Before the latest hunting season even began, I knew I wanted to get a new scope for my hunting rifle. I have been going after more large game now that I can hunt more often, and since it has become a major part of my life, I figured my equipment should match my dedication.

When I started my search for the perfect scope, I came across the Redfield brand. I was really impressed by their selection, and they had several options that matched the price point I was pursuing. I landed on the Redfield Revenge 3-9×42 Riflescope. ordering it was a seamless experience, which only added to my good mood when I saw that it had arrived at the house.

Upon opening the box and mounting it to my hunting rifle, I was very impressed that the scope was already set up perfectly for a distance of 100 yards. By the way, putting the scope on my gun was as easy as ordering it. I only needed the basic tools that one would expect to use when mounting it. The scope came with detailed instructions that made it pretty simple to follow and get the job done in just a few minutes. This is the first accessory scope I’ve ever purchased, so having it be so easy was a relief as I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

Satisfied by my satisfactory initial glance over of the optics, the most significant part of my new tool, I turned my attention to the aesthetics of the Redfield Revenge scope. I like the sleek look to the design, and especially the matte finish to the scope’s surface. The slight muzzle loader outline of the scope is both classic and attractive. The grips added to the scope means that making adjustments while wearing thick gloves outside in the cold is not only possible, but comfortable. Add in the fact that the scope is both fog-proof and water-proof, and this already is a scope I see myself using in a variety of different situations.

Of course, putting a scope on a hunting rifle and admiring how it looks is not the main reason we hunters buy a Redfield Revenge 3-9×42 Riflescope! The performance of the scope is where the “meat” of the purchase lies. Luckily, I had this last weekend free and I was able to get outdoors and give this new scope a proper test run. I must say, I grew even more impressed with my purchase when I got to experience it in action.

The scope handles beautifully. I was able to quickly made adjustments on the fly, which is very important to me. I had no trouble seeing them either, which I am chalking up to the coating on the scope. The targets showed up clear and free from the glare that has plagued me before when I used other scopes. This scope has long eye relief, which makes hunting with it so much better than going without it. The other unique feature that really sets it apart for me is that it has customization options for adjustment settings.

Overall, this scope has show itself to be an essential new accessory for my hunting rifle. While this was my first personal purchase of a scope, I found the entire experience from researching, ordering, mounting, and using the scope to be a breeze. I’d recommend this to my friends and I am sure I will want to purchase another one of these in the future. In the meantime, I am going to be using the one I have as much as possible!

The Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40mm Riflescope is another in a long line of riflescopes designed by Nikon. This scope comes equipped with a bevy of features that will prove useful for hunters of any experience level. The following will provide an in-depth review of the Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40mm Riflescope, including the primary features and pros/cons of the scope.

Primary Features

The Nikon Prostaff Riflescope comes with a plethora of useful features. As is implied within the name, the scope offers a wide range of 4 to 12 x magnification and a lens that is measured at 40mm. The optical system that is equipped on the scope allows for 98 percent of light that is available to transmit through the scope so you won’t be blinded by any light glare when lining up the sights. The scope itself is designed in a way that is waterproof and fog-proof, which allows hunting in practically all weather conditions. Another great feature is that of the zero-reset turret that is attached to the scope. This feature provides hunters with the ability to lift the adjustment knob and turn it to zero as a means of resetting the scope. This adjustment knob allows for extremely quick readjustments in the field. The length of the scope is 14.1 inches and allows for a eye relief distance of 3.7 inches.

Pros

There are a myriad of positive aspects associated with this riflescope. The transmitting of 98 percent of light in the surrounding area provides fantastic brightness even in conditions that aren’t. This becomes really useful during those dark and foggy mornings when you’re looking to get out on the hunt early. The matte black finish of the scope is sleek and goes well with practically all rifles. The field of view provided by the 4 to 12 x magnification is perfect for setting up your shot to even the most minutest of degrees. The field of view at 4x magnification is just over 23 ft. at a distance of 100 yards away, while the 12x magnification level provides a field of view that is just over 7 ft. at a distance of 100 yards away. The scope itself being fog-proof and waterproof is hugely beneficial to those early mornings hunts in fog and heavy amounts of dew. Sighting in general is exceedingly quick and easy to accomplish with this scope and helps dramatically with readjustments that need to be made on the fly.

Cons

Though there are plenty of positives with this scope, there are a couple of negatives that you should be aware of as well. For one, the crosshairs on the scope can be considered to be slightly too thick to make for precise shots at the maximum magnification, though this isn’t typically that much of an issue. The eye relief is also a bit short for some of the higher magnification levels.

