$150 Scope- Nikon?

[FlyingPen]

I've had a lot of Nikon cameras so I sort of trust their brand name although I know NOTHING of scopes.

I was looking at http://www.samplelist.com/default.as...ide_sold=False

And they seem to have the Prostaff or Buckmark around the $150 mark.

Are those a decent buy or is there something more effective for the price.

I'll just be plinking and hopefully the scope will take me out to the max reliable range of the .223 in a Saiga or AR. I hear that should be about 300-400 yards.

What about these: http://www.muelleroptics.com/products/MAPV451440.html

A Calgunner is also selling one of these for ~$165

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=868254&t=11082005

[Solidmch]

3x9x40 is perfect for plinking with a AR. Go with a prostaff. I have a monarch and a prostaff. Very little difference to me. Though the monarch is supposed to be better. I like them. Tons of guys yuse them. They are great and worth the money!

[FlyingPen]

What about the Buckmaster? What's the diff between that and a Prostaff?

[PonchoTA]

Can someone explain about the different measurements of the optics? For instance, the last post: 3x9x40 What do those numbers mean, and why would that be perfect for AR plinking? What would a step up, or step down optic number look like?

Sorry for the silly questions, but I can never seem to find that info! So I come to the gurus!

Thanks,
Paul

[FlyingPen]

3 is the min zoom, 9 is the max, 40 is the objective lens.

Objective lens determines how much light goes in so generally bigger is better if of the same quality.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Splinter]

3-9 is the magnification. 40 is the objective lens size in mm. For quick shooting on a semi auto, or anything close range you dont want more then 3x mag. The higher the magnification the smaller the field of view. Makes it hard to find something thats moving, or in close. For shooting paper at 100-200yds the 9x setting will make it much more enjoyable. If a scope says 10x42 it is a fixed 10x magnification with a 42mm obj lens.

[maxicon]

I'm not Nikon expert, but I think the Buckmaster is better than the Prostaff, and both are below the Monarch. People have been saying good things about them.

I'd buy a Buckmaster before an APV, but I haven't tried either one. My Mueller Sport Dot is OK, but not great.

[FlyingPen]

Speaking of ranges, what's the practical range for a fixed 6x scope?

[Hoop]

Speaking of ranges, what's the practical range for a fixed 6x scope?

Depends on how big the target is.

If you're target shooting & want a Nikon the 4.5-14 buckmaster is hard to beat.

[bruce_ventura]

Another important issue is the exit pupil, which is the diameter of the area in which you can place your eye and still see the entire field-of-view. It is measured in millimeters and is given by the lens diameter divided by the magnification. For a 3-9X40 scope the exit pupil varies between 40/3=13.3 mm and 40/9=4.4 mm. For maximum brightness in dim light, the exit pupil should be larger than your eye’s pupil, which will be about 5 mm at twilight, depending on your age.

Service rifle competitors use iron sights out to 600 yards. Army and Marine patrols use 3.5X and 4X ACOGs effectively out to 600 yards. You really don’t need much magnification. The price you pay for more magnification is higher glare, and loss of field-of-view and situational awareness. Maximum usable magnification for a 40 mm objective is about 12X. Beyond that, you are increasing glare, and loosing brightness and field-of-view with no real improvement in visual accuity.

I was at the SHOT show and was quite impressed with the new line of Echo scopes from Brunton. The optical performance seemed unusually good for the ~$100-150 street price. In particular, glare was very low. In my opinion these scopes are under-priced.

[PonchoTA]

Thanks very much for the quickie tutorial guys! I definitely appreciate it! And Bruce, thanks for the heads up on these scopes, I'll keep an eye out for one!

How does this look? http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=581

If I can find one of these for sub-$150 range, would this be a good deal? Do you guys know of a good source for these, maybe one of our sponsors on here?

:cheers:
Paul

[metalhead357]

I LOVE nikon. Just picked up my second Prostaff with a deal from SWFA.com....had a deal for a scope and rangefinder....with the shipping about $300.

Cant go wrong with a Nikon.........

[robairto]

Welll

Depends on how big the target is.

If you're target shooting & want a Nikon the 4.5-14 buckmaster is hard to beat.

Agreed, I bought one for my new rifle. STrong performance at a good price.

[FlyingPen]

Ok guys so down to the Nikon Buckmaster or a Sightron S2 for $160 from a local Calgunner in SD.

He wants $160, it's unopened new in box

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=868254&t=11082005

So $150 buckmaster Nikon from the list or that Sightron?

Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmaster 6420, Matte finish, Niko-Plex reticle, 1" tube, fast focus eye piece, finger adjustable 1/4 moa windage and elevation, like new, factory refurbished $302.00 $149.95

[1911su16b870]

Depends on how big the target is.

If you're target shooting & want a Nikon the 4.5-14 buckmaster is hard to beat.

+1 I just got this Buckmaster and the optics are great.