New Nikon Scope Suggestions

Hello! 
I'm new here and have been reading various posts trying to become educated.  I want to replace an old Banner 3-9 scope on a Browning BAR 30.06 that is probably 40 years old. 

Last year, I purchased a Browning X-bolt ss hunter that has a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 with a nikoplex reticle.  It seems like a very good scope for the money.  So I have a little experience with the prostaff and am pleased with it.

I use my guns/scope for whitetail hunting in Wisconsin with the hope of someday going Black bear hunting(northern WI) and eventually Elk hunting in our western states.  Light transmission is important but so is reliability.

I began looking at the Prostaff, then the Buckmaster, and now have found out that the Nikon Team Primos is the older Monarch 3-9 x40.  I am interested in the BDC reticle as long as it isn't an annoyance and I have noted numerous posts saying it is a good reticle with a few being annoyed by it.

I have found the Prostaff for $127 NIB including shipping, the Buckmaster for $175, and the Nikon Team Primos for $210 NIB including shipping.

So, to make a long story short, is the Team Primos/Monarch worth the extra $80 over a Prostaff or is the Prostaff the best choice?  Where does the Buckmaster fit in?  Is the BDC reticle a good choice?  $210 about my upper limit on the cost.

I think paralysis by analysis is starting to set in!

Thanks for your comments/help!

All of the nikons are decent scopes for the $$, but I do believe that the Prmos scope offers the best optics per dollar spent in the nikon line and yes I wish it were available with a standard plex reticle.

Unless you are willing to spend some time and some rounds with the BDC, I suggest against it.  I like mine, but it requires "care and feeding" in that you have to calibrate your ammo to the circles.  It is NOT automatic... If you take the time to perform the calibration, you will find it quite rewarding.  With a rangefinder, the BDC reticle can help with faster acquisition out to 500-600 yards.  A bit further with more practice. 

I'm going to agree, and disagree with Kickboxer. Everything he says is absolutely true. However if you don't need the BDC reticle, and don't shoot longer ranges, The circles are easy enough for me to ignore, to use it like a regular plex reticle. Some may be more picky than I am, but I wouldn't let a BDC reticle stop me from buying one.

To all of you that have replied, thanks!

I guess the dilemma that trigger29 and Kickboxer pointed out was what spurred the question about the BDC reticle.  I guess at this point I'm hoping I can ignore the BDC circles until I have time to spend on the bench with the ammo I use.

I think the concensous is that the Team Primos scope is worth the extra $80.  I noticed there is a refurbished model on the sample list for $180 and I have found an on-line store with NIB for $210.  Would swfa.com match this price?  I don't know how to find the details on the 110% price guarantee.

Another question that popped into my mind is whether or not I need new rings.  The existing rings are see-through, not sure of the brand but have two screws on both sides of the scope.  They seem to be in really good shape and the see-through feature is nice if a bear would be treed.  Having my cheek higher hasn't bothered me to date but I guess I don't know any different.  What do you guys think I should do about the rings if I purchase the Team Primos scope?

I would definitely go with the team primos.  I have been very happy with mine since I bought it.  I don't shoot over 200 yards and I haven't been distracted with the BDC reticle.  My son used my 270 win with the team primos last week to take a cow elk here in AZ.  I had trouble, though mounting my team primos to my vanguard.  I had to use offset bases.  I've heard of others having trouble using standard bases and rings with the  primos.  The tube is a bit short.

Dump the see through rings.

 I have a Nickon buckmaster with a BDC. I have it on a Rem 700 .308. Kickboxer is correct. You have to shoot alot to make it work. When I am shooting at the range I shoot  Match 168gr. BTS. Its very expensive. I have used the BDC at 200 and 300. It actually works if you are using the same consistant ammo. The round will go anywhere in that circle.You can get a more accurate shot if you use the turrets and are in a stable firing position. But if I were hunting and I had to fire a shot off at a moments notice and I new excactly what my range was I would not hesitate to use it. Its just another tool in the bag for you if you need it under the write circumstances...

I used one on a .270 wsm with factory winchester powerpoints. After a morning of setting up targets at ranges, and seeing where the circles hit, I was ready to rock. It's not really a complicated concept, or hard to make work, but you do have to make the effort to shoot at those ranges, and know how you are hitting. Don't just take it out hunting, and expect to kill deer at 500 yards.

Nikon Primos is a good scope for the money the bdc is a nice feature if you wan't to take the time to learn how it works with the ammo your using.Call SWFA they would beat the price just make sure the scope isn't being sold on ebay. 

trigger29 wrote: I'm going to agree, and disagree with Kickboxer. Everything he says is absolutely true. However if you don't need the BDC reticle, and don't shoot longer ranges, The circles are easy enough for me to ignore, to use it like a regular plex reticle. Some may be more picky than I am, but I wouldn't let a BDC reticle stop me from buying one.

i agree with you 100%, i feel the same way about the one i have. you will certainly notice a big jump in optical quality between the prostaff and the primos.

Heres my first up, right out of the gate, 3 shot, 300 yd group using the 3rd circle of a BDC Nikon Monarch. I loved it!

Oh..I was holding dead center mass on the "varmint". 

Edited by cheaptrick - October/27/2009 at 17:49

Nice results on the varmint!

So, I should dump the see through rings so what is a recommended set of rings?  You guys have convinced me to get he Team Primos now I just need the rings!

Thanks

I'd recommend a set of Talley rings. See-Thru rings are not considered very highly here.