A "250" 10/22 Scope/NIKON Prostaff P3 Target EFR 3-9X40 AO

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

Below is a review on a Nikon scope both myself and my daughter have been using for awhile now.  I shot my perfect 250 with it (that was not the reason for the 250, but ...it was what I used), and we have both done very well with that scope for 25M AQTs, and 200 yard AS KD Rimfire events.  We also use that scope for CMP Rimfire Sporter, but it has to get taped at 6X, per the CMP rules.
 
We have been thru a few scopes with our 10/22's mostly Leupolds, one fixed power 4X and another variable 7X.  In fact, I have a Leupold Variable 7X inside a Tactical Solutions mount (a mount I highly recommend) that I would be willing to part with, if anyone is interested, shoot me a PM on it. 

I wanted an optic that would be appropriate for both 25M AQT shooting and also for 100 yards small bore prone fun matches, and the occasional 200 yard Appleseed KD event.

For the 200 yard KD Rimfire stuff, a scope with easily adjustable target turrets (tall) was what I was looking for.  Not really into using a flat blade screwdriver or a dime to move the dials, and I wanted one with CLICKS, not friction.  I think the 4X fixed Leupold is a friction adjust, not ideal, but more than adequate for Appleseed 25M.

Nikon scopes are on EGW 20 MOA bases and Tactical Solutions Edge one piece cantilever mounts.

I shoot solely 3 position, so I set the eye relief up for unsupported prone (with a loop sling), optic positioning was set with scope at 9X.

After eye relief and scope leveling was accomplished, I then focused the reticle.

Review:

Ocular/reticle focus is VERY sensitive, after focusing, 1/2" of movement on that ring and I can see 2 crosshairs. Nice! I was able to get a crystal clear, crisp and immediate focused reticle. Only complaint, is no lock ring. I did apply a witness mark with a white sharpie, although I doubt it will move on me. There is significant resistance when turning the focus knob.  In the year that I have used this scope, the focus has never moved on me.

This scope is advertised as 1/4 MOA per click. Some websites have it advertised as 1/4" at 50 yards (that is 1/2 MOA). Per the scopes paperwork from the box, it is 1/4 MOA per click.  As verified thru tracking tests, this scope is indeed 1/4 MOA per click.

NOTE: Scope is listed in the NIKON SPOT ON app, however the math that it displays is for 1/2 MOA not 1/4 MOA. So easy enough to "double" the clicks. But the APP needs to be updated as it is indeed 1/4 MOA.  I contacted NIKON about this, still no update to the app.

I have never shot as close as 25 yards on 9X!  For the past 4 years, I have been solely shooting NRA High Power Rifle, and using no more than 4.5X for everything. My CMP Rimfire sporter rifle, I shoot that at 6X, so 9X was a new thing for me.

I zero'd it in at 25 yards on a squares target. Adjusted the parallax focus for 25 yards and tweaked it from there. Very clear target image, and very clear reticle.

One thing I realized immediately, is that I can see a LOT more movement from pulse on 9X than at 6X or 4.5X.

I sighted in on black dots that were just under .25 inch, 1 MOA dots on the squares targets.  The circle in the center of the crosshairs at 9X seemed to be just under 1 MOA.

At 9 X I shot a 1.25 MOA group, and then at 8 and 7X the groups opened. at 6X the group was just over 1.25 MOA and then it opened up again at 5X and 4X.

Not sure if that is the scope or me. Likely me, but it was interesting that the groups did open on different magnifications. Would need to bench test to see if there is anything to that on different magnifications.

Clicks definitely move the impact 1/4 MOA, 4 clicks did move POI 1/4" on the AS squares target, and it tracked perfectly out to 100 and 200 yards in small bore prone and AS KD Rimfire.

All in all, this is an impressive scope to me.  I like the close up parallax adjustment/AO.  It appears to be able to focus in under 25 yards as well, although there is no marking reference for anything under 25 yards.   I have used this scope with my SCATT system dry firing at a distance of 14 feet, it is not perfect, but it definitely is adequate.

The AO markings are not to be trusted as they are a rough estimate.  For instance, when shooting 25 yards, set the front dial to 25, but then fine tune it from there, same goes for other distances, 50 yards, etc.

This is an upgrade from an older Nikon model, and the older model is 1/2 MOA per click. 

The scope also has turrets that are very easy to index to zero, simply lift up on the turret and rotate and slide back into place.  It is a very easy system, and reliable.

In closing the best things about it are:
VERY FINE Target reticle
Adjustable Objective (Just remember to actually use it)
40MM objective gathers a LOT of light
Positive and repeatable 1/4 MOA Clicks

I paid under $200 for this scope, and have been very happy with it for the price.

