Vortex Vs Bushnell Vs Nikon

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shak541

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Hey guys Im really having some troubles picking a new scope for my mossberg patriot rifle. It comes with a vortex crossfire 2 @ 3-9x40. I am looking to upgrade something with a bit higher zoom but similar clarity. I was looking at a diamond back 4-12x40.

Basically I am wondering if the Bushnell trophy XLT is better or a nikon prostaff is better around the same price? or should I stick with vortex?
 
For a hunting rifle the 3-9X-40mm is just about ideal for a big game at reasonable distances. I've been hunting for 25 years and in all honesty most of my variable power hunting scopes spend 95% of their time set at 4X. Unless you're going gopher hunting or trying to emulate those "hunters" shooting at big game at 1000 yards on WildTV, it's all you really need. Bigger objectives and greater magnification will add extra weight and make your rifle more unwieldy for little appreciable gain. That said, if you really want to upgrade your glass forget the brands you listed and look at Leupold, Nightforce, S&B or Zeiss. I know it seems crazy to be spending several times the cost of your rifle for your optic, but that is where I'd put my money every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
I wouldn't look at anything less then Elite from Bushnell, made in Japan, around $300. Trophy is made in Korea and would be a step down from Nikon (Philippines) or Diamondback (Philippines). Prostaff is brighter then the DB, I find DB to be pretty much the optical quality of Burris, clear enough but not the brightest.
Warranty should not be what sways you to buying one brand over another....all the majors have lifetime warranty. Buy the best scope you can afford..... You will never use the warranty on a good scope anyway.
 
I have had to use the warranty on cheap Bushnell scopes, but never the Elite series. The last couple scopes I have bought were used off of CGN. Most scope companies do not ask for a receipt when sending them in for warranty. I have had 3 used Leupolds and have not had a problem with any of them, and saved enough between the 3 of them to buy another half decent rifle. Only reason I sold one was to buy another one that was a higher magnification.
 
ok thanks so much guys. this info is really helping. So for Bushnell I should look at elite series only. or which series from the nikons though? i know they make different prostaffs. Like 5 and 7?
I think Leupold is out of my price range by just a bit.
 
You may find, if you are not in a rush, that you can find used Leupolds for the same price as a new Elite. That being said, you still would not go wrong with an Elite (I have had 4 or 5 I think).
 
There's a Nikon rep who monitors this forum. Maybe you can find his user profile and pm him. I'm at a loss with Nikon. Is a prostaff 5 comparable to a Monarch 3, monarch gold, monarch X, prostaff 7? Their product line is confusing. I like the way sponsor P&D lists them then you can make a bit better sense of it by price and zoom ratio.

Nikon Help Us
 
wilbar said:
There's a Nikon rep who monitors this forum. Maybe you can find his user profile and pm him. I'm at a loss with Nikon. Is a prostaff 5 comparable to a Monarch 3, monarch gold, monarch X, prostaff 7? Their product line is confusing. I like the way sponsor P&D lists them then you can make a bit better sense of it by price and zoom ratio.

Nikon Help Us
Click to expand...

We've actually revamped the lineup, you're just referencing older scopes is all;

Prostaff - Two piece build, 3x eyeboxes, entry level price points.
Prostaff 5 - Two piece build, 4x eyeboxes, step up in glass quality. Prostaff 7 is the same series however with 30mm tubes.
Monarch 3 - One piece build, 4x eyeboxes, rated shockproof as well as water/ fog proof (all scopes are water/ fog proof), includes flip up eyecups and again a step up in glass quality. (Also look at FOV, eye relief, abberations, barrel distortion and flat image. All top notch) Monarch 7 is the same series in 30mm tubes.

Monarch 5's have been announced and will be out in the fall, one piece build, 5x eyeboxes, ED (extra low dispersion) glass, Advanced BDC (we've finally added windage). I haven't seen a live one yet though.

Any of the other series feel free to post here or if its an older model I can get you the comp. Just getting back from holidays so I'm a bit behind. :)
 
Because of the crap service I received from Bushnell company ( on a non optic product) I have to look long before I buy any of there products. I have only ever had 1 problem with there scope, glass mover or ??. Just dumped that scope. Nikon or Vortex or Sightron will be great. Save a few more bucks and get the next step up, IMHO, this scope will last a lifetime.
 
Interesting timing on all of this as I tried to buy a P223 Nikon scope today here in Ottawa and the info the store was given by there supplier was that he couldn't get P223 (I assume only the P223 scopes) into Canada. I ended up buying the Bushnell AR series. Not sure if this means that the P series only ship to the US? I did think it odd that the Nikon Canada site gave no info on where to buy a P series scope in Canada. Perhaps no point on listing the P series AR scopes on the Nikon Canada Web site?
 
Cgn sponsor P&D Ent lists P223 and M223 scopes. Check their site by clicking on the link in the top banner. Look under optics then select Nikon.

Another cgn dealer JoBrook outdoors has the P223 in stock in 3*32, 3-9*40, & 4-12*40
 
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I vote for Bushnell Elite series. I started with a Elite, then 6500, now I use the Elite tactical and LOVE it. I find them clearer than Nikon, have the rain guard coating (anti fog) and I also find the Nikons power rings to be super stiff in cold weather. The vortex is nice but I find they lack in eye relief. Maybe look into Sightron (also Japanese glass)

Cheers
 
IPPA162 said:
Interesting timing on all of this as I tried to buy a P223 Nikon scope today here in Ottawa and the info the store was given by there supplier was that he couldn't get P223 (I assume only the P223 scopes) into Canada. I ended up buying the Bushnell AR series. Not sure if this means that the P series only ship to the US? I did think it odd that the Nikon Canada site gave no info on where to buy a P series scope in Canada. Perhaps no point on listing the P series AR scopes on the Nikon Canada Web site?
Click to expand...

Yup, we've got the full line of M & P series in .223, .300, .308, and rimfire. However some dealers may or may not list any/ all of them so that can sometimes be an issue. Sorry to hear about your experience. If you can fire me a PM, thanks!
 
I've always wanted to get the Nikon, but could never get past the BDC reticle. I know the theory behind the little circles and ranging game with them, but I still can't get myself to go for it. I don't want to know the area (circle) where my shot will hit, I want to know the spot where it will hit. If Nikon would come out with a nice BDC with hash-marks, or an M-RAD style they would be getting my money, cause I really like their glass. Until then it tends to be Vortex, just because I've had to use the warrantee once, and it doesn't get any easier, faster, or more painless.


And I apologize to the Nikon rep. Apparently I haven't looked at Nikon in a while. They do offer more reticle choices than I was aware of. Still nothing in the higher magnification that really grabs me, but I am a picky pr__k when it come to reticles, and I have to say that they are getting closer
 
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