I recently purchased an Armalite .223 carbine & I am in a quandry as to what type & brand of scope I should consider putting on this rifle.

    I am not going to be using the rifle for combat (unless things really go south), so hopefully, all I will be using it for is plinking & maybe to shoot a few close range groundhogs now & then (and personal protection, if need be).

    If I get one of the red dot or similar scopes, will I be able to get a good enough picture of a groundhog at say 25 to 50 yards to get a decent shot at him ?  Also, I looked at a similiar rifle at a gun show this weekend that had open/pip sites & I don't think that would be an option for me.

    Or should I consider a good quality 2 x 7 power hunting type optical scope ?

    Please, give me brands & specific model numbers of each type that you think I should consider.

    Thanks.