[mike sicowitz]

Hi guys'
I have been waiting a while for Nikon to come out with their new 4x12x40 with bullet drop (still not sure about that) from Prostaff. I have had my eye on it since December when they said it would be out April 30th. I'm putting it on the new Tikka 30.06 when it comes in. It seems like a good match: a fairly good scope for the money, and the same can be said for the Tikka. Although I must say that all these good deals are putting a serious squeeze on my wallet. I just wondered what you guys thought.
Sincerely,
Michael Sicowitz

 

[bsn]

have you looked through a BDC scope? I have several and to be honest at longer ranges the circles block to much of the target, I much prefer a standard set of crosshairs. Also for a 30-06 I would use a 3X9 instead of a 4X12.

 

[Tnhunter]

I tend to agree with bsn reference the BDC scope on a 30/06. A buddy put one (Nikon Buckmasters BDC) on a Tikka T3 in .270. I sighted it in for him and he promptly missed his first shot at a big Kentucky buck because he used the wrong aiming dot/circle. He did shoot another nice, but smaller buck the next week at an even longer range, but only after reminding himself which aiming point to use! Neither shot required anything but a standard crosshair figuring a MPBR of almost 300yds.

By purchasing a slightly lower magnification scope such as a 3-9, you can also get a better quality scope, such as a Bushnell Elite, Burris FFII or the Nikon Buckmasters model. There's nothing wrong with a Prostaff, they are nice enough scopes, but all three of the others are better glass to my eye. I personally don't see a real need for magnification higher than 9X on an '06 and have several of mine scoped with 3-9, 2.5-8, 2-7, and even straight 4X scopes. Even when sighting in a rifle at 100yds, there is little to no difference in groups shot at 9X or at 4X, if you do your part.

Good Luck!

 

[mike sicowitz]

messed up

Hi guys,
I was afraid I screwed up with the scope. I do however like Prostaff for the money, and I don't see so well anymore. With a 3x9 I can't see center at 200yrds-it's just luck if I hit center. So I thought with just a bit more power I could use a little less luck. As for the crosshairs, I figure almost all shots will be from the top and figure a few inches drop by myself. But there could be that one time where I have put in a solid week of hunting and only get a 350yrd shot. I figure that one time could make the choice worthwhile. But I agree, I don't like ANYTHING blocking my view. But heck, if it don't work out at the range maybe I can get the other scope and just hope they take the thing back, or use it on a varmint gun. Thanks for the help you guys-you guys know one heck of a lot more than I do. Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Michael Sicowitz

 

[Tnhunter]

Mike, I'm sure that scope will do a fine job for you. I used a Prostaff 2-7 to make a pretty long shot (225yds) on a nice buck right at the end of legal shooting one evening last season. The brightness was more than adequate in the low light. I'd also agree that it might be a good idea to simply use the main CH and your knowledge of trajectory for your particular load rather than the additional circles at least until you're more used to and comfortable with the scope set-up.
Good Luck.

 

[tpv]

Ditto, what some of you guys said. Nothing wrong with the Nikon, but their BDC is confusing and not needed, especially on a 30-06.
However, it seems that is the only reticle they push.

 

[tpv]

Of course, this post is from an uppity Texan ( insn't that right Phil?)

 

[CAROLINAHOAN]

Hi guys'
I have been waiting a while for Nikon to come out with their new 4x12x40 with bullet drop (still not sure about that) from Prostaff. I have had my eye on it since December when they said it would be out April 30th. I'm putting it on the new Tikka 30.06 when it comes in. It seems like a good match: a fairly good scope for the money, and the same can be said for the Tikka. Although I must say that all these good deals are putting a serious squeeze on my wallet. I just wondered what you guys thought.
Sincerely,
Michael Sicowitz

Thanks for the question...Mike... I also have a Tikka in 30/06 that is new to me, and I was gonna ask a similar question. Of course now my question is pretty much answered. I will let ya know that I am not a big fan of the BDC for exactly the reasons mentioned above. I would rather have simple cross hairs that do not cover up a longer range target, and hunt using the MPBR of the 30/06. I've got to make the most of the limited time that I get to hunt, and boy oh boy would I be a lil' bit upset if I missed a big 'ol Kentucky buck cuz I put the wrong circle on the vitals... After reading the above answers, I think I will put a 2-7 on mine. It should fit my needs perfectly. If you shoot yours before I shoot mine, (probably won't be until after turkey season), I sure would be interested in what shoots the best outta yours. I was thinkin' of just using core lokts this year..... good luck with it, and nice choice... i know i like mine a lot

 

[mike sicowitz]

Hi all,
I thought this question would trash the BDC. On you-tube, as you might suspect the prostaff guys really over sell the product like some slicer dicer at the state fair. Like you-for shells my first thoughts are core lokts in 180. On those videos they use a .308 at 2700 in 180 so they should be the same-or very close-to the drop of a 180gr in .06. As I recall at 2700fps the .308 and .06 with the same shell and speed should drop the same. On the plus side, your eye goes to the crosshairs. You need to carry a rangefinder for long shots anyhow. The only question on a long shot, is it closer to 200yds or 300yrds. I'm not going to shoot 180 grains 400yrds. They have shells for that but I'm a core lokt type myself. If I'm shooting at something that's way out there and I have the correct load sighted in, you can take a 400+and aim knowing your going to kill quickly. You can't say that if you have to Kentucky hold--although you still have to guess windage. I feel more shots are missed by drift anyhow. But, I could have returned it, but now I see that in a couple years it will come real natural. It already does: just looking at mailboxs down my road the extra power over a 3x9 is useful. I can read the names two blocks away. I got more power for sighting-in perfect. Now my shots will be dead center at 100yrds. That way at two hundred it should be close to perfect left to right. The drop is well known. At three hundred-that critcal range-if it's still on it will also be at greater ranges. Like I said, the drop is well known and starting to drop faster. The real question is the wind. If you put the slug inside the circle it should be in the kill zone. Anyway you cut it, it is still easier to find the correct ring on your scope to find the kill zone than having to guess both drop and windage. Like I said, it wont be tomorrow, but in a year it should feel pretty good. In the mean time it will be good-old core lokts in 180 and shooting at a reasonable distance with the crosshairs. Thanks for the comment Carolina, good luck with your Tikka. One final observation-that scope is well made and very nice looking. It appears plenty sturdy, possibly their best effort to date, and remember I could have returned it no questions asked. But I can see myself getting better and can't wait to have some real fun learning to master the new more powerful BDC prostaff 4x12, first at the range than the field. Thanks for hearing me out.
Sincerely,
Michael Sicowitz