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My Spikes build update with Nikon P223 3x32

2K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Freakingstang 
#1 · (Edited)
My Spikes build update with Nikon P223 3x32 sub MOA

I put together an AR on a budget with some decent parts this winter. I have approx. 600 rounds down the tube so far, plus what I put through it today. (about 40rds) A picked up a NIB, but damaged packaging P223 3x32 Nikon scope at a LGS for 100bucks. I used a walmart gift gard to pick up the Nikon P223 rings for 50 bucks.

Budget build thread was here: http://rugerforum.net/projects/95867-my-590-dollar-ar-build-spikes.html

I got the scope mounted a month or so ago and hadn't shot it on paper. I put a cheap laser bore sighter on it and it was close enough that I didn't mess with it, and put around 100 rounds through it shooting steel about a month ago. First time on paper was today.

First shots out of the box so to speak. one shot left, adj windage made another shot and it was right. Readjusted windage then worked on elevation. Within 6 shots "out of the box" it was almost spot on.



I used some federal 223 to start sighting it in. I was very hesitant on the fixed 3x scope. I'm used to a 2x7 or 3x9 adjustable for 100 yards or more. I'm pretty happy with this scope so far. I think 4 power would be perfect, but I love the compact size and the glass quality is unreal. Very easy both eyes open on target. The adjustable turrents are so-so for a fixed (low) power scope. they are nice, but I don't think they are required on a fixed power scope.. this has the BDC so, once its zero'd at 100 or 200 you shouldn't have to mess with it. I know I wont be shooting 600 yards with only a 3X scope...Nikon recommends sighting it in a 200, but I wont hardly ever shoot that so I decided for the 100 yard zero.

Anyways a good day for some shooting...sunny and high 40's.. nice day for a change of the sub zero winter we've had. the turret adjustments are 1/2" instead of the normal 1/4" so I was both directions real quick.... Distance was 95 yards and all shots were made standing, while leaning over on one of my firewood cages with a lid. Winchester cheapo bipod. No sit down bench rest with a lead sled here.



After rough sighting... I used some factory Remington UMC 55gr, then Federal AR223, then a couple hand loads. It started getting dark before I got to try any of my 60gr, 63, and 65gr loads. When I had the cheap red dot on it, it seemed most accurate with 63-65grain loads. But for 55's, I think its not too shabby for a budget built box of parts.







I realize a lot of guys will go on and on about only 3 or 4 shot groups, but I was running out of daylight. I'm thoroughly impressed so far....




Overall, Im tickled pink. I did polish the stock PSA trigger parts. nothing was done with the springs. It is very stiff still. On my wheeler gauger it measure 7.5lbs, but now it is crisp and no creep like it was out of the box. I gave it the same treatment I gave my ruger, but the ruger's trigger is much nicer at 4.5-5lbs. out of the box the ruger was about the same as the psa. I get on these rants every now and then when I see guys buy or build a brand new rifle and not even shoot it and want to buy a trigger to make them better. Learn with a stiff, crappy trigger, you'll be a better shot. Nothing wrong with a light hair trigger, but learning to shoot consistently with what you have is better than trying to buy a trigger and still being a horrible shot.
 
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#4 ·
I made a very interesting discovery last night while cleaning both the Ruger E and the Spikes beater..

When I got the upper with the Midwest industries rail, I used one of the rail sections from the MI rail on my Ruger SR556E... I couldn't find any cheap rail sections that had the same bolt pattern... well, the MI 2" rail not only lined up, but had the same thread pitch and used the MI screws...

Didn't think too much of it at the time and never really had them side by side...Now, all the bolt spacings on the side of the ruger rail match up, all the oval holes are the same... on the side of the ruger rail, if there was a machined oval hole between bolt holes, the'd be almost identical.. Even the barrel clamp is the same, except the MI rail doesn't have the long thick raise channel that runs down the length of the rail... If the ruger had the lightening holes down the length of the upper rail.....Me thinks Ruger get's their E model rails from Midwest industries....





 
#5 ·
Nice build mate, and nice shooting.
 
#7 ·
Looks very good. I HATE sighting in scopes... maybe it's about time I invest in a boresighter.
 
#8 ·
get a decent one.... I bought a cheap bushnell and its been all over as far as sighting in scopes go... on my mini, got it close, on my ruger, I was barely on paper. The plastic bore inserts are easy to over tighten and make off center real quick, but it is still better than starting for no where and then trying to find where the shots ended up
 
#10 ·
Nice build and great write up. I have wondered if the Nikon P233 3 power scope would work with the stock Ruger Scope rings on my Mini 14 ranch rifle or not. I currently have a small compact Burris 2-7x28 on it now. But I feel the 3 power would be plenty of power for my type of shooting
 
#11 · (Edited)
I have high rings on my mini with a 3x9x40 and it just barely clears the handgaurd. I'm pretty Confident that it would work very well. I was actually thinking about searching online to see if I could find another cheap one. 3 power is about ideal for 75-100 yards IMO. I wish it was 4, but for the price and the clarity I'm not complaining one bit. I out about 100 rds down range on steel before Sighting it in on paper. I put 46 rounds through it Saturday and another 100rds on Sunday (steel). Dinking around with paper targets and staples isn't my thing. Lol. So far through 246 Rds it's holding up well and maintaining zero
 
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