As soon as I heard about the high-quality performance of the Nikon Buckmaster II and Prostaff, I knew I had to try them out for myself.
And the reviews were true!
Among Nikon’s products, the Buckmaster II and Prostaff are some of the most highly sought-after scope series nowadays.
Both of these scopes are technically mid-range models, but they score very high in terms of field performance.
In case you cannot make up your mind because you like both Nikon scopes, this article should come in handy.
By the end of this Nikon Buckmaster vs Prostaff review, it should be easier for you to determine which rifle scope is better for you!
Contents
Nikon Prostaff vs Buckmaster II: Brief Overview
Buckmaster II
The Nikon Buckmaster II is one of the latest rifle scope series released by Nikon, and its models are well optimized for deer hunting.
There are a total of 3 models featured in the Buckmaster scope series.
- 3–9x40mm scope
- 3–9x50mm scope
- 4–12x40mm scope
In my experience, the first two models are great for short-to-medium shooting, while I’d recommend the last one for long-range shooting.
I’m glad I was able to save some hard-earned bucks by choosing the Buckmaster, as their prices were pretty reasonable.
Any shooter in need of an affordable and quality scope will surely enjoy the scopes in the Buckmaster series.
Prostaff
The Prostaff line is traditionally known as the budget series of Nikon.
However, some of its recent upper-tier models have fairly high acquisition costs compared to other scopes.
The Prostaff line consists of around 40 scopes that belong to 3 distinct subcategories: The Prostaff, the Prostaff 5, and the Prostaff 7.
I must say that the Prostaff models are superior to Buckmaster 2 when it comes to satisfying specific shooting setups.
A lot of these work great for low, mid, and long-range shooting.
From rimfire to shotguns, there is a Prostaff scope for every firearm in circulation.
Some of the Prostaff scopes can also be used on multiple platforms, which offer you a lot of tactical flexibility.
Nikon Buckmaster vs Prostaff: Side-by-Side Comparison of Features
Acquisition Cost
In the past, shooters prefer to begin with a Nikon Prostaff scope as it offers commendable benefits for the price range.
Nowadays, novices tend to start out with a Nikon Buckmasters II since it’s highly affordable.
In my opinion, I would lean toward the Buckmaster because it performs similarly to the Prostaff but at a CHEAPER price.
If you’re shopping on a tight budget, I’d suggest looking for rifle scopes in the Buckmaster 2 series.
Endurance and Resistance
I have to give full points to both scopes for this round.
After taking both of them outdoors and in the most unideal conditions, neither one showed that they could not handle it.
The Nikon Buckmaster 2 and the Nikon Prostaff incorporate sealing O-rings, nitrogen-purging gas, and shock-absorbing material into their body.
Therefore, these scopes are waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. These scopes can perform admirably in the great outdoors.
As I mentioned above, before the scopes are delivered to the customers, Nikon does everything in its power to get rid of flawed/defective products.
It’s safe to say that in the aspect of durability, the Nikon Buckmaster 2 and Prostaff deserve equal praise.
Post-Purchase Support
The Buckmaster 2 and Prostaff scope series are backed with the brand’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
With this warranty by your side, there’s no need to worry about malfunctions in addition to ordinary wear and tear.
In case the warranty is inapplicable, the No-Fault Repair and Replacement policies of Nikon will let you send your scope for repair or replacement.
Given the excellent responsiveness of the brand’s customer service, you don’t have to wait too long before someone takes care of your scope problem.
I’m glad I haven’t had to use this warranty policy yet, but I’ve heard that Nikon does everything to make sure the scope is fully repaired or replaced.
Eye Relief
Unless you want to end up with a nasty scope bite, you must ensure that your scope possesses adequate eye relief.
I believe that the average eye relief offered by Nikon Buckmaster 2 and Nikon Prostaff rifle scopes is sufficient for most cases.
That being said, if you decide to go after hard-hitting calibers such as the .338 Lapua Magnum, you should use Prostaff 5 scopes.
On the other hand, if you mostly shoot with rounds like .30-06 Springfield and weaker, I think you’ll be fine with a Buckmaster 2.
Of course, your personal needs and requirements should be taken into account as well to come up with a wise decision.
Just make sure to take into account the eyepiece and eye relief support.
Elevation and Windage Turrets
The turrets of the Nikon Buckmaster 2 and Nikon Prostaff employ a hand-turn zero-reset design.
Because of this, you can change the setting of these scopes on the field without much difficulty.
Most Nikon turrets use the MOA measurement system, and each click equals 1/4 or 1/8 MOA, depending on the model.
Since the MOA system can be used to achieve good results, both the Buckmaster and Prostaff series are comparable in terms of versatility.
As long as you have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of weapon handling, these scopes can help you land shots on targets consistently.
Focus & Clarity
The Prostaff’s fast-focus eyepiece gives you a quicker target acquisition, which is something the Buckmaster II doesn’t offer.
I was able to hunt down a MOVING target with the Prostaff’s quick magnification glass eyepiece and had a little more trouble doing so with the Buckmaster II.
That isn’t to say the Buckmater is good for hunting.
It’s just this feature of the Prostaff puts it above since I don’t spend as much time closing in on my target.
Light Transmission
Both optics have EXCELLENT light transmission!
However, the Prostaff’s multi-coated lenses increase the brightness and sharpness of the image by 98%.
In contrast, the Buckmaster II is only up by 92%.
After trying both high-quality rifle scopes, I didn’t see a huge difference. Both were clear enough for me, but if you’re picky about numbers, the Prostaff is the better choice here.
BUT! I really saw the difference when shooting long-range; true enough, the Prostaff’s light transmission was slightly superior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between Nikon Prostaff and Monarch Scopes?
There are a few differences between these two scopes.
For starters, the pricing; if the Prostaff was more expensive than the Buckmaster, the Monarch is even more expensive.
I would not recommend the Monarch for budget shooters.
I also noticed that the Monarch is better for low-light shooting because of the low-dispersion glass, which helps reduce glare.
Does Nikon Still Make the Buckmaster Scope?
Unfortunately, as of writing this article, Nikon has discontinued the Buckmaster II.
There may still be some in circulation from third-party resellers, but it is likely that the quality doesn’t match that of a brand-new one.
Nikon Buckmaster vs Prostaff: The Final Verdict
That wraps up my Nikon Buckmaster vs Prostaff review!
It was a hard decision, but the Nikon Prostaff is the better choice.
Despite the higher price, the clear image quality and fat-focus eyepiece are worth it to me!
If you want to know which Nikon scope is best for you, I’d recommend you consider your personal preferences and try to match them with the pros and cons of both scopes.
I recommend the Buckmaster if you are on a tight budget, while the Prostaff is ideal if you want a feature-rich experience.
For whatever scope you’ll end up with, know that you’re getting a bang-for-your-buck scope purchase from a reliable and trustworthy company!
FINAL TIP: For more information about this brand, you can also take a look at my Best Riflescope Manufacturers and Brands List to help you out.
