Rifle Scopes Greetings and a question from a newbie

[s5traut]

Greetings all,

I've been reading the forums for several days now and decided to register. I'm impressed with the knowledge levels in here.

I've grown up hunting and shooting, but I'm new to the tactical/range/competition scene as I'm just starting in it since getting stationed here in Tampa, Fl.

After much research, I've decided on a NightForce NXS NP-R1 or MLR with HS turrets in 3.5-15x50 or 5.5-22x50 power.

I plan to shoot in the 600 yard range, occasionally reaching out to 800 or 1000. I've read the stickies and I know the basics of scopes and shooting (and I understand MOA/Mil), I'm looking for some real-world traction from people who own/have owned these scopes. That being said, all opinions/suggestions on the reticle or ideal power are appreciated. I'm leaning towards 3.5-15, but have been back and forth on the reticle.

If this has already be been previously discussed ad naseum, I apologize and would appreciate any links to said discussions. I tried the search feature, but didn't find what I was looking for.

 

[Dumb_Like_Fox]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

ha! i tried asking a question like this yesterday and got no answers. It seems people would rather you look around yourself than help you out. I ended up deleting my post out of frustration. Good luck

 

[s5traut]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

Yeah, I didn't find the search very helpful in locating the answers I was looking for

 

[remau308]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

Did you use the google search just to the right of this post? This is answered at least twice a day in different forms of the same question.

My personal recommendation would be the 5.5-22x50mm MLR with a zero stop, or just the F1 mostly because of the FFP MLR2 reticle. (And I have used almost every Nightforce model and feature except maybe one of the lower power scopes)

 

[SRSDriver]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

The built in search is weak, but if you go to google and type in

'google snipers hide search engine'

You'll get this, which is a good way to search:

google sh search

As for your question, I have no experience with either of those.

Is your intended use tactical competition? You might consider something in FFP if you need more dynamic measurements/holds. I'm partial to FFP now and won't go NF until they have something in FFP.

 

[remau308]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SRSDriver</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm partial to FFP now and won't go NF until they have something in FFP.

</div></div>

The Nightfore F1 3.5-15 is FFP.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

The NP-R1 is a good target reticle, although for some eyes it may be a little on the fine side for hunting (line thickness is approximately half that of the MLR). Personally, my eyesight is no longer quite up to what it once was and 15X doesn't do the job for me at 600 and beyond. I have both the 3.5-15x50 MLR and 3.5-15x50 F1 MLR2 and, although both are great scopes, I find the mag lacking past 500 yd. I also have a 5.5-22x50 MLR, 8-32x56 NP-R1, and a couple 12-42x56 NP-2DDs. The latter 3 of these are on my F-Class competition rifles, where I usually run them at max mag unless mirage is bad. The 5.5-22x50 is a good compromise of magnification/field of view/clarity, etc. Remember, you can always dial the mag down, but you can dial it up if you don't have it. So if you have the opportunity, try to look through someone's scope(s) that have various levels of magnification and let your own eyes tell you how much you need or don't need.

 

[tnichols]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

Wife has the 3.5-15x56 NP-R1 and I have the 3.5-15x50 F1 NP-R1. I prefer mine for the reasons stated in the previous post. My eyes are "changing" (I'm getting old) and the SFP NP-R1 is little fine for my eyes. Both are good scopes and we use them out to 800 yards or so on UKD steel. Welcome to the Hide.

 

[s5traut]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

Thanks for the input all. I called NF today and their customer was great (no waiting, and very helpful). Based on that call and your input, I chose the NP-R1 reticle and I'm leaning towards x15 because I will primarily be doing my shooting w/in 600 yards and I'd rather have the greater field of view and light reception.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Greetings and a question from a newbie

Not too long ago, a friend of mine decided that he wanted to get into long range shooting. His first step was to enroll in a weekend tactical shooting class. Based on the recommendations of the instructor, he bought a Remington 700 and put a Nightforce 3-15X on top of it. The instructor told him that this scope would be perfect and all that he would need.

He likes the rig and it did fine for purposes of what the tactical class was about. Since then he's also gotten into target shooting and now wishes that he had gotten the 5.5-22X. As has been said, you can always dial down, but you can't dial up to what you don't have.

For what it's worth, I have NF 1-4X, 2.5-10X and 5.5-22X. I just didn't have any want or need for the 3-15X; but that's just me.