I own 4 Nikons, among several others. 2 are 3 x 9 x 40's, 1 - 4 x 12 x 50, 1 - 4.5 x 14 x 40 silver / side focus ( exactly what you are asking about ). They are excellent scopes. You will not beat their quality for the money, PERIOD. They hold their zero as well as any scope made. I have 2 Nikons that I have been using for 16 years, and they have not shifted yet. The 4.5 x 14 x40 is a great choice for anyone who needs moderately low magnification, but still wants to be able to turn up the magnification to see fine details at range. I have that particular scope on a Ruger M77 Compact .243. The 4 x 12 x 50 is on a Ruger M77 Stainless / SYn. .308. One 3 x 9 x 40 is on a Browning A-bolt medallion w/ Boss in .270 , and the other is on a Remington 7600 semi auto carbine in 30-06. The scope is smooth in its power range changes, and its design is very pleasing to the eye.

You can pay a lot more and get yourself a zeiss, or Leupold. I am not saying they are better, or that they are worth it. I am just saying you can do it if you want to , and pay a lot more money, but they will not serve you any better than the Nikons will.

And yes, I am about to buy 2 more scopes. One for a Ruger Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger, and one for a Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08. They will both be Nikons if at all possible. They only exception will be if I need the posi-loc feature, for the handgun, that Burris offers on their handgun scopes. The other will definitely be a buckmasters or Monarch, depending on the prices of the Monarch line when they are available with side foucs, later this month, form the place I buy which is...... http://theopticzone.com/scopes.aspx .

I hope i have helped you. All you need to do is try one, and you will buy more in the future, and save yourself some money in the process. I used to work, 25 years ago, as a photographer and I am familiar with Nikon quality. I was impressed with their products then and I still am now. They are QUALITY.

Good Luck and God bless.

As far as rings and bases. Go with Leupold 2 piece rings and bases.