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Old December 5, 2012, 01:25 PM   #1
Polinese
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Nikon scopes.

Whats the opinion on Nikon scopes, specifically the buckmasters line. Was looking at one of those now to mount on my main rifle, and maybe a prostaff for my backup rifle.
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Old December 5, 2012, 02:44 PM   #2
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Lots of people have good luck with them and are proud to own them.

Personally, I think they suck. I had nothing but problems from the product, Buckmasters, to the point I won't own anything Nikon and sold anything that I had with Nikon on it. Warranty is great though, they send you new ones every time yours breaks. Of course I'd rather have the game I was after than shipping costs and a new scope to replace the one that I found was broken in the middle of my hunt.

To each their own though. I can guarantee you for my one negative experience there will be 10 comments about them being better than sliced bread and ice.
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:11 PM   #3
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I had the original Nikon made 20 years ago. At the time I compared it in the store to the best Leupold they made. It was better and it's still going strong. I have two ProStaffs (new ones) on my current rifles with the BDC reticle and they are fantastic scopes for the money. The Monarch is the equivalent of any similar priced scope. Usually better. There are other good scopes out there though also. Ziess Conquest, Vortex Diamondback etc.
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:33 PM   #4
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The SWFA is another one I"m looking at as well. Can't really seem to find a Leupold I like in my price range.
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:39 PM   #5
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I have a Nikon 4.5 x 14 x 40 SF, great scpoe. Also have a Bushnell 6 x 24 x 40 also a great scope.
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:52 PM   #6
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I like Leupolds better but wouldn't fell hurt having to use a Nikon. Optical clarity is about equal IMO, but the eye relief and box is more forgiving on the Leupold. I just get less halos and don't have to be as exact with my alignment to get a full sight picture with the Leupold, and that is important to me when making quick shots while hunting.
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Old December 5, 2012, 04:09 PM   #7
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I've had several and liked them fine. For about the same price though I prefer the Bushnell Elite series.
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Old December 5, 2012, 07:10 PM   #8
tAKticool
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I have two Nikon ProStaffs 4-12x40mm's and just bought a Monarch 5-20x44mm BDC.

I am ABSOLUTELY SOLD on Nikon, and will probably be a customer for life.

And I did NOT buy it because it was all I could afford, I wound up liking the Monarch @ $530 *BETTER* Than the $1000 Leupold I looked at, and at half the price, it was a no brainer.


Nikon has ProStaff as the entry level, Buckmasters is a nice big step up in quality, Monarch is their top of the line flaghships scopes.

Buckmasters are great price. Just so you know, they just 're-released' a Monarch 3-9x40mm "UCC" (Ultra ClearCoat) "original Nikon Monarch" for like $179 - maybe the best scope for the money you could possibly buy.
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Old December 5, 2012, 07:40 PM   #9
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I have had a few Prostaffs, a Buckmaster, and 4-16x50mm Monarch, I also have Zeiss, Vortex, and Leupold. The Prostaff is probably one of the best entry level ($200.00) scopes you can get, the Buck Master is ok, but you might as well step up to the Monarch line which is Nikon's top of the line scope. I have taken many deer with the Monarch and it has never lost zero......I don't think it is as good as a slice a bread.....I think its better than the whole damn loaf...lol
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Old December 5, 2012, 08:01 PM   #10
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Prostaffs are overpriced for a cheap scope. Monarchs are on par for the money. I haven't owned a Buckmaster so won't comment.
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Old December 5, 2012, 08:34 PM   #11
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Prostaffs are very good scopes.
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Old December 5, 2012, 09:44 PM   #12
tAKticool
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Oh look. I have a new stalker. How quaint.


