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Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm Review

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Topic: Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm Review
Posted By: Palehorse
Subject: Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm Review
Date Posted: November/11/2008 at 11:49
I sought advice here several weeks ago in
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13237&KW= - http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13237&KW=
on a scope for close range deer hunting (Knobs region of central Kentucky, clearcut in 1989), and purchased the Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm, matter model 6308, 75 yard specs.  The scope was replacing a VX-III 1.5-5X that was likely ideal for the task, but that scope managed to leave the farm with a flintlock (of all things) in a horse trade of sorts.

First impressions

Externals - Everything fitted and finished well, sharp edges on all gilded markings.  I like the fine, close tolerance threading and thicker seal on the turret caps that allow you to realign the logo on the windage cap.   The incised model and nation of origin information (Phillipines) below the turrets says to me they are not hiding from whence it came.

Through the lenses - Very clear and bright.  I compared it to a Leupold Rifleman 3-9X and VX-III 2.5-8X, and at the low setting, it was every bit a clear and bright as either, although there was a bit more blue coming through both of the lower priced scopes to my eye.

Eye relief - One of the selling points was the generous eye relief, 3.8".  I was immediately struck by how critical it was; moving a tenth of an inch or so too close/far and field of view was diminished.

Surprises - If you move too close to this scope, you get to see its guts.  There is a concave ring around the reticle that is supposed to be a nonreflective black, and for the most part it is.  However, a few scratches or other fine tool marks reveals the gilded color of the underlying metal.  Moreover, there are two screw slots in this ring, and the metal apearing through those slots was not blackened at all.  The screw heads were blackened, with some slight loss of blackening in their phillips heads.  Lastly, the clear epoxy thread lock at each screw covers a large oval area around each screw, and its gloss is over the nonreflective blackening.  I considered returning it the day I bought it, but I was leaving for Kentucky in 3 days for a two week out scouting trip and range session and went ahead an mounted it.

Mounting the scope  -  The Gun: an Interarms Mk X barreled action, 24" bbl, 7x57mm, single adjustable trigger w/safety, Redfield SR bases, Fajen Rebel stock.
http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo327/palehorse2008/REUNION.jpg - http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo327/palehorse2008/REUNION.jpg
The full length of pull on the stock, and the compact tube length of the "Shotgun" scope, made the aforementioned visible internals hard to get close enough to see, especially with cold weather gear on.

Sight in - After bore sighting, I was only an inch off for windage.  The windage would not move after 2 consecutive sets of 4 clicks, so I gave it 2 turns (that got it moving!) then turned it back.  44 rounds later, it was still zeroed.  Loads ranged from a 140 gr Sierra Pro-Hunter at 2995 fps to a a Remington Core-Lokt 140 at 2845 fps.

In the field - At 2 power, resolution of both reticle and downrange objects is excellent, at a minimum of 40 minutes before sunrise (30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset are KY legal hours).  I was able to hunt under high cloud, low heavy cloud, and clear skies on consecutive days.  This is every bit as good as I remember the VX-III being, but the Nikon lacks the FOV and the generous non critical eye relief.

The Hunt - The first two days I set up cross wind of logging road spur that angled down a slope to the southwest corner of the proper.   The road contained a large scrape, and rub sign on trees in the 4-6 inch range along the ridge top and spurs indicated a larger than usual deer for this area.  Opening day was a war zone on neighboring properties, with the big buck being taken (unbeknownst to me until today) on a neighboring property.  I stayed with the scrape, and on day two had a 130 lb. doe quartering toward me (I hunt on the ground) at 25 yards at 0650.  I did not realize how dark it was looking at her through the scope until the orange muzzle blast temporarily blinded me.

Final Conclusions - The scope certainly fits the bill for close quarters and low light.  I have yet to try to pick up a moving target at close quarters, but think it's FOV maybe be a little wanting at that task.  I will put a couple hundred rounds through this rig over the summer, and see if I feel like spending more money.  For now, I am satisfied.





Replies:
Posted By: trigger29
Date Posted: November/11/2008 at 13:22
Thanks for the review sir! I'm glad you are satisfied. I'm sure the Prostaff will not outshine the VXIII it replaced, but if it works for you, that is all the better.

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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: November/11/2008 at 17:50
Thank you for your review. We appreciate it.
 
We also have a dedicated Members Review Forum. With your permission, I'd like to move this thread over there, if you don't mind terribly.  


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: November/11/2008 at 18:08
Nice, thorough review.  I take it that you harvested the doe?

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: Palehorse
Date Posted: November/11/2008 at 21:45
cheaptrick,
Thank you and you are welcome to move the post .

lucytuma,
Thanks again, and yes, she bolted 25 yards downhill and piled up.


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: November/12/2008 at 01:44
Nice review thanks for taking the time to share.


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: November/13/2008 at 13:50
Thumbs Up  Good review!!!  I liked it....   ( umm........does anybody know what happened to all of our emoticons?   I am missing about 200 of them....) 


Posted By: medic52
Date Posted: November/13/2008 at 14:22
Nice review appreciate your time ........nice shot

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"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." G.K. Chesterton



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