Rifle Scopes Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

[JelloStorm]

Hey all,

I'm looking at the Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF model for my new hunting rifle, and I'd like to hear others' opinions and reviews of it.

If you have one or have handled one, let me know what you think of it.

With the Snipers Hide discount it's like $389 at Midway USA, so the price is where I want to be for this particular rifle.

 

[Fisky]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

I have the 4-16x42 SF on a hunting rifle......I think they are GREAT scopes for hunting rifles. I prefer them over Vortex Vipers, which is another decent scope for hunting rifles. But in a side by side, the Monarch was slightly better optically (on higher powers), better "turrets" IMO, and when viewing half MOA targets first at 200, than 300yds, you would not have to adjust the parallax on the Nikon to get a good picture, the Viper you did. Touchy parallax. But you wouldn't probably notice that in hunting situations.....Both tracked well.

You'll be pleased with a Monarch.

 

[fastbs]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

Yep got one a hunting 308 rig. holds zero and passed the box test. I think it's a great buy for my use but then i havnt ventured into the $800 plus price point optics yet.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

Any issues with tunnel vision?

 

[Fisky]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

You know, I've never been cognizant of any tunneling in any of my scopes. Guess I've never really looked for it though. I'd say it's a non issue, at least for my eyes.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

I'm still on the fence about 3-12 due to the parallax adjustment or 2.5-10 since it doesn't have it. I don't want to be messing around with too much while I'm hunting.

 

[Fisky]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

The parallax is really good on the Monarchs. You can clearly view targets +/- 100yds or so from what yardage you're set on. I wouldn't let that hold you back.

That was my biggest issue with the Viper. Parallax would be set at 200, and it would just be a blur at 300 if I didnt' adjust. That wasn't ideal for me, for a hunting scope. Not that adjusting parallax is a huge pain, but on an incoming coyote, it's the last thing I want to be worried about.

 

[Billyboy]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

I have a 3-12x42 and a 4-16x42 Monarch and really like them both. Used mainly for hunting,they are clear and work well in low light conditions. Parallax adjustment has never been much of an issue for me.

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

Yeah I was impressed how much light even my Buckmasters scope pulled in low light while hunting. Can't wait to see the superior Monarch series.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

My hunting buddy uses a 3-12x42 Monarch on his hunting rig. It has the BDC reticle that he seems to like but I don't care for. It tracks well and fully passed a box test. Glass is very bright and clear. During his second hunting season with it, the scope fogged internally, blew out a seal. It still held zero so he used it until the end of the year. Nikon had it fixed, tested and returned in 2 weeks after he sent it in for repair. We think it might have been from excessive recoil, it was mounted on a Tikka T3 lite in 338WM shooting full snort 250 grain bullets. You be the judge...

 

[JelloStorm]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mnshortdraw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My hunting buddy uses a 3-12x42 Monarch on his hunting rig. It has the BDC reticle that he seems to like but I don't care for. It tracks well and fully passed a box test. Glass is very bright and clear. During his second hunting season with it, the scope fogged internally, blew out a seal. It still held zero so he used it until the end of the year. Nikon had it fixed, tested and returned in 2 weeks after he sent it in for repair. We think it might have been from excessive recoil, it was mounted on a Tikka T3 lite in 338WM shooting full snort 250 grain bullets. You be the judge... </div></div>


I'm not sure what most would expect a Monarch to be rated at with recoil, but that's not good. However, it appears that Nikon's lifetime warranty came through so all is good.

Hopefully they are as rugged as older Leupold scopes so I shouldn't have a problem. I don't exactly Billy Zane it down the side of a mountain when I'm hunting or shoot anti-material rounds so all should be good!

 

[RANGER_MAC]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

Well i love mine. I got this for a hunting/target rifle to put on my Remington LTR .308 and love it. It is clear and crisp out to distance and is a great value. I got the one with the mil dot reticle to have a similiar field of view and targeting as my Mark 4 scope. That being said short of the turrets on the leupy (my monarch doesnt have target/tactical turrets), the amount of extreme adjustments (mitigated by a 20 MOA base on my nikon) and the 30mm tube, I can't see any difference on clarity of glass or overall feel. Great scopes and I was thinking of getting another one (truly precise bright light transmission). I got mine online for around $350 a year or so ago. model 8423

 

[TheTick]

Re: Any Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF users?

I have a Monarch 2.5-10 on my team issued rifle. I do not have much experience with anything else, but I really like it. I find it to be very clear (even with the night vision attached) and I have not noticed my vision tunelling. I find that when we shoot movers at 100 yards, it tracks very well on the maniquen (spelling?) heads at around 5x magnification.