I got a new, to me, contender in 223 for Christmas. I sighted it in quickly Christmas afternoon and due to bad weather I have not been able to take it to the range since then until yesterday.

I have a question for those who shoot a contender in 223. I was shooting American Eagle ammo in 55 gr FMJ. The gun was grouping good about a half inch high at twenty five yards and I was pretty happy.

Then I stepped back to 50 yards. I shot a three shot group with my last three shells that a dime will cover but the group is 2 inched high. Does that sound right or am I doing something to make the gun shoot 2 inches high at 50 yards.

I did turn the power on the scope from 4 power at 25 yards to 8 power at 50 yards. I just want to make sure I do not have a problem with the scope.

Where should the group be at 100 yards sighted in as it is? The range I was shooting at does not have a bench further than 50 yards or I would have shot at that distance.

A scope sighted .223 will shoot higher at 50 and 100 yds. than it does at 25 yds. How much higher depends upon the load and your grip.

It will depend on the height of your scope rings and actual velocity as determined by a chronograph as well as the exact BC of the bullet, but based on what information we have to work with you should be about 4-1/2" high @ 100 and -0- @ around 275, if you are 2" high @ 50.

I might be able to shed a little light for you. I've hunted with a .223 T/C for 38 years. Taken 1118 groundhogs with it and several deer.
First, you'll probably do a little better with 50 gr. bullets-flatter trajectory, more speed, better terminal performance.
Second, scope. I've used a Burris 3-12 since they've been out. Best long range scope available for handguns.
Third, sight in. I have mine 2 1/2" high at 100 yards (as all of my single shots). This puts you about dead on at 250, 1/2" up at 25, 1 1/2" at 50. By doing this you're on a groundhog size animal to 300 without holdover.
Fourth, bullets. For varmits, BTip or VMax. I use Hornady SXs a lot. They won't exit. For deer BTs and 45 gr. Barnes X do good.
Friends and I have done groundhogs out to 400 yards. None ewver moved.
This is an excellent low recoil varmint round.

wvhitman, do you like the Barnes 45 gr better than their VOR-TX 55gr TSX for deer hunting? I was hoping to take a deer or two with the 55 gr next deer season.

I do not varmint hunt so I am practicing with the much cheaper American Eagle 55 gr load because at 50 yards they have the same point of impact as the 55 gr Barnes load does.

I used the 55 grain Hornady FMJ when I ran the ballistic numbers above. If you have your current load shooting about 1" high @ 50 you should be very near a 200 yard -0- and less than 3" high @ the midrange.

Micheal, never used VOR-TX. I only handload. I used the 45 gr. X for several years. No deer ran more than 10 yards. Double shoulder shots had the bullet under the off side hide fully expanded.
The 45X has the same trajectory as all the 50s I use. I was satisfied with its performance so I never tried anything else.
Your set up will work. I'm just a long range guy so I like the lighter bullets that shoot flatter.
An interesting aside. I got cull permits for deer in housing developments where complete penetration is a definite no-no. I put 40 gr. BTs in my .22-250 XP. They are great. No exit. Deer drop immediately. Longest shot has been 175. Might want to try that in your .223. I never have, but I bet it will work.

I've shot a 223 super 14 since the early 90's, and found that grip over all else was the key to maintaining POI. Even more so with my 14" 204. The POI,POA is totally different off of a bench than offhand as well. Off a bench, I use a light grip and try to let the gun recoil the same way every time. I shoot some really tiny groups with the 204 and hand loads. I don't load for 223, and don't really shoot groups with it.. Just some food for thought. Pay attention to how the gun reacts under recoil off the bench, and try to be consistent with your grip.