Original Poster I would be happy to give you further opinion privately, for now I will keep quiet because in the 3 threads I've posted in the past day or two all 3 seem to have attracted the same hungry hungry hippo looking to argue with me.
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Old December 5, 2012, 09:54 PM   #13
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I have a Nikon Monarch 5-20 x 44 SF and a Leupold VX3 6.5-20 x 40 Adj. Obj.
The glass on both are equally clear, crisp and bright. The Adj. Obj. on the Leupold is a little more convenient to adjust compared to the Side Focus of the Nikon, especially under poor lighting. The elevation and windage knobs on the Nikon have a much better defined "click" feel when making adjustments, the Leupold's adjustment "clicks" are soft and not as well defined. Both hold their settings extremely well. I won't complain about either one, they're both nice scopes.
OBTW, the Nikon is mounted on a .223 cal. bolt action, and the Leupold's on a .223 cal. AR-15, so neither are seeing much recoil shock.
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Old December 5, 2012, 10:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Oh look. I have a new stalker. How quaint.


Original Poster I would be happy to give you further opinion privately, for now I will keep quiet because in the 3 threads I've posted in the past day or two all 3 seem to have attracted the same hungry hungry hippo looking to argue with me.
I read through the posts to find the stalker. I get the funny feeling you were talking about me.

Sorry, I didn't read yours before I posted. Next time I'll read them all first and if you disagree I'll down play my honesty so you won't be offended.


Narcissism, Eveythings about me!!!!!!!!
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Old December 5, 2012, 10:10 PM   #15
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Nikon Prostaff is best bang for your buck if you don't need AO. Excellent clarity and build quality. Price is right. I'm sure Leupold is taking note of the Nikon line.
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Old December 5, 2012, 10:16 PM   #16
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Hey quit saying good things about a Prostaff. I'll think your trying to argue with me!!:
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Old December 5, 2012, 11:13 PM   #17
Polinese
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Besides salty has anyone had a problem with a prostaff or buckmasters failling on them? Also this was only from one person in a review (though he claimed others experienced this) that if he moved his windage, his elevation adjustment would change as well and vice versa. Anyone have experience or comments on that?
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Old December 5, 2012, 11:38 PM   #18
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My brother has an older ProStaff. It's okay. The new ones absolutely blow the old ProStaffs away. Much, much better scopes.
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Old December 6, 2012, 12:06 AM   #19
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I have the 3x9x40 buck master with BDC on my .270. I went into buy a Leupold VX-2, but walked out with the Buckmaster and some extra cash!! The glass is awesome, holds its settings well, and is great in low light.
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Old December 6, 2012, 12:43 AM   #20
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I have had a Buckmaster 3-9X40 on my Model 70 in .270 for about 10 years. It has never failed me, has never lost zero. I would recommend them without reservation...

FWIW- They are on sale through Cabelas's right now for $169.00. I am thinking about buying one to keep in the safe...
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Old December 6, 2012, 12:55 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Preacherjim
I have the 3x9x40 buck master with BDC on my .270. I went into buy a Leupold VX-2, but walked out with the Buckmaster and some extra cash!! The glass is awesome, holds its settings well, and is great in low light.
Hi there Jim, welcome to the asylum...

I suppose if you're looking for a place to start with your first post... might as well be in a mildly controversial thread. Enjoy TFL.

Cheers,
C
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Old December 6, 2012, 01:14 AM   #22
Polinese
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Just found a zeiss conquest 3-9x40 for 350 not much more than the Nikon I'm looking at. Those seem to be a little more well received universally than the Nikons.
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Old December 6, 2012, 01:41 AM   #23
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Quote:
that if he moved his windage, his elevation adjustment would change as well and vice versa.
My guess is he did not have his scope perfectly level to his rifle . This will make you cant your rifle . I know this cus I had all my scopes canted and had to reinstall them with the http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00 And now they all track great and I shoot better .

Or he just canted his rifle when he shoots . This will also make your bullets track at an angle . I had/have that issue as well . I was shooting all my rifles to the right no matter what the rifle or sights . A quick Q & A on TFL here helped me out a great deal .
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Old December 6, 2012, 05:59 AM   #24
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I have one Buckmaster and a couple of Monarchs as well as various Leupolds.

No problem with any of them. The Buckmaster is on a Mini14 and one Monarch is on a Ruger M77V 25.06 and the other is on a CZ452.
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Old December 6, 2012, 07:09 AM   #25
Lloyd Smale
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ive got quite a few nikon scopes and think there great for the money but my starting point is the monarch line. The prostaffs and buckmasters never impressed me.
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