Hi all. Its been a while. Haven't bought magnified optics in a long time. Seems like all I've been buying lately is red dots. My friend and I decided to build some billet AR15s, kinda on the high end, and looking to get optics. Both guns will be pretty much identical except the barrels manufacture but both are 16" 223 wylde. Basically we'll just be using them from benches, prone, standing, etc. Not running and gunning, no match type stuff, etc. We hate money so we just do this as a hobby. We mostly always shoot between 100-300 yards. I'm trying to shoot tight groups with this gun as I have other stuff for other purposes. I'm not sure what he cares about. We are trying to keep it under $2500 and compact. I enjoy practicing shooting tight groups instead of just dumping lead down range, so I'm not really sure how much magnification I need at those distances to hit quarters with match ammo. I understand keeping a heavier rifle will assist with shooting tight groups but I don't think I need to push 30oz for an optic. I had a NXS 3.5x15x50 years ago and remember how heavy that was. I don't need something heavier/longer.
I'm torn between NF ATACR 4x16x42, NF NX8 4x32x50, and Leupold Mark 5HD illuminated 3.6x18x44. (I heard to get the NX8 4x32 over the 2.5-20 version)
He is stuck in his ways (NF Fanboy) and says better to have more magnification if needed than not to have it at all and just wants to get the NX8 4x32x50.
I've read a few threads on the NF ATACR vs Leupold Mark5HD and they seem to be very close. Probably so close that I won't notice the difference since I'm only a hobbyist and won't be using this often enough to really care about a minute details one may have over the other. I did however come across something on youtube comments where someone mentioned that the Mark5HD reticle wasn't centered, if I remember correctly, and that was how they are made. That may sway me toward NF. Seems like every time I google "best ar15 optic" it returns the NF ATACR 4x16x42. Anyone else have thoughts on NF vs the Leupold Mark 5HD? I would be leaning toward the NF Mil-C or the Leupold PR1-Mil.
I found the comments and pasted them below on the Mark5HD:
"I love mine. I'd put it toe to toe with an ATACR. My next scope will be another MK5HD.
I have a question of interest. At low power to mid power is the reticle on your scope centered perfectly from right to left or is it off true center a couple MOA? I’ve heard that is normal on Leupold scopes. Example. Zoom to where the 40 MOA just taps the black edge ring on the right... on the left is it touching the black body ring also, or is the 40 hash marks on the left a few hash marks off the edge ring? Thanks!
@snow go man I've never heard of that before. So I just went and looked through my 5-25 and yeah. Its off center .2 mil. Had to get into high magnification to notice it when really looking for it (15-25mag).
@Ian Wellman whoa really!? Thats a bigg issue, no?! Been debating on a 3-18 for a few years and was getting close to just buying 1. But for $2k the reticle should nvr be off??
@Cole honestly I never noticed until dude up there said something. Hasn't effected shooting in anyway. I've shot everything out to a mile with it. I guess once you get it zeroed it negates the issue . The 3-18 is still on my list to grab for a hunting rifle."
I'm torn between NF ATACR 4x16x42, NF NX8 4x32x50, and Leupold Mark 5HD illuminated 3.6x18x44. (I heard to get the NX8 4x32 over the 2.5-20 version)
He is stuck in his ways (NF Fanboy) and says better to have more magnification if needed than not to have it at all and just wants to get the NX8 4x32x50.
I've read a few threads on the NF ATACR vs Leupold Mark5HD and they seem to be very close. Probably so close that I won't notice the difference since I'm only a hobbyist and won't be using this often enough to really care about a minute details one may have over the other. I did however come across something on youtube comments where someone mentioned that the Mark5HD reticle wasn't centered, if I remember correctly, and that was how they are made. That may sway me toward NF. Seems like every time I google "best ar15 optic" it returns the NF ATACR 4x16x42. Anyone else have thoughts on NF vs the Leupold Mark 5HD? I would be leaning toward the NF Mil-C or the Leupold PR1-Mil.
I found the comments and pasted them below on the Mark5HD:
"I love mine. I'd put it toe to toe with an ATACR. My next scope will be another MK5HD.
I have a question of interest. At low power to mid power is the reticle on your scope centered perfectly from right to left or is it off true center a couple MOA? I’ve heard that is normal on Leupold scopes. Example. Zoom to where the 40 MOA just taps the black edge ring on the right... on the left is it touching the black body ring also, or is the 40 hash marks on the left a few hash marks off the edge ring? Thanks!
@snow go man I've never heard of that before. So I just went and looked through my 5-25 and yeah. Its off center .2 mil. Had to get into high magnification to notice it when really looking for it (15-25mag).
@Ian Wellman whoa really!? Thats a bigg issue, no?! Been debating on a 3-18 for a few years and was getting close to just buying 1. But for $2k the reticle should nvr be off??
@Cole honestly I never noticed until dude up there said something. Hasn't effected shooting in anyway. I've shot everything out to a mile with it. I guess once you get it zeroed it negates the issue . The 3-18 is still on my list to grab for a hunting rifle."