Nikon m223 rifle scope

SwayV7 · December 7, 2012, 11:56 AM

Anyone have any experience using the Nikon m223 3-12 power?

MB21 · December 7, 2012, 11:44 PM

My dad has it on his setup. I am getting a p-223 because i love his m-223 so much.

HJ857 · December 8, 2012, 08:47 AM

I have that scope and it's pretty good overall. I have the version with the target turrets. I like counting clicks more than using BDC indicators on the reticle, and the Nikon version looks pretty cluttered to me. The parallax side focus knob does not correlate with its yardage marks. I forget offhand but I think that an actual 100 yard distance works best with the parallax set at 75 yards. You have to work with it to figure it out.

The knobs are nice, distinct clicks and I think it tracks just fine, I use mine at 500 meters most of the time and it's easily up to that task.

The major downside is that the glass in not as good as it should be. It's noticeably "foggier" than the Burris scope it replaced and one of my shooting pals went with a Vortex Viper (not the PST version) at about the same time I went with the Nikon and the Viper kills the Nikon.

The Nikon is a usable scope but I will never buy one again. I'll admit that I have Viper envy.

sailskidrive · December 8, 2012, 02:02 PM

I have one; the only thing I don't like about it is that the circles on the reticle are way too big for shooting at 400 and 500 yards. Other than that the glass is good on it and the zero has always been repeatable.

If you're on a limited budget, the P-223 is a good deal. The P and M series appear to have the same tube just different quality glass.

scsov509 · December 8, 2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

The parallax side focus knob does not correlate with its yardage marks. I forget offhand but I think that an actual 100 yard distance works best with the parallax set at 75 yards.

I've seen very few side focus/adjustable objectives where the yardage markers are actually correct, which is at least one reason a lot of high end optics don't even put yardage markings on their side focus dials. Best way to use side focus is to disregard the markings, start at infinity, and then dial until things are clear and focused.

Palmetto-Pride · December 8, 2012, 05:34 PM

1+ to what scov509 said. I also haven't seen a scope where the yardage markers were right on. I am not even sure if they would be for everyone anyway not everyone's eyes focus the same way, if they did there would be no need for focus knobs on anything......

Eghad · December 8, 2012, 11:21 PM

I have one and I like it. Nice glass for the price. I also own a Vortex scope.. cant really tell any difference.

SwayV7 · December 10, 2012, 12:03 AM

Thanks for all the info. I went ahead and purchased the m223 3-12 power. Im happy with the scope, good glass and extremly easy to zero in. Only regret I have is getting the scope with the bdc reticles. As mentioned before there to big to use out to 400-500 yards, and they also seem clutter the view some what.

bman940 · December 10, 2012, 10:43 AM

S., I"ve been using one since they first came out. Love em! Built on the MONARCH platform these scopes are very clear and offer excellent light tranmission for early morning or late evening shooting. I've even unloaded a few rounds at Tx. hogs with just moonlight.

I have both the BDC 600 reticle and the Rapid Action Turret which is calibrated for the shooter to use a 55 gr. polymer tipped bullet at 3240 fps. M.V.
I have taken both scopes out to 600 yard on a couple of occasion's along with friends who were amazed they could connect on target at that distance. There is a new for 2012 M-223 4-16 as well, if you are looking for even more magnification?

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...2233-12rat.jpg

SwayV7 · December 10, 2012, 11:24 PM

I have the exact scope. I'm also running the exact amo, poly tip 55 grain with 3,240 fps. The amo matches the scopes set up. My ar isn't set up for a scope that needs to have more magnification. Running a Rock river, w a 16" barrel and 1x9 twist. So it's not really set up for long distance, the scope is awesome it does exactly what it said to do. I'm just not a fan of the BDC reticles, I would rather just count my clicks for a dead on hold, and not have the BDC in my view. The BDC does not bother me or make me not want to run this scope, just stating that I'm not a fan.

stubbicatt · December 12, 2012, 08:44 AM

3240 FPS out of 16" barrel?

jlove1974 · December 12, 2012, 09:00 AM

Ya that's the velocity on the box, through a 24 inch barrel i bet

bman940 · December 12, 2012, 09:41 AM

I chronographed 4 different ammo's about 2 years ago. All were rated at 3240 fps and most of my results were in the 3000 fps average from my 16 inch bull barrel. Roughly 7% less then the 26 in. barrel used for factory testing. At the time I was only able to shoot to 200 yards and with my 100 yard zero still managed a sub 2 inch group at 200 yards. I have at numerous other times shot my Nikon M-223 3-12 Rapid Action Turret scope and rifle combo to 600 yards with consistant hits on 10 inch steel plates. There's even been a few coyote's out there who would agree this combo works well together.

SwayV7 · December 12, 2012, 11:57 AM

What bman stated. I only went off of what the box read. I'm aware that it might not actually be 3,240 fps, but it's the closest amo I found to fit the scopes set up.

December 7, 2012, 11:56 AM	#1
SwayV7 Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: NM Posts: 17	Nikon m223 rifle scope Anyone have any experience using the Nikon m223 3-12 power?