Verdict

Overall, the Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40mm Riflescope is one of the better scopes available at a price of just under $200.00. The clear optics and ability to easily re-adjust the parameters of the sight makes for very simple sighting. Users will also notice that the weather-proofing on the scope is very high quality and allows for hunting in any weather condition. Though there are a couple of negatives associated with the scope, such as short eye relief at higher magnification levels and thick crosshairs at maximum magnification, there are a wealth of positive aspects to the riflescope that make it a scope that is well worth recommending to anyone in the market for one.

When it comes to being on point, in every category, the NIKON PROSTAFF 5 3.5 – 14×50 Riflescope is a cut above it’s much pricier competition. This is a highly important distinction because you get the quality and performance of the most elite name brands, without forking over the name brand price. Nikon is sporting technology that delivers performance far above expectations; the Nikon PROSTAFF 5 is packing enough power and technology for even the most demanding of experienced hunters. When considering this latest edition to the Nikon family, it becomes painfully obvious that Nikon has paid lots of attention to its consumer’s needs, and has dedicated an incredible effort to creating hybrid engineering perfection with this technologically advanced riflescope.

Breaking Down The Tech Talk

Weighing in at a mere 19.9 ounces, the Nikon PROSTAFF 5 Riflescope is easily controlled by smooth, precision finger touch. The superior mechanical functioning of the integrated spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets, make field adjustments as simple as dialing in your range. The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 is fully optimized for perfect Spot On Ballistic Match Technology performance. Although the Spot On Tech, which allows you the ability to find all of your exact points of a target for various range and ammunition needs, is a fantastic industry standard for all Nikon riflescopes, it is truly an even better experience with the Nikon PROSTAFF 5.

Even during repeated, heavy recoil, your settings will remain locked in place, so when you use this scope, you say a definite goodbye to guesswork, and a big hello to improved performance with every shot. This is the best product choice when you’re looking for high a quality scope, and hunters can count on the fact that Nikon PROSTAFF 5 has successfully raised the bar on dependability, as well as durability in the market of excellent riflescopes.

Where Others Miss, Nikon Fits

No need to worry about comfort or a bad brow fit. Nothing was overlooked with the NIKON PROSTAFF 5, as it continues to set itself apart by providing a splendid fit (even with safety glasses), you get a vivid, 7.2 – 28.6 feet at 100 yards field of view that is seen through a high eye-point design that will not disappoint…regardless of recoil. The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 also utilizes a fantastic red or green illuminated Nikoplex reticle which features a rheostat dimmer with a convenient side focus knob.

The patented Nikoplex optics are incredibly efficient for filtering the best light transmission, even in low-level lighting situations – whether it is dusk, dawn, or anytime in between, this is the only scope you will need to guarantee a clear, precise, and comfortable shot, every time.

OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF THE NIKON PROSTAFF 5 RIFLESCOPE

• Illuminated Nikoplex Reticle
• Amazing Eye Relief
• Spot On Ballistic Match Technology
• Spring Loaded Instant Zero-Reset Technology

More Bang For Your Buck

The Nikon PROSTAFF 5 riflescope has quietly, and consistently, been finding its way up the lists of the markets top scopes for 2014 across the Internets top consumer websites. Bravo Nikon, you have successfully designed an “easy button” for accuracy. Let’s not forget to highlight some of the featured goodies that get overlooked, like, the Nikon Prostaff 5 is waterproof, and fog proof, it has a beautiful matte finish, and a precision 1/4 inch parallax adjustable setting. Perfect for use for Centerfire Short, Mid Range, and Centerfire Long Range, there is no doubt that you will shoot with more confidence on every pull.

For a long time, Nikon has been active in the optic markets. They are famous for their non-hunting and camera optics. However, over the past years, they have been steadily making a push into the sporting and hunting optics market.

One of the riflescopes that leads this charge is the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16×50 mm Riflescope. With its state of the art features, this is a good medium-range riflescope that hunters can use when stalking big game.

Construction

The Nikon Monarch 3 4-16×50 features a single piece body made of aluminum that is common in many high end riflescopes. With a weight of only 20 ounces, this is a very light scope for the amount of magnification that it offers users. It is not very often that a person will find a scope that only weighs 1.25 pounds with 16x on the high end. This makes it a great option for hunting at long range.

It also has a length of over 15 inches. This is very compact and is almost three inches shorter than other high end scopes on the market today. Each moving part on the Nikon Monarch 3 is up to snuff. The magnification and focus rings function perfectly, and there is no grinding.

