Nightforce Scope Advice

[DEC]

I am currently looking at purchasing a NF NXS 8-32x56. I am not involved in competitive shooting other than trying to best my own shooting. I enjoy shooting paper, metal gongs, and varmits. I would like to be able to eventually shoot out to 1000 yards. I currently shoot a target grade AR-15 (.223), but I want to upgrade to a 6mmAR (or a simular 6mm) in the near future.

My question is this: Do you all think that someday I will look back and regret not spending the extra money and springing for a NXS 12-42x56? I would appreciate your imput. Thanks

 

[NateHaler]

extra magnification will likely not make you a better shooter, nor materially improve your scores -- unless you have it in your mind that higher mag is the key.

As to the NXS vs. other scopes, I think you should look at Sightron too, e.g. their 10-50x60. Much less expensive, very good performance, but way fewer reticle choices.

http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1201816362&cat_id=6&id=172

On the other hand, it wasn't that long ago that virtually everybody was using regular crosshairs or plex type reticles.

 

[in2deep]

I would agree that the Sightron is very nice and you could save about $500. over the NF and not be handicapped at all.
Or if your set on the NF and want to save some dough get the Benchrest model 12X42 and save a few hundred over it's side-focus brother.
Or get a Weaver 36X for about $375. and grin from ear to ear and save about a grand. (I have had all 3 and the Weaver is right up there if you can use a fixed power).

Of course if your the type-A compulsive type just go for the gold and don't look back sometimes it's cheaper in the long run.............

 

[alf]

With your AR, I see no reason to go over the 5.5-22 Nightforce.

Actually, a 3.5-15 will work just fine out to 1K for your purposes.

The 8x32's and 12x42 are too limited in available adjustment range.

I've ran my 338 out to 1425 with the 22X and didn't feel hindered.

For a dedicated bench gun, the 12x42 rules, but for your uses, I'd stick to the 15 or 22 on the top end.

 

[Terry]

I have two 12X42 Nightforce BR scopes. They are great. For the $100 I would do it again. There are a lot of cheaper scopes, few better.

Terry

 

[CaptainMal]

Rarely use my 42X over about 30X. Mirage makes higher powers kind of difficult to use. Could have saved the $100 with a 32X model and not known a difference. World record shot at 1,000yds a few months ago was with the 32X model.

Heck. Yesterday I shot 600 yd. gongs with the bottom dot of the 2DD reticle set at 22X because of mirage. That dot literally covered none of the 4" gong at that range.

Either way you will be choosing a quality optic.

 

[Preacher]

Sure is nice to have the additional power if it's needed... you can always turn em down, but darn hard to go the other way if you don't have it....

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I agree with PREACHER. When needed you just can't beat the extra power. If you are going to be doing mostly paper and gongs, definately go for the 12-42x56. My only regret on a 12-42x56 NSX was on a gun that I use for varminting at all ranges. Close shots can be tough when trying to acquire the target at close range.
And of course,,,, don't leave home without that NP-2DD reticle ...

 

[Gregg Jacob]

I have the NXS 8-32 NP-2DD and love it. I looked thru a 12-42Br this summer and the mirage was awful, had to lower it to 24 to get a clear pic. I usally leave mine on 24 when shooting paper but when there's no mirage will take to 32 and use the 32 to help site others targets for them. Also if you want to take it hunting being able to go to 8pwr is a plus. This scope is goin to see alot of guns under it in it's life time. This is a keeper fore sure It's built like a tank. Right now I have a $1755 scope on a $700 rifle. Next gun will be a custom 6BR.

 

[DEC]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. My son does have a Sightron 8-32x56. I am impressed with the scope, but the thing that I see lacking is their reticle choices.

Maybe the NF is a bit of an overkill, but I like their reticles as well as their rugged construction and reputation

I also agree with Preacher that it would be much easier to turn the power back down if needed, but can't go the other way if you wanted.

Thanks again.

 

[Travelor]

I have the NXS 12-42 and routinely shoot at 42X out to 1000 yards in F-Class competition. Remember, you can only shoot as well as you can see. I recommend CH-2.

http://nightforceoptics.com/nightforcescopes/RETICLES_OVERVIEW/RETICLES_DETAIL/reticles_detail.html

George

 

[1shot]

I have a 8-32 NXS and a 12-42 BR, both have the NP-R2 reticles on them. Dont get me wrong, they are both great scopes, but I'd gladly trade the BR scope for another NXS just to get rid of these dang 1/8" moa adjustment knobs. I've been shooting 1/4" moa adjustment equipment for more years than I want to admit and these 1/8" moa knobs are simply a PITA to me. Other than that, it's a great scope.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[Preacher]

Then there are the folks like me, along with a few others that cant wait till they can have the 1/8 inch clicks in there NXS's...

 

[fdshuster]

Trying to adjust for, and hitting a 2" diameter 10 ring at 500 yards, and meters is just one of the reasons I prefer the benchrest models. Screw-on lens caps, turret covers, and a cost savings of approx. $450 are additional reasons. To each his own.

 

[Terry]

I have a 8-32 NXS and a 12-42 BR, both have the NP-R2 reticles on them. Dont get me wrong, they are both great scopes, but I'd gladly trade the BR scope for another NXS just to get rid of these dang 1/8" moa adjustment knobs. I've been shooting 1/4" moa adjustment equipment for more years than I want to admit and these 1/8" moa knobs are simply a PITA to me. Other than that, it's a great scope.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

Is the BR for sale?

 

[DEC]

I've been reading that at Shot Show 2011 Nightforce introduced their high speed turrets for all of the NXS models. One full turn of the elevation turret now equals 20 MOA as opposed to 10 MOA. With this change, Does one click still amount to .25 MOA? Are the clicks closer together? If so, does this make each click a little less distinctive?

Lots of questions.

 

[dreever]

DEC,

The big question is when they will actually be available to purchase.

Will NF make us wait till ALL non HS scopes are gone from the dealers shelves?

Will they discount the current non HS to move them?

Nobody seems to know.

Preacher: Still waiting on the 1/8 MOA clicks. Some have them now, guess you have to be in the in crowd to get one.

Danny

 

[6BRinNZ]

Hi Dec,

I know someone that has just fitted an NXS 5.5 -22 x 56 zero stop with the one revolution turret. I am not sure if the clicks are .25moa but I will come back to you on that and also if the clicks are just as obvious. Certainly from a visual point of view the markings are closer together and he has to use a magnifier to read the settings vs the standard NXS 5.5 - 22 x 56

 

[6BRinNZ]

I checked out the NXS 20 moa turret. The clicks are .25 MOA and are marginally finer, however they are typical NF positive (probably more positive than my standard NXS of the same type) and there is a distinctive click when moved, honestly there would be no worries in clicking in the dark with this.

As mentioned the marks on the turrets are significantly closer and this could be a problem if eyesight is an issue. I don't wear glasses or contacts and can read the marks with ease. The marks do follow the same pattern of a taller mark denoting the significant MOA points.

 

[DEC]

Thanks 6BRinNZ for your review of the new Hi Speed NXS turret. Sounds like I had better keep the reader glasses close by if I go with this scope.