I’m trying to select an optic for my SCAR 17 and most of the reticle choices I prefer are either 223/5.56 BDC reticles, or companies that state they are calibrated for both rounds. I have looked at some bullet drop tables for comparisons and they do look to be pretty darn close as far as the two rounds go out to 500-600 meters.
Does anyone have experience trying a 5.56 BDC reticle on a 308 rifle?
What is the outcome?
Barrel length?
Twist rate?
What rounds?
I’m really wanting a circle or horseshoe with center dot for CQB and BDC ranging capability on this rifle.
So will a 223/5.56 BDC reticle work well on my 308/762 SCAR 17?
I’m not familiar with either, but IMO 168gr out of the 13" CQC barrel is the wrong pill for that application. You may want to contact the manufacturers of those scopes, see if you can get the information their BDCs are based off of.
I’ve run the numbers and 155gr. Hornady AMAX with the Leupold Mk6 1-6 CMR-W (.308) holds it dead on to 500 yards and you could make it work out to 600 yards (it would be 7" off or .2 mils) by simply changing the zero from 50 yards to 75 yards. In fact this is the set up I’ll be running with the 17s CQC. Trijicon VCOG you could make work as well, but the Mk6 will literally be dead on.
Contacted Leatherwood Hi Lux, they are sending me a manual for the scope which has information for the BDC reticle and specific loads. Very good customer service. Hopefully that will help answer some questions.
I went ahead and got the Leatherwood 1-4 with the BDC reticle, have not had the chance to shoot out past 100 yet. I’ll have to make a trip to the range for that soon. By the way the glass on this thing is rediculously clear and the reticle is very nice. Looking forward to see the outcome myself. I plan on using the setup for hog hunting mainly and hope I can learn the hold overs and make it useful out to 500-600, not trying to drive tacks with this setup. It’s a temporary setup to “get me in the game” I’ll upgrade later when funds permit.
I had a Leatherwood CMR on an M-14 for a very short while… recoil destroyed it after 100 rounds or so. The SCAR is also known for destroying cheap optics. I would not use it on that rifle. You say that glass is ridiculously clear? How much experience do you have with non-Chinese scopes? When I tried the Leatherwood, I found its glass to be dim and with a small eye box. I replaced it with a Burris TAC30, which was far superior glass. It is too bad really, because I did like the reticle in the CMR.
FYI, BDC reticles calibrated to 55 or 62 grain 5.56 are extremely close to the trajectory of 7.62x51 147 grain M80 ball out to 600 yards. I have used such reticles with great success on both 22 and 18 inch barreled 7.62x51s.
Usually if an optic is advertised as having a “7.62 reticle,” like the ACOGs, it will be matched to the 175 grain M118LR sniper ammo. So if you’re planning on shooting mostly M80 ball, you would be better off with one of the 5.56 optics.
Yes I agree with you there, the 600 yard range being an hour and a half drive it’ll get used under 300 most of the time, farther out will be a handful of times per year. A 1-8 is my goal in the end for this rifle.
Yes, I have experience with several other optics. The price and reticle is what interested me for something to use until I can afford better. I am aware of the reputation the SCAR has with killing optics, no guts no glory. How was the warranty on the CMR you had fail? Did they replace it without hassle?