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Pros - BDC Reticle is designed for use with Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology - Open circle range compensation markers let you see your target as you aim - Best-in-class warranty and replacement program Cons - Short eye relief - Non-illuminated reticle - No rings included with scope

Welcome to my review of the Nikon Buckmasters II 3–9x40mm BDC Riflescope. The original Buckmasters scope was a real winner, and Nikon has taken it even further with some technology enhancements. Do those changes help the scope keep up with the competition, though? Despite Nikon’s good reputation, I’m always on the lookout for problems, so let’s see if the Buckmasters II lives up to the company’s great name.

How Large Is This Scope?

This puppy features a 40mm objective lens that allows plenty of light to enter the scope, while still keeping the diameter of the accessory manageable. With that said, the width of the glass is still 44mm, so be sure you will have clearance between it and your rifle. Overall length is just 12.3 inches, and the scope is lightweight at only 13.1 ounces.

In my opinion, this optic’s eye relief is too short. At just 3.6 inches, you might run into problems if you wear glasses. Or, to be more precise, problems might run into you!

The scope’s exit pupil dilates between 4.4mm and 13.3mm, allowing plenty of light to enter the objective lens.

Is The Glass Powerful?

There are definitely more powerful scopes on the market, but for most deer hunting purposes, this one hits the sweet spot. Total magnification ranges from 3X to 9X, which is typically plenty for hitting the vital organs on a buck from a distance. The three C’s, crispness, clarity, and contrast, are all fantastic, lending the sight picture a quality that is almost the same as my HD television.

How Good Are The Optics?

The optics for this model are fully multicoated, maximizing light transmission and giving you a clear, bright image with plenty of contrast and color reproduction. The eyebox is a bit limited, though, but the quick-focus eyepiece is easy to use.

This scope uses Nikon’s BDC reticle, which is renowned for its open circle range markers. These markers allow you to see through them, so you never lose sight of the target you’re aiming at. This reticle is also designed for use with Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, allowing you to get precise yardages for each of the range markers based on your ammunition and load.

What’s The Transmittance Like On The Scope?

Since it boasts fully multicoated optics and a 40mm objective lens, Nikon has put together an accessory with fantastic transmittance. It would be even better if the reticle was illuminated, but even without that feature you should still enjoy an extremely bright image even in low-light conditions.

How Wide Can I Expect The Field Of View To Be?

When hunting deer, the field of view can be crucial in tracking and leading your prey. Nikon has built this scope to provide a very generous field of view from 11.3 feet to 33.8 feet at 100 yards.

How Difficult Is The Scope To Mount?

After you get your scope, it’ll be time to mount it to your rifle. Some people find this a bit daunting, but it really isn’t that difficult. The only thing to be aware of is that you won’t find scope rings in the box, so be sure to order them along with the glass itself.

Any Tricks Or Tips Involved In Mounting The Scope?

The outside diameter of this scope’s eyepiece is 44mm, so you’ll want to ensure you have enough clearance between the ocular bell and your rifle’s moving parts. While it’s recommended to mount the scope as low as possible, you still might find yourself requiring medium- or high-profile rings for the job.

How Easy Is The Nikon Buckmasters II 3–9x40mm BDC Riflescope To Sight In?

After mounting, you can start sighting in your scope. You should accomplish this by getting your scope on paper using a laser bore-sighting tool, then making your final windage and elevation adjustments at the shooting range. Using the laser bore-sighting tool saves you time and money, since it doesn’t require expending ammunition. Windage and elevation adjustments are made in 1/4 MOA increments, with a total adjustment range of 80 MOA.

The glass’s parallax is set at the factory at 100 yards. I love scopes with adjustable parallax, but this one doesn’t offer that.

How Durable Is The Scope?

The optics chamber on this model is nitrogen-purged, and the lenses are sealed with O-rings. This makes the scope both waterproof and fogproof, and the overall construction of the scope makes it shockproof and very durable. On top of all of that, the scope is covered by a limited lifetime warranty as well as Nikon’s fantastic No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy.