Description
Rifle Scope Product Details
Nikon M-Tactical 3-12x42SF Matte MK1-MRAD
For 2018, the all-new m-tactical ratchets up riflescope performance through a profound mix of optical design, superior glass, innovative materials and 100 years of Nikon optical ingenuity. The proprietary glass and multicoating technology used in these optics prioritizes bright, high contrast sight pictures-and those views are complemented by purpose-driven reticles designed for long range. Each m-tactical riflescope is finished with ultra-matte Anodizing for extreme durability and reliability during a lifetime of Real world performance.
Rifle Scope Product Features
About this item
The new m-tactical mk1-mrad reticle can be used to estimate range, target size, elevation holdover and wind-drift at designated magnification
30mm main body tube
Spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets with coarse knurling
Waterproof/Fogproof/shockproof
Generous Eye relief
Big, Bold Performance
M-Tactical ratchets up riflescope performance through a profound mix of optical design, superior glass, innovative materials and 100 years of Nikon optical ingenuity.
Bright, Fully Multicoated Optical System
The proprietary glass and multicoating technology used in the M-Tactical optics prioritizes bright, high contrast sight pictures”and those views are complemented by purpose-driven reticles designed for long range. A 4x zoom range and generous, consistent eye relief and quick focus eyepiece design provide maximum versatility and functionality.
M-Tactical Riflescope Performance Features
30mm Main Body Tube
Robust 30mm main body tube drawn from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy is finished with ultra-matte anodizing for extreme durability and reliability during a lifetime of real world performance.
Side Focus Parallax Adjustment
All long-range M-Tactical models feature side-focus parallax adjustments, while the full range of models feature directional indicators on turrets, 4x zoom range and utilize robust 30mm main body tubes drawn from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy.
Ergonomic Design Features
Turrets and zoom rings have knurling that is ergonomically designed for comfortable function with or without gloves.
Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof
Prevents moisture from entering body and nitrogen purged for total reliability against thermal shock. Shockproof construction shrugs off hard recoil and rugged use.
MK1-MOA and MK1-MRAD Tactical Style Reticles
Highly innovative and intuitive MK1-MOA and MK1-MRAD tactical reticles with matched turrets are the ticket for dialing-in your longest shot with speed and precision.
About the Nikon Manufacturer
Nikon is a premium maker for weapon scopes, optics, mounting solutions, and other components used for guns like rifles and long guns. They design and supply their scopes and related products choosing building materials which are long lasting and durable. This includes the Nikon M-Tactical 3-12x42SF Matte MK1-MRAD by Nikon. For additional shooting products, visit their site.
Glass Details
Rifle scopes permit you to specifically align a rifle at various targets by aligning your eye with the target over a distance. They do this through zoom using a series of lenses inside the scope. The scope’s positioning can be dialed in to take into account different ecological aspects like wind and elevation increases or decreases to account for bullet drop.
The scope’s purpose is to help the shooter understand precisely where the bullet will hit based on the sight picture you are viewing through the optic as you line up the scope’s crosshair or reticle with the intended target. The majority of modern rifle scopes have around eleven parts which are found inside and externally on the scope. These optic pieces include the rifle scope’s body, lenses, elevation dials, objective focus rings, and other parts. See all eleven parts of a rifle optical system.
Rifle Optic Varieties
Rifle scopes can be either “first focal plane” or “second focal plane” type of optics. Deciding on the perfect type of rifle optic depends on what type of shooting you plan to do.
First Focal Plane Optic Details
Focal plane scopes (FFP) include the reticle in front of the zoom lens. These types of scopes are beneficial for:
- Quick acquisition, far away kinds of shooting
- Shooting situations where estimations are minimal
- Experienced shooters who know their target “hold over” plus “lead” equations for their rifles
- Shooters who do not mind the reticle is enlarged and requires more visual eyesight area than a SFP reticle
Info on Second Focal Plane Glass
Second focal plane scopes (SFP) come with the reticle behind the magnifying lens. This induces the reticle to remain at the same dimensions relative to the amount of zoom being used. The result is that the reticle measurements alter based on the magnification used to shoot over greater distances since the reticle markings present distinct increments which differ with the magnification. In the FFP example with the SFP glass, the 5x “zoom” 100 yard tick measurement would be 1/5th of the non “zoom” tick. These particular sorts of glass work for:
- Long distance styles of shooting where shooters have more time to make ballistic estimations
- Shooting where most shots occur within much shorter spaces and ranges
- Shooters who like a clearer optic sight picture without area used up by the larger sized FFP reticle
Rifle Glass Magnification
The quantity of zoom a scope offers is figured out by the diameter, thickness, and curvatures of the lenses inside of the rifle scope. The zoom of the scope is the “power” of the scope.
Info on Single Power Lens Rifle Scopes
A single power rifle scope comes with a zoom number designator like 4×32. This means the zoom power of the scope is 4x power while the objective lens is 32mm. The zoom of this type of optic can not adjust considering that it is fixed.
Variable Power Lens Rifle Scopes
Variable power rifle scopes have adjustable power. It will list the magnification level in a configuration such as 2-10×32. These numbers indicate the magnification of the scope can be changed between 2x and 10x power. This also incorporates the powers in-between 2 and 10. The power manipulation is accomplished by employing the power ring part of the scope near the back of the scope by the eye bell.
