Nikko Stirling Game Kings

Nobody can dispute that Nikko Stirling makes some good and cost effective scopes and what I have here are a couple Gameking 1” body models. Both have Mil-Dot reticules (more on this later) and are available in all the popular specifications. In the illuminated range, only the 3 – 9 X 40 has a fixed objective whilst the 3.5 – 10 X 44AO, 4 – 16 X 44AO, 4 – 16 X 50AO and 6 – 24 X 50AO are adjustable. These are duplicated as non-illuminated reticule models with the exception that the 3.5 – 10 X 40AO isn’t an option.

Build Overview

Build and manufacture is of a high standard; especially considering the price! The body is made from T606 aircraft grade aluminium with a pleasing matte black finish. They feature a compact and chunky, fast-focus eyepiece with the rheostat at 12 o’clock.

The fast focus and zoom ring are ridged for a sure grip and operate smoothly but with a pleasing firmness; not stiff but positive, which is ideal. The 11-position, drum-type rheostat’s position to my mind is ideal as it’s close at hand for quick adjustment. Everything else on the rheostat is also equally familiar in layout.

The adjustable objective (AO) is quite long with raised deep cut ridging half way along its length and has the same firm but smooth feel about it throughout the whole of its range. On both models it’s marked for in yards 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300 and ∞. What I particularly liked beside the fact the numbers corresponded well to the ranges quoted, is there’s plenty of room between the 15-25-yd notation mark and similarly from there to the 50-yd. This is good news for the airgun hunter because if you are able to drop a dot of tippex on the AO at ranges you prefer to know and there’s easily enough room to do this in 5-yd increments.

Another bonus is it can focus down to less than 15-yds, so you could mark the lowest range setting but I’d recommend you check them yourself and know as I found the lowest the 3.5 – 10X focuses down to is 6-yd and the 4 – 16X a sure 10-yds. Impressive and very useful for closer range shots when ratting. Incidentally, though I seem to be referring to these scopes strictly in relation to air rifle use, they’re actually centrefire rated!

The multi-coated lenses give a decent sight picture in all conditions with no glaring on the bright days and a clear bright sight picture on the dull ones. Add to this the illuminated reticule and you’ve got a very capable sight for any light condition. 

Turret Time

The low profile ¼” MOA, hunter-type turrets are protected by screw-on caps. The adjusters have serrated edges and click audibly and positively. Elevation offers 3 ¾ rotations whilst the windage 4 ¾. Unusual that as normally up and down is larger than side to side! Clicks per turn are 60 and if you run out of elevation, NS also offers one-piece, adjustable mount but I had no problems zeroing in either scope.
The reticule is your classic four dots per arm Mil-Dot, when illuminated only the centre cross and dots light up. Particularly impressive is how fine the brightness setting can be set and even at 11 there was no blurring and the dots still clearly visible. On talking with John Bright from Highland Outdoors I discovered this was something they had worked on and the rheostat has been designed to work on lower power resulting in the finer adjustment and longer battery life.

Conclusions

I was pleased to see the inclusion of the 3.5 – 10 X 44AO IR specification optic as it’s been and still now is a favourite magnification range of mine for most general hunting situations. Due to the IR facility and ability to focus at close range this will make for an excellent indoor scope on rats or ferals and still do the business on bunnies in the fields.

The 4 – 16 X 50 is now becoming a popular specification amongst many hunters. The fact it doesn’t have locking turrets isn’t an issue as the adjusters move positively to set a precise zero and once protected by the caps you can be sure that zero shift isn’t going to be an issue.

What we have here are two impressive optics. If and I believe they are indication and prime examples of the Gameking range then whichever you choose you’re getting a stylish, practical and top quality fully featured scope for a bargain price.

PRICE:
£96.96p
£106.95p