Nightforce Questions

[Jet]

Looking for a little help from folks who have experience with Nightforce scopes.

I am getting into Benchrest shooting and have been shooting in 600 yd matches and plan on continuing at this distance and shooting at further distances. I would also like to shoot in some F/TR matches. I have a lot of experience with Leupold scopes (work, hunting, distance shooting) and trust them but I want a higher power adjustable scope than what they have to offer. I plan on getting a Nightforce BR 12-42 with a NP-2DD.

Questions
- Will I regret not stepping up to the NXS model? I understand the price difference and am a firm believer of paying once and crying once.

- The NP-2DD reticle appears to be a great for benchrest shooting. Will it cause me issues in F/TR shoots? Again, primary purpose is benchrest. F/TR will be secondary.

- Caliber is 260 and I'll be slinging 142gr SMKs around 2850 fps. Should I worry about running out of adjustment when this scope is used with a 20 MOA base? if so, should I move down to the 8-32 model

Thanks in advance for the help.

Jet

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

NP2DD is a great reticle for f-class, so no worries there, and I'd go with the 12-42. You can always turn it down, but you cant turn a 32 up to 42...

NXS v BR - just personal preference. If you get the NXS, just be sure to get the 1/8 min adj.

 

[Hombre0321]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

You will have more than enough elevation adjustment with the 12-42 scope shooting that 260 no problem there. Reticle choice is what you prefer with the key word being "You" It is not the reticle I would choose but then again you are spending your money so you get to make the choice. Many competitors are shooting the NP-2DD.

Now with all of the above said I guess you know you will "NOT" be shooting F/TR with that 260. F/TR class are only allowed .308 and .223 calibers. You can however shoot it in F-Class Open.

Roland

 

[Killshot]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

Since the NXS models now have .125 MOA adjustments available, if you have the $ I would get the NXS.

I had a 8-32 NXS and switched to a 12-42 BR, both with NP-2DD reticles. I prefer having the side-focus and the turret style of the NXS over the BR. It also has more elevation than the BR model.

 

[Jet]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

Thanks--F Class open is correct.

Hombre--will I be good to go from 100-1K or will I have to zero at a further distance than 100 yds?

Thanks all for the help.

Jet

 

[bugman]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

IMO a 20 MOA base with that scope will keep the reticle approximately optically/adjustment "centered" at 1000 yards with a 100 yard zero. You will be GTG.

You certainly pay extra for that side parallax, .0125 MOA turrets, and extra elevation in the NSX.

Consider the zero stop option if you plan to shoot a lot of FTR

Jack

 

[digrazir]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

My first two Nightforce scopes were NSX 8x32. I then purchased a Benchrest 12x42. It seems to me that the benchrest model has clearer glass. I also liked the being able to make finer focus adjustments with the benchrest model. I wound up selling both of the NSX scopes and replacing them with benchrest models. The only shooting I do is at the range in which case the benchrest model works best for me. If I was shooting tactical matches I would probably go with an NSX model. The decision between the 2 models really comes down to application. Ray

 

[fdshuster]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

Jet: To follow up on what Mark Walker said, consider the 12-42x. As long as you'll have the size & weight, they both being identical, go for the 12-42. Better to have it & not need it than to need it & not have it. I bought a new 8-32x & many times wished it were another 12-42, sold it & bought another 12-42.

Side focus is nice, but really questionable if it's needed for benchrest. For those of us who prefer screw-on lens caps, they are not available on the NXS models, so you're still left with the rubber covers or a set of the flip-ups.

I also prefer screw-on turret covers & they are also not offered on the NXS.

As far as having enough clickups, a 20 moa base plus the Burris Signature rings with the off-set inserts (if needed) would more than meet any clickup needs.

As said, a lot depends on personal preference.

I have both the NP-2DD & NP-R2 reticles & like them both. It would be a tough call for me to decide which is "better".

 

[Jet]

Thanks for all the info. I also spoke with Steve at Sportoptics and he was a great help. I ordered the 12-42BR NP-2DD. I look forward to reading and learning from everyone on this site.

Jet

 

[Hombre0321]

Jet, To answer your question your 100 yd zero should work just fine. Go to one of the balistic sites download your information, speed, caliber, BC of the bullet you plan on shooting etc. and this will get you close. If you have the chance you should verify this at 1,000 yds if you can before shoot day, but if not you are allowed unlimited sighters before your shots of record and you can dial it in then.

I am more comfortable knowing for sure, but I did this very thing for my first F-Class match at a 1,000 yds. Good Luck and keep us in the loop when you shoot your first match.

Roland

 

[Leaddog]

Re: Nightforce Quastions

Consider the zero stop option if you plan to shoot a lot of FTR

Jack

Why is a zero stop a good option on a KD range?

 

[nosualc]

In F-Open, last year I ran an 8-32NXS NP-R1. I bought the NP-R1 thinking I'd use the moa scale. I never ever used the reticle. I found that spinning turrets and hold-off were more effective for me.

I sold that scope (here) and got a 12-42BR NP2-DD this year. I like the extra power, and like the new reticle a lot. I do miss the side focus a little bit, but don't change distances all that often, so it hasn't been much of an issue. I also like the exposed target turrets on the NXS.

I've heard tell that the BR is a bit clearer optically than the NXS, but I haven't personally done a SxS comparison. Both scopes had excellent optical clarity, IMO.

As far as I know, I don't think zero-stop is an option on nightforce's 12-42 scopes (wish it was).

For me it came down to a cost difference. The BR is significantly cheaper than the NXS. Side focus wasn't worth the extra cash IMO. If the NXS also had zerostop, I would probably opt for the extra $.

Just my $.02

-nosualc

 

[chino1969]

I have a 12-42X NXS with the NP 2DD reticle with 1/8" clicks and would not hesitate to buy another. I have a 20 MOA base on a Borden Alpine action. There is more than enough come uppance to shoot long distances.

The reticle is sweet to say the least. I have not used the second dot in the field yet as I have to do more experimentation. Great scope, ruggedly built, great optics.