Nikon P-223 3x32 M BDC Clamshell

I've owned this scope now for about a month, and after cycling 400-500 rounds through it on my Bushmaster AR-15, I've had absolutely no issues with it. The BDC feature is great, and when coupled with the Nikon Spot-On app for iPhone ($5.99 when I purchased), you can really improve your accuracy and understanding of ballistics. The scope and the app work together and take caliber, ammo type (mfg, or hand load), weather conditions, range, etc. to give you invaluable info. If you're sighting in on a range with a 75 yard max length, but want a 100, 150, 200 yard zero, the app gives you precise data to make that happen. If you change ammo types, the app allows you to see a ballistics table and modifies the range on your BDC markings with up to date info (not on the actual scope...but gives you the new yardage). May sound complicated (it did to me), but once you get into it, it couldn't be simpler. The app actually lets you play around with ammo types, without burning ammo, to get the best ballistic match for your application. Turrets are solidly built, and give a good solid "click" when adjustments are made. I had concerns about their size, and being exposed, but neither proved to be an issue. Once zeroed in, the scope has maintained zero over several hundred rounds and being bounced around in the truck. The BDC markings are great, and the combination of the scope and iPhone app have proven to deliver accurate results. Though it's only a 3x scope, I've been able to consistently hit a steel target (1.5' square) at 450 yards, using the BDC reticle, with no issues at all (aside from the need for a spotting scope and hearing to determine if I'm hitting). The viewfinder is generous, with plenty of relief. Glass is quality, with a very clear sight picture even at long (and perhaps too long) distances. All in all, great scope, great features, great price...coupled with some next gen technological integration...makes for a superb package. Highly recommended for those of you with an AR platform looking for something more than just red-dot optics.

Awesome scope for a modern sporting rifle. Optics are very clear. Adjustments are 'true' and respond immediately (not after a few shots are fired, like the 'cheaper' scopes.) I would buy this again and have already recommended it to others. It is simple (fixed 3X means fewer moving parts and less 'openings' to leak the nitrogen gas inside.) It is very strong. You get a great view through it. The bullet drop 'circles' are very handy to have and you can go to Nikon's website to calculate what range each circle represents based on the caliber and load you are firing. I printed it out and taped that to my scope. Don't cheap out. Buy this over a BSA or a BARSKA or whatever else you might be looking at. I'm old enough to honestly say that buying quality the first time actually SAVES YOU MONEY in the long run. When you buy 'cheap' you are soon shopping again and that 'bargain' actually ended up costing you more than if you had just spent a little more money in the first place to get something truly good. You won't regret buying this Nikon.

For my Smith and Wesson M&P-15 sport. I also bought the P-223 mounts (not from Amazon) and together feel there is no better optic/mount combo out there. The scope is crystal clear and the hash marks for the 400 and 600 yardages are a neat feature. I have yet to shoot behind the scope, but feel confident that I'll be much happier with this on my gun than any other scope in the same price range. I think Nikon nailed it with this scope. Update 6/23/13; Okay, so I had some time behind the scope this weekend and put about 200 rounds down range and could not be happier with this optic. I sighted in using ammo other than the 55-gr polymer tip like the scope is designed for and had no issue. Shot 60-gr polymer tip, 55-gr 5.56 FMJ and also 55-gr .223 also. Grouping at 100 yards was about 2.5 inches between all three. But, each was shooting sub MOA, I just wanted to see what the groupings would be like across different weights of bullets and different manufacturers. So very pleased. I would suggest going with the 200 yard zero just because the scope is designed for that yardage. I didn't have that capability this weekend, but will be re-zeroing as soon as I get to a place I can. The Spot-On app for the Android is a nice pocket tool to have also. Put in the weight of the bullet and make and bang, it'll give you fairly accurate yardages for the hash marks in the reticle. And 3x32 is plenty of magnification for a carbine length rifle. It's an awesome scope.

