I am thinking of buying a Nikon BuckMasters BDC Scope. I would like opinions on this scope versus the Bushnell Elite 4200 series which I have currently mounted on the rifle that I would like to replace(only for the BDC option).
Nikon BuckMasters Scope
- Thread starter 7.62Nato
- Start date
I just picked up a Buckmasters scope. I think the Nikon Monarch is more comparable with the 4200 series re: clarity. The Buckmaster is fantastic, but I think you have a better scope with the 4200. I think Bushnell offers a custom reticle program that you could add a Mildot option.... just a thought?
I've also been looking at the Bushnell Elite 3200 10X40 mildot; and the Nikon Bushmaster 4.5X14X40 Mildot
Bushnell:
http://www.wholesalesports.com/onli.../~category_id=10400026010576/~pcategory=10130
Nikon:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-riflescope-buckmasters-4-14x40.html
The Nikon is a bit more expensive than the Bushnell. Everyone agrees that the Bushnell Elite is a great scope for the price. From what I've read the Nikon is also quite good. The above model has varible power and also has a side paralex knob which is a really nice feature. I think that the Nikon has caps on the windage and elevation adjustments that need to be removed before they are adjusted, and that's alright with me because with mildots you can adjust your point of impact on the fly with out adjusting your scope. One possible disadvantage of the Nikon is that they may not honour their warrenty because they don't seem to widely distribute their scopes in Canada.
Bushnell:
Nikon:
The Nikon is a bit more expensive than the Bushnell. Everyone agrees that the Bushnell Elite is a great scope for the price. From what I've read the Nikon is also quite good. The above model has varible power and also has a side paralex knob which is a really nice feature. I think that the Nikon has caps on the windage and elevation adjustments that need to be removed before they are adjusted, and that's alright with me because with mildots you can adjust your point of impact on the fly with out adjusting your scope. One possible disadvantage of the Nikon is that they may not honour their warrenty because they don't seem to widely distribute their scopes in Canada.
i put a buckmaster 4.5-14x40mm on my 257 weatherby this summer.
pros:
clear picture
precise adjustments
holds zero
con:
not very good in low light
narrower FOV
the only other high power scope i have is a 3200 5-15x50, i would buy another 3200 before another buckmaster. for a hunting scope anyway. for target and daytime shooting the nikon would be hard to beat for the price.
i've got a 3200 10x also. its a good scope. i have it mounted on a win 70 varmint 243. the mildots are really close to actual but the 10x still makes a gopher look small beyond 300 yards.
pros:
clear picture
precise adjustments
holds zero
con:
not very good in low light
narrower FOV
the only other high power scope i have is a 3200 5-15x50, i would buy another 3200 before another buckmaster. for a hunting scope anyway. for target and daytime shooting the nikon would be hard to beat for the price.
i've got a 3200 10x also. its a good scope. i have it mounted on a win 70 varmint 243. the mildots are really close to actual but the 10x still makes a gopher look small beyond 300 yards.
I would also suggest trying some of the higher end camera stores that sell Nikon - as a possible conduit back to Nikon Canada if a waranty issue was to arise...
I had my 3x9 buckmasters out to the range last friday and was extremely happy with it, just had a problem with my mounts...
so I didn't get to step out to 200yds...
I would also suggest trying some of the higher end camera stores that sell Nikon - as a possible conduit back to Nikon Canada if a waranty issue was to arise...
I had my 3x9 buckmasters out to the range last friday and was extremely happy with it, just had a problem with my mounts...
Reliable Guns in Vancouver sells Nikon optics.
Very happy with my 6-8x40SF Buckmasters. You can swap out the semi-target knobs to the larger target turrets that are included if you like (on the 6-8x)...but the caps will no longer be able to screw on. Also included is a screw on sunshade and see through covers.
I have a 4200 6-24, a Leupold 6.5-20 EFR and the buckmaster 6-18 - and I would rate it as good as any of my scopes. It is very bright and super sharp. I find that the focus ring and where the scope places the focus is spot onto the range indicator, make it a quick range finder. I have it on a .17 HMR.
As said, reliable is the BC distributor for Nikon firearm optics and has the largest selection - and are a site sponsor. Not to mention they are great guys to deal with and gave me an awesome deal on this scope.
LH
As said, reliable is the BC distributor for Nikon firearm optics and has the largest selection - and are a site sponsor. Not to mention they are great guys to deal with and gave me an awesome deal on this scope.
LH
I have the Omega on my TC Encore 209x50 ML and a Prostaff 3-9x40 on my
.308 bbl. I really like the clarity of the Nikon scopes and I plan on buying another in the future, possibly a Monarch w/SF for my .300 WM bbl., I currently have an Elite 3200 3-9x40 on this bbl. the only con I have for this scope is the eye relief (3.3"), I prefer a little more ER with this cal and the Nikon scopes all show a minimum of 3.6" with the Monarchs showing 4.0-3.8,
Scope kisses suck!! Scope bites suck more!!!
.308 bbl. I really like the clarity of the Nikon scopes and I plan on buying another in the future, possibly a Monarch w/SF for my .300 WM bbl., I currently have an Elite 3200 3-9x40 on this bbl. the only con I have for this scope is the eye relief (3.3"), I prefer a little more ER with this cal and the Nikon scopes all show a minimum of 3.6" with the Monarchs showing 4.0-3.8,
Scope kisses suck!! Scope bites suck more!!!
thebuckhunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
I've got the Buckmaster 6-18x40 SF on my Savage 10 FPLE in .223. Amazing clarity, on par with a Leupy VXIII but without the price. Has edge to edge clarity at all magnification levels. It's guaranteed waterproof even without the caps (is yours?) . Definitely worth the money.
-Jason
. Definitely worth the money.-Jason
Bought an Omega for my TC omega, and a buckmasters 3-9x40mm. Both are great scopes, with excellent optics. Have Leupolds on my other guns and still prefer them. The FOV on the Nikons isn't as large. For the price the Nikons are a great scope, recommended.
Nikon Canada warranties all products that they distribute in Canada. There have been only a limited number of Nikon scopes models brought into Canada in the past but from my recent meeting with my Nikon rep. that is going to change. There are more Monarch III models about to be imported but no prices have been posted yet. Phil.
I just acquired a 4-14x40 mildot. Seems like an exceptional scope, for the price. Subjectively, it seems to be about on par with the Browning series of scopes - part way between a 3200 and a 4200, or about the same as a Leupy VX-2. Lots of eye relief (too much IMHO). The reticle is too big for my tastes, the crosshair is much to wide. The dots are the standard .2 mils. The reticle is mil-dot accurate at 12 power, which is kind of strange - most mil dot scopes make the dots accurate at exactly 1/2 way through the zoom range of the scope, so that they're 1/2 mils at full power, and 2 mils at minimum power. Nevertheless, 12 power works well for my needs. I haven't mounted it yet, and it won't be going on a heavy-recoiling gun, so I can't comment on durability, or repeatability in the 'box test.'
