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Posted: 12/2/2016 3:21:31 PM EDT
| Bought my first AR (DPMS Oracle) on Black Friday. Been shooting for 40 years and CC so I'm not new to firearms. I am disabled (need a walker to get around) so the AR will only be used at the range. Now I want to add a scope. I don't know much about optics, but I have been into photography for almost 50 years. Based on my photography experience I am leaning toward one of the Nikon scopes designed for AR rifles. Has anyone used a Nikon Riflescope? What do you think of it? |
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They are some of the best optics you can buy for the money, including their inexpensive options under $200. I have several and they are all great.Â
Buy with confidence Welcome to the site, congrats on your rifle |
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Congratulations on your first AR and welcome to the Forum.
What are you looking to do with the AR? Do you want to just punch steel targets or are you looking for more precision shooting at longer distances? Nikon, like many other optics manufactures, has a large range of "quality" when it comes to their riflescopes. In my experience their Prostaff line of optics are fine for recreational shooting/occasional hunting applications. |
| Have to agree with Joemal here. As many of you know I am a big fan of Nikon Optics. They are solid performers for very reasonable prices. From the P223 at +/- $140 to the Prostaff series, and on up to the Monarch line they will perform admirably for the majority of users. I have been using them on 5.56's and .308s for years and have yet to break one. |
| I will also add my $99 Nikon Buckmaster looks brighter than a $700 scope of mine that's on another rifle. Maybe clearer, too. After shooting the $700 scope for a few hours I finished my range session with some time behind a 17 HMR, wearing the Nikon. The first time I snuggled up behind the scope I thought "wow this looks clear" |
| They have all different levels of products. Their lowest end budget models are made in China, while everything else is made in the Philippines to varying standards depending on the price tag and features. Even their lowest level Chinese made scopes are a big step above the NcStar/VISM/Barska level of junk gun show scopes though, and would probably be fine for your purposes. Those low end ones don't have the best glass, but you don't really need that for punching paper at the range in broad daylight. |
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I have had the 3x P223 for several years on my carbine. I did look at the Monarch line also at the time of purchase. IIRC there was a "noticeable " difference in the optics clarity. P223 on the outside of one, M223 on the other, but I could not see any difference in build quality.
That being said "For my purposes I could not quantify paying the difference in price for the difference in quality." That was when the 223 line had just come out or not too far into it. Now they are fancy 3x9 and what not. Bottom line is I don't think you will be disappointed with them. |
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They are some of the best optics you can buy for the money, including their inexpensive options under $200. I have several and they are all great. Buy with confidence Welcome to the site, congrats on your rifle What he said, there are better out there, but not for the price. |
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I helped a Friend sight in is Light weight 16" Bushmaster with a Nikon P223 1.5-5 scope in a Nikon Mount. This scope impressed me for the price. We had varied lighting conditions and the scope peformed great. I had a gallon milk jug at 280-300 yards and after sighting the scope in at 100 I used the reticle for the holder over. I hit the jug on the first shot. I sighted the rifle in with Federal black box 223 FMJ but shot the jug with a reload using a 60 grain V-Max.
I was also impressed by the size of the 1.5-5 scope, really seemed to be the right size optic for his light weight Bushmaster. Another Friend uses several Nikon scopes and they always seemed like decent scopes. |
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Thanks for the input. The scope will only be used on the range to punch holes in paper. I see the P223 on sale for the holidays for around $140 plus another $60 or $70 for the mount and will ask "Santa" for them for Christmas. Very good scopes for the money. You will really enjoy shooting with it. ETA:. Congrats on the new rifle too! |
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Thanks for the input. The scope will only be used on the range to punch holes in paper. I see the P223 on sale for the holidays for around $140 plus another $60 or $70 for the mount and will ask "Santa" for them for Christmas. I hAve a p223. I also have a Burris tac30. Both are very serviceable, but the extra $100 for the Burris is worth it. I have an exceptional pair of compact Nikon binos, but imo, the p223 disappoints. Txl |
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Can I use this scope on short (50 & 75 yard) ranges too? I really don't want to have to switch between shooting with and without the scope simply based on which range I am shooting on a given day. Congrats on the new rifle and welcome! I agree with so many others, the Nikon is a great optic, especially for the price. Yes, there are better optics, but is the return on investment always worth it? I think you have chosen wisely, and Nikon has a great warranty. It's a forever warranty, just like Vortex. You can absolutely zero at 50 yards. In fact, Nikon makes it easy with their free Spot On Website. You can select your Nikon scope, select your common commercial ammo, punch in optic height to 2.5, and change zero to 50 yards, click fire and it will give you a new chart of where the BDC's value line up with your selection. Nikon Spot On Web SIte ETA: Attached File |
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