I know, I know... but I can't make up my mind after reading the many threads on these scopes.

The good thing about all the reading I did was that I avoided making the mistake of ordering a Barska 3-9x42 IR 2nd Generation Sniper Scope...

I have a M&P15OR 5.56 (16"). When I got it, a few years ago, I got a inexpensive red dot sight, then, after a few months, got a set of iron sights. Where I was doing fine with the red dot at the range, I can't hit anything with the iron sights. I went to the range yesterday to try to adjust the sights in an effort to zero in the darn thing... it just was not the day for me... So I will try again next weekend.

Anyway, looking for suggestions on which Nikon to get. Nikon P-223 - 3x32 or 3-9x40??

All I do with the rifle is to go to the local open shooting range and do target shooting (100 and 200).

Which one would you recommend?

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Wachuko

If you're shooting with my eyes, at 200 - the 3-9, or better. Save a little money and get the P series 2 piece mount too.

You mean the Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 50 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC)???

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Wachuko

I have the Nikon P223 3-9x40 on the Burris P.E.P.R mount, seems to be a good combination. I have shot a lot of rounds with it and seems to hold zero and the glass is crystal clear. I think its a great scope for the money.

I don't think the 50mm objective would do much for you on a 9x scope. I was thinking more on a higher mag scope, maybe a Nikon Prostaff 4-12X40 in the same price range as the P223, or the M223 3-12X42 for a bunch more. My OR has a Bushnell 5-15X40 on it, as I've said before I need all the help I can get.

Great... now even more confused with more options

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Wachuko

Pardon the ignorance... 3-9x40 versus 4-12X40 ?? What do I gain from one or the other? What is the trade off?? Newbie here, so be gentle...

Edit: Found some answers on a web search...

Quote:

"3x9 means it has a low magnification setting of 3 power, and a high magnification setting of 9 power. 3x9 is considered a good scope for brush where you can encounter the deer/target at close range - and shooting at 3x is the perfect setting. If you have the scope set above 5x it can be impossible to follow a moving deer or if it is too close - all you see is brown fur - you have no idea if the crosshairs are on it's shoulder or ***. This is the scope you choose for really thick areas of hunting. 4x12 means 4x at the low side and 12x at the high side. This scope is excellent for more open areas of hunting big game, is best for small game at distance, and is also great for the target range. This is a much more versitile scope....... but not what you want for close in thick hunting situations. Besides these numbers - you need to pay attention to the first number like 50mm 4x12x. Front number like 32mm and 40mm are not good for morning and late dusk hunting because this is the size of the front lens used to gather all the light...... and for hunting at dusk, dawn, and varmints having a 48mm or 50mm is a huge plus."

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Wachuko

First number is the lowest magnification power of the scope, the second is the highest, the third number is the size of the objective lense. Speaking for myself, I "need" the higher magnification. I also have a 3-9X40 on a Mini14 and that works well for me at 100, but if you are shooting out to 200 yds a higher mag would be very helpful. The problem is cost - higher mag in a quality scope means escalating prices.

Thank you. I will stop by the local store and see if they have both units available and then decide.

Just one more question... so if I decide to go with a 3-9 then best to go with the 50mm for more/better light? If I stay in the 100 yard target range... and 4-12 if I decide to go with more magnification for longer distances...

I don't plan on switching/swapping sights... whatever I get will stay installed. And yes, I am not getting any younger...so my eyes are going down hill from here...

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Wachuko

I can only tell you what I would do given my personal needs. In a general sense, obviously the further the distance the more magnification you need. I would want at least the 12X at 200yds, and in my opinion paying for a 50mm lense on a 9 or 12 power scope would not give you much given the added cost and given you are buying a quality scope (Nikon).

As others have suggested, take a look at the Nikon P-223 3-9x40. I have one on my AR and like it a lot. It has great, clear, crisp optics at a great price. There was a $30 rebate; I'm not sure if is still ongoing or not.

Thank you all for your comments!! There were no rebates available at this time. All scopes that I was looking at were around the same price (197.00, 189.00, 201.00) + 37 for the rings...

Ended up ordering the Nikon ProStaff 4-12 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC) and a set of rings. Should be here in two days.

