I bought a 4x40mm UCC Monarch. I have been wanting to transition to fixed scopes on a few of my workhorse guns. There are not a lot of fixed options out there, and with all the great things I read about Nikon Optics, this seemed like a good place to start. (My other scopes are Burris, Leupolds, and Weavers).

First, its made in the Phillipnes, not Japan as I suspected. The dang Japanese can't even afford to keep good manufacturing jobs! No biggy, one of my Burris' was made there too and has been a very good scope.

Other Nikons I have handled on friends guns have always troubled me a bit. The eye-relief is just so hyper critical. I mean if your eye is not dead center, they black out quickly. These were mostly Buckmasters and older Monarchs though. I assumed the new Monarchs were better. Wrong. Compared to Leupold scopes, the eye relief is sorry. Yes it is clear and bright, but so are my other scopes. I am sure I will get used to it. It's going on a very accurate Savage .30-06.

But until Nikon starts making lenses taylored to shooters rather than cameras, my advice is to buy a Leupold.

Have one Nikon Monarch 3x9x40.

It has been back for factory repair and seems to work fine now. Prior, it wouldn't hold POI with adjustments.

Have a passle of Leupolds (VXII 3x9's mainly) and several of them have been sent back for one thing or another - mostly things I dummied up.

Had a Simmons Atec that had to go back for loss of reticle and a Bushnell Trophy that fogged.

Only scopes that have never been back to the factory are the various Burris'. These are older scopes, so can't relate to the new off-shore made ones.

I'd say that in today's market, the push for less costly optics has led to inferior assembly workmanship while the glass has generally improved.

I'd say that in today's market, the push for less costly optics has led to inferior assembly workmanship while the glass has generally improved.

I think that sums it up very well.

I have two older Burris' too. One says made in the USA. The other (the oldest) doesn't say. I assume its made in the USA.

I compared the eye relief on the older Burris 3x9 FFII and the newer Phillipine made one. The older one is more like my Leupold 3x9 - more forgiving laterally. The newer one is more like this Nikon. Both very clear and bright, but the eye relief is more critical.

I would not be surprised if the Phillipine Nikons and Burris' are made in the same plant. Like Howa, Weatherby ect in Japan.

I have quit stocking Nikons in my store. I can and wiil order one of them for someone if they just insist that is what they want. I stock Ziess, Leupold, and Burris as my main line hunting scopes. Usually have a couple of smaller Tasco's for .22's or if someone is trying to rig up an inexpensive hunting rig. I try to sell what i know from personal experince works well and will keep the customer satisfied. The Ziess, Leupold, and Burris seem to work the best.

I will never knowingly give bad advice to anyone about hunting equipt. I may not always tell you what you want to hear, But I will try to tell you the honest truth. I know that I am somewhat biased on some calibers and bullet types just like I am about different scopes. I have spent a lot of money over the years on rifles and scopes. I also have hunted and shot a lot. The advice that I pass along is what I have learned from personal experince. If I tell you something works, then you can bet that it is because I have used it and seen it used many times and know for a fact that what I am telling you is correct.

Most anything will work for most anyone part of the time. Some things just work a LOT better for most anyone all of the time. Stick with the Leupolds and you won't go wrong. I am NOT a great fan of the Rifleman series or even the VX-I Leupolds. Good glass costs more than cheap glass. Always try to go with a VX-II or VX-III. You will get what you pay for there. I like to rig up a rifle / scope combo that when it is set up and sighted in I know I can count on it to work properly. If I miss what I am shooting at, I want to know that it was MY fault and not my equipt. fault. Use a good rifle / cartridge set up with a good scope mounted properly and you will end up a lot more pleased with the results. I don't like to have doubts in the back of my mind about any of my gear. Confidence in my hunting / shooting rig is what I strive for. Always go for the best that you can afford. You will enjoy it more in the long run.

Good advice Bryant. Next time I am down in your part of the state, I'll try to drop by!

Feel free to drop by. The welcome mat is always out.

I have a Monarch 4x that's been on a .300 Savage, a 7x57 and now a .22 Hornet. Not real big kickers, but I've never had a problem with it. Just recently bought a Leupold 4x FXII and although it's a nice scope it doesn't come close to the Nikon in low light brightness.