I have this scope on a 20MOA base, and have done the math.  It does have "just enough" elevation travel to get one out to 200 yards without a 20MOA base, but that depends a lot on the height of the mount as well.  In my case it would work without the 20 MOA base.  My 200 yard come up from a 50 yard zero is 24MOA, that is simply one complete turn up as one turn is equal to 24 MOA.

The only complaint I have, is I wish it had a return to zero function.  That can come in really handy when shooting a 200 yard KD rimfire, but...for the price what one gets is definitely of value.

R/
Chris

[Captain]

Thanks for the scope review. I would like to get something a little better on my Appleseed 25m AQT rifle that will also get out to 200+.

[pblanc]

I also like a 3-9x40 scope for Appleseed shoots at 25 meters.  I have not used the Nikon 3-9x40 EFR, but I have four other Nikon scopes and I agree they are of quite good quality at the price points.

I like my Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO scope which runs $109.99 on Amazon.  I have also used a fixed magnification Hawke Vantage 4x32 AO for Appleseed. 

I too position my scopes for shooting prone at maximum magnification.  I will move them as far rearward as possible when slung up prone to the point I can still get a full field of view through the scope without vignetting or a ghost ring.  The 40 mm objective still provides a decent exit pupil of 4.44 mm at 9X magnification.

I find magnification greater than 4X to improve my accuracy on the 300 and 400 scaled target silhouttes, particularly the latter.  I usually shoot offhand with the scope zoomed to between 3 and 4 X, sitting around 5-6 X, timed prone around 7-8X and slow prone at 9X. 

The adjustable objective on the Hawke Vantage scopes works very well.  The optical clarity and the reticle quality seem quite comparable to that of my Nikon scopes.  But I have only used these scopes in day light conditions or at a fairly well-lit indoor range.  The Hawke Vantage scopes have capped turrets but the elevation and windage adjustments can be made by finger and thumb.  Adjustment gradation is 1/4 MOA per click, and that seems accurate.

I have heard of some experiencing a shift in POI with changes in magnification with less expensive scopes.  That does not appear to be the case with the Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO.

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

I also like a 3-9x40 scope for Appleseed shoots at 25 meters.  I have not used the Nikon 3-9x40 EFR, but I have four other Nikon scopes and I agree they are of quite good quality at the price points.

I like my Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO scope which runs $109.99 on Amazon.  I have also used a fixed magnification Hawke Vantage 4x32 AO for Appleseed. 

I too position my scopes for shooting prone at maximum magnification.  I will move them as far rearward as possible when slung up prone to the point I can still get a full field of view through the scope without vignetting or a ghost ring.  The 40 mm objective still provides a decent exit pupil of 4.44 mm at 9X magnification.

I find magnification greater than 4X to improve my accuracy on the 300 and 400 scaled target silhouttes, particularly the latter.  I usually shoot offhand with the scope zoomed to between 3 and 4 X, sitting around 5-6 X, timed prone around 7-8X and slow prone at 9X. 

The adjustable objective on the Hawke Vantage scopes works very well.  The optical clarity and the reticle quality seem quite comparable to that of my Nikon scopes.  But I have only used these scopes in day light conditions or at a fairly well-lit indoor range.  The Hawke Vantage scopes have capped turrets but the elevation and windage adjustments can be made by finger and thumb.  Adjustment gradation is 1/4 MOA per click, and that seems accurate.

I have heard of some experiencing a shift in POI with changes in magnification with less expensive scopes.  That does not appear to be the case with the Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 AO.

I prefer more magnification at distance as well, unfortunately in NRA HP we are limited in the service rifle category to 4.5X max, but once I leg out and earn my distinguished badge, I will be building a match rifle, which allows unlimited magnification.

Hawke optics are real nice, I have one on my crossbow!

Not sure why the POI shifts occur with magnification, I did experience that though.  Someday, likely never, I'll check em from a bench, LOL

R/
Chris

[CarrollMS]

I set up a bug-buster on a 10/22 for prone but found it was way too forward for a heads up standing position and moved it twice eventually in the rail to the rear.
Now when I shoot iron sights I don't seem to have such issues and on an M4 Colt Walther use NTCH for every position

[AF5US]

I can't tell you how happy I am to read a positive review of this model, since I just bought a couple of them 

I JUST got them, so I haven't even had time to install them yet.  That said - Two things:

1. My scopes DO have a parallax setting for 10 in addition to 25, but it's waaaaaaay past where you would think you'd have to turn.
2. Nikon was nice enough to give me an instructor discount on these, after I asked politely.  If interested, see the write-up in the Instructor Deals section of the forum.

[BamaFan7]

I may have to give this one a go on my 2nd rifle.