Nightforce BR or NXS

[dbaird]

Which would be best for informal target shooting and varmint hunting. The NXS with side focus would be nice but is it worth the extra $? Has anybody experience compare side by side?

 

[azshooter]

NXS NPR1 or NPR2 some good deals are found here.

 

[nosualc]

Side focus is a convenience, and it is a mechanical complication. The more often you change distances, the more value it will have for you. Only you can decide if it's worth the money.

I've owned both, and no longer own any NXS's, but I shoot f-class (known distances) and side focus really isn't necessary, as we don't change distances much (if at all). I would presume the same could be said for benchrest shooters.

I would expect the opposite is true for the tactical shooters and varmint hunters.

Read this if you haven't: http://www.accurateshooter.com/optics/nightforce-benchrest-vs-nxs-scopes/

-nosualc

 

[Preacher]

For unknown distances, the side focus is a plus...
Reaching forward every time you change distance is a PITA....

 

[bhoges]

I have both and the side focus is nice. The BR model does have finer clicks 1/8 compared to 1/4. Both great scope some say the BR is clearer due to one less lens but I dont see the difference. The BR is cheaper too. Either scope is a great choice.

 

[jghoghunter]

Friends and I have both nxs and br we both think the br is slightly clearer. Side focus is awsome if your hunting. I wouldn't myself spend the extra money just for the side focus. My .02.

 

[alf]

I run BR's on my Bench guns, and NXS on the varmint.

Used to be, the BR were better for target, as they had 1/8 MOA clicks, and NXS had 1/4, but now the NXS has 1/8ths. I've never compared clarity between the two, as I can't do an apples to apples test.

If you keep your eyes open, you can find "older" NXS's that don't have the high speed turrets or zero stop that guys are selling to get the latest/greatest. Some good deals to be had if your're in the right place at the right time, which brings the money spread between the two closer.

 

[LHSmith]

If you do a search on this site, there is an article comparing the two.

 

[XTR]

I have both, have used both for F-Class but I got the NSX late this yr and only used it in a few matches but my general impression is that it's a little easier for me to focus with the side than with the objective, but both work. In the 12-42 version I like the NXS because it has more elevation and I can get on target with my 308 from 100 to 1000 with a 30MOA rail.

 

[XTR]

the br are clearer, I have compared them side by side. I run br's in br, I imagine an fclass shooter might prefer the side focus. hunting I use nxs, not because of the side focus, but also the turrets. it's not the cap that bothers me, it's the 6moa per rev. seems tarded that any scope makers would ever release any product that has anything but 10,20,30,40,50 etc, moa/iphy/mils per rev. to easy for even an experienced guy to make a mistake if it's layout is anything but!

Tom

If you shoot to 1000 someplace windy you need to know how to get back to your windage zero. This yr at Camp Perry I shot one match that I dialed on something like seven or seven and a half, after the match I somehow ended up with my scope with 6MOA left on. The next match it took me 6 very frustrating rounds to get on someone else's target (wind was from the other direction). The point is that with only 6MOA per rev on the windage turret you can get lost.

 

[XTR]

that's what sighters are for right? I have been on other people's targets Sunday morning after a bad Saturday.... never much cared since we have six minutes to figure it out.

I was talking more about a hunting situation...example, conquest scope(great scope) has 18 iphy per revolution. take one and put 22.5 on it in a hurry, don't think, just react like you would in a situation. you will see it is really easy to accidentally put on 20.5.....perfect for blowing a leg off.

Tom

At Perry they didn't seem to be enforcing it, but the rule there is get on paper in 7 or your off the line.

After 6 shots I pulled the bolt to try to bore sight it, now remember that w/o cranking off 30+MOA of elevation my bore is pointed about 25 feet below the scope. On the 7th shot I reached up and cranked the windage a full turn, at this point I had kind of guessed what was up, Jeff Cochran was scoring for me. He watched me crank it a full turn and and said "That's bold". Two shots to the 10 ring after that.

 

[XTR]

don't know the layout there, but I would be looking to rip one at a bird on the bank if the pit crew didn't have me a spotter up after two. we are unlimited, but I only have a maximum of ten seated and ready usually.

Tom

At Perry there is no impact berm, you shoot over into the lake. Nobody can see where they are hitting, and they can't tell you from the pits anyway, you've got 120 or so shooters on the line.

 

[Gman]

This decision can be huge for a shooter that is not independently wealthy, I hope this helps with your choice.
I have, and use, both The NXS with 2DD and BR with CH3. Both at 12-42 power. I prefer the BR at 1000 yards due to clarity, lighter weight and an open field reticle to hold for the wind, (old winning Palma habits).
The 2DD reticle works great for the F-Class course without spinning the turrets from berm to berm with only 2 sighters. If you know your cold bore for the barrel condition, it's cake.
Greg

The BR Series in 12-42x is 2 ounces heavier than the NXS Series (12-42x).

 

[Blaster-37]

Thanx, I agree. My NXS has an additional lense on it.