6BR scope...Nightforce 8-32 BR or Leupold VX3 8.5-25, opinions wanted.

[Steave]

I just bought a 6BR this morning and now need to decide what kind of optics to put on this. The rifle will be used for longer range prairie dog shooting and maybe some long range plinking, it is NOT a competition rifle. Realistically, it's doubtful that I'll shoot longer than 600 yards, although I might play around at 600+ from time to time.

Were money not an object, I imagine I'd buy a NXS 8-32, but I'm just not sure I want to spend that much, so for right now I have pretty much narrowed it down to a Leupold V3 8.5-25 and the Nightforce BR 8-32. I have plenty of Leupold scopes and have always been pleased with them, I do not have any Nightforce scopes, but have heard nothing but good things about them. Obviously the Leupold wins on the price, but the Nightforce BR model isn't *that* much more than the Leupold and if it that much better of a scope I don't mind spending a few extra bucks, I just don't want to double the price for the NXS. Frankly, if the Nightforce BR had a side focus it's doubtful I'd even consider the Leupold, I'd just buy the BR and be done with it. I really prefer the side focus, but not having side focus isn't a deal breaker, either.

I'm sure the Leupold would be perfectly adequate for my needs, but is the Nightforce BR that much better of a scope and worth giving up the side focus? Any opinions on these two scopes? Any thoughts in general about optics for my application?

Any and all advice and/or opinions greatly appreciated; thanks much!

Steave

 

[40X Guy]

Steave, I sold my VXIII 8.5-25 recently and bought the BR 8-32 NF. Both scopes glass are excellent, but I did not like the feel of the new VX series side focus, you have to get it just right and not much room for error. I do wish the BR's had side focus but I am living with it fine, not to mention the extra 7 power. I still love my Leo scopes, but this 8-32 is very nice and has more elevation adjustment than the 12-42 NF.

Frank

 

[MarkS]

Steave,

I have 2 NF BR models 8x32, and 12x42. One scope to to look at is a Sightron SIII 8x32. It has the 30mm tube and side focus. I have this scope on my 6BR varmint gun, I love it. It is half the price if a NF. If money is no object then look at a March, hey are more than a NF.

Mark Schronce

 

[RJinTexas]

Steave,
I agree with Mark, I own five SIII scopes two 10-50x60's and three 8-32x56's they're way better then my LR 8.5-25X50 Leupolds. These scopes are used primarily in the p-dog towns. I don't own a NF but my brother-in-law owns two 12-42x56 BR models and I can't see any difference in glass quality and much prefer the side focus and price of the Sightron.

Regards
RJ

 

[Preacher]

Go with the 8x32 BR and you'll never wish you didn't..
The 8x32 Sightron as mentioned is a dandy also with the side focus...
For the little extra though I would always go NF......

 

[Steave]

Thanks for the comments and insight, guys.

I kept hearing good things abut Sightron and bought my first one a couple of months ago, a SII Big Sky 4.5-14 with the side focus and target turrets for use on a .223. I've only shot this rifle once since putting to scope on it, but have noticed two things that make me hesitate from purchasing another one. First, the click adjustments seem a bit mushy and "small" for lack of a better term, it just doesn't seem that positive. Second, and like I said, I don't have a lot of experience with this scope and only at 100 yards, but it seemed somewhat difficult to bring it into focus, just a real small sweet spot. Frankly, I was kinda surprised as, for the most part, I have heard nothing but praise for Sightron.

For those of you that have the Sightrons, do you have any experience with the SII Big Sky Line? I know the 8-32 is their flagship SIII 30mm tube line and am curious about how the two compare.

Again, thanks the info!

 

[Steave]

Let me throw something else out there for you Nightforce guys. I haven't completely ruled out the 8-32 NXS and the 8-32 BR is definitely in contention. Should I decide to go the Nightforce route, who generally has the best prices Nightforce?

Thanks again!

 

[6BRinNZ]

Hi Steave,

another thought could be the NF NXS 5.5-22 x 56. I use this for varminting rabbits out to 600yrds ontop of my 6BR. Prior to this I had a leupold VXL 6.5 - 20 x 56 extreme varmint....optically for the type of shooting I do there was no difference...I found the leupold clicks more positive.....and the 1/10th clicks meant I could get POI exactly where I wanted at the range, however I found in the field it was too granular and the NF 1/4 moa clicks work better when correcting against the drop chart.

I have 2 NF nxs and I feel there is a slight difference in sensitivity of the side focus between them however both are easy to use as was the leupold.

