I’m not usually a fan of “bullet drop compensated” or “BDC” reticles. The markings on the scope never seem to actually match up with the trajectory of the projectile. And usually that has something to do with the manufacturer not letting you know the particulars of the projectile they used to zero the scope. However, with the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge, the ballistic profile is different enough from the standard 5.56 trajectory that having a BDC reticle makes sense. And the one Nikon just released may be the best out there . . .
The Nikon scope uses a fairly nifty reticle design. It’s still the same familiar BDC style, but instead of solid hash marks at the different distances, the scope has open circles to allow the shooter to better see their target. On the other side of that coin, if your target isn’t precisely 500 yards away then the circles might actually obscure more of the target than they show. The reticle claims to be calibrated for both super and subsonic ammunition, but I couldn’t find any reference to the subsonic substentions in the manual.
Last year, Leupold came out with their take on a 300 BLK scope, a variant of their Mark 4 MR/T scope. The reticle design was interesting as it showed markings for both supersonic and subsonic ammunition on different sides of the reticle, and looked great in theory. Unfortunately, I could never find a commercial load that actually lined up with what was engraved on the reticle. That was my biggest gripe, and one that caused me to kick its final score down a couple notches.
Whether Nikon was listening to my complaint or not I’ll never know, but etched onto the elevation turret is something that every BDC scope needs.
Right there, in plain English, it gives you all the relevant information you need to figure out what loads your scope will match up with. This scope is calibrated for 115gr projectiles traveling at 2280 feet per second, which exactly matches up with Remington UMC 300 AAC Blackout cartridges. And out on the 1,000 yard range in Liberty Hill, Texas, I confirmed that the reticle markings do indeed match up with the listed ballistic properties. I was hitting the 500 yard steel plate with boring repetitiveness, as well as if I were using my bolt gun.
Besides listing the ballistic properties, the scope differs from Leupold’s offering in two other ways. While the Leupold scope is a 1.5-5 variable power scope, Nikon’s optic is a 2-7 power. You sacrifice a little extra on the lower side of the magnification range, but gain some on the higher end. For hunting, I actually like that spread a lot. 2x is about what I leave my scopes on when I head out into the field, so having a 1x magnification of some sort isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
Another difference is that the Nikon is a second focal plane scope. This is especially important with BDC-style scopes as a second focal plane reticle means that the distance markings are only useful at full magnification.
Leupold’s scope is a first focal plane scope, meaning that the distance markings on the reticle will remain the same and useful no matter what the magnification. Since you’d want to be at full magnification anyway if you’re shooting at 250 yards or more this isn’t a big issue, but it’s slightly annoying to someone like me who likes their markings to always align with the proper flight path.
The differences between Nikon’s offering and Leupold’s continue — 1 inch versus 30mm tubes, non-illuminated versus illuminated, foreign versus domestic companies… — but there’s only one comparison that really puts one scope over the other. Leupold’s offering costs a whopping $1,750. Nikon? $200. That’s right, for the price of another tax stamp you have a 300 BLK scope. At that price I’d happily live with my minor gripes.
Nikon P-300 BLK 2-7X32 Rifle Scope w/ SuperSub Reticle for .300 AAC Blackout
Weight: 16.1 oz.
Length: 11.5″
Adjustments: 1/4 MoA
Tube: 1 inch
MSRP: $200
Ratings (out of five stars):
All ratings are relative to similar products, final rating is not derived from the preceding ratings.
Optical Clarity * * * *
I really can’t tell the difference between this and the Leupold scope.
Feel & Function * * * *
Everything feels right and is self-explanatory. It does, however, feel a bit…cheap.
Overall Rating * * * *
I’m not exactly crazy about a scope with a BDC reticle on the second focal plane, but the price is very right.
Hmmm…my Dan Wesson ECO is the same height, but is 7+1 with a flush mag. The comment about a “Commander” mag almost fitting flush (maybe actually an Officer mag) and making the New Agent 7+1 makes me wonder how DW did it and why Colt couldn’t or wouldn’t.
Both are alloy frames, but the DW is only .5 ounce heavier, even with a 3.5″ barrel. Not a big deal, especially if the Colt is meaty where it counts. Old schoolers say the government specs are gospel for a gun that runs. Some say a 4″ barrel is the shortest any 1911 should have. Others say the 3 incher has been made reliable. I picked the middle ground of 3.5 for concealed carry, reliability and aesthetics. To me, a 3 inch 1911 snubbie just doesn’t look right.
