Nikon Prostaff 3-9×40 Riflescope Review

“One of the best values for hunters in search of a mid-priced optic.”

I should start out by saying that over 25 years of shooting and hunting has turned me into a bit of an optics snob. In my younger years I was not satisfied with a scope unless it cost more than the price of my rifle. That changed with another scope model that I discovered a decade ago and trained me mentally to look beyond the price tag. Such is the case with thee Nikon Pro-staff 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope This scope may just be one of the best values for hunters in search of a mid-priced optic.

Nikon ProStaff 3-9 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope (BDC)

Build Quality

The scope is built like a brick outhouse, but this ruggedness comes at a price  of making the outer dimensions a bit larger than most typical hunting scopes with a 40mm objective so a shooter will need to use a set of high or even extra high rings to accommodate the scope on their rifle. The strength and durability of this scope greatly aids in retaining its zero on high velocity rifle cartridges such as 308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield. The
scope weighs a full pound, but that is not out of the acceptable weight range at all.

Reticle – Bullet Drop Compensator

One feature that I really like about this scope is the Bullet Drop Compensator, which is calibrated out to  600 yards. Nikon offers a downloadable app on their site called Spot On to teach you how to use it for whatever loads you might want to fire from your rifle.

The Bullet Drop Compensator Reticle

A Bullet Drop Compensator allows the shooter to manually adjust the scope to hit targets at different ranges as a 308 Winchester round will not have the same point of impact at 300 yards as it does at 600 yards. High velocity rifle rounds fire in arcs; the Bullet Drop Compensator aids the shooter in calculating where the round will strike on the target. It takes a little getting used to if the shooter is not familiar with the concept, but once it is learned it becomes second nature.

Glass Quality

One of the initial downsides that I had anticipated was the skinny 1” tube. Several years ago I had sworn  off 1” scopes in favor of 30mm and 34mm tubes on everything but rimfire rifles or handguns, primarily because the larger diameter tubes let more light in and present a clearer picture. This is my first exception to that rule. Nikon rates the scope as having 98% light transmission and the glass is as clear as the lenses on my D-5100 DSL/R camera made by the same company. The focus is sharp and the eye relief can be adjusted to a perfect level.

Magnification

The 40mm objective provides a field of view of 33.8’ at 100 yards on the 3X setting. The field of view drops down to 11.3’ when set to 9X. I think this will make a perfect scope for a Pronghorn Antelope hunt  in Wyoming or Northern Nevada where they are mostly seen at a distance but every now and then, a closer shot presents itself.

Last Thoughts

The Nikon Pro-staff may be one of the best kept secrets in the hunting and shooting marketplace. I was  pleasantly surprised by its quality, durability and price point. I later found out that Nikon makes a rimfire version as well and that may very well be the next piece of glass that will be placed on my latest Ruger 10/22 rifle. If you want to know more about the Prostaff then click here.

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Specifications

• Finish: Matte black
• Reticle: BDC
• Actual magnification: 4 to 12x
• Objective diameter: 40mm
• Exit pupil: 10.3mm (4x), 3.3mm (12x)
• Eye relief: 3.7 inches
• Field of view: 23.6 feet @ 100 yards (4x), 7.3 feet @ 100 yards (12x)
• Tube diameter: 1 inch
• Objective OD: 1.98 inches
• Eyepiece OD: 1.73 inches
• Adjustment graduation: 1/4 MOA
• Max internal adjustment: 60 MOA
• Parallax setting: 100 yards
• Length: 14.1 inches

Product Description