What scope to buy - NF Competition or Leupold 45X

[SS427]

So I'm at a decision point and with all the pros and cons added up I still can't make up my mind. Both scopes are new. Not trying to make weight. Will pretty much be used from 100-300 yards from bench. Could see 600 yard action but not much. I have several 8-32X Sightron scopes for varmint hunting. Will spend most time on a 6PPC, but could get swapped around. Price is a consideration but not a deciding factor.

2013 Nightforce Competition w/ dot - $1,650 (Euro Optics)
or
Leupold 45X Competition w/dot -$999 (Brunos)

Any special reasons why you would buy one over the other?

(Would like to buy an NF NXS 12-42x at an in-between price but have not seen any come up used with .125 clicks and the reticle I would want.)

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The new NF is the clearest high powered target scope on the market in my opinion.

 

[abishai]

One of our shooters is using the leupold 45x . The biggest drawback (on his , maybe on all ) is that the turret cant be zeroed

 

[ridgeway]

If shooting 1k BR go with NF comp. If shooting short range BR, go with the 45 Leupold.

 

[johara1]

I wouldn't even consider a 2013 NF competition if you shoot free recoil, and they are second rate compared to a NXS……. A Leupold 45 will work but sometimes it is hard to use at long range and variable is more useful. If i had to pick one of the two it would be a Leupold 45.If weight isn't an issue i would look for a used 12-42 NXS …….. Jim O'Hara

 

[dragman]

My friend just sold all 3 of his 45X comps and replaced them with NF competitions during the super shoot. I have limited personal experience with the Leupold fixed powers so I can't speak to them but don't know anyone disappointed with the competitions (not speaking of eye relief which we all know is short)

 

[Warren Dean]

I wouldn't even consider a 2013 NF competition if you shoot free recoil, and they are second rate compared to a NXS

Just curious how you came to that opinion of the NF Competition...I have never heard anyone say they are second rate.

 

[Joe Salt]

I believe Leupold is coming out with there new 7-42x56 the end of the month, why not see how that pans out before you buy either one then find out you now want to sell the one you have!

Joe Salt

 

[Jason Boersma]

I have both scopes and they are both great scopes. If you can afford the NF comp get one because at 600 yards I can almost read my name on the target and with the leupold I can barely see the lettering on the target.

 

[johara1]

I wouldn't even consider a 2013 NF competition if you shoot free recoil, and they are second rate compared to a NXS

Just curious how you came to that opinion of the NF Competition...I have never heard anyone say they are second rate.

I had one, i compared them side by side with my NXS. Power is over rated, the 42 power NXS and the comp. had to be near 50 power to equal the image size of the NXS. Eye relief is short and the eye box is really small, and at free recoil you can't find the light that fast and it kills you on seeing impact or trying to run them. As for as being clearer than an NXS or a March 10-60….. i don't think so. The only advantage over the NXS is 6 or 7 oz's. in weight……… jim

 

[M-61]

I have a Leupold 45x. Only complaint is SUPER critical eye relief.

 

[SS427]

Thanks guys, a couple things have been mentioned that I had not considered.

Two concerns I have.

1) The NF Competition has a .125 dot and I'm assuming that is at 55x. That dot is going to increase in size proportionally as you dial the power down. Does anyone know the size of the dot at 15x? NF does not provide this information like Sightron does. Neither does Leupold. A fat dot at 35x could be a deal killer.

2) I had a Weaver 36x and was not impressed with the brightness. Does the Leupold 45x have the same issue? Not concerned with eye relief but thanks for mentioning it.

The 7-42x Leupold will cost more than I'm willing to spend. Ideally I'd like the 2014 NF Competition with the smaller dots but again more money than I'm willing to spend.

 

[johara1]

If you plan to use it mostly at 1-300 yds. and just once in a while at 600 you sure don't need the extra weight or the higher power and the added cost of the NF. comp. that's 28 ozs. If you just have to have one there are a lot of used ones on the market………..jim

 

[Down South]

I wouldn't even consider a 2013 NF competition if you shoot free recoil, and they are second rate compared to a NXS

Just curious how you came to that opinion of the NF Competition...I have never heard anyone say they are second rate.

