Is a NF Comp 15-55x52 or a March 10-60x52 Scope Just Too Much for a Varmint Rifle

[South Pender]

I'm putting together a couple of varmint rigs (one a .222 Rem., the other a .22-250) and am looking to outfit them with the very best available scopes. The NF Comp 15-55x52 and March 10-60x52 are generally regarded as top-of-the-line scopes, but are they too much for a varmint rifle, as they're designed more for competition shooting.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

You can always run that x52 or x60 at its lowest magnification when the condition are tough but you cant turn a scope with max x25 magnification up to 40 when the conditions are perfect and you want to reach out there ant touch something a real long way out. I think the NF comp with something like a DDR-2 reticle would make a very nice varmint scope on something like a 22-250

 

[R.Morehouse]

Have you thought about a FFP scope? It might be a fun adventure. Of the 2 scopes mentioned, I would choose the March. I have owned both and still have a 2.5-10 NF on one gun. I have March scopes on the ppc's. I have a Kahles 624 FFP on a chassis gun and really love that scope. Best of luck.......Choosing a scope can be a bit crazy-making....

Regards
Rick

 

[KY_Windage]

I'm putting together a couple of varmint rigs (one a .222 Rem., the other a .22-250) and am looking to outfit them with the very best available scopes. The NF Comp 15-55x52 and March 10-60x52 are generally regarded as top-of-the-line scopes, but are they too much for a varmint rifle, as they're designed more for competition shooting.

I have a 15-55 on a .22 bench gun, but I would never put one on a varmint gun. 15X is too much at times, I never need more than 25X shooting varmints, the reticles in the Comp are too fine for varmints and I usually want more weight to aid seeing the hits.

You want the very best varmint scope made? Here it is, the 5-25 with the MOAR-T reticle. (I won't even consider a FFP scope for varmints.) Now, if you are packing your rig up a mountain or something, you may have to go with a lighter scope. But it would still not be something with a 15X minimum.

 

[powderbrake]

I have a 8.5-25x scope on one varmint rifle, a 8-32 on another, a 12-42 on another, and my next varmint gun will have a NF 15-55 Comp. The 25x is a leupold dot, the 32 and 42 are NF NP2DD dot reticles.

 

[LarryDScott]

Put a SIII Sightron in 8-32 FCH or the same in a 10-50X60 and be forever happy w/a lot of extra money in your pocket.
Never limit yourself. You can always turn the power down if not needed
for the situation. LDS

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If you have to carry it, 20x max. If it goes from truck to table top/bench, go as big as you want, knowing mirage may not allow you to use want you paid for.

 

[RegionRat]

I’m in the camp with a wide variable range, but I will usually try and include something like 3-18X for rookies who have a hard time finding the p-dogs in the scope. I often find myself sitting someone down on my rig that has low or no experience. They struggle to find the p-dog, so I like to be able to zoom down for them, and then zoom back up.

Something like the NXS 8-32X is enough for me on the longer shots and also helps with days when the mirage is strong and I need to dial it down. Last season I added a new NX8 model in 4-32X with FFP in MOA and everyone who took a try with it loved it. ETA: they recently added versions of the NX8 in SFP for the folks who like that better.

I have had as much luck with FFP as I have with SFP, so no worries with those choices. If I have trained a new shooter on paper, I have had more luck in the field with them using FFP and MOA since they have had experience with target paper marked in inches or MOA. Nothing against radian scopes, but MOA works fine for small targets p-dogs.

 

[ATFIV]

March 5-32
Vx5hd 4-20 tmoa

 

[dkhunt14]

I have a 15-55 on a .22 bench gun, but I would never put one on a varmint gun. 15X is too much at times, I never need more than 25X shooting varmints, the reticles in the Comp are too fine for varmints and I usually want more weight to aid seeing the hits.

You want the very best varmint scope made? Here it is, the 5-25 with the MOAR-T reticle. (I won't even consider a FFP scope for varmints.) Now, it you are packing your rig up a mountain or something, you may have to go with a lighter scope. But it would still not be something with a 15X minimum.

