Leupold vs. Nightforce--You Make the Call...

[Forum Boss]

mountbkr
For paper punching 100-600 yds. and occasionally 1000 yds.
What type of reticle are you using. I am purchasing a 8.5-25 LRT and have several options to choose from. I can always send it to Premier if need be. I have used dots, fine plexes in the past, but just now starting to go beyond 300 yds.--Tim French
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mikecr
I have that scope, but M1 from Premier reticles, with their .00045" fine crosshair. Have used it varmint hunting with great success. Will order another soon. Premier Fine Cross-Hair
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dmoran
Just something to consider--Add up the cost of the LRT and the addition of the work by Premier and the shipping costs. Then consider a BR model Nightforce.

In my opinion, the Nightforce is a much better scope. Having both, is where I base my opinion. Not saying the LRT is bad scope at all, but it is my opinion a 12-42x56 Nightforce for $1100 is alot more scope. As is the 8-32x56 for a few $$$ less.
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mikecr
The Leupold is 6mm lower & ~lb lighter though.

 

[dreever]

Leupolds are great scopes, especially if you have two of them.......one to keep on the rifle, the other to be constantly in the mail being sent back to Leupold for repairs.,Smile)

How many Nightforces have you heard being sent back for repairs?

 

[Riverine]

I haven't had break-downs with my Leupold 8-25x LRT, but it's annoying that the cross-hairs are definitely off-axis on an $850 scope. I asked Premier about this BTW, and they say it is common, and it is something they fix if you do a "bump" or a reticle change. I have shot with a friend's Nightforce NXS and I have to say I definitely prefer the Nightforce controls to the Leupold. The NXS was really bright, but I have no need for an illuminated reticle. I'd like to see NF come out with a 20-40x side focus, no illumination, and price it under $1000 at a weight comparable to the Leupold.

If we could get some more field reports on the Burris Black Diamond 8-32x, that seems to be a good value.

 

[anyrange]

Riverine,
"You said I have no need for an illuminated reticle" Not to change your mind, however I discovered that the illuminated reticle may be the best way going to adjust the rear objective for proper focus of the reticle. I just recieved my 12-42X56 NSX two days after the last 600 yard shoot at my local club. I was actually the third owner of this new in the box scope. However the instruction manual was not in the box. So I call nightforce and they sent one out. After reading it I discovered that my scope may have a illuminated reticle even thou it does not have that big battery bump on the rear end, so I go and get the rifle out and sure enough it lights up. I have had the scope out to the range a couple of times for sight in and buris insert adjustments. I thought the reticle was in correct focus. It did not look correct with the light on and front scope cap on. I was seeing slight double images of the cross hairs with the light on, adjusted the rear objective very little and nice clear sharpe illuminated cross hairs. So I my book the illuminated reticle is worth it just for reticle focus, I will most likey never use the scope in the illuminated mode. So far it looks like a great scope and both cross are parallex free or whatever you call it at the same time. I was having an issue with that on my other scope and the reason for wanting the nightforce with eched glass reticle. I have the CH-2 reticle, fine cross hairs with small dot.

Larry Medler

 

[Riverine]

Larry,
That's an interesting observation about the reticle focus. Q for you--with the 12-42x Nightforce, can you see 6mm bullet holes at 500 yards? At 600 yards? I have a Leupold 6-25x LRT and want more power. But the Premier boost option takes it to 20-50x, which may be more than I need. By the time I add the cost of the boost, I'm close to the price of a Nightforce Benchrest version,not the side-focus NXS). Jason Baney says he can see bullet holes at 500 with his 20-50x boosted LRT. I'm just wondering if the 42x will do the same?

 

[wildcat284]

Hey guys,

How do the new Leupold VX III Long Range Target Scopes compare to the older Vari X III Long Range Target Scopes?

I brought one of the Vari X III 8.5 - 25 x 50's about 1.5 years ago & have found it to be a very bright and clear scope optically. I have'nt had any of the problems that some of you have been talking about.

Many thanks,

Michael.

 

[jacquemet]

Among all my friends, mots hav leupold's and some have Nightforce's NXS's. Frankly speaking, afetr having shot trough a leupold at x20 for a quarter, I used a rifle equiped with an NXS having the same magnifcation and the same size of objective,42mm). Looking through the Nightforce after having shot with the Leupold, I had the impression to be seeing the target trough some light mist !

 

[6Dasher]

Hi,

I had the same experience with a 12-42x56 NXS, but the BR types I've seen seem to be just as clear as my Leupolds. Either it is a trait of the NXS series, or a bad run.


jim

 

[vmthtr]

I thought the Nighforce were all 56 mm objectives. Didn't know they made a 42 mm. Friend has the 8-32br and wish I could afford one. Hit a prairie dog at 1130 and watched it flip. Easy to call your own shots with it also.



