I am looking to buy a scope for my new rifle. it is a sako 75 ss 7MM ultra mag, I am leaning toward a NIKON monarch or buckmaster in 4.5x14-40, 5.5x16x44 or 6.5x20x44, I really do not need all the magnification but a may try a trip out west for Mule deer or antelope.What do you guys think? are these scopes strong enough to handle the 7MM ULTRA? or does anyone have any other recommendations.

THANKS

MAKO, I am not a good person to chime in on Nikon but I'll say my only experience with a Monarch was 3 scopes in 18 months on 300 wby mag. Now having said this I am suprised at how many put the Buckmaster (monarch should handle it) on heavy recoilers and claim no effects. I would look at the Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 with 4" constant eye relief as another to consider. I have now become a real Zeiss fan having just bought my second Zeiss. Truly for the money nothing will touch it for features and quality. If you really are introduced in Nikon and weight isn't a huge concern take a boo at the Nikon Gold, 30mm tube will give it more structure for the smack and in looking through this scope I can truly say if it went on a diet I believe I may try Nikon scopes again. It as well boasts 4" of constant eye relief. These 2 may be a few dollars more the UCC Monarch but IMHO well worth on your ultra mag.

If you need to get a scope into a smaller budget I suggest looking for a Leupold Vari X III, while the coating or features may not be the same as some of the other mentioned they are extremely durable and handle recoil extremely well. IMO this is the scope that built Leupolds rep. for in the field durability. Just a thought.

Best of luck to you.

You certainly don't need that much magnification even for hunting out west.I find 10x enough for big game hunting out to 500 yards and the lower powers are sure handy when that 20 yard shot suddenly presents itself.


The 3x9x40 conquest sells for about the same price as the 3.5x10x40 vxiii.

Sorry I should have made the last statement more clear I was talking about a good condition used scope or old inventory sell off of the replaced Vari X III line not the NEW VXIII for 04'.

I agree 100% on the Conquest.

I have a buckmaster and have been quite pleased. While it is only on a .223, I still think a Nikon (or any other reputable brand) will handle everything fine. Mine bounces around in a tractor or on a 4-wheeler continuously, has been dropped a couple times (once on concrete), exposed to the worst mother nature has had to offer, and it is still dead on every time. If a buckmaster can survive me, then a monarch should survive anybody.

I have over time given up on all scopes that are not made by Leupold. I have a VX II that I bought from Galyans for like 225.00 and it lasted all year on a 300 win Mag that was just fantastic. I have since moved that scope to my Knight Muzzleloader and replaced the vx II with a vxIII from 2004.

The quality will last you a lifetime, the gaurantee will last you a lifetime and you will be able to pass it on to someone else later in life.

I find that the light quality in early morning is what keeps me coming back for more every time I need a new scope.

Kevin