Nikon 3x9 rimfire scope on a Centerfire Rifle ??

THE RAVEN · March 30, 2012, 06:29 PM

Hello......
When it comes to firearms,optics are my weak point...! I found a good deal on a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 Rimfire scope.....$149.00 but it has a $50.00 rebate on top of that so $99.00.....My question is will it be ok to use on a .308 centerfire rifle ?? Thank you...

Addicted2Shooting · March 30, 2012, 07:19 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the particular model of scope you are referring to specifically integrates the BDC 150 reticle

If this is indeed true, the reticle is geared specifically for .22 LR ballistic characteristics.

Having said that, the ballistics of larger rounds would not necessarily adhere to the BDC reticle and therefore not be on target at various distances other than your zero.

THE RAVEN · March 30, 2012, 08:03 PM

Ok.....So it was a dumb question....Sorry...

Like I said optics is my weak point....Obviously VERY weak !

SSA · March 30, 2012, 09:48 PM

According to the Nikon website, the reticle in that scope has the same bdc subtensions that the regular Prostaff 3-9 and the Buckmaster 3-9 have. They just call it something else when they put it in a rimfire scope.

The 50 yard parallax might be a problem at distances over 150 yards or so. Or it might not be a problem at all.

Nikon calls it a rimfire scope, but they probably make it so it will hold up on a 308.

THE RAVEN · March 30, 2012, 10:01 PM

The gunsmith that is doing the barrel work said not to waste the time mounting it,the optics won't handle the recoil....My only other option I have on hand is a plain old Bushnell Buckhorn 3x9x40......Wonder how long that would last ??? This is DEFF a learning curve for me,thank you everyone for your patience..!

Clifford L. Hughes · March 31, 2012, 11:42 AM

Raven:

Put on the highest quality scope that you can afford and then even more quality if you can manage it. Just because a scope looks clear doesn't mean that its innards will hold up under recoil. A rifle will shoot only as good as the sight on it. Consider Leupold of Buris.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired

603Country · April 1, 2012, 06:56 PM

Raven, the Gunny is right. And you've put a lot of thought into the specific rifle you want. You might as well put a good scope on it. As for what's a "good scope", that gets argued on this forum all the time. Most of mine are Leupolds, but I do have a Burris that has been a good scope. Redfield, Nikon, Burris, Leupold, Weaver, and many others. I did have a Weaver V10 on a rifle for a couple of years and it was just fine, and the cost today would be less than $200.

Addicted2Shooting · April 3, 2012, 06:07 PM

I've got a Remington 700 sps tactical (.308) that I've equipped with a Millett TRS illuminated 4-16x50 mil-dot scope on a 20moa base. Its a really nice scope for large caliber rifles for the money. It holds its zero perfectly, and with the mil-dot reticle I'm able to reach out to 800yrds effectively.

Just something to consider

March 30, 2012, 06:29 PM	#1
THE RAVEN Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 122	Nikon 3x9 rimfire scope on a Centerfire Rifle ?? Hello...... When it comes to firearms,optics are my weak point...! I found a good deal on a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 Rimfire scope.....$149.00 but it has a $50.00 rebate on top of that so $99.00.....My question is will it be ok to use on a .308 centerfire rifle ?? Thank you... __________________ I have NEVER heard of a firearm picking itself up and shooting someone ! S&W MP-15/22,S&W MP-15 .223,Remington SPS .308,Remington 870 A-TAC 12 ga,Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter .17 Hornet

March 30, 2012, 08:03 PM	#3
THE RAVEN Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 122	Ok.....So it was a dumb question....Sorry... Like I said optics is my weak point....Obviously VERY weak ! __________________ I have NEVER heard of a firearm picking itself up and shooting someone ! S&W MP-15/22,S&W MP-15 .223,Remington SPS .308,Remington 870 A-TAC 12 ga,Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter .17 Hornet

March 30, 2012, 10:01 PM	#5
THE RAVEN Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 122	The gunsmith that is doing the barrel work said not to waste the time mounting it,the optics won't handle the recoil....My only other option I have on hand is a plain old Bushnell Buckhorn 3x9x40......Wonder how long that would last ??? This is DEFF a learning curve for me,thank you everyone for your patience..! __________________ I have NEVER heard of a firearm picking itself up and shooting someone ! S&W MP-15/22,S&W MP-15 .223,Remington SPS .308,Remington 870 A-TAC 12 ga,Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter .17 Hornet

March 30, 2012, 07:19 PM	#2
Addicted2Shooting Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Posts: 84	Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the particular model of scope you are referring to specifically integrates the BDC 150 reticle If this is indeed true, the reticle is geared specifically for .22 LR ballistic characteristics. Having said that, the ballistics of larger rounds would not necessarily adhere to the BDC reticle and therefore not be on target at various distances other than your zero.

March 30, 2012, 09:48 PM	#4
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	According to the Nikon website, the reticle in that scope has the same bdc subtensions that the regular Prostaff 3-9 and the Buckmaster 3-9 have. They just call it something else when they put it in a rimfire scope. The 50 yard parallax might be a problem at distances over 150 yards or so. Or it might not be a problem at all. Nikon calls it a rimfire scope, but they probably make it so it will hold up on a 308.

March 31, 2012, 11:42 AM	#6
Clifford L. Hughes Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Location: Southern Californis Posts: 795	Raven: Put on the highest quality scope that you can afford and then even more quality if you can manage it. Just because a scope looks clear doesn't mean that its innards will hold up under recoil. A rifle will shoot only as good as the sight on it. Consider Leupold of Buris. Semper Fi. Gunnery sergeant Clifford L. Hughes USMC Retired

April 1, 2012, 06:56 PM	#7
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Raven, the Gunny is right. And you've put a lot of thought into the specific rifle you want. You might as well put a good scope on it. As for what's a "good scope", that gets argued on this forum all the time. Most of mine are Leupolds, but I do have a Burris that has been a good scope. Redfield, Nikon, Burris, Leupold, Weaver, and many others. I did have a Weaver V10 on a rifle for a couple of years and it was just fine, and the cost today would be less than $200.

April 3, 2012, 06:07 PM	#8
Addicted2Shooting Member Join Date: November 12, 2010 Posts: 84	I've got a Remington 700 sps tactical (.308) that I've equipped with a Millett TRS illuminated 4-16x50 mil-dot scope on a 20moa base. Its a really nice scope for large caliber rifles for the money. It holds its zero perfectly, and with the mil-dot reticle I'm able to reach out to 800yrds effectively. Just something to consider