3-9x40 AO EFR Nikon

Nikon have finally seen fit to acknowledge the 12ft lb airgunner with their new PROSTAFF Target EFR (extended focus range) 3 – 9 X 40AO, which is designed for both close and longer range use. The sticker on the back tells us it’s aimed at both the airgun and rimfire hunter. The eye-bell features a fast focus system and the ridged, rubber magnification ring appears to be broader and so easier to use. The body tube is one inch and the turrets are finger adjustable under screw-off caps. The spec of 3-9x40 is a very general one and suits airgun use nicely, though is probably at odds with all the other makes and models that offer all the whistles and bells shooters seem to demand! Up front the scope shows an adjustable objective (AO).

OUT OF THE NORM

Now this is where it gets a bit ‘out of the norm’ for a traditional Brit brought up with conventional 3 – 9 X 40AO scopes. Click values are ¼” @ 50-yds, or 7mm @ 50-m. Equally it’s pre-focused at 50-yards, so attesting to the fact that this is indeed an optic aimed at rifles and shooters whose maximum range is unlikely to exceeded much over that. You get 48 clicks per turn (12”) and four full rotations top to bottom (48”), which should be enough. So perhaps a little niche and maybe even basic in specification.

The EFR has multi-coated lenses, which means a decent sight picture and good clarity. Eye-relief is relatively lengthy and the adjustable objective lens is marked for 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300 and ?. A little odd is the fact that these figures are for meters and not yards! Obviously you can’t use this for range finding as such but it does offer a guideline and there’s plenty of room to mark your own ranges between 10 and 25 also four or less between 25 and 50.

The newly designed reticule is stated as being optimised for close-range target shooting. Essentially it’s an open Dual-X with longer inner stadia that gives a less cluttered picture. Nothing magical but perhaps for our sort of hunting it addresses a need? It’s not illuminated, but the center of the cross is expanded with a dot to give a significant aim point. 

It’s rated water and fogproof, is nitrogen-filled and fully ‘O’-ring sealed. Personally I hope that Nikon pursue this design and integrate a range of models based on this including the usual higher magnification and larger objectives plus an illuminated reticule.