Nikon Coyote Special 3-9x40 Scope Review

Nikon Scope Review, Coyote Special Review, Nikon Coyote Review, Nikon 3-9x40 Review
I recently completed a review of a Rock River Arms Coyote Carbine .223 Rifle that I borrowed from my brother-in-law. He purchased the Nikon Coyote Special 3-9x40 Scope for his rifle so I decided that this would be a good product to review also.  Normally I like to add photos of the packaging and everything in the box, but since all I received was the rifle with the scope already installed, I had to make the best of it. You can find the scope today at Amazon.com for $259.95 with free S&H.

To kick off the review, I want to start with the manufacturers claims and specifications shown below in italics.

• Nikon’s Patent Pending BDC Predator Hunting Reticle - Utilizes ballistic circles with carefully researched spacing that is designed around the needs of predator hunters. Unique, open circle design doesn’t obscure target, making shots on a moving coyote simple.
• ARD (Anti Reflective Device) Technology - Eliminates game spooking glare.
• Nikon Multicoated Lenses - Provide up to 92% light transmission and maximum brightness from dawn to dusk.
• Precise Hand-turn 1/4 –MOA Click Adjustments - Easy-to-use positive click reticle adjustments get you zeroed in quicker and maintain your setting—even with heavy recoil.
• Generous Eye Relief - For easy sighting in difficult shooting positions.  
• Quick Focus Eyepiece - Allows the shooter to instantly bring the reticle into sharp focus.
• Waterproof/Fogproof - Nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed.

Specifications

• Reticle BDC Predator
• Actual Magnification 3x-9x
• Effective Objective Diameter 40mm
• Exit Pupil (mm) 13.3-4.4
• Eye Relief (in.) 3.6-3.6
• FOV at 100 yds (ft.) 35.7-11.9
• Tube Diameter 1 in.
• Objective O.D. (mm/in) 49.3/1.94
• Eyepiece O.D. (mm/in) 43/1.69
• Length (in) 13.1
• Weight (oz) 16
• Adjustment Graduation (1 click) 1/4 MOA
• Max Internal Adjustment 80 MOA
• Parallax setting (yds) 100
• Sunshade ARD

Nikon also had a nice photo of their scope and reticle details (shown below), but I'm also including photos of my own further below.

The photo below shows the scope before it is mounted on the rifle.  Remember that if you click on a photo, it should bring up a high resolution photo.  Everything I have read so far indicates that this scope is the same as the Nikon Buckmasters but includes the Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) reticle and the Anti Reflective Device (ARD).  A review of the specifications for the Nikon Buckmasters to the Nikon Coyote Special also match.

 

The scope weighed in at 1.018 pounds, which is 16.288 ounces.  Nikon states 16 ounces so I believe the difference is probably the Anti Reflective Device (ARD).

The quick focus eye piece and power ring are shown below.  Each had a smooth feel when rotating to make adjustments.

The photo below shows the side of the scope and the adjustment protective cap.

 

After zeroing in the scope, it is possible to reposition the adjustment knobs by holding the knob and removing the center screw.  You can then remove and reposition the knob so that the zero mark lines up with the index mark on the scope.  Actually this feature is similar to target turret scopes.  I could not find a Coyote Special owners manual online, but since the scope is the same as the Buckmasters, I did find the Buckmasters Owners Manual.  You can refer to this manual for further details.

This is a picture of the bottom of the scope that would be towards your rifle.

This photo is of the objective end of the scope and shows the ARD installed.

The ARD (anti reflective devices) is some type of plastic honeycomb pattern.  It screws into the end of the scope similar to how normal lens filters would install.  I could detect a slight difference in the brightness of the scope with and without the ARD installed.  Later I will show two photos so you can see the difference.

You can see the full reticle shape below.  I decided a wall was the best background for showing this shape.

In the photo below I zoomed in so you can see the bullet drop compensation features of the reticle.  Refer to the previous photo for details on the yardages.

Scope Power at 3x with ARD removed.  For this next series of photos, the deer is located 37 yards away.

Scope Power at 6x with ARD removed.  Ignore the out of focus reticle.  That was an issue I had while trying to take photos through the scope with my camera.

 

Scope Power at 9x with ARD removed.

Scope Power at 9x with ARD installed.  It is hard to see flipping back and forth between the photo above and the one below, but there is a slight difference in brightness of the scope with the ARD installed.  The photo below shows a slightly darker image.  Both photos were taken with the same setting on the camera.  There is such a small difference that I would not worry about it and I would keep the ARD installed for all occasions except late twilight hunts.

The next two photos show the Nikon Coyote Special scope installed on a Rock River Coyote Carbine using Burris P.E.P.R. Mounts.  Personally, I think it makes a very attractive setup.  Remember you can click on these photos to get higher resolution images.

Bottom Line:

For less than $300, I would be pleased with this scope.  The overall finish of the scope, feel of the eye piece and power ring adjustments, adjustment knob re-zeroing capability, and the ARD make the scope an overall nice package.  I never got a chance to go to the range and test out the bullet drop compensation marks, but other articles I have read on the internet indicate that it works.  When looking through the scope it was a clear and sharp image. Would I recommend the Nikon Coyote Special?  Yes.  I didn't see any reason that someone would be unhappy with this scope on a .223 rifle.