Got a spotting scope and some targets as well...

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Wachuko

Some great information passed on to you W., I think you'll be very happy with your decision. Make sure you utilize Nikon's Spot On Ballistic Program to maximize the accuracy of your BDC reticle. Spot On will let you dial in your cal., ammo and scope as one. Great program and free to use!

I just thought about this, the biggest benefit to a 50 objective over a 40 or 42 is the field of view through the scope. When using it to varmint hunt the bigger FOV is a plus in my books and I have run both size of objectives and still do. I have a couple of old scopes that have an objective of 30 and 32 and even an old rimfire that has a 20. I do not use any of those anymore, I mostly use 40 except for my long distance shooting guns and those I run 50 on. When you are trying to see the prairie dog that you spotted with your binoculars with a 40mm Objective you search a lot harder than you do a 50mm but that is my experience and everybody may not agree.

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Grover Oathkeeper

I have the Nikon 3-9 x 40 and love it, for my older eyes the 3x just wasn't enough lol

Besides no rebates'none in stock anywhere. Ordered from planet optics on cyber Monday,got an email wed telling me not in stock . Anyone know where to find p-223 3-9?

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At least you are not in my shoes and recognizing an ACOG variant is what will "meet your needs" so ya gotta wait a year and save! lol

Scope is here I will take it out to the range on Saturday to test.

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Wachuko

That is what I thought, plus more light coming in simply because of the size of the front glass. At the end, magnification won over the choices I had.

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Wachuko

Ahhh the beauty of ignorance

I almost fell out of my chair when I searched on ACOG and saw the price on this: TA648 (Trijicon 6x48 ACOG Scope)

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Wachuko

Not ignorance at all. ACOGs are the only scopes that meet MY requirements. No other battery free scope can touch them for what I want out of a scope. just my 2 cents. ...plus I always shoot my rifles iron sights only until familiar then I scope em. It really all depends on what you want to do with your rifle.

I meant ignorance on my part.... You got me to start searching on it

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Wachuko

Lmao!! Ok no prob man. I'm not an AR15 expert. Just bought mine and have a lot to learn but I've owned other rifles and been down this road. Truth be told I was considering the same Nikon scope but when I considered everything decided I'll wait a year if I have to! Optic choice is everything. No right no wrong just what makes you happy. Lots of members here like tube type distance scopes some like battle types like the Eotechs from what I read. Lots of red dot guys. I'll have to find the article that helped me realize I am broke. lol

http://demigodllc.com/articles/fight...for-the-ar-15/

It's a good read.

The larger the objective, the more light gathered and the greater the field of view. 40mm is about average, and 50mm is big glass (2"), which may require the next taller set of mounts. You might need a pad of some sort to get the proper cheek weld with a 50mm scope. The exit pupil is the objective diameter divided by the magnification. The human eye is 7 mm when dilated, which is the maximum useful exit pupil of a telescope (e.g., 7x50 or 3x20).

Here is what I just received back from optics planet saying the product is discontinued, which is very hard to believe...

If anyone knows where these are in stock, or coming shortly, would appreciate a heads up.

Greetings from OpticsPlanet.com!

Thank you for your order. We sincerely apologize, but we have just found out that the item you ordered:
==================================================================
Nikon P-223 3-9x40 Rifle Scope, Matte Black, w/ BDC 600 Reticle, w/ Nikon P-Series Scope Mount w/ Rings 826 $224.90 Nikon P-Series Scope Mount w/ Rings 826 $0.00 Nikon P-223 3-9x40 Rifle Scope, Matte Black, w/ BDC 600 Reticle 8497 $0.00 ==================================================================
has been discontinued. We tried to locate any remaining stock at our distributors, but without success.

Keep looking, I still like my Bushnells but as have been stated earlier...it is a matter of choice...I promise you, only you know what you require out of optics. We can give you recommendations all day long but it comes back to what you want and what you will be shooting. At what distance, what target. it is up to you. In this case it truly can be said "the world is your oyster" and the truth cant be stated any better than that!!!!

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Grover Oathkeeper

Ebay still has some of these scopes. Most do not come with the rings though.

