Leupold and Nikon off track?

[grouse]

I have been a avid Leupold nut for years. Over a year ago i started playing around with the Nikon Omega BDC muzzleloader scope. I really ended up not liking that reticle but love the Nikoplex reticle. Little thicker cross hairs and 5" eye relief just works really well for me. The scope seems very clear in all light conditions as well.

I actually bought one of the new Leupold Ultimate slam scopes, and Leupold actually sent me one to play around with. To make a long story short, i havent really played with it. I did mount it on my Knight Vision and shot it with really nothing special to brag about. Good glass, very clear and well made like any other Leupold scope. These Nikons really impress me for some reason and i dont really know why. Do any of you like Nikon scopes? How do you compare the Buckmasters to the Leupolds? I'm anxious to hear some other opinions on these scopes

[bubba]

I have a monarch 3-9-40 on my encore 7-08 barrel.  It took me a ong time to get it to where I am comfortable with the eye relief, but, now that I have it where I want it, it is a great scope.  I am used to bushnell banners, but, I am slowly going to replace all of them with nikon's.  I doubt I will use the Omega for two reasons.  1 I do not use 150 grains in my muzzleloaders, so the bdc will not be of any use.  Also I do not shoot deer with a center fire rifle over 150 yards, much less a muzzleloader.  My encore 209x50 wil have a monarch on it soon, then my sidekick and 300 savage.  I like the quick focus on the monarch.  Otherwise I would have the buckmaster. I would give them a 3 thumbs up if I had 3 thumbs.

[grouse]

I take it the Monarch is a step up from the Buckmaster?

[mirage1988]

I have a nikon monarch on my 7mm (not the bsdc reticle). It was the one of the clearest scopes I looked thru, had loopies on the counter too. I bought it because it had the longest range of eye relief of all the scopes I tried, as soon as that gun is close to the shoulder, you can see thru the scope. Read all the charts you want, until you try it, you won't know. If minnesota ever allows scopes during mz season, that scope is going on my encore. I think the monarch is their top model, it was when I bought mine 4 years ago. One of my buddies, has top-line everything,"if it aint a loopie, it ain't a scope," (one of those guys)- looked thru my nikon, said "hmmm, thats not too bad", enough said!

[jammer308]

I have a nikon 2 x20 handgun scope and a pro-staff 2-7 x32 rifle scope. They both are very clear and the 2-7 x32 really impresses me everytime I look through it. Especially just before the sun comes up, or just after it sets when I need it most. They are really good scopes for the money.

I got the pro-staff because a buddy has one and the first time I looked through his it was an instant eye opener.

[bubba]

the monarh os the top of the line for nikon.  I will hav eone on my encore muzzleloader barrel as soon as my taxes show up.  for my money you cant beat htem.

[45-70.gov]

i  have a few  nikons

that 3x9 40  prostaf  is the best scope for the money

i  have a 4x12     50  monarck on  my  smith AR.....not alot beeter than the prostaf


lots of eye releif......hope  they  hold  up  like  the leopolds

[elkstalkr]

I have had both and prefer Leupold.   Leupold is made in the USA!  Nikon in the Phillipines!

Plus the customer service with Leupold is second to none.  I have sent in 4 items with leupold and they were repaired or replaced completely free of charge.  I sent in 1 item to nikon and had to pay $20 to get it fixed, never bought nikon stuff since.  Nikon cheaper, but its made overseas and the customer service isn't up to par IMO.

[Bigeasy]

I have never owned a Nikon scope, just Leupold's on my serious stuff, and Simmons on the rest.  But I am a serious wildlife photographer, and own all Nikon gear, including lenses that cost a lot of money.  Nikon is one of the few optical manufacturers who make their own glass, and are a small company compared to giants such as Canon.  There is a reason most pros use Nikon - quality results.  That means quality glass.  Nikon has plants in several countries besides Japan.  These plants take advantage of cheaper labor (like GM making cars in Mexico...)  but are still ran to Nikon's high standards.  I woulkd be suprised if Nikon's rifle scopes were anything but top quality.

Larry

[Tn Jim]

Nikon Monarch 3-9X40 on my 7-08. Nikon Buckmaster 3-9X40 on my 50 MZ. Simmons Pro Diamond shotgun scope on my 45-70. My Monarch is the clearest scope I have looked through, and I have checked out a Lupy.

[wilks]

I've got 2 monarch 3x9's and 7 leupolds. had the nikons both on big game guns but found them to be a bit fragile as far as taking bumps and staying on center. Never an issue with the leupolds. The nikons are now both mounted to rimfires. (less agony over a rimfire miss if one's bumped)
Getting ready to buy my son a scope for his birthday,to go on the 7mm-08 he got for christmas, it wil be a leupold.
For my money the leupolds are the best I can afford.