I had one, i compared them side by side with my NXS. Power is over rated, the 42 power NXS and the comp. had to be near 50 power to equal the image size of the NXS. Eye relief is short and the eye box is really small, and at free recoil you can't find the light that fast and it kills you on seeing impact or trying to run them. As for as being clearer than an NXS or a March 10-60….. i don't think so. The only advantage over the NXS is 6 or 7 oz's. in weight……… jim

I guess everyones eyes are different because the NF comp scope to my eyes has better glass than any NXS or March scope. After one of our matches at 600 yards we had several rifles lined up on the firing line with different scopes, NF Comp, NXS, NF benchrest, March, etc. and everyone that laid behind them agreed that the comp scope was the best glass of them all. Its all in what you like i guess.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Do you think the Sightron S-III 10-50X60 can wade into the same waters as these other 2 scopes?

 

[dragman]

Do you think the Sightron S-III 10-50X60 can wade into the same waters as these other 2 scopes?

Depends on the application. For the most part it can't hang with clarity, but I don't think it makes a difference in scores. Are the other ones nicer yes but its all about diminishing returns. Anything over the SIII while better doesn't net you much.

 

[Warren Dean]

I wouldn't even consider a 2013 NF competition if you shoot free recoil, and they are second rate compared to a NXS

Just curious how you came to that opinion of the NF Competition...I have never heard anyone say they are second rate.

I had one, i compared them side by side with my NXS. Power is over rated, the 42 power NXS and the comp. had to be near 50 power to equal the image size of the NXS. Eye relief is short and the eye box is really small, and at free recoil you can't find the light that fast and it kills you on seeing impact or trying to run them. As for as being clearer than an NXS or a March 10-60….. i don't think so. The only advantage over the NXS is 6 or 7 oz's. in weight……… jim

Thanks. I use mine for F-T/R and have zero complaints.

Opinions vary. ;D

 

[johara1]

I would guess there were some complaints or they would not have changed them for 2014 I seek accuracy under a .1 minute, so i guess some would be satisfied. The NXS was bullet proof except for the weight……. jim

 

[GSPV]

I have NF BR, NF Competition, LCS 45 and a March 50.

One technical thing right away. None of the scopes mentioned are First Focal Plane. Therefore, the reticle does NOT grow with magnification. It stays the same size. This is less desireable for those using their reticle system for known-size, unknown distance tactical matches. But, this feature is very desireable otherwise. VERY. No one is going to want a FFP scope for benchrest.

Back on comparison.

I have had a half dozen or so LCS 45s. Great scopes. Clear. Great customer service, if you need it. I never have. I have two now. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

The new Leupold 34mm coming out is 1/8 MOA in one axis and 1/4 in the other. Can't remember which. Makes it useless for my purposes.

March came about due to the short range benchrest folks feeling that the Leupold and other scopes had design flaws that caused them to have small POI shifts. My March is clear, but not as clear and bright as any of my other scopes.

I really like the NF BR. It is nearly perfect except for the weight.

My NF Competition is awesome. I wish I could afford one on every rifle that I own. I have a 2013 model with the predecessor to the 2014 FCR-1 reticle. It is the brightest and clearest scope that I own. I could see target details at a 500 yard stage yesterday that I could not with my 50 March. Period. Several people looked through it and are sold on the scope. The only issue with it is the narrow eye relief window. You have to have it just right forward and back. I do not notice the eye relief being short. Just the window being narrow. I have it on an 18 lb 7 Shehane. I have not had an issue. But, all cards on the table, I shoulder the gun lightly. I do not shoot it full free recoil.

In short, the NF Competition is, other than a slight weight disadvantage that might DQ it on a 10.5 lb rifle, the clear winner in my eyes. Pun intended.

 

[thekriebles]

If weight is not a concern, then I'd purchase a used NF BR 12-42 scope. The NFs are more clear and brighter than the Leupold 45s for my eyes, and I've had both of them. The NF has a 56mm bell vs. the 45mm for the Leupold. In theory this should add to the NF's brightness abilities.

If you need even more power, then purchase a $105 BulzEyePro optical booster to add approximately 25% more magnification power. I like my booster a lot. A 42x NF now has the potential for 52x.

Just my two cents.