I'm going to be in the market for a NXS scope within the next month and can't decide which route to take in terms of magnification. I currently have my PST 6-24 on my 338 Lapua and it'll get me to 1000 just fine which is what leads me to think I'll be ok with the 5.5-22. On the other hand, I shoot a lot of BR matches with it at 8" plates at 1000 and I'm wondering if the extra magnification will be good to have for these matches and if I decide to shoot this gun in different types of comps, I could back the magnification off. I'm pretty set on building another 6.5 Creedmoor so I'll have another Rifle to shoot shorter distances in the near future, leaving this gun as a dedicated 1000yd+ gun. In the chance I get some opportunities to stretch it out past 1000, How far can you guys get with your 8-32 before it runs out of adjusment?
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Rifle Scopes 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
- Thread starter snipedogg
- Start date
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
The critical issue may turn out to be the availability of reticles in the scopes you are considering. Nightforce has drastically changed the reticles it offers in the NXS scopes over the past six months. In my opinion, none of the currently available reticles for the 5.5x22 scopes are optimal for high power targets at any range, let alone 1000+ yards.
I have a sense, that the range of reticles is broader in the 32x scopes, but you'll have to check with Nightforce to see what they are actually building these days.
I'd, personally, go with the 22x because it can be gotten with a 50mm objective. The 32x cannot.
The critical issue may turn out to be the availability of reticles in the scopes you are considering. Nightforce has drastically changed the reticles it offers in the NXS scopes over the past six months. In my opinion, none of the currently available reticles for the 5.5x22 scopes are optimal for high power targets at any range, let alone 1000+ yards.
I have a sense, that the range of reticles is broader in the 32x scopes, but you'll have to check with Nightforce to see what they are actually building these days.
I'd, personally, go with the 22x because it can be gotten with a 50mm objective. The 32x cannot.
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
what ammo are you shooting? i've used 5.5-22 nightforce, the 8-32 nightforce, the schmidt and bender 5-25 scopes and the 12-50 scopes on 338 lapua rifles, all with good result. depending on the type of rifle and mounting system, do you have any moa built into your rail? the mounting isn't substantially different with a 50 or 56. personally i'm more worried about having a comfortable head position. so the question is how much adjustment do you want/need. how much magnification?
what ammo are you shooting? i've used 5.5-22 nightforce, the 8-32 nightforce, the schmidt and bender 5-25 scopes and the 12-50 scopes on 338 lapua rifles, all with good result. depending on the type of rifle and mounting system, do you have any moa built into your rail? the mounting isn't substantially different with a 50 or 56. personally i'm more worried about having a comfortable head position. so the question is how much adjustment do you want/need. how much magnification?
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
6.5mm Creedmore, great cartridge. Dane and I have built 5 of them and they are all tack drivers.
For the scope I would stick with the 5.5-22x the 32x is just too much. I think you'll find yourself dialing down so the mirage isn't as bad.
6.5mm Creedmore, great cartridge. Dane and I have built 5 of them and they are all tack drivers.
For the scope I would stick with the 5.5-22x the 32x is just too much. I think you'll find yourself dialing down so the mirage isn't as bad.
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
We have both, the 8x32 usually is used at 24/28 power, the 5x22 at 20/22.
One note; the 5x22 has around 100moa elevation. The 8x32 has around 60/65 depending on where you originally zeroed.
I like the 5x22 better, just my .02
We have both, the 8x32 usually is used at 24/28 power, the 5x22 at 20/22.
One note; the 5x22 has around 100moa elevation. The 8x32 has around 60/65 depending on where you originally zeroed.
I like the 5x22 better, just my .02
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
For BR-type competition shooting, I suspect you are going to want the 8-32x56. You can always back it down if it's too much mag or the mirage is bad. You can't dial up to 32x if 22x is all you have. I have a 5.5-22x50 and it's a great scope, but is not enough mag to suit me in F-class comps. So I bought an 8-32x56 NP-1R, which is better, but still not where I wanted to be. I then bought the 12-42x56 NP-2DD and that is the ticket for me. I have another on the way as well.
As mentioned, the higher you go, the less elevation adjustment. However, with a 20 MOA base, neither the 8-32x56 or 12-42x56 should be short on elevation to get you to at least 1000 yd. YMMV, but for that type shooting, I'd personally want more than 22x. If you generally prefer less mag to more, then you'll probably be better off with the 5.5-22x50.
For BR-type competition shooting, I suspect you are going to want the 8-32x56. You can always back it down if it's too much mag or the mirage is bad. You can't dial up to 32x if 22x is all you have. I have a 5.5-22x50 and it's a great scope, but is not enough mag to suit me in F-class comps. So I bought an 8-32x56 NP-1R, which is better, but still not where I wanted to be. I then bought the 12-42x56 NP-2DD and that is the ticket for me. I have another on the way as well.