My father uses a NF BR 8-32 and the front focus is a real pain when varminting by comparison to the side focus.

 

[Gman]

I sold every Leupold scope I've owned except one 2-7X Compact. I believe that there are other brands of hunting scopes that are just as good, or better, for less money than Leupold. As far as target scopes are concerned, I feel that Leupold is lacking in lens clarity compared to NF. NF will tell you that their lens' come from Japan, I don't think that Leupold will tell you where they get their lens' from. I have 3 NF, (2 BR, and 1 NXS) I personaly like the BR Series better, for benchrest shooting. The adjustable objective can be fine tuned easier to eliminate paralax while on a bench shooting at paper targets. The NXS sits on top of a live ground-hog weapon. The side focus is easier to adjust while shooting off of a bipod lying on the ground. These are just my opinions, which really don't mean much to others.

 

[fdshuster]

steave: Nightforce controls the selling price of their 'scopes, so from what I've seen, and based on the 3 I've bought, unless someone is dealing under the table, prices are set: 12-42xBR is $1359 and the 8-32xBR is $1211.

 

[mr70ss]

Thanks for the comments and insight, guys.

I kept hearing good things abut Sightron and bought my first one a couple of months ago, a SII Big Sky 4.5-14 with the side focus and target turrets for use on a .223. I've only shot this rifle once since putting to scope on it, but have noticed two things that make me hesitate from purchasing another one. First, the click adjustments seem a bit mushy and "small" for lack of a better term, it just doesn't seem that positive. Second, and like I said, I don't have a lot of experience with this scope and only at 100 yards, but it seemed somewhat difficult to bring it into focus, just a real small sweet spot. Frankly, I was kinda surprised as, for the most part, I have heard nothing but praise for Sightron.

For those of you that have the Sightrons, do you have any experience with the SII Big Sky Line? I know the 8-32 is their flagship SIII 30mm tube line and am curious about how the two compare.

Again, thanks the info!

I'm not sure about the SII series, but i just purchased a SIII 10-50x60, and i really like it, The turrets are a bit on the easy side to adjust, but have a good "locked in" feel. I think that the glass is cleaner than my VX3. This is my first Sightron, and i have a feeling that it won't be my last. best part is if you do some searching the scope can be found for around $840.00.

 

[rchouser]

I would not attempt to judge the SIII by the SII series (even the big sky's). I use the SIII in 6-24x50 lrmd and am very pleased. I may kick it up a notch to the 8x32 but only if I can find a mil dot version. While I adjust my elevation by moa, I tend to rely on the mildots for windage. I use a laser for judging distance. All the scopes you mention are excellant. My sightron does all I ask. rc

 

[Steave]

Well, I'm still up in air about which scope to choose, but I'm not in a great hurry to make a decision now.

For quite sometime I have been thinking about buying a 36X benchrest scope for the sole purpose of using it for load development. I went ahead and ordered one and will slap it on the 6BR when it arrives as the first thing that needs to be done is working up a good load for it.

Thanks again for all the info!

 

[Steave]

Again, thanks for all the info; I ended up ordering a VX3.

I passed on the Sightron that several recommended just because there are several things about my SII that I don't care about, I just decided not to take the chance on a SIII, although I may try one in the future.

As I said in my original post on this subject, were money not factored into the equation, I would have bought the NXS 8.5-32. However, considering I could buy the VX3 for just under $800 and the NF was roughly going to run $1K more, I just cannot see it being twice the scope for my application. I have a lot of Leupolds and have always been pleased with them, if this one doesn't perform for me I can always sell it and buy the NF.

Thanks again for the info!

 

[mageepeak]

Well, I own all Leupold scopes for over 30 yrs. I've looked at the NF and Sightrons-good scopes. I don't believe any of these premium scopes will be at fault for a miss. Leupold's warranty and customer service can't be better in my experience and why I will continue to buy Leupold scopes.

 

[FN in MT]

Using the Sightron SII as the benchmark for NOT buying the SIII....not a very good comparison.

I've been a VERY loyal Leupold guy, then tried the SIII line. They are probably THE best scope in the "well under $1K" market. Warranty similar to Leupold, no questions asked.

I have a few NF scopes and short of no zero stop, the SIII is a bargain.

 

[wi50]

I've got a coue leupold mark 4 8.5-25 scopes and I've got a few night force nxs scopes. I like them both, I can't say o e is superior to the other, each has different things I like and dislike......buy what you can get a deal on. I'd sell one of the leupolds as I've got more scopes than rifles at the moment if you're interested.