Mike

 

[chuckw2]

I bought a NSX-42 with a CH-2 reticle from Bruce Baer around March of last year. They are great scopes, much nicer and much more trouble free than my Luppys. I like my 36x Weavers much better than my 36x Luppys.

One negative on the NSX-42 is that it is very heavy.


I am going to buy another to put on my new F-class rig when it arrives. I have just had too many problems with my Leupold's.

 

[SF340Driver]

I thought the Nighforce were all 56 mm objectives. Didn't know they made a 42 mm.

I don't think they do -- the NSX is a 12-42X56. I believe their smallest objective is a 50mm, but it is in a smaller magnification range.

 

[Kodiak99317]

I sure like my Leupold 16x40mm LR/T M1 30mm scope part # 45581.

She's extremely clear and on a 100 yds zero, the scope is currently at 60 MOA from the bottom. There is 85.75 moa of up remaining, good in my case for a hair under 1900 yds.,Only need 24.5 moa for 1000 yds, still in the middle of the scopes adjustment) This is with Burris Zee rings with ZERO inserts sitting on 20 MOA Weaver modified bases. The way she sits, crank her all the way up till she stops, then down 1 full rev and your good for one mile! Total of 145.75 moa of vertical adjustment. Great scope IMO. With the fine cross hair and dot, you can still see the rings and hold inside the V bull at 1000 yds DCRA target easy. The turrets click easy so you can just set her up were you were aiming and click the cross hairs to the bullet hole, unlike some that are so stiff that you can't keep the rifle still on the target while clicking.

Some will say it's too low of magnification, but I've used a T6 at 1000 yds so this is more than enough mag IMO. You still see the mirage running and you can still see the target.

Keith

 

[Preacher]

As long as I get to make the call, I'll call Nightforce of course, thank you.....

 

[rhino]

Nightforce.

SLightly Clearer glass, better ajustments.

If your going with the VarXII's go with a Burris Black Diamond.

RHINOUT!

 

[no_redline]

My buddy has a leupold mk4 8.5-25x50 and I have a Nightforce benchrest 32x. I like both a lot. He has never had a problem with it, although I have with my Nightforce. I took it hunting and somehow got a grain of sand or something in the threads on the objective lens, so when you twist it to adjust it felt like it was binding and grinding. So I called up Nightforce and told em what's up and they said they would fix it for free, just send it in. I told the guy that it was my fualt I messed it up and it wasn't a manufacture defect and he still said it was free and they would take care of it. That says a lot for Nightforce! The only thing I didn't like about the leupold was the mil dot reticle seemed kinda thick, but thats just my prefrence. You can't go wrong with either scope. The leupold seems to be more tactical and the Nightforce is more target. Good luck!

 

[12man]

I own 5 leupolds. 1 I have owned since 1977, as an Alaskan Guide & Pilot, they have been tied to my wing struts, snowmachines in temps from 80 to -40. Traveling all over Alaska. And the only problem I ever had with a leupold, was 1 that was dropped crossing a glacier hunting Dall Sheep, the lens was chipped & cracked the wood stock and still was zeroed when I took a Big Ram at about 280 yds. When I returned the scope for repair Leupold informed me that series was no longer available and they sent me the new model for $16.90 to cover shipping. They are not a Nightforce as far as optics I just don't have it in the budget. I will own a Nightforce soonBut currently have a Zeiss 6.5 x 20 on my 6BR which I am very happy with,,Paid less than $725 with shipiing from Ebay) but its still not a Nightforce. My decision was made by my available funds at the time:cry: or I would own more than 1 Nightforce. The only disadvantage I see with the Nightforce beyond price would be their weight. Qualty glass and construction I am sure is the main weight addition Good Luck

 

[Stonewall]

I sure like my Leupold 16x40mm LR/T M1 30mm scope part # 45581.

Ask Keith what scope he's shooting now on his 6/250 .......Nightforce. How about a photo and an up dated report Keith.
Glenn

 

[Kodiak99317]

NF 12-42x56MM BR with CH-3 and she's still under 17 lbs

Here's one thru the scope... thru a blind with 1/8" opening so the neighbours can't see,,Canada eh and thus the black at the bottom of the pic, that's the bottom blind slate), thru a picture window... the white globes are about 38 yds, the green pole is 75 yds and the rain gutter is 108 yds away.

The dot is .030 moa in size and at 22x the dot to a line is 1 moa, great for quick hold-offs of 1 moa, more or less than what you set it for, if the wind picks up or lets off more.

I still have the Mk4 and will keep it for the 1 mile stuff, it is the best scope Leupold ever built, IMO.