The side focus has a push-pull locking mechanism that delivers some additional value. The turrets function well, and people do not need a tool to reindex the turrets.

Optical Quality

The optical quality on the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16×50 is very good. Chromatic aberration is very well controlled at any magnification and is actually less at higher levels. This is very surprising as similar riflescopes have chromatic aberration that gets worse when the magnification is increased. This is made possible through its sunshade adaptable feature. What is even better is that this also helps in keeping rain and dust off the objective lens in dusty environments and on rainy days.

The massive 50 mm ocular lens has an Ultra ClearCoat Optical System that provides the shooter with sharp and bright incredibly flat sight picture and light transmission up to its theoretical maximum of 95 percent. It is the reason why users report that this riflescope’s clarity goes all the way to the object and has no blurriness all the way to the edge of the sight picture.

Features

The inclusion of the flip up covers on the ocular and objective lenses are a nice touch. This flips up effortlessly and closes securely with a single finger. It also has a side focus dial that is easy to reach and allows people to quickly focus from a shooting position.

At the same time, it has enhanced mount ring spacing that provides mounting on virtually any rifle action regardless of the caliber. Unlike other riflescopes out there, the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16×50 also includes a large cleaning cloth.

The Monarch 3 has interchangeable turret technology as well. It can be customized with accessory target-style elevation and windage adjustment caps and knobs.

It also has the unique Monarch 3 Eyebox Technology to protect the shooter’s face. This riflescope also has smooth zoom control as well. The magnification reference numbers are viewable from the shooter’s position. This enables people to make quick and precise adjustments while in the field.

The Bottom Line

All in all, there is a lot to like about the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16×50 mm riflescope. Clear and bright glass, wide magnification range and great features are some of the reasons why this is one of the best riflescopes available on the market today. With this riflescope in their hands, shooters can stalk game accurately and effortlessly in any weather condition.

One of the most important accessories for anyone that owns a .22lr rifle is that of a scope. A scope can do wonders in assisting you when you’re out hunting or at the shooting range. No matter which type of .22 you’ve purchased, a scope heavily increases the chances of hitting your target. However, there are a myriad of aspects that you need to consider before buying one, factors that will allow you to purchase the perfect scope to match your rifle. As such, here’s an in-depth guide on what to look for when buying a scope and what common mistakes to avoid, as well as the best .22 rifle scopes on the market.

What to Look for When Purchasing a .22lr Rifle Scope

As with buying a rifle, the first thing you’re going to want to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a scope is that the higher the quality, the better it will perform. On that front, it’s recommended that you only consider a scope that is designed by one of the more mainstay brands and make sure that the build quality is excellent and won’t break at the first sign of tension. Since a .22 LR is used primarily as a means to hunt smaller game, such as grounds hogs, rabbits and squirrels, you will want a scope that will allow you to more readily hit the target from a greater distance than normal, making it easier to hit your target without having to get close to it.

It’s also important to understand that a higher price does not automatically equal higher quality. You don’t have to break the bank to buy a scope for your .22. What matters most is reliability, as well as making sure that the sights match up to where they are being pointed and that there are no reflections when looking through the scope. A higher price will give you a better optical resolution, but this is not necessary unless you are specifically looking to challenge yourself with extremely long range hunting. With that being said, you also don’t want to buy a scope that’s inexpensive and of shoddy craftsmanship.

When shopping for a scope, you will immediately notice that there are a myriad of different types available for purchase, with a 3-9×40 being the most common one for a .22. If you aren’t aware, the 3-9 stands for the amount that the scope’s magnification can be adjusted, while the 40 represents the size in millimeters of the lens you will be looking through. As smaller game can be tricky to spot without a good scope, it’s advisable to get a relatively high powered scope similar to the 3-9. However, you can also decide to merely stick with a fixed 4x power scope, as many hunters do just fine with one of these, but there are times when you may find yourself wanting a higher power. If you happen to be hunting deer or somewhat larger game at a closer distance, then you might want to think about opting for either a 1.5-5x or 2-7x variant.

If you’ve been hunting for many years, but have never thought about owning a scope, it’s also important to disregard everything you might have heard about scopes in the past. While older items are often higher quality and generally consist of better craftsmanship, the same does not hold true for scopes. Technology in scopes is evolving every day, creating better lens coatings options and click-stops for the adjustments. You will also find that newer models are becoming cheaper than some of the older ones, without sacrificing quality. You might want to think about purchasing an adjustable objective, the lens of the scope, as it allows you to change the focus depending on the range you’re shooting from. Scopes that contain this feature are usually pricier, but well worth it in the end.

