My new Nightforce 12-42x56 BR came yesterday. WOWZA, what a monster.

[Steve Wilson]

I thought that my Weaver T-36 might be lacking some clarity at our recent 600 yard BR match so I ordered this Nightforce 12-42x56 BR scope with the 2 DD reticle and Nightforce High Ultralight rings. It came yesterday. I opened the box and took it out. My God, this thing is giant. It looks like the Hubbel Telescope sitting on top of my rifle.

I can't wait to get it to the range tomorrow to bore sight at 100 then crank in about 10 inches of elevation and start working it at 600 yards. I had some thought of buying something similar for my "Proper Deer Rifle" a custom 6.5x284. But after seeing this beast, there is no way I can have such a thing on top of it. I am now considering a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 scope with the BXT reticle for it. Only 17 ounces and 5 hash marks, for bullet drop, with windage ticks on the sub hashes. Another $1500 +/_. Oh well, they always say "It's just money."

I will let you know how much better the Nightforce does.

Damn, this thing is a REAL scope.

 

[Steve Wilson]

I forgot to put the size in context. This rifle has a 3 inch forearm; the danged objective bell is almost as wide as the forearm. We ain't talking no usual scope size here. I'm loving it. The "Cool Points" can not be counted.......off the scale.

 

[Preacher]

Check out the Nightforce 3.5x15x50 for a scaled down scope for a hunting rifle.... It fits nice..

 

[Bradley Walker]

I like mine!!!

 

[jbarnwell]

I've got one just like it on a 30BR, a little imposing at first, but you will get used to it quickly. It will not take long for you realize why they have such a great reputation. Hope you like yours as much as I do mine and good shooting.

 

[Delaware_Ken]

I saw my 260 bullet holes through my Nightforce BR 12-42x56 today at 600 yards. The conditions were perfect, overcast, no wind. Who needs a spotting scope when they have a Nightforce.

Ken

 

[bouddha]

Steve, I just got an 8x32 BR Nightforce last week and took it to the range for the first time today. It sits on an Encore chambered for 204 Ruger, while my 6.5 BRM has a 3x9 Leupold. Even @ 9x I was having some difficulty resolving the .20 cal bullet holes with the Leupold, while the NF had no problem showing all holes clearly in the shade...then I noticed I had the NF set on the lowest power, 8x! Never seen targets so bright & clear. BTW, I've had 8 Leupolds over the last 20 years.

 

[STP]

I bought a used one here in 8-32X NP2-DD version last summer. You will soon get past the size of it...the clarity thru it`s magnification range at extended distances will remain for a bit longer.

Regards,

Scott

 

[MrMajestic]

As nice as they are you ain't seen mirage yet until you've seen it through them when set on 42X! That can be good because it makes the wind easier to read but good luck finding the bull. A Venetian blind on the barrel helps a bunch. Enjoy it cause it don't get much better, at least on my salary!

 

[Killshot]

I went from a 8-32 NXS to the 12-42 BR and, yeah, it's a big bastard for sure.

 

[fdshuster]

The size & weight is the price we pay for that 56mm objective lens. To me, well worth it, and as said, I too seldom need my bench mounted 82mm Nikon spotting scope anymore.

After using one of my NF BR's, then going back to a 1" tube with a 40 to 45mm objective, it's a big step------------down!

 

[Steve Wilson]

I took it to the range this morning. Leveled across the scope saddles, dropped the scope in the lower ring halves, put the upper halves on and lightly tightened the rings, rotated the scope until the reticle was horizontal, cinched her down tight and then installed the clamp-on scope level.

Next up was bore sighting it at 100 yards and firing the first two shots. On paper plenty good; low and left. Returned the rifle to battery and walked the crosshair over to the second bullet hole and then dialed the dot up an inch. Three more shots for the first group; all in one hole and an inch high. Done at 100 yards. I cranked in 10 inches of elevation and moved down the line to the 600 yard targets.

There, I took a couple of sighters at one of the 8 inch gongs. A little bit low, just under the gong. Next, I swung over to my target.....a 6 foot long piece of freezer paper, shiny side in, with five 1 1/2 inch orange dots evenly spaced from top to bottom. At 42 power the mirage was a bit too much, so I dialed it down, 36 seemed to be workable. I held on the middle dot and fired a sighter. Horizontal was great, 4 inches low. Adjusted the dot to the bullet hole and fired the first 5 shot group at the center dot.

One thing that amazed me was how well I could see even the subtle changes in the mirage. It was almost like I could see the wind I know you can't actually see air, but the mirage was in such brilliant detail that it was like looking at a clear fluid in a rippling motion. Wafting along at one speed from one direction....picking up, slowing down...switching from left to right and back.

My first group started out with a light right wind, it clipped the left edge of the target dot at 9 o'clock. Then the winds switched to the opposite direction. I decided to just play in the wind and see how much the bullets would move. About 3 inches and a little low.

I will cut this short....since I have already rambled on too long. This scope is an amazing piece of engineering. How did I ever last these many years with my Weaver T 36's? Maybe it was because I thought they were good enough. Maybe it was because I was hesitant to shell out the $1400 for a Nightforce. The certain thing is that it is a night and day difference between the two and I am glad I finally made the leap.

Many thanks to all that advised me along the way in making this decision.

 

[Garand1911]

i got a NXS 8-32x56 on my rem 700, and its a beast for sure, but a really good scope for the money.
im looking at the Nightforce BR scope for my rem 40x, let us know how you like it.

 

[CaptainMal]

You are learning. I was more than shocked to go through the same learning curve also.

Nice scope.

 

[M-61]

Would I be correct to say that the 10" (40MOA) is the MAX you can crank that up?

 

[Steve Wilson]

M-61,

I'm not sure I am following you, or if that question was directed at me. I cranked in 10 inches (MOA) from my 100 yard zero....to get me close at 600. The scope has 50 MOA elevation adjustment, I believe. Mine is currently on a Zero minute rail. I also have a 20 minute Nightforce rail but haven't put it on yet.

Hope this helps,

 

[M-61]

Yes it was, sorry I was not clear. The scope sounds fantastic and I asked due to a mistake in purchasing a Nikon a while back that really lacked in elevation adjustment. Since then I've paid close attention and 20MOA mounts are what I have used. Thanks