The Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope has been described by many as one of the best scopes that Nikon has ever produced.
Nikon no longer produces or offers any rifle scopes. Check out alternatively excellent scopes from Leupold or Vortex Optics!
Review of the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm Riflescope
With its overabundance of features, bulletproof reliability, and pinpoint accuracy, it is one of the best deals in the market if you are looking for a professional, yet affordable scope.
Features
This durable product is the result of collaboration between Nikon and Buckmaster
- Brightvue anti-reflective system of multicoated lenses
- It comes with a BDC reticle trajectory-compensating system
- It has 100 percent water- and fog-proof housing; O-ring sealing and nitrogen filling
- Includes limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
Magnification, Field of View and Resolution
The foremost numbers in any scope’s description, after its name, represent its magnification capabilities. These are probably the most important numbers you will encounter, justifying their prime position in the description because they tell you how well the scope can perform its primary function: magnification. On the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope, the 3-9 means that this scope is capable of zooming in on a target, producing an image 3 to 9 times larger than the actual target, hence making it easier to aim at. What is more, you can vary the magnification according to your requirements until you are satisfied with the magnification and the field of view to guarantee you an accurate shot.
The field of view is also one of the most important things to consider in a scope, and the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm has one of the best field of view ratings in the business: 35.7 feet at its lowest magnification. The number might not seem very impressive until you put it into perspective that most good scopes have a field of view of about 25 feet. This translates into you being able to see more of the terrain and the target in the scope, making locating the target a breeze. It also makes tracking a moving target very easy, especially with the variable magnification allowing you to adjust the magnification (and the field of view) on the fly.
The last thing to consider, but no less important, is the resolution the scope has to offer. This works is the same way as in digital cameras: a good resolution allows you to see more of the object clearly, letting you to discern the individual parts and features. For a scope, a great resolution means that you can distinguish the target easily from the surrounding environment, which obviously makes it easier to aim. In this department, the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm surpasses the competition, mainly because of Nikon’s long experience is optics, producing a clear and crisp image that is unrivaled by most other scopes in this price range.
Objective Lens Diameter
The fact that the objective lens diameter is the second number to be mentioned in the scope’s description portrays its importance. The objective lens is the foremost lens of the scope, the closest to the target when you can aim. Hence, its characteristics play a very important role in the quality of the image you see.
The Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm (How to read scope numbers) Rifle Scope has a 50 mm. objective lens, giving it unparalleled performance in terms of image quality. While most good scopes have an objective lens of about 40mm., the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm’s 50 mm. objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, hence producing a brighter image.
And because of the larger lens, you can see more of the target and the surrounding environment in the scope, vastly improving the field of view. And most importantly, the lens is not large enough to make the scope unwieldy and bulky; in fact, it feels very natural and almost an extension of your eye when in use.
Eye Relief and Precision Adjustment
One consideration most experienced hunters make when buying a scope is eye relief. Because a rifle tends to recoil, there is a strong chance that the scope might hit the user when shooting, leading to an injury called ‘scope eye’. Apart from the unoriginal name, scope eye is characterized by a nasty cut above the eye due to contact with the scope.
To prevent this, a scope is designed such that the image is focused some distance away from the lens nearest to the eye. This distance is called eye relief, and most scopes have an eye relief of about 2.7 to 3 inches. The Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm, on the other hand, being one of the best scopes in the industry, has a 3.6-inch eye relief, keeping your eye well out of harm’s way even when coupled with a high power rifle.
Most quality scopes allow you to make adjustments, and the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm being one of the best scopes available in the market today, is no exception. It has standard windage and elevation adjustment knobs, allowing you to adjust the reticle (the crosshair) should the conditions justify them.
Also, it has a side focus adjustment knob to allow the user to compensate for parallax to account for inaccuracies in long-range shots. Through these adjustments, you can be sure that the bullet will go exactly where the crosshair is pointing.
Mounting and adjusting the scope is easy and straightforward. You shouldn’t have any issue zeroing the scope at 100 yards to make repeatable shots on target!
Optical Coating and Water / Fog Proof
The Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm has the advantage of being conceived by two great names in the optics business. Nikon provides it with its unmatched performance in terms of image quality and its high-quality optical coatings. The coatings on the lenses of a scope can make or break it in terms of performance, but thanks to Nikon’s Brightvue multi-coating, the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm outperforms all competition, with an amazing 92 percent light transmission factor.
This can be easily observed in terms of its amazing image quality, offering high contrast, a bright image, and terrific detail. The lenses themselves are of the highest quality and coated with multiple coatings to prevent reflection as well as accumulation of dust and fingerprints.
While Nikon accounts for the optics, Buckmaster helped to ensure that the scope was as sturdy and reliable as possible. Hence, the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm is guaranteed to be 100 percent water and fog-proof. It is also completely shockproof and can be mounted on any rifle regardless of its power and recoil. The tube itself is filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging and sealed with O-rings to prevent the accumulation of water in the scope, making it great for rain or shine.
Optional Accessory Attachments
When you are investing in a scope, it is also a good idea to get a few extras to ensure its performance is exploited to its maximum. A flip-open scope cap is a good addition to your arsenal, blending safety and clarity with ease of use. Good quality rings to mount the scope are also a must, to ensure that your scope is firmly attached to your rifle.
Butler Creek 10-11 Eyepiece Multiflex Flip-Open Scope Cover
A lot of customers buying the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope also buy a recoil-reducing rifle rest. Specifically, the Caldwell Lead Sled Plus Recoil Reducing Rifle Rest
Customer Reviews
You can find a few reviews for the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm online as well as on Amazon. This rifle scope is of great quality and versatility.
Pros and Cons
Being a collaboration of some of the biggest names in the optics business means that the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm has no real problems with it; instead, there is a long list of commendations.
The biggest advantage of purchasing it is its unmatched image quality thanks to its top-class coatings and lenses. Its large optical lens and field of view make targeting a cinch, and its great construction ensures that it will never betray you in the field.
Accuracy is guaranteed courtesy of its precision adjustment knobs, and by allowing you to account for parallax in long-range shots, it ensures a hit every time.
Final Thoughts
Click here to find current pricing and more information on the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x50mm
. Check our other rifle scope reviews to find other great rifle scopes.
