Nothing boosts the confidence of shooters better than constant and generous eye relief, which guarantees brow safety. This is one of the selling points of the Nikon air rifle scopes.
These riflescopes guarantee smooth kickbacks from recoil thus severe hunting angles as well as circle aiming points provided by the bullet drop compensator reticle in these scopes.
The best Nikon air rifle scopes are mainly suited for hunting and target shooting among other applications.
Nikon Air Rifle Scopes Review
1) Nikon P-223 3-9×40 Scope, Matte Black
Featuring a 100-yard parallax setting, this scope is capable of complete parallax elimination to achieve shooting accuracy. Its multi-coated optics delivers up to 98% light transmission to the visible electromagnetic spectrum thus efficient scope brightness from dawn to dusk, for target image clarity.
The Bullet Drop compensator grants hunters precise aiming points as well as accurate target acquisition from 100-600 yards. The reticle is particularly developed for the 223 Remington and 5.56NATO rifle ammo which is the most commonly used accurate air rifle cheap ammo with a round of 55-grain polymer tip bullet.
The scope is also waterproof as a result of nitrogen filling as well as O-ring sealing; the two features eliminate accumulated air and moisture molecules that may distort the clarity of the target image by compromising the quality of the lens.
Key features
- It is water, shock, and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated optics for maximum light transmission
- It features Zero-rest turrets
- Bullet drop compensator
- Nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed
Specifications
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Reticle: BDC 600( bullet drop compensator)
- Objective lens diameter: 40mm
- Weight: 17.6oz
- Length: 10.16cm
- Click value: 0.25MOA
- Tube diameter: 25.4mm
- Exit pupil: 13.3-4.4mm
- Eye relief: 91.44mm
- Maximum internal adjustment: 80 MOA
2) Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope
The Nikon ProStaff 3-9x 40 is a compact scope with a maximum of 9x magnification and a 40-millimeter objective lens that ensures efficient target acquisition. The scope has fully multi-coated optics for effective and efficient light transmission providing crisp bright target images from dawn to dusk.
This scope is also fitted with spring-loaded, zero-reset turrets that allow shooters to adjust their scopes to their preferred zero mark thus easy to make windage and elevation adjustments as well as return to their reference zero.
Complete O-ring sealing and nitrogen filling ensure clear images through the prevention of moisture build or elimination of any air or moisture molecules. It also has a shock multi-layer coating that protects the lenses from sunlight glare which affects the target image.
Key features
- It features an O-ring sealed and Nitrogen filled housing
- Water, fog, and shockproof performance
- Bullet drop compensator reticle
- Zero reset turrets (spring-loaded)
- Precise hand-turn windage and elevation adjustments
Specifications
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective diameter: 40mm
- Length: 12.4 inches
- Color: Matte black
- Exit pupil: 13.3mm-4.4mm
- Eye relief: 91.44mm
- Field of view: 33.8-11.3ft/100yds
- Tube diameter: 25.4mm
- Click value: 1/4 MOA
- Max internal adjustment: 80 MOA
- Parallax setting: 100 yards
- Objective OD: 50.3mm
- Eyepiece OD: 43.94mm
Particularly engineered for the 5.56 NATO and the 223 Remington ammo, this scope features a 25.4mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube with reliable durability and versatility thus efficient performance in any given condition.
Choosing the Best Nikon Air Rifle Scopes
Reticle
Most Nikon rifle scopes have an advanced bullet drop compensator reticle which is significant in the determination of trajectory and distance of bullet drop in yards from point of firing as well as offering effective circle aiming points thus precise target acquisition and center shots.
Multi-coated optics
Target images may be affected by several factors such as sunlight glare thus reduced clarity. The multiple-layer coating systems are responsible for protecting the lenses from such glares as well as preserving internal light for the perfect target image.
Water and fog resistance
Moisture molecules in the atmosphere could easily distort target images as seen through the lenses thus the need for elimination of these molecules or prevention of their accumulation through nitrogen filling and O-ring sealing of the lenses.
Shockproof
Most of these, if not all, Nikon scopes are mounted on air rifles with heavy recoil which could easily destabilize the hunter’s shooting points as well as affect the reference zero thus poor hunting experiences. They are therefore shockproof i.e., internal reinforcements and built-in pin in clamping screws to counteract recoil pressure.
Eye relief
These scopes have consistent and generous eye relief that protects the brow from injury thus user-friendly.
Zero resetting
Nikon scopes have spring-loaded windage and elevation adjustments that can be set and maintained at a hunter’s preferred reference zero. This feature enables the shooter to make adjustments while maintaining his shooting angle or position.
Magnification
Featuring a versatile magnification range majority of the shooting demands are met through the provision of the F.O.V at the lower range as well as detail at the higher range.
Best Nikon Air Rifle Scopes FAQs
- Are 223 models 30mm tubes?
Most are 25.4 tubes with a just a few exceptions
- Do these scopes have an etched or wire reticle and which one is better?
Any hunter will go for the Etched (BDC) as the first choice at any time. They vary depending on the scope.
- Which mounts would be best for Nikon air rifles?
Weaver mounts are most preferred for Nikon air rifles
See also; Top 9 Leupold Scopes for Air Rifles
Final Thoughts
The Nikon riflescopes are well-suited for rifles with high recoil pressure. This is mainly because they are made with innovations geared to protect them from recoil pressure.
The scopes also have a quick ‘dead on’ target acquisition thus memorable hunting experiences.
Related article: Top 7 Best Monstrum Scopes Review