Power and Range
Here are some suggested scope power settings and the distances where they may be successfully used. Consider that higher power glass will not be as practical as lower powered optics and scopes since excessive magnification can be a bad thing. The exact same idea relates to longer ranges where the shooter needs to have sufficient power to see exactly where to best aim the rifle at the target.
Details on Optic Lens Coverings
All contemporary rifle scope and optic lenses are covered in special coatings. There are different types and qualities of glass finishings. When looking at luxury rifle optical units, Lens finishing can be a very important component of defining the rifle’s capability. The glass lenses are one of the most vital parts of the scope considering that they are what your eye sees through while sighting a rifle in on the point of impact. The finish on the lenses protects the lens surface and also helps with anti glare from excess sunrays and color visibility.
HD Versus ED Rifle Glass Lens Coatings
Some scope suppliers will also use “HD” or high-def lens finishings that apply different procedures, polarizations, chemicals, and elements to extract numerous color ranges and viewable target visibility through lenses. This HD covering is typically used with greater density lens glass which reduces light’s capability to refract through the lens glass. Some scope suppliers use “HD” to describe “ED” signifying extra-low dispersion glass. ED deals with how certain colors are presented on the chromatic spectrum and the chromatic aberration or deviance which is similarly called color distortion or fringing. Chromatic aberration may be obvious around things with hard edges and outlines as light hits the object from various angles.
Glass Lens Single Finishing Versus Multi-Coating
Different optic lenses can also have various finishes applied to them. All lenses typically have at least some kind of treatment or finishing applied to them before being used in a rifle scope or optic. Because the lens isn’t simply a raw piece of glass, they require performance enhancing coatings. It becomes part of the carefully tuned optic. It must have a coating applied to it so that the lens will be efficiently functional in lots of types of environments, degrees of light (full VS shade), and other shooting conditions.
This lens treatment can offer protection to the lens from scratches while reducing glare and other less helpful things experienced in the shooting environment while sighting in with the scope. The quality of a single coated lens depends on the scope maker and how much you paid for it.
Some scope producers also make it a point to specify if their optic lenses are coated or “multi” coated. Being “much better” depends on the producer’s lens treatment innovation and the quality of products used in building the rifle scope.
Details on Hydrophobic Covering
Water on an optic’s lens does not help with preserving a clear sight picture through a scope whatsoever. Lots of top of the line or premium scope manufacturers will coat their lenses with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic covering. The Steiner Optics Nano-Protection is a fine example of this sort of treatment. It deals with the exterior surfaces of the Steiner glass lens so the water particles can not bind to it or produce surface tension. The result is that the water beads roll off of the scope to keep a clear, water free sight picture.
Options for Mounting Rifle Scopes on Long Guns
Installing options for scopes are available in a few choices. There are the standard scope rings which are individually mounted to the scope and one-piece scope mounts which cradle the scope. These different kinds of mounts also normally can be found in quick release variations which use manual levers which enable rifle operators to rapidly install and remove the scopes.
Hex Key Rifle Glass Rings
Standard, clamp design mounting scope rings use hex head screws to position to the flattop design Picatinny scope mount rails on rifles. These kinds of scope mounts use a pair of independent rings to support the scope, and are normally constructed from 7075 T6 billet aluminum or similar materials which are made for long distance accuracy shooting. This kind of scope mount is very good for rifle systems which need a resilient, hard use mount which will not move despite just how much the scope is moved or abuse the rifle takes. These are the style of mounts you should get for a specialized optics system on a far away hunting or hard target interdiction firearm which will seldom need to be altered or recalibrated. Blue 242 Loctite threadlocker can additionally be used on the scope mount’s screws to keep the hex screws from wiggling out after they are installed safely in position. An example of these mounting rings are the 30mm style made by the Vortex Optics company. The set typically costs around $200 USD
Quick-Release Cantilever Rifle Glass Ring Mounts
These kinds of quick-release rifle scope mounts can be used to rapidly take off a scope from a rifle and reattach it to a different rifle. If they all use a similar design mount, multiple scopes can also be swapped out. The quick detach mount style is CNC machined from anodized 6061 T6 aluminum and the mounting levers connect tightly to a flat top style Picatinny rail. This permits the scope to be sighted in while on the rifle, taken off of the rifle, and remounted back on the rifle while maintaining precision. These kinds of mounts are useful and beneficial for shooting platforms which are moved a lot, to remove the glass from the rifle for protection, or for scopes which are chosen for use in between a number of rifles. An example of this mount style is the 30mm mount designed by the Vortex Optics manufacturer. It usually costs around $250 USD
Sealing and Gas Purging for Rifle Glass Tubes
Wetness inside your rifle optic can destroy a day of shooting and your pricey optic by bringing about fogging and producing residue inside of the scope tube. A lot of scopes avoid moisture from entering the scope tube with a system of sealing O-rings which are waterproof.
What to Know About Rifle Optic Tube Gas Purging
Another component of preventing the buildup of moisture within the rifle optic tube is filling the tube with a gas like nitrogen. Given that this area is currently occupied by the gas, the scope is less altered by temperature level changes and pressure variations from the outdoor environment which may possibly enable water vapor to permeate in around the seals to fill the void which would otherwise be there. These are good qualities of a decent rifle scope to seek out.
