NIGHTFORCE ATACR F1 SCOPES 4-16x42mm to 5-25x56mm

Edsel

Edsel

Gunny Sergeant
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Jun 9, 2013
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#1


My experiences with the 4-16x42mm (30 oz) have been quite good, and mirrors the review above.

Let’s just say it’s extremely user - friendly all around in my hands, an absolute joy to use.

Strongly considering buying this model for my .223 and .308 ARs.

I have no experience with the 4-20x50mm (35 oz) or the 5-25x56mm (37.5 oz).

Are they as “user - friendly” as the smaller 4-16x42mm scope - and with only around a 2 oz difference in weight between the two larger scopes - why should one bother with the 4-20x50mm model?
 
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#2
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4-16x42mm: 30.0 oz/850 g, nice short turret profile, great for 12 o'clock red dots if one so fancies. More room for tactical doodads and doohickeys.

1725537567314.png


4-20x50mm: 35.2 oz/998 g, turrets getting taller, optional red dots need to be offset, if ever...

1725537615786.png


5-25x56mm: 37.6 oz/1066 g, tallest turrets.

I suppose the latter two start getting "awkward" on AR platforms...
 
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#3
I had actually really wanted to get the 4-20x50 until I lucked into a 4-25x50 LRP S3.

Other than the obvious +4 on the top end of magnification, you'd get a little more exit pupil for a bit more light gathering at first/last light. But it comes at a cost of additional size and weight.

No experience with the 5-25, but rumors on here from more than one dude are that it is lacking in glass a bit when compared to the 4-16 and 7-35.
 
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#4
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NOT my pictures, but included to illustrate the size of the 4-16x42mm.

As far as size goes, personally - it's already at the upper limit of "okay."
 
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#8
My 5-25 works well and holds up. I had the 4-16, but wanted more magnification. I've shot targets out to a mile with it in matches. It held up to the abuse of my 30-06 pushing 208 elds at 2760. The glass is clear and tracking is spot on.
 
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#9
Tcorb734 said:
My 5-25 works well and holds up. I had the 4-16, but wanted more magnification. I've shot targets out to a mile with it in matches. It held up to the abuse of my 30-06 pushing 208 elds at 2760. The glass is clear and tracking is spot on.
Click to expand...

Would thd 5-25x56mm be a bit too scope much for an AR?
 
#11
I have a 4-16x42 and a 4-20x50. The reticle is a little thicker on the 4-16x. I hunt with the 4-16x and use in in NRL hunter. The 4-20x I shoot PRS with. Love both. Definitely appreciate the thinner reticle for PRS shooting on the 4-20x and the few times I've borrowed a 7-35x. I've had top-10 2-day PRS finishes with both the 4-16x and 4-20x so it's not a make or break thing.

7-35x is pretty awesome, I just don't ever use more than 20x on anything. I have heard (not seen actual data) that the 5-25x was not the greatest prescription in the optical elements. This is from a source I trust but again, I have no first hand experience, no data... YMMV.

ETA: For an AR platform it's 4-16x42 for me all day long between that and the other F1 ATACRs. Easy call.
 
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#12
My only gripe with my ATACR 4-16x42 is the rear scope cap rotates from TDC on 4x to perfectly interfere with the bolt on 16x. On a gas gun it didn't matter, however I either pull the rear cap off or cuss at it when using it on a bolt gun. Everything else about it is great.

Well maybe a simpler zero stop reset would be nice.
 
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#16
4-16x Mil-R is a very good optic for the price. Wish more manufacturers would use thicker reticles like the Mil-R and gen2mildot. One went with me to AK a few weeks ago. Have a few of these hunting guns. Rifle hit the ground and took a few spills that week before shooting a bull. Didn't have much worry. Yep, there's a dead one next to that one standing. 👍
 

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#17
jbuck88 said:
My only gripe with my ATACR 4-16x42 is the rear scope cap rotates from TDC on 4x to perfectly interfere with the bolt on 16x. On a gas gun it didn't matter, however I either pull the rear cap off or cuss at it when using it on a bolt gun. Everything else about it is great.
Click to expand...
#Bikinicover&zipties
 
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