Nikon scopes!

[huntingaddiction]

So this last weekend i bought my wife a new .270 T/C Venture.  I have narrowed down the scope and now i just need to figure out what power i should get?  I would like to get a Nikon Prostaff with a BDC reticle, but I don't know where to go with the 4-12x40 or the 3-9x40.  I am not a huge rifle guy i have always hunted with a muzzleloader and this last year switched to archery.  I bought this for her for bear hunting.  Any advice would be helpful.

[RustneckNW]

I just bought my wife a Rem 700 SPS in 7mm-08 and put the 3-9X bdc Nikon on it. Awesome scope! I don't think she'll ever have the need to crank a scope up to 12x, except for maybe just having fun at the range. I bought ammo with the difference in price.

[buckfvr]

I personally dont care for BDC reticles, and would opt for the 4-12.  SIght in for 200yd zero and she is money out to 300...........just under center mass @100yds, and just high of center mass @ 300 yards..........simple.

[huntingaddiction]

I personally dont care for BDC reticles, and would opt for the 4-12.  SIght in for 200yd zero and she is money out to 300...........just under center mass @100yds, and just high of center mass @ 300 yards..........simple.

Just out of curiosity why don't you like the BDC?  I haven't heard anything bad about them.  Also what kind of difference does the 4-12 make?

[buckfvr]

BDC is generic for caliber, and not precise, 4-12 will give you a bit more for the 200 and over shooting.   Plus the bdc to me, is vague in the aiming points.....I like plex and the ability to sight  the fine "X" on my target, not a large circle.......thats just my 

[Bean Counter]

Agreed. I find the circles goofy, myself. I am, however, considering the Zeiss Conquest 4-14x44mm with the z800 reticle. LOL I have been for like 4 years. Just too cheap to throw down on it 

[jrebel]

My primary rifle is a .270 and I love the BDC reticle.  I zero mine at 200 and then play with the other hash marks at 250, 300, 350 and 400 yards.  I take a 3x5 index card and draw my scope with the reticle displayed on the card.  I then mark my ranges based on where they zero (i.e. first hash mark is 300 zeroed.....and so on).  I am very comfortable to 400 yards in the right conditions with my .270 and my scope. 

I like the 4x12 for this reason.....  the difference between 3 and 4 power is negligible, so the lower end will have no effect.  9 to 12 power is a huge difference.  If I need the extra power I have it.  I shoot the 4.4 x 14 leupold and love it (same style reticle).

Good Luck. 

[jrebel]

Agreed. I find the circles goofy, myself. I am, however, considering the Zeiss Conquest 4-14x44mm with the z800 reticle. LOL I have been for like 4 years. Just too cheap to throw down on it 

Has the BDC always been circles???  I thought it use to be hash marks.  I am not sure I would like the circles either.  My Leupold has hash marks.

[buckfvr]

The one Ive got here is circles, not sure if older ones had hash marks, but I know Id much prefer hash marks over circles.........

Its so easy to just load your guns ballistics on some software or even Hornadys ballistic resource and print out a cheat sheet specific to your gun and load in MOA.  Cant get much simpler IMO. 

[Lincoln4]

BDC is generic for caliber, and not precise, 4-12 will give you a bit more for the 200 and over shooting.   Plus the bdc to me, is vague in the aiming points.....I like plex and the ability to sight  the fine "X" on my target, not a large circle.......thats just my 

Actually, it's not "generic" for caliber.  If you go to the Nikon "Spot On" page you can pick the specific ammo you're shooting, not just caliber.  In addition, you can factor in things like muzzle velocity, altitude, wind, and barometric pressure.  If you handload you can factor in the exact bullet you're shooting as well.  Pretty nifty.  The circles...?  Well, I can't help you there!  Different strokes for different folks.

[BULLBLASTER]

Another thing to keep in mind with the bdc retical is that it is different for every power setting on the scope. The second circle at 3 power will not impact the same as the second circle at 9 power. The software will account for this... but something to remember. For the record I have always been impressed with te clarity of Nikon scopes.

[The scout]

the bdc is a generic scope feature but you can see where to hold using certain ammo and calibers by the chart's on there website, I have the 4-12 and my rifle only complaint is the circles stay the same size all the way down, doesn't really make cense to have the same size circle for 200 as 500yds. the loads I use are right on with my caliber and load all the way out, but it is a great scope for the money. I would go with the 4-12 to get more of the capability out of that 270

[MountainWalk]

I own one that came with a Savage 3006, 3x9 one inch tube.  While I don't ise the aiming points, I am very impressed with the scope. It's clear enough for twilight on the west end. Unlike others, I'm not too hung up on"glass", at least concerning scopes. It's just a sight to me. only look thru it for a few mins a season.    But I am impressed by it's zero holding and it's toughness

[Don Fischer]

I have a Nikon with a BDC. Only reason I got it was it was all they had left when I bought it. Wouldn't have another! If you need a 14x scope to hit even a fox at 200 yds, 14x isn't gonna help you. I'd suggest a 3-9X max with the niko plex. They seem to be good scopes! I have two.

[huntingaddiction]

Thanks for all the info guys.  Maybe i will look around a little more at scopes, especially reticles before i buy.  The wife is the one who has to like it.