Fantastic scope, especially for the price. Super clear glass and a simple reticle. Knobs are fairly clicky (though could be better) and I love the zero-reset feature-- lift up the knob and you can spin just the numbers and set "zero" wherever you want. Because the knobs do not lock down, I would not recommend this for hunting. Great for target shooting though -1 star because of the length of the tube. Sure it's compact and I got this because it was light-weight, but it's shorter than most mounts expect. I have not found a 1-piece mount that works with this scope yet. You will need a 2-piece mount like the Nikon P-series scope mounts. With Nikon's P-Series scope mounts, it will (just barely) fit a magpul rear bus first-gen. I have no problems with my mid-length front sight post. There a slight smear in the image, but I don't even notice it. The Nikon shooting app is awesome. It has this scope's bdc reticle and you can input different ammo (including custom loads) and see what the different hash marks mean for different zeros. If you want something with 3x magnificaiton that's light-weight and super clear, then you can't go wrong with this Scope for the money. This isn't a battle scope and wont compete with your acog, but for it's use-case it's pretty great.

This is what I expect from Nikon. Beautiful optics. It seems to hold zero nicely. 1" MOA at 100yds..resting on an annoyingly unstable bench, so I bet it can do slightly better. The scope is 3x, so seeing the bullseye at 100yds is difficult to tack drive with, which is expected, and tack driving at >100yds is not the objective of this carbine. I see many people asking if the AR-15 standard front sight is visible though the scope on flat-top rifle/carbine. The real answer is 'yes and no', which needs some explanation but the important thing is that it does NOT obstruct anything in the scope view. People think it is not visible because you can't see the AR sight through the scope. The fact is that you are also looking around it at the same time, like if you are holding one finger up 12" away from your face with both eyes open. Notice you can see through each finger while both eyes are open. This is "basically" the same concept. The front sight is not visible through this scope, but the image quality is worst than it would be without the AR-15 sight directly in its path. You can test this by looking through the scope 'off' the rifle, and witness the crystal clear nikon optics, then resting on the rifle rail and look again, the optics are noticeably not as clear, but definitely useable. I highly recommend this scope.

I now own three (3) of this very same model. That should say how much I like them. Crisp, clear, glass. Nikon has always made good glass. Easily rivals Leupold for clarity of the glass. For the money it is hard to beat. And keep in mind that you don't have to just use this on a .223/5.56 either. While I bought my first one several years back solely for that, and still to this day it resides on my Bushmaster 5.56 AR carbine, I also have one mounted on an .22 S&W M&P-15, and an AR-9 that I built. Just be sure to download the awesome (and free) Nikon Spot On App for your smartphone. You can customize your weapon/optics/load combinations to correspond to the "holdover" points on the BDC reticle. Neat stuff. I just cannot say enough about how much I like these little scopes. Great value, good product. Does what it is supposed to do. Adjustment knobs work as they should. Easy to zero, and they hold zero. Even after being taken off and put back on. (Just use good quality rings). These work. Period.

I choose this scope based on the nikon name and the overall price. This optic has a very generous eye relief. My eyesight is terrible so this thing really helps with target identification at distances more than 75 yards. I almost wish I had gotten the 3-9 variable power version as the cross hairs cover up a 2 inch bullseye at 100 yards. But I also like the compact size of this one. This looks great on my flat top AR. Glass is crystal clear and after about 75 rounds fired it is holding up great. The target turrets are a bit bulky and unneccassary for a 3x. Haven't had a chance to use the bdc hash marks as my local range only goes out to 100 yards. Being a 3x you can get the rifle pulled up and on target very quickly. This isn't a precision scope so keep that in mind, but i was more concerned about hitting my target rather than group size. Bottom line this is a great scope for the money. I would recommend this to anyone trying to get a little more range from their rifle over using irons or a red dot.

Pros- external turrets are easy to adjust, the glass itself is pretty good quality, the scope is lightweight. Cons- the field of view is not as wide as some higher prices scopes, the external turrets can be bumped and knock off zero (if u set your turrets to zero, it's pretty easy to notice and correct) I gave the scope 5 stars because of the price point it's offered at. Scope is perfect for target shooting or some mid range hunting. The cons ive listed haven't actually affected my shooting or even bothered me really, but I wanted to give an honest review of what to expect. It's a great little scope, I wore out a 5x5 inch steel plate at 100 yards in quick succession. I may replace this scope in the cost a t future with something more expensive, but the scope is everything I need at this point in time. You will not find a better 3x scope at this price point.

Awesome little scope, graet value for the money!