.

I currently have a Leupold Vari-X III scope on it (14x) and it's perfect for my SX-AR but I'm a fan of the Nikons.

[fightingquaker13]

It seems I worded my question correctly  

But I'll give more details. I have a SX-AR and I would like to get a new scope on it. I didn't want to choose a scope that is good for 1000 yards if not needed, but I didn't want to get a 4x scope either for something at 100yards.

I currently have a Leupold Vari-X III scope on it (14x) and it's perfect for my SX-AR but I'm a fan of the Nikons.

I think I can safely say that a 1000 yard scope is probably unneccesary on an AR. However, the question is, what do you want to do with it? Me, I set up my M-forgery as a carbine with an Eotech and basically consider it to be a sub, to just over, 200 yard gun for SHTF. On the other hand, an H-bar with nice glass and you're good for two to three times that, if you are lucky enough to have a long range locally or are hunting coyotes. With my AR, short range is across the living room, medium range is across the street and long range is down the block. But that's what I bought it for and how I have it set up and sighted in. You can do pretty much anything you want with the platform. I would though consider anything beyond 500yards to be pushing it if you are shooting at anything bigger than a prarie dog.
FQ13
PS Take a look at the B@L, now Bushnell, Elite series. My B@L Elite, now the Bushnell 3200 3X9 is the brightest and most fog resistent scope I have ever used and could afford. They make tactical models in higher magnification with mil dots as well. They sell for about the same as Nikon and a little cheaper than Leuopold. I've used all three and like the B@L better. That's just my opinion though, and you won't go wrong with any of them. I'd also look at the Burris one piece removable mount for rails. It seems solid, practical and reasonably priced.

[tombogan03884]

 I like what I have read about the Nikon Monarch series, except the price. 

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I would say beyond 300 is long range because that's almost as far as I ever shot. I guess that leaves 100-300 as medium and 100 as close. Someone had to disagree. 

[Badgersmilk]

Personally, I would consider under 200 yards to be "close range" 200 - 400 medium range and over 400 as long range.
I guarantee others will disagree with me  

I'd say most everything I've ever seen in print matches those numbers...  +1 more  

As far as the scope, I'd say it depends entirely on your application.  Not just the range your applying it to (paper, ground squirrels, poodles, zombies?).  I'd want to say Nikon has a fixed 6X scope that may be a good "general application" choice.  

Those poodles run fast!  Paper targets & Zombies...  Not so much.

[twyacht]

Big thing is caliber and application.

a 22-250 hitting prairie dogs at 250 yds? Medium? Consider size of target (red mist)?

a 338 Lapua at 500? Still Medium? Man size target?

a 50BMG at 250yds. Short?  (Waiting for the billt report)

I guess what is the "effective" range depends on caliber and shooter skill.

The pro who hits a metal plate with a Sharp's 45-70, iron sights at 1000 yds, for a round that is considered a "short to medium" range round would have a different view.

I do agree 200yds. or less is "short", but also "long" for a 30-30. A 50BMG at 250yds. is "short", but "medium" at 500yds.

Just wondering,....

 

[Badgersmilk]

I think most were all assuming .223 for caliber (default for an AR).  BUT...

A very good article anyone should read before choosing their next scope (even if only as a refresher).

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/factors_in_accuracy_one.html

Parallax - one more reason to NOT buy that "latest thing" variable power scope.

Volumes have been written on choosing the right scope.  If your seriously interested in making your rifle a long range threat, start with reading "The Ultimate Sniper".  It's not as much about which scope to buy, as it is tuning the trigger actuator.  

[pequin06]

I worded my question as vague as possible because I knew once I mentioned gun and caliber I would get a different answer.
I just wanted a general guide line on what would be considered short, medium, and long range with a rifle.

The SX-AR is the Winchester SX-AR. It's the "hunting" version of the FNAR with a nice mossy oak brush finish on it.
I saw an article in the American Rifleman stating the FNAR was a short to medium-range rifle and I was like, "What does that mean?".
http://americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1906&cid=4

So I came here after lurking for bit and figure I could get a good answer since the internets didn't have a straight answer for me.

Which brings up another question, what would be short to medium range with a .308 then? Would it be 200-400 yards?

I've owned guns for a long time but I'll be honest, I don't have the practical experience with shooting them over 100 yards.