Best .22 Rifle Scopes

When you’re in the market for a .22 rifle scope, it’s essential that you get your money’s worth. Some of the best brands on the market include Nikon, Leupold and Kahles, as well as a few others. If you’re on a budget and are looking for a scope that is of a high build quality, while also being a bit on the cheaper side, the Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 3-9×40 scope is the absolute best option at just around $130. This scope includes multicoated optics, a quick focus eyepiece and is waterproof and fog-proof, which will come in handy on those murky mornings out in the woods. If you’re looking for something a bit more high-end, then the Leupold VX-2 3-9×40 provides everything a hunter needs at just around $300, including waterproofing, a lens system that all but eliminates reflections and a larger reticule.

In today’s modern world of hunting, professional sport shooting or recreational target practice, there are numerous attachments and accessories on the market. Probably the most important attachment that one can purchase would be the tactical rifle scope. With a tactical rifle scope, one can greatly improve accuracy and improve proficiency with their respective rifle.

Before a decision can be made to purchase a tactical rifle scope, the shooter must first understand all of the factors that go into placing a scope on their rifle. The offerings that confront the consumer today are far greater than in years past. Tactical rifle scopes can vary greatly in design and price and beginning the decision making process can be very daunting indeed. Factors that a consumer must consider would be if the scope is being used for professional or recreational use, the distances that a shooter is going to be attempting the most, maximum range, environmental lighting situations, rifle caliber, length and total weight of the rifle, budget restrictions and most importantly, mechanical performance.

When a consumer is in the market for a tactical rifle scope, keep in mind that every shooting situation is different. As mentioned earlier, many factors come into play when choosing a scope. If you are a professional shooter, you may find a higher end scope to be more suitable than that of a recreational shooter. Professional shooters may need a higher powered scope that is durable, light weight and has maximum mechanical performance as the key performance points. A recreational shooter might lean towards a scope that is more affordable, slightly heavier, has a lower magnification rate. Of course, all factors must be considered and it is ultimately up to the individual shooter as to what qualities he needs in a scope.

The most important feature to discuss on a tactical rifle scope that is consistent among shooters, is the mechanical performance of that scope. Mechanical performance is crucial when choosing the best scope. If a scope is found to not have ease of use, repeatable adjustments or does not track well, that scope is probably not going to last very long sitting atop a shooter’s rifle. The consumer must be aware that a poorly operating scope can be an overlooked cause of sub-standard shooting. Always be on the lookout for a tactical scope that touts its’ mechanical performance and can back up that performance on the range or out in the field.

Once a decision has been made as to what kind of tactical rifle scope to purchase, the next stop in the process would be actually shopping for the right scope. This can be a daunting task if one is unprepared and unsure about exactly what they need in terms of function. There are hundreds of tactical scopes on the market that are more than capable of doing the job effectively, but knowing which one to buy and having knowledge of that scope, is half the battle.
The tactical rifle scopes that have the best reviews as it pertains to performance and budget, are the Millett 4-16×50mm Illuminated Tactical Riflescope and the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x50mm Side Focus tactical scope. Both of these scopes are very capable of delivering performance for under $500. It should be noted that there are many other companies out there with great tactical scopes that will fit into any budget, but it could literally take page after page to discuss each and every one. The Millett and Nikon are the two that we are focusing on for the shooter looking for a nice tactical rifle scope without spending too excessively.

The Millett 4-16x50mm Illuminated Tactical Riflescope comes in at around just over $300. This scope is a solid choice for hunters, professional shooters and recreational target shooters. Many shooters have found the Millett’s waterproof and shockproof design to be perfect for most shooting situations and the mechanical performance of the scope is top notch. The scope can handle a wide range of situations from low level lighting to long range target shooting in various weather situations. With its’ compact and lightweight design, the Millett scope fits easily into any bag and should complement most rifles.

The Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x50mm Side Focus tactical scope is more expensive than the Millett scope and retails for around $490. The Nikon boasts a very versatile scope that is capable of handling different lighting situations with ease. The side focus is an easy to reach adjustment that users will find pleasing and the scope can be mounted to basically any rifle action regardless of that rifle’s caliber. The Nikon’s mechanical performance is excellent and the scope also gives the shooter an ultra-clear sight picture on targets. This tactical scope also has an extremely lightweight and sturdy body that makes it reliable in many environments.
As you can see, the purchase of a tactical rifle scope can require the consumer to have varying knowledge of the intended purchase and also of the rifle. Armed with the right tools, the consumer can now make the purchase of the tactical rifle scope with much assurance and ease.