As the instructors on long range rifle shooting will tell you, never buy a BDC scope as you are now locked into one caliber and one load. You are better off buying a the Horus or a good Mil – Dot or MOA – Dot scope with the Larue mounts, then you can switch your scope to different rifles. I am a firm believer in this approach.
ye but at $200 a pop for the p-series you can own one for each rifle and never have to switch them out
if I wanted I could pull my Leapold vx3 3.5-10 40mm off of my bolt and use it on my 300aac but I would never do that because my remington 270 has been married to my Leapold for 28 years and is still dead on at 100 yards and have taken deer out to 500 yard with it custom bedding done to stock and weaver mounts and the rifle to this day has never let me or my son down
and my 300aac will be the same
I will never take the scope off once it is mounted unless damaged and being replaced
and I plan to do the same with my 5.56 20″ build with by-pod that my daughter shoots
thinking the p223 may be the way to go for it
When terrorists (PETA can be called nothing less) come your way-I suggest-what is good for the molester is good for the molested. Get a cheap r/c plane or helicopter via Amazon or one of the big box stores. Keep the r/c in your truck. When you hear or see the drone, fly yours right into theirs. Amazing what happens when an aircraft with rotors gets hit. Your loss will be in the 40-50 buck range, whereas theirs will be greater. Fighting fire with fire…………………
“You people don’t know what freedom is because you never lost it.”
No, we didn’t lose it. We gave it away.
Must join him in fighting these fascist. Never give up NEVER surrender.
I assume they will be using sport frequencies to fly the drone. It would be fairly easy, and probably cheap, to make a jamming device. Just turn it on when the drone is near, and the drone crashes. Maybe you could even clean it, and mount it. At least keep the camera and radio.
Anything stopping them from moving out of New York AND fulfilling that gov’t contract?
Personally I purchased the Replay XD camera based on your last review online with them. Since I have owned the camera, I have had nearly every person on the range either ask me about it, or pick one up themselves. The Contour camera is crap! My son had one for his snowmobile but made the switch to a Replay too. I think a more fair review would of been to put a Replay VS GO Pro VS Contour and Sony against each other. Seems like your content is more in favors rather that true quality that is available, I just dont see how these cameras can top that last review and not even mention it… http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/02/chris-dumm/gear-review-replay-xd720-sports-cam/
I can only tolerate his voice when he’s unhappy, it’s like music to my ears, otherwise, it would be like nails on a chalkboard and I’d have to vomit, then flagellate myself as penance for listening to his drivel.
I would be very similar in attitude to that officer….without the lecturing. You can’t “not” be cautious enough with approaching strange angry young men.
But this guy was well in his right to do what he was doing.
Based on my experience, I think Nikon has the best scopes for your money. Not too expensive…but good performing scopes.
People complaining about the precision markings on the BDC are missing the point of a BDC all together. It is about ease of use, not sub MOA reference. If you need that kind of precision you need to go with an expensive Leopold with mil dot markings (they are the best you can buy IMO). I look at this as a good hunting scope that I don’t mind pulling through the dirt and grime. In the field a lot of shots are estimated yardage and not exact, most people I know using a 300BLK for hunting are using it for sub 200 yard shots anyway.
I have found that when you pair these scopes with the Nikon Spot On app it is pretty dang accurate. When swapping from Remington 125gr (2215 fps) ammo to Remington 220gr SubSonic (1015 fps) ammo at the range I shot several rounds and determined on paper there was approximately a 12″ difference in hold points at 100 yards between the two rounds. I then loaded the Spot-On app on my phone to check the reference, what do you know, the app calculated a 13″ difference. That is not bad for a $200 scope and a $10 app on your phone. After adjusting the scope and checking the BDC range impact on paper vs. the app I found it to be very close; at least enough for deer or hog hunting anyway. This is one of those rare occurrences that you get more than what you pay for.
I agree, the price difference alone is enough to push me towards the Nikon. Although not “American Made” most manufactures that have gone to outsourcing rifle scopes maintain top quality control. I definitely think for the money compared to the Leupold at about 8X the price; its a no brainer.
Mounted this on a 300 Blackout, it;s intended purpose. Scope is clear edge to edge, adjustments are sharp, eye relief is great. I used P-Series Mounts set at T4. Took 6 shots to sight it, last 2, touching at 2 inches high at 100yds, with 150gr Hornady.
I use Strelok Pro and shot 110 Sierra and 178 Hornady. Only counting clicks to make elevation adjustments and shooting the 110s and 150s at 200yards. It appears to hold zero, mind you that is with only 31 shots of starting handloads. My only negative, if it’s that, I don’t think,on a 300 Blackout, you need reticle subtensions past 400yds.
Thinking of getting another one for a LR308.
I like shooting and hunting as well.I notice Dimension , MOA, eye relief ,Reticle etc.I need for a bench rest target shooting scope discussions and helps to selecting best .I have recently discovered a site best riflescope covered with clear and concise design of this new turret .However,Nikon P-300 BLK Riflescope is considered the king in the realm of scope.Besides, I am fond of bestsniperriflescope for hunting in the coastal bay in Scotland.
Go ahed
Andrew Morison