Yes the Nikon (BDC) and the Leupold (SABR) are more of a LONG RANGE SCOPE. If you shots are under say 125yds then I see no need for this type of scope. I myself really was skeptical when I first purchased the Leupold as I wondered to myself, is this what I really need, am I gonna need a scope for shots over 150yds to 300yds, probably not. But it does have it's pluses. The scope still can be used as a fixed retical, just forget the lower long range bars and use the center retical as a fixed power retical like any other scope. But if you need it the longer bars are there, and it's nice to know without guessing on a shot that you'll be on if needed. It's all preferance. So I guess you have to ask yourself if you really need a scope for ranges out to 300yds. Is a 300yd shot ethical with a ML for Hunting, NO, is 250yds? Mabey, it all depends on the shooter. But in 90% of cases a Fixed Retical Scope is more practical for ML Hunting. So Dave I guess I would side with you on this one as being able to live with out the BDC or SABR for ML'ers. But now I have one and will use it, it's not my only scope on a ML'er but If I never bought it I'd get along just fine without it.