Nikon 6x18 Side Focus ???

6mm06

6mm06

Well-known member
Does anyone have experience with the Nikon Buckmaster 6x18x40 Side Focus A/0 Crosshair / Dot rifle scope?

I am looking for a scope for my 6mm-06 that has target turrents. Currently I have a Leupols 4.5x14 Vari-X 111 on the rifle and it does a fine job, except it is not a target model.

I notice the Nikon Buckmaster series is reasonably priced and more affordable than the Leupold (which I really like). I can get the Nikon for less than $300, but, is it a good quality scope and dependable?

What about dot reticles? I have never owned a scope with a dot and I'm wondering how it might work for longer range shots at groundhogs?

If anyone has experience with the Nikon Buckmaster series or this particular model, and also dot reticles, I would be very interested in hearing what you have to say.

Thanks and good shooting.
 
6mm06,

I have a Nikon 4.5x14x40 on my 223 LTR and love it. I also have the Nikon 6x18x40 on my 308 LTR, although I havent fired it as much as my 223, both scopes seem to be outstanding.

I, (I) think they are clearer than the Leu's but that is my own opinon, every body will have there own, but I think you will like the scope.

Best of luck
 
I own two Nikon Buckmaster 6x18's . Love both of them. They are the old style with the adjustment on the bell, not the side focus. I wouldn't hesitate on buying another Nikon.
 
Go for it!! Nikon is good glass for the money. As has already been mentioned, spending more dollars doesn't always net you that much better performance.
 
I am definately not a scope expert... But... I just bought a 4.5-14x40 SF Buckmaster for a 22-250 Remington 700 VLS. I am VERY IMPRESSED! That side focus is sweet!

I think it may well be a bit sharper than the 3-9x40 Bushnell Elite 3200 I have on another rifle.

I will definately buy another Buckmaster.

me!
 
6mm06 ,

Howdy bud.
I have a 6x18-40 w/side focus on my xr-100 22-250 ,it's a really nice scope for the money.
Got mine from Jon at the optic zone.
ME is right about it being brighter than the elite 3200.
Remember that w/a side focus [parallax] scope it must be turned to infinity and then back to parallax free.In other words you can't have it on 175yds and turn it to 400yds and it be 'true'.Infinity then down to 400yds and your ready to send an old hog/crow to hog/crow heaven!
Best of luck -Mike
 
Dots that are large enough for fast use up close usually cover up too much of a small target at long range.
Dots are personal, some people like them, some people hate them. Try to borrow one somewhere to try out before buying one.

Jack
 
Dot reticles are OK, but when i go long-range i like to have some reference along the reticle's horizontal axis for more accurate windage reference. Mil-dot serves well for this app.
 
Well Guys, seems that everyone likes the Nikon. I guess I'll just have to order one. I think everyone's opinion about this scope has me excited about it. Deciding on the reticle is the issue right now. Maybe the dot reticle is not such a good idea? I was thinking it might be easy to get on target, but also, I don't want to cover up so much of my target that I can't shoot good groups. I think the Nikon has a 1/8 MOA dot if I am correct. That's pretty small.

Now another question, is the mil-dot better? I'm not sure if the 6x18 is available in mil-dot. Or, would everyone stick with the regular crosshair? Most of my shooting is done under 400 yards.

Mike, thanks for the tip about turning the side focus to infinity and then back to the desired distance. I didn't know that and I appreciate the information.
 
6mm06 ,

I don't like the dot reticle myself ,the duplex is what i'm accustomed to.
The mil-dot takes some learning -sscoyote knows his stuff in this area but 400yds is a chip shot to him and his shooting partners.
You can go to biggameinfo.com and punch in your bullet caliber ,velocity ,elevation ,etc. it will give you the mpbr = maximum point blank range for your set-up.
This will keep things relativly simple and give you the number of clicks for the range you'll be shooting.
Then you can check your drop chart in the field just to feel warm and fuzzy.
Good luck _Mike
 
Nikon used to call the reticle you're considering a "Mil-Dot"...
They're now referring to it as "BDC" - Bullet Drop Compensator.

The 1/8" is the adjustment at 100 yards for every click of the knobs.
On the 4.5-14 it's 1/4" of adjustment per click.

