Our hat's off to Nikon, they got everything right with this scope!

When Nikon first shipped us their Monarch Gold 2.5-10x50mm side focus rifle scope, because of its low power (for us long range shooters) 2.5-10, we didn't have a rifle we wanted to test it on. But that all changed when we got our Ballard Rifle in .30-40 Krag, a caliber that realistically you'd only shoot out to 250 yards or so.

We put the scope in some Talley rings, mounted it on the Ballard, and began the sight-in process beginning with a bore sight. Of course the first thing we noticed was the clarity. Just like with Nikon's Action EX Extreme binoculars, their Monarch Gold Scopes are extremely clear. And they bring in a lot of light.

The reticule is what they call their Nikoplex; a fine "wire" cross hair with heavy posts coming almost to the cross from both sides and the bottom. The thinking behind this being that under low light conditions this will assist the hunter in getting the cross hairs on target.

We made sure the lockable side AO adjustment was set at 100 yards (thank you Nikon for putting yardage marks on the adjuster - not everyone does), then adjusted the Quick focus eyepiece. A few rounds down range, some clicks on the elevation and windage knobs, and the scope and rifle were ready for a hunt.

It wasn't long before a hunting opportunity presented itself, a Feral Goat hunt (also sometimes called a Catalina Goat) here in the hill country of Texas. We drove around the ranch looking for the elusive goats. After a few hours of scouting we spotted them near the base of a hill under a grove of trees. Of course they spotted us and bolted. This went on three or four more times before we finally spotted them without them seeing us. A short stalk to 120 yards, up went the rifle and the biggest goat was immediately acquired in the scope. I put the cross hairs on its front shoulder and squeezed the trigger. The goat was mine.

I've since had the opportunity to use this scope twice more, once on an Axis hunt, and once on an Aoudad cull hunt. It continues to impress me. The Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5-10x50mm Side Focus Rifle Scope is second to none. It has all the right features and excellent performance for a third of the price of those expensive german scopes.

When choosing your next rifle scope, the Nikon Monarch Gold belongs on your short list. Excellent performance, excellent value, and all the right features.

Visit Nikon Sport Optics Web Site for more information.

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