As mentioned, the higher you go, the less elevation adjustment. However, with a 20 MOA base, neither the 8-32x56 or 12-42x56 should be short on elevation to get you to at least 1000 yd. YMMV, but for that type shooting, I'd personally want more than 22x. If you generally prefer less mag to more, then you'll probably be better off with the 5.5-22x50.
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
As stated previously, the 22x should fill every need you have and the mirage on the 32x is gonna be a killer.
As stated previously, the 22x should fill every need you have and the mirage on the 32x is gonna be a killer.
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
Since this will be going on the 338LM, I'm not too worried of only having 60MOA of adjustment. I'm planning on keeping the PST for the 6.5Creedmoor build if I continue with my current plan of building that rifle. The 32x seems to me like I'd at least have the extra magnification if I do need it. On the other hand, I often find that my 24x with my PST is just enough magnification before mirage is too heavy for the magnification to be useful. My rifle came with a 0 MOA base but I'm picking up a 20 MOA before my next range trip so no worries there. I have a Manners T4A so I don't have to worry too much about cheekweld if I go with a 56mm objective since I have the integral cheekpiece.
Jay: I've been keeping my eyes open for used stuff but PM and we'll talk, I'd rather go new if it's a good deal as advertised in your sig
Since this will be going on the 338LM, I'm not too worried of only having 60MOA of adjustment. I'm planning on keeping the PST for the 6.5Creedmoor build if I continue with my current plan of building that rifle. The 32x seems to me like I'd at least have the extra magnification if I do need it. On the other hand, I often find that my 24x with my PST is just enough magnification before mirage is too heavy for the magnification to be useful. My rifle came with a 0 MOA base but I'm picking up a 20 MOA before my next range trip so no worries there. I have a Manners T4A so I don't have to worry too much about cheekweld if I go with a 56mm objective since I have the integral cheekpiece.
Jay: I've been keeping my eyes open for used stuff but PM and we'll talk, I'd rather go new if it's a good deal as advertised in your sig
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
Something else that may (or not) be a consideratio for you is weight. The 8-32is pretty heavy, like 32 oz
Something else that may (or not) be a consideratio for you is weight. The 8-32is pretty heavy, like 32 oz
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
As opposed to <span style="font-weight: bold">31</span> oz for the 5.5-22x50? The bottom line is that Snipedogg will have to choose and live with the decision. At $1800.00-$2000.00, you'll probably want to find the best fit for what you want to do with it the scope.
My suggestion at this point would be to try and find someone at your range that has optics in the neighborhood of the different mag ranges you're interested in (even if they're not NF) and actually look through them and see what you think. It's the only to know for sure what your eyes prefer.
Although not exactly your intended use, still in the nieghborhood:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2890002#Post2890002
As opposed to <span style="font-weight: bold">31</span> oz for the 5.5-22x50? The bottom line is that Snipedogg will have to choose and live with the decision. At $1800.00-$2000.00, you'll probably want to find the best fit for what you want to do with it the scope.
My suggestion at this point would be to try and find someone at your range that has optics in the neighborhood of the different mag ranges you're interested in (even if they're not NF) and actually look through them and see what you think. It's the only to know for sure what your eyes prefer.
Although not exactly your intended use, still in the nieghborhood:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2890002#Post2890002
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
You can get 1/8" clicks in an 8x32. Not sure if you can in 5.5x22.
You can get 1/8" clicks in an 8x32. Not sure if you can in 5.5x22.
Re: 8-32 or 5.5-22 Nightforce NXS??
I am running a 3-15 f1 on my Lapua and it works great. The 5-22 would also be a good scope as well. I think you need to decide if you want to shoot way out there or do you want to see holes in paper. The8-32 would act as a spotter, but the lack of elevation would stop you from shooting much further than1500 yards or so. With the 3-15 I can lob to 2500 yards by adjusting 30 mils and holding over 6 on the reticle. With the 8-32 nxs this would be nearly impossible. The choice of base is a critical factor as well. I had Cameron Murphy custom make a45 MOA base so I could get all the usable MOA out of my 3-15. As to reticles, Nightforce has some great ones with my personal favorite being the MLR2.0. The MLR, the NPR1 and their mil dot are all great reticles in the higher powered scope ( the MLR is my favorite in a5-22 followed closely by the NPR1).
I am running a 3-15 f1 on my Lapua and it works great. The 5-22 would also be a good scope as well. I think you need to decide if you want to shoot way out there or do you want to see holes in paper. The8-32 would act as a spotter, but the lack of elevation would stop you from shooting much further than1500 yards or so. With the 3-15 I can lob to 2500 yards by adjusting 30 mils and holding over 6 on the reticle. With the 8-32 nxs this would be nearly impossible. The choice of base is a critical factor as well. I had Cameron Murphy custom make a45 MOA base so I could get all the usable MOA out of my 3-15. As to reticles, Nightforce has some great ones with my personal favorite being the MLR2.0. The MLR, the NPR1 and their mil dot are all great reticles in the higher powered scope ( the MLR is my favorite in a5-22 followed closely by the NPR1).
