Need some opinions

[rmw1890]

I have decided on two scopes for my .223 remington sp. I am either going to go with a Nikon Monarch 4x12 or a Redfield 4x12. Which one draws in more light? Preferences? Problems? Suggestions? Pros and Cons. Any imput is appreciated!!

[dan]

I don't know much about the differences between manufactures... What I can say is that the bigger the lens the more light it will gather... Both of those scopes appear to have the same size lens...

[kenn1320]

While I cannot compare those 2 scopes, I do have nikon on all my guns. Dan is right about objective lens size for light gathering, but magnification also comes into play. The lower the power, the better the light transmission. Keep that in mind in low light condition, turn the power down for better light gathering. They also claim certain coatings allow in more light. I went with nikon, cause they have a good name in cameras, so I figured they knew how to make a quality lens.

[Hodag Hunter]

Go to a place (Cabelas, Gander Mountain) on a cloudy day near last light. Take both scopes outside and see which has the sharper image focusing on things 50-200 yards away.

Do this with a few other scopes and the differance can be night and day......a real eye opener vs looking thru them in the store with good lighting.

[JRM6868]

I think redfield is made by leupold now

[BigHunt]

I think redfield is made by leupold now

leupold is the best

[rmw1890]

Go to a place (Cabelas, Gander Mountain) on a cloudy day near last light. Take both scopes outside and see which has the sharper image focusing on things 50-200 yards away.

Do this with a few other scopes and the differance can be night and day......a real eye opener vs looking thru them in the store with good lighting.

Thats a great idea! I never would have thought of that thanks much and yes Redfield is made by Leupold

[CowboyColby]

Go to a place (Cabelas, Gander Mountain) on a cloudy day near last light. Take both scopes outside and see which has the sharper image focusing on things 50-200 yards away.

Do this with a few other scopes and the differance can be night and day......a real eye opener vs looking thru them in the store with good lighting.

Thats a great idea! I never would have thought of that thanks much and yes Redfield is made by Leupold

Helped my buddy set up a .223 for coyote hunting and had him take both scopes outside the local gun shop. One of the ones he was looking at was a refield and the other a weaver. He went with the Red field. I really liked its clarity too and it works great in lower light settings also.

[U.P. MAN]

I would have said nikon right away, didnt know redfield was made by leupold. I sure like leupold products.

[Bowman81]

Why such a high powered scope? 12x is a lot of magnification. I have a 4x12 on a heavy bbl. Savage .223 that I use for target and prairie dog work. On most days 12x is unusable with mirage et al. My calling rifle's have either a 3x9 or 2x7x scope. Most of the time they are set at 4 or 5x while hunting. The higher powers are reserved for range work. Coyote calling has been mostly an under 150 yd. pursuit...even in the central Montana plains. I have killed a coyote at 280 yds. with the scope set at my usual 4x.

In Michigan we cannot use centerfire rifles at night. I have used a .22mag. with a fixed 4x scope and it performs adequately. Large heavy scopes just are not needed for any purpose that I have found (other than denting your wallet). Even military snipers...making shots in excess of 800 meters use a fixed 10x scope. I find that a 40mm objective lens gathers plenty of light for any legal shooting hour....and some hours after legal here in Michigan. Get good quality glass. Most of my scopes are Leupold and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

[blackwolf]

I have a Nikon like the one you are looking at on my 257 Roberts. That scope has been flawless for about 8 years. That said I really like Leopold scopes.

[Uncle Lou]

I bought a Redfield Golden 5 star back in 96, it is a 3-9x40 and has performed flawlessly. I think what bowman wrote is great advice.

[Scot]

Testing them in low light really is the answer. I have 2 Nikon binoculars that I am very pleased with. I have a leuopold Varix III on a deer rifle and it is a very good scope. I have a Zeiss Conquest ($400) at the time I bought it,on another deer rifle and it is much better than the Leuopold as far as clarity and light gathering ability.
Testing them is the only way you will know.