Nikon Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF Rifle Scope BDC Reticle 6768

Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 SF Review

The Nikon Monarch 3-12x42, new for 2013, is a very impressive scope that exhibits quality far beyond that found int he Prostaff and Buckmasters scopes offered by Nikon.  In fact, the entire Monarch 3 is not only an improvement over the value scopes, but it is also a significant improvement over the previous generation of Monarch rifle scopes.

At about 13.25" in length and just under 19 ounces, this scope is compact and light enough to fit on just about any rifle.  The low power of 3x magnification is an industry standard on most hunting rifles used for varying game, and the extra power of the 12x maximum magnification gives hunters the opportunity to reach out and touch game where 9x or even 10x may not be enough.  Basically, this scope combines the versatility of a traditional 3x with the power of long range capabiility.  The BDC reticle is icing on the cake for shooters who know their load and routinely utilize a reticle for ranging and holdover.

The matte black finish and side focus give the Nikon Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF a mean look.  It doesn't have the "hard anodizing" that we see on somee scopes - maybe that't not the right term.  Some finishes are rough, but the Monarch 3 3-12xz42 SF is a little smoother.  No worries, the term "anodized" only means the manner in which the paint was applied.  So we expect the finish to hold up.

The side focus itself is something that you will usually see on scopes that magnify to 12x and beyond, and the Nikon side focus system utilizes a push/pull locking system to keep focus exactly where it needs to be.  Pull the focus knob away from the body to free the mechanism, adjust to the correct yardage by utilizing the markings on the focus knob, then push in to lock.  This scope also includes the quick focus eyepiece for fast adjustment.

Of course, it should go without saying that the Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF is completely waterproof and fogproof.  Overall build quality on the Monarch rifle scopes seems to be up there with some of the more prestigious names, without the large price tag. Moving parts are all tight and waterproof, with just the right amount of feedback.  

The Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF includes some good quality llens caps.  We've seen some caps come and go, but for an included accessory, these are nice.  They have a soft rubber ring that doesn't damage the finish on the scope, and they are perfectly sized for the eyepiece and objetive on the Monarch 3.  A quick flip of the thumb pops them both into the upright positoin without issue.  It's a good addition from Nikon, and a touch that should be included on more scopes.  You could replace them with aftermarket caps, but we think that the quality of these is more than good enough to keep them.

The Nikon Monarch 3 rifle scopes are manufactured in the Phillipines, evidenced by a clear stamp on the bottom of the scope.  There's a lot of noise over what kind of quality you can assume in a scope by where it's manufactured.  We won't get into that, but it is safe to say that every Monarch 3 we've seen come through our office has been perfect.  

Mechanically, everything functions to a standard that you'd expect for the price.  Mangification adjustment and side focus knob are tight and precise, and the turrets provide great feel and an audible click when adjusting.  Turrets are also secured with a center set screw, so they can be reindexed to zero at your chosen distance by loosening these screws.  Set the turrets back to zero, tighten the set screw, and you're zeroed.  Windage and elevation adjustment are each 60 MOA total, in 1/4 MOA increments (about 1/4" at 100 yards).  

The optics of the Monarch 3-12x42 SF rifle scope are impressive at the price, with no noticable chromatic aberration, rolling ball, or fuzziness.  Everything is clear as day, and much like the other scopes of the Monarch lineup, the color could best be described as warm.  This particular model has the BDC reticle, which is excellent for those looking to hunt in wide open areas and the possibility of shots ranging from up close to far downrange.

The 33.6 foot field of view (3x magnification) is right were you would expect it to be, and offers a good field of view for game that appears closer than 50 yards or so.  The 4 inches of eye relief seems to be most desirable to hunters mounting their scopes on large calber rifles.

Overall, we're a fan of the Nikon Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF, and think it would be a perfect scope for a big game rifle utilized anywhere from upland woods to wide open fields.  

We are an authorized Nikon dealer.  Check out our available selection of Nikon Monarch 3 3-12x42 SF rifle scopes, and the rest of our available selection of Nikon Monarch 3 rifle scopes.

Using the Nikon BDC Reticle

The Nikon BDC Reticle is designed to compensate for ballistics of your rifle at increasing ranges. Each circle along the vertical post of the Nikon BDC reticle corresponds to a different range. Depending on your caliber, load, and environmental conditions, your point of impact at ranges will vary. Nikon provides some basic guidance for use of the BDC reticle, based on testing performed with standard velocities for non-magnum calibers of 2,800 feet per second, and magnum calibers at 3,000 feet per second.

When using the Nikon BDC reticle, you should have your scope set to maximum magnification. Because Nikon rifle scopes have the reticle in the second focal plane, the BDC reticle is only accurate when set to maximum magnification. Utilizing the BDC reticle for holdover on other magnifications will cause your shots to miss their mark.

For non-magnum calibers, the center crosshair should be zeroed at one hundred yards. The first circle below the crosshair corresponds to 200 yards, the second to 300 yards, the third to 400 yards, and the fourth to 500 yards.

For magnum calibers, the center crosshair should be zeroed at two hundred yards. The first circle below the crosshair corresponds to 300 yards, the second to 400 yards, the third to 500 yards, and the fourth to 600 yards.

Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate of where you can expect your shot to penetrate the target, but the guidelines should at least get you on paper. You will have to put in some range time to learn exactly how much drop you're experiencing.

Nikon also offers the Spot On program to determine your rifle's capabilities with the Nikon BDC reticle. By going to the Spot On website, you can input your cartridge information for more precise ballistics data.