Need a new hunting scope

[blackops]

I have attached the scope I'm looking at. I'm looking for a scope with quality glass, at least X12 mag, and a some kind of reticle hold over reference (the BDC from Nikon or similar). Anyone have experience with this scope? Anyone know of a better choice for close to $300? I'm usually a Leupold guy so I'm hoping to get some opinions from guys that have looked through both and have a comparison in glass. I would like to go Leupold, but for the specs I want, they are just more expensive. Thanks for your time as usual fellas.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-riflescope-buckmasters-4-14x40.html

 

[Pokyman]

I have experience with the Nikon Monarch in 4 X 12 power. It has the hold over reticle feature. The scope its self is a good one, but the reticle is mediocre at best.
I have a Leupold vari X 3 with a varmint reticle. Scope and reticle are superb.
I have two Bushnell's one 4200 and one 3200. Both are superb scopes. Reticles are not as user friendly as the Leupold.
I have a Ziess with the varmint hunters reticle. Scope is equal to or slightly better than the Leupold. Reticle has features that make it better than the Leupold reticle.
I realize that all the scopes with the possible exception of the Bushnell 3200 are way out of your price range.
Something that I always tell my customers is that you should expect to pay as much for your scope as you did for your rifle.
Whats the sense of paying big money for a quality rifle and then going cheap for the scope. A cheap scope will rarely let you get the full potential out a firearm.
However, there is a bottom line for all of us. You should buy the best scope that you can afford. The key word is afford.

 

[BrocLuno]

In your price range it's Nikon and use their software on their web site to build BDC table for your caliber and rifle. They have a decent riticle once you get used to it. The circles where they intersect the lower cross hair give different ranges top and bottom. The top of the middle circle might be 150 yds and the bottom of the same circle might be 170 yds. You can get pretty close to about 5 or 6 known ranges once you have your table.

 

[OPtact4]

If you can, jump up to a Monarch from Nikon, ideally with a BDC. You can use the Spot On software to match the reticle with your exact load. This is nice when you have a printout of a holdover on your BDC for any magnification at what ever distance your shooting. The Buckmasters is a nice scope for the price, but the Monarch is a big leap up in quality.

 

[Beacon]

+1 on a Nikon with the BDC and using Spot-On.

 

[blackops]

Dang. I'm going to end up spending more money. Thanks a lot guys. Why do I always spend more then I plan to.

 

[biggameballs]

If you want good sound scope advice visit opticstalk.com which is sponsered by SWFA. They have great prices on their scopes. Right now they've got some smoking deals on some of the high end Burris lines. I just picked up a 1.5-6x40 Burris Euro Diamond for 299. They retail for $540 and glass wise are as good as anything you'll find on the market other then Zeiss or Swaro.

They also have a sample list where you can get demo scopes for a huge discount. Most dont even have a mark on them and are 1/2 of retail.

http://www.opticstalk.com/major-savings-on-discontinued-close-out-burris_topic26571.html


Edit: Looks like all they have left in Burris on closeout is their lighted retical. I haven't heard great things about the reliability on their lighted reticals and opted for a standard german #4 myself.

 

[JW2]

Might not be as much magnification as you want but this is a killer deal...

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...m Rifle Scope Matte Finish Etched EBX Reticle