The dot in my 15x55 are plenty easy to see. In fact sometimes I think they are too big. I have the first model (2013) and the center dot is bigger then the one below it. I believe the newer ones have both the dots the same and they are the smaller one. It is also one of the clearest scopes I own and I am comparing to a bunch of different ones. Matt

 

[KY_Windage]

The dot in my 15x55 are plenty easy to see. In fact sometimes I think they are too big. I have the first model (2013) and the center dot is bigger then the one below it. I believe the newer ones have both the dots the same and they are the smaller one. It is also one of the clearest scopes I own and I am comparing to a bunch of different ones. Matt

Yeah, I have only the FCR reticle. It would be what most people would want because of the MOA hashmarks, but it is so fine it can be difficult to see, especially against a black mound or in low light.

But even with the dot reticle you are still stuck with 15X, and there are many times shooting varmints when I want to power-down way below that to look for critters. I love my Comp's, but I think a 5X minimum and an MOAR-T reticle is the cat's fanny-bow way to go. And there is just no need for more than 25X shooting varmints, that I can see. I don't ever crank up past 20X, unless it is to look at an eagle or something. Anything above about 20X makes it nearly impossible to see my hits (I cannot run a brake because I am suppressed).

The Comp is very clear and bright, but the ATACR's are just as good or better and have better eye-relief, more adjustment and illumination. They also weigh more, which I want. The rifle in the photo has had 2 lbs of lead added to the butt. The 39-oz scope is the perfect weight.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I have the NF 15-55X 52 on a 6BR. I could NOT imagine trying to hunt varmints and 15X being my lowest power setting. At anything above 30X, I couldn't track anything moving at all. I'm actually looking at selling it for that very reason - it's not on a hunting gun but my usual range is only 300 yards. It's a lot of scope to only sit at 25-30X most of the time. Maxxing the power and trying to find a stationary target 300 yards away takes a second or ten. If that target is moving, forget it. I'd never be able to keep on something with my heart beating and moving the gun to track it. I have 3 other scopes that I'd reach for first and the biggest power is 24.

 

[scope eye]

As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as to much magnification. I have some NF 42 power bench rest and a few sightron 10-50 and use it all the time the very lowest I like is 32 power. The smaller the caliber the more mag I like, and the bigger the caliber high mag is not needed because the targets are usually bigger.

Dean

 

[scope eye]

One thing I have learned over the years is, if you can learn to steady yourself under high magnification, "it takes time" You will be rock solid at the lower settings.

Dean

 

[CJ6]

I'm putting together a couple of varmint rigs (one a .222 Rem., the other a .22-250) and am looking to outfit them with the very best available scopes. The NF Comp 15-55x52 and March 10-60x52 are generally regarded as top-of-the-line scopes, but are they too much for a varmint rifle, as they're designed more for competition shooting.

NO.

 

[22turborimfire]

I have a March 8x80 with MTR-2 reticle . I've never felt over powered while using for long range groundhog hunting .

 

[KY_Windage]

I have the NF 15-55X 52 on a 6BR. I could NOT imagine trying to hunt varmints and 15X being my lowest power setting. At anything above 30X, I couldn't track anything moving at all. I'm actually looking at selling it for that very reason - it's not on a hunting gun but my usual range is only 300 yards. It's a lot of scope to only sit at 25-30X most of the time.

Yeah, but one of the reasons it works so well at 25-30X is because of its super-fine reticles. I would miss that.

To me the Comp is purely for BR, F-Class and other high-precision shooting, and among the guys who consistently score high it is by far the most popular.

But that does not mean it is best for everything.

 

[dkhunt14]

Yeah, but one of the reasons it works so well at 25-30X is because of its super-fine reticles. I would miss that.

To me the Comp is purely for BR, F-Class and other high-precision shooting, and among the guys who consistently score high it is by far the most popular.

But that does not mean it is best for everything.

I have a 2013 and the two dots in it are different is size. The one in the middle is a bit bigger then the one below it. I actually wish they were reversed. I have no problem seeing either one of them. I believe the newer ones have the smaller dot used for both. I would not be afraid to use it for varmints. The bigger one woukd ne great for groundhogs and maybe use the smaller one for really small varmints. Matt