What is your opinion on the monarch series scopes? I am looking at the 4-16x42 sf model. I will be putting it on a 700 aac 308 for both hunting and bench shooting.

I have never had a problem with Nikons and own several. Some say theirCustomer service is lacking but I have never had to use it so I do not know

X2. Very happy with mine

Many here will "bash" them. Nikon is all I've used for the past 18 years. I've never had a problem. I will add that my scopes are all of the "monarch" line.

I've got a Buckmaster 3-9 on my Tikka T3 Lite .270 that has never let me down. It's good enough that I haven't even considered upgrading. Fits this rifle perfect.

BuckMaster & Monarch

I have never had any issues with Nikon, but all I hear is negative about thier customer service.

There is one guy here on the forum that is a Nikon rep and he says they have changed but not to long ago there was ANOTHER Nikon thread where someone was cussing thier customer service once again. Waaaaaaay to much smoke for there not to be fire in the customer service part of thier buisness. For that reason alone I will not buy another Nikon.

I have had a monarch 4-12x42SF for several years.
Great scope. No problems.

I like my Nikon never a problem

I've got one of just about everything and if I could do it all again they would all be monarchs.

I have a Nikon scope and I like it.

have a few nikons and only liked the monarchs. if i got another nikon it would only be a monarch.

I've got the prostaff 3-9x40 on my 243, the buckmaster 4.5-14x40sf on my .25-06, and the Monarch 5-20X44SF on my .300wsm. The monarch has the BDC reticle, ot sure what I think of it it.
I really like all 3 scopes, even the pstaff (truck gun).

I've had an experience with their customer service, but it was 7 or so years ago. I originally had the older 4.5-14x40AO buckmaster but an interior lens cracked one day at the range while mounted on my WSM. All I did was take it to my local Nikon dealer (brush mountain outfitters here in Odessa) and about a month later they called me and said my new one had arrived (although I didn't get the exact same model back - got the newer version).

i am pro nikon, i own 3 now (all monarchs). however i did have 6. do what you want obviously, but i strongly encourage you to do alot of research and comparision to the Vortex Viper!
KH