Nightforce 12-42 BR Scope?

[jorgy25]

Does anyone use this scope for rimfire benchrest and if so, which reticule did you choose? I have gone back and forth between this scope and the Leupold 45 X Comp. and don't know if the addition $$ for the Nightforce is worth it. Opinions please.
Thanks, Mike

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

I use one. I think the NP-2DD reticle is just about perfect for RFBR.

 

[jorgy25]

Jim,
Are you satisfied with this scope? It is a heavy beast, but for benchrest it really doesn't matter. Also, did you ponder other scopes before purchasing?
Thanks, Mike

 

[nso123]

The only thing I would consider would be to make sure you can make weight with it if not shooting unlimited.

 

[sdneil]

My buddy has a Nightforce on his BR rifle--he does not shoot it at full power most of the time--Nightforce can be turned down, Luepold 45x not so...I have a 36 Sightron on mine it is awsome and plenty of power for 50 yr br...

 

[Oklahoma Jim]

Jim,
Are you satisfied with this scope? It is a heavy beast, but for benchrest it really doesn't matter. Also, did you ponder other scopes before purchasing?
Thanks, Mike

I'm very satisfied with it. I would buy another one if I build another unlimited rifle. I have some Leupold Competition scopes, but I like the NF for RFBR much better.

 

[seymour fish]

I use a NF 5.5-22x BR on a 10-22 Unlimited gun for ABRA matches, and it seems sufficient to allow precise holds at 50 yds. If 12-42, would chose the DD reticle. Seymour

 

[searcher]

I have more than one of both and would take the Leupold just as readily as the nightforce. At rimfire ranges, you will never likely need to turn it down - but if thinking you might use it on a laerger rifle down the road, the Nighforce gives you more flexibility - as well as that for someone else, should you ever sell it. I have a March 12-80x on mine and I don't ever turn it down. It is also a scope which is VERY limited in other applications.

 

[charlesasmith]

I use a NF 12-42 BR scope on my air gun shooting @ 25 yds. It has the NP-R2 reticle, not the best for BR purposes. It is difficult to find the fine cross hair model used.

I find the stiff AO annoying, especially when used for prairie dog shooting at constant changing distances. I have changed out to side focus on most of my other guns and find them a joy to fine focus even shooting RF @ 50 yds. The great part of the wide power range is the versatility for use on long range on other guns, adjustment for mirage, and EXTRA weight for lessening recoil. Buying used is only $1-200 more than the used Leupold 45x. I now have a Leupold 45X Competition as a replacement for a failed 36x target that will provide a comparison for optical quality. BTW Leupold has an excellent warranty no matter how old it is or who owns the scope.

Chuck

 

[Kookie]

I have both the Leupold 45x and Nightforce BR scopes on my rimfire benchrest rifles. They are both excellent scopes with the weight of the Nightforce being the only downside. The optics in the Leupold seem a little brighter to me, and I think the Nightforce has more reliable windage and elevation adjustments. I shoot primarily at 50 yards indoors so never adjust the Nightforce power down from 42x for mirage. Some shooters claim to get eye strain with the Leupold 45x but I never had an issue with this. From what I see at the matches most of the shooters that had the Nightforce BR have replaced them with the Nightforce Competition model.

Reticles are a personal choice. I tried dot reticles with both of these scopes and will never own another scope with a dot. Just doesn't fit my eye and I believe you lose some precision because the scope dot completely covers the target center dot on the rimfire targets. My scores improved immediately when I switched to a plain crosshair. I like the Leupold crosshair better than the Nightforce because it's a bit thinner.

Mike

 

[Shynloco]

I have both the Leupold 45x and Nightforce BR scopes on my rimfire benchrest rifles. They are both excellent scopes with the weight of the Nightforce being the only downside. The optics in the Leupold seem a little brighter to me, and I think the Nightforce has more reliable windage and elevation adjustments. I shoot primarily at 50 yards indoors so never adjust the Nightforce power down from 42x for mirage. Some shooters claim to get eye strain with the Leupold 45x but I never had an issue with this. From what I see at the matches most of the shooters that had the Nightforce BR have replaced them with the Nightforce Competition model.

Reticles are a personal choice. I tried dot reticles with both of these scopes and will never own another scope with a dot. Just doesn't fit my eye and I believe you lose some precision because the scope dot completely covers the target center dot on the rimfire targets. My scores improved immediately when I switched to a plain crosshair. I like the Leupold crosshair better than the Nightforce because it's a bit thinner.

Mike

jorgy25,
I'm going to throw this out there for your consideration. I have found that what Kookie says about "strain eye" has happened to me when using a Leupold 45X Competition Scope (at 50 yds), but have not tried a Nightforce, mostly because of the added expense. What I did and worked well for me in 50 yd rimfire competition, is the Leupold 35X and things came together very nicely. Now the Leupold 45X worked well for me at 100 yd. I have to believe a lot of this is personal preference and your particular eyesight issues. Just food for thought. Good luck and have fun!

Shy

 

[hothands56]

Does anyone use this scope for rimfire benchrest and if so, which reticule did you choose? I have gone back and forth between this scope and the Leupold 45 X Comp. and don't know if the addition $$ for the Nightforce is worth it. Opinions please.
Thanks, Mike

I use a 45 leupold on my valmet finnish lion, for my rimfire but own 2 12x42 br nf have them on centerfires love them both for the shorter distance with the objective on leupold I think would be just fine

 

[cdiver]

I use the 12-42 BR with fine crosshair and love it

 

[dkhunt14]

Reticles are a personal choice. I tried dot reticles with both of these scopes and will never own another scope with a dot. Just doesn't fit my eye and I believe you lose some precision because the scope dot completely covers the target center dot on the rimfire targets. My scores improved immediately when I switched to a plain crosshair. I like the Leupold crosshair better than the Nightforce because it's a bit thinner.

Mike

You need to look at the DD in the Competition. The dot is really small. Matt