I spent a LOT of time pouring over those specs before I purchased mine! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I can be really anal sometimes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
No, actually the BDC is a reticle with small circles in it.
You can hold in the middle of the circle or the top or bottom of the circle & this will give you three sight settings per circle plus use the edges of the circles for windage. A big plus is the reticle doesn't "hide" a small Varmit like a Mil-Dot does. Mil-Dot & BDC are 2 separate options. I plan on getting a couple of BDC units soon, may be the way to go.
 
Yep! NomoSendero is right!

I just got my Cabela's catalog and it seems they offer the 4.5-14 in both Mil-Dot and BDC. Everything else it looks like has gone to the BDC.
 
Well, I have looked at the BDC and don't quite know what to make of it. The circles seem to not give a definite aiming point, but maybe I'm wrong. How can you aim in a circle at long range? It may be similar to a peep sight. I can see that the edges might give different positions, but that seems to be a lot to consider when shooting in a hurry. Again, maybe I'm wrong and just ignorant of the practical side of it. I really would appreciate other opinions about the BDC reticle and just how well it works. I'd like to make a good purchase from the get-go.

Thanks to everyone who has responded, and I hope to learn much more.
 
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Yes, and I am going to study this some more also. I need to buy 2 new scopes & I may buy 1 first and make sure it will work. Ian McMurchy indicated on LRH that it worked very well & he has tested it a great deal. He advertises for Nikon & writes for American Hunter and other as well, so take it for what it is worth but he appears to be more straight forward than the average writer.

If I remember right these circles are 1 MOA, if so I don't think this will be a problem. Even at 600 yards with a 3" wide PD, you could easily center him in the circle. I was planning on keeping the value of the center of the circles
in my memory just like Mil-Dot but having this on a card on the stock with the value on the top & the bottom of each circle also posted for in between yardages. Also, remember
that with a Mil-Dot part of the target is hidden & you use
the Verticle crosshair above and below the Dot & this will still be the case.

One of the problems of the Mil-Dots is that with tiny targets, these dots can cover up that target if you use them for holdover, not the case with these circles.

And with any of these scopes, after 700 yards or so (paper
at this point for me) then I think it is better at that yardage and beyond to click up anyway.

As far as speed goes, I don't plan on using these circles to 300 yards or so anyway & at that range & beyond I don't want to shoot unless I have time to get set & I can glance at the card while I am getting set for the shot.
 
Quote:
If I remember right these circles are 1 MOA, if so I don't think this will be a problem.


.....but at what power? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
1 MOA at 18x would be 2 MOA at 12x and 3 MOA at 6x.
 
Yes indeed & I am glad you reminded me of that. Most with Mil-Dots are based on 10 power, but I have a 44Mag 6.5X20
Mil-Dot(works well for a cheapo BTW) that is calibrated for 20 power. If I get time I will E-Mail Nikon tomorrow & ask, if anyone gets the chance first, that would be great.

I just took a break, I am loading a bunch of 223 rounds, I
will see y'all tomorrow.
 
Me, I mentioned yesterday that I would E-Mail Nikon & get the specs. in regards to the circles. Well, some of you may have E-Mailed Nikon in the past & probably got a good chuckle out of that! Viewing products on the site is fine but when it came time to E-Mail them I had to go from screen to screen & I felt like I was trying to bust into the pentagon computer! I won't be doing that anymore!!!

Anyway just as good I made a post on LRH which Ian Mcmurchy
is heavily involved in (the gentleman in the Nikon BDC mag.
advertisements). This scope is offered in 4.5X14 & 6X18.
He said the circles are not MOA but range from 2-3" depending on the scope & the power setting. He said they are not too big & work well for aiming points.
Then a long range shooter entered a post & said he attended
the NIkon Long Shot Challange in TX., did any of you go to that? Anyway he tried it & with the first shot centered a
steel Deer at 500 yards. Then when he saw where it hit, he placed on in the eye area & is most impressed. I have confidence in what he says, he does alot of long range shooting, not the 300-400 yd. 223 shooting, I mean way out there & is very picky.
I will get some bonus money soon & intend to give one a try.
I will post the results.
 
i will be mounting one up this weekend on my new .223wssm and can't wait.i have two mildot buckmasters on other guns that i like alot will see how the new reticle is maybe next weekend.
 


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