December 8, 2012, 02:02 PM	#4
sailskidrive Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 726	I have one; the only thing I don't like about it is that the circles on the reticle are way too big for shooting at 400 and 500 yards. Other than that the glass is good on it and the zero has always been repeatable. If you're on a limited budget, the P-223 is a good deal. The P and M series appear to have the same tube just different quality glass. __________________ SailSkiDrive Hk USP 45 Expert, USP 40, USP 9, SIG P226, S&W M&P9, Hk 4, Makarov, Desert Eagle 40, Beretta FS92 Centurion, Kimber TLEII 1911A1, Glock 22, SIG P225, 1943 Rem Rand 1911A1, S&W mod 64, Walther PPQ, SIG P229, Browning BDA 45 (SIG P220), Hk45, SIG P230

December 8, 2012, 05:34 PM	#6
Palmetto-Pride Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,071	1+ to what scov509 said. I also haven't seen a scope where the yardage markers were right on. I am not even sure if they would be for everyone anyway not everyone's eyes focus the same way, if they did there would be no need for focus knobs on anything...... __________________ “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” -Margaret Thatcher-

December 8, 2012, 11:21 PM	#7
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	I have one and I like it. Nice glass for the price. I also own a Vortex scope.. cant really tell any difference. __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

December 10, 2012, 10:43 AM	#9
bman940 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2010 Location: N. Texas Posts: 170	Nikon M-223 3-12 S., I"ve been using one since they first came out. Love em! Built on the MONARCH platform these scopes are very clear and offer excellent light tranmission for early morning or late evening shooting. I've even unloaded a few rounds at Tx. hogs with just moonlight. I have both the BDC 600 reticle and the Rapid Action Turret which is calibrated for the shooter to use a 55 gr. polymer tipped bullet at 3240 fps. M.V. I have taken both scopes out to 600 yard on a couple of occasion's along with friends who were amazed they could connect on target at that distance. There is a new for 2012 M-223 4-16 as well, if you are looking for even more magnification? http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...2233-12rat.jpg

December 7, 2012, 11:44 PM	#2
MB21 Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Posts: 77	My dad has it on his setup. I am getting a p-223 because i love his m-223 so much.

December 8, 2012, 08:47 AM	#3
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	I have that scope and it's pretty good overall. I have the version with the target turrets. I like counting clicks more than using BDC indicators on the reticle, and the Nikon version looks pretty cluttered to me. The parallax side focus knob does not correlate with its yardage marks. I forget offhand but I think that an actual 100 yard distance works best with the parallax set at 75 yards. You have to work with it to figure it out. The knobs are nice, distinct clicks and I think it tracks just fine, I use mine at 500 meters most of the time and it's easily up to that task. The major downside is that the glass in not as good as it should be. It's noticeably "foggier" than the Burris scope it replaced and one of my shooting pals went with a Vortex Viper (not the PST version) at about the same time I went with the Nikon and the Viper kills the Nikon. The Nikon is a usable scope but I will never buy one again. I'll admit that I have Viper envy.

December 10, 2012, 12:03 AM	#8
SwayV7 Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: NM Posts: 17	Thanks for all the info. I went ahead and purchased the m223 3-12 power. Im happy with the scope, good glass and extremly easy to zero in. Only regret I have is getting the scope with the bdc reticles. As mentioned before there to big to use out to 400-500 yards, and they also seem clutter the view some what.

December 10, 2012, 11:24 PM	#10
SwayV7 Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: NM Posts: 17	I have the exact scope. I'm also running the exact amo, poly tip 55 grain with 3,240 fps. The amo matches the scopes set up. My ar isn't set up for a scope that needs to have more magnification. Running a Rock river, w a 16" barrel and 1x9 twist. So it's not really set up for long distance, the scope is awesome it does exactly what it said to do. I'm just not a fan of the BDC reticles, I would rather just count my clicks for a dead on hold, and not have the BDC in my view. The BDC does not bother me or make me not want to run this scope, just stating that I'm not a fan.

December 12, 2012, 08:44 AM	#11
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	3240 FPS out of 16" barrel?

December 12, 2012, 09:00 AM	#12
jlove1974 Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 32	Ya that's the velocity on the box, through a 24 inch barrel i bet

December 12, 2012, 09:41 AM	#13
bman940 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2010 Location: N. Texas Posts: 170	3240 fps I chronographed 4 different ammo's about 2 years ago. All were rated at 3240 fps and most of my results were in the 3000 fps average from my 16 inch bull barrel. Roughly 7% less then the 26 in. barrel used for factory testing. At the time I was only able to shoot to 200 yards and with my 100 yard zero still managed a sub 2 inch group at 200 yards. I have at numerous other times shot my Nikon M-223 3-12 Rapid Action Turret scope and rifle combo to 600 yards with consistant hits on 10 inch steel plates. There's even been a few coyote's out there who would agree this combo works well together.

December 12, 2012, 11:57 AM	#14
SwayV7 Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: NM Posts: 17	What bman stated. I only went off of what the box read. I'm aware that it might not actually be 3,240 fps, but it's the closest amo I found to fit the scopes set up.