I bought my P-223 from Ebay and got a pretty good deal on it.

Well said!!

What might be discontinued is the combo as I believe that was just during the launch.... You need to buy those now separetly...

Amazon shows them as backorder until Dec 20

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-223-3-...ds=nikon+p+223

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Wachuko

Try Cabela's.

Guy's, I can't tell you where to buy, but I promise that Nikon's P-223 3-9 BDC 600 scope will not be discontinued anytime soon. Perhaps a google search might be in order?

Hey Bart, totally off topic but, I have a P22 2-7x32 on my 15-22. It is safe to put it on my M&P 15T? I know the P22 is meant for a rimfire rifle but would like to try it on my 15T at least until I can get a P223 for it? I don't want to damage the P22 if it is not safe to use on the 15T?

I don't think any scope that can fit on any rifle with the proper rings would be "unsafe". It may not be ideal for what you want the optic to do but that's another matter.

Well maybe if you were mounting a more fragile target scope on a 50 cal Barrett with massive recoil.....

I know a few here have my 50mm objective Nitrex scope on their MP's and use them for long distance shooting apparently without issue.

I have 50mm AO Bushnells and a Nitrex mounted with no issues. I am no expert but I would rather imagine if it says Nikon on it, it may not be ideal but it would darn sure work!

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Grover Oathkeeper

I have never had a bad Nikon...and I have a bunch of them.

Jim, I have a P223 3X9 X 40 ...if you want to try one out and see if you like it? You pay shipping...the scope is new ...I tried it on my sport...my eyes just needed more X so I put the Nitrex on it. I liked the P223...nothing wrong with it, I just like more than 9 power for target work.
John

If he's not interested I may be!!

John is such a great guy....he is willing to help anyone out!!

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Grover Oathkeeper

Will my A2 front sight interfere with a P223 3-9x40?


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No because the focal plane is so much further out, if and thats a big if, you see anything it will be a blur. I have had scopes almost touching the front sight and havent been able to see them. The problem I came up with long scopes and eye relief is that the A2 front sight may not let you mount your scope far enough forward for proper eye relief.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Thanks. Now I just need to figure out which ring mounts I want to go with.


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I just bought the P-223 and P-series mounts for my Sport. Haven't tried them yet but glad to see the comments you received.

J. Great to hear it. I think you'll be very happy. Awesome scope for the money. Post some pics when you get a chance. Small world, I used to live in Beaverton,Or.

For those looking at the P-223 3x32 and interested in a QD mount....the "UTG QD 1" Scope Rings Offset Mount w/ 2 Picatinny Slots - M1S35070R2" works perfect with the P-223. Add a 1/2" riser under it and it will clear a Magpul MBUS flip up sight just fine and allows you to get the correct amount of eye relief.

How is the repeatability with those QD rings. I have found the only reason to have QD rings is if I am going to be removing and then remounting my scope. If I'm doing this I need to have previous zero repatability. The only mounts I have been able to do this with our Larue's QD Mounts. It would be great some have a much less expensive option. I look forwar dot hearing what you think.

Different model but hey... whats another pic Love the offset iron sights and the Nikon mount is worth the $$. This is 2X7X32 and I love it.

Very cool, nice pic! Love the off set iron's too!

Same here, just picked up an M-223 2-8x with the M223 rings, but will probably look at some QR solution in the near future. I expect my Micro to be on the rails 85% time, to be honest. Switching out is not so much a speed thing as a repeatable zero desire. Larue of course is always recommended, but I too would like to find a slight less costly option, if it exists .

Here's a quick mount job, will need some tweaking I'm sure, just wanted to get it on the upper & make sure the mount would work out ok in the meantime...

They are new to me as well. If the weather holds, I hope to make it to the range this weekend to get it sighted back in after the mount and forearm changes I've done. I will be testing removing the mount to shot iron sights, then reattaching to check zero. With luck I'll be able to answer the repeatability question this weekend.
I looked at Larue as well, but there wasn't an option that I could find that would work with the short Nikon P223 scope.

Flip the mount around on the reciever. The offset mount is designed to push the optic forward inorder to give the shooter proper eye relief. (never mind.. forget I mentioned it)