Nikon P-223 - 3x32 or 3-9x40??

wachuko

wachuko

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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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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.
 
Stebo said:
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.
Click to expand...

You mean the Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 50 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC)???
 
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. :)
 
Stebo said:
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. :)
Click to expand...


Great... now even more confused with more options :rolleyes: :)
 
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...

"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."
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Stebo said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...
 
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).
 
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...
 
Nikon Scope

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.
 
I have the Nikon 3-9 x 40 and love it, for my older eyes the 3x just wasn't enough lol
 
wachuko said:
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...
Click to expand...

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?

Sent from my A200 using Tapatalk 2
 
Scope is here :cool: I will take it out to the range on Saturday to test.

Scope-1.jpg


Scope-2.jpg
 
oneyeopn said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
zip777 said:
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
Click to expand...

Ahhh the beauty of ignorance :p

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