Rifle Scopes Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

H

Hgold

Private
Minuteman
Aug 7, 2011
6
0
45
#1
Hi Guys.

Im a long time reader but never registered as I can usually find answers without needing to ask. But this one has me stomped. Nobody seems to have this scope.

Im being offered a nightforce nxs 12-24x56 very cheap from a friend of a friend who deseperatly needs money. Needless to say Im getting the scope at a great price. And Im on the verge of snapping it up.

My only concern is that its 12-42x56 woah.... Thats a telescope with built in reticle and rifle mounts right there.

The scopes going on a 223 and most of my shooting will be at 200-800 yards targets round the range with some sub 100 yards for varmint and the like.

I just cant help but think that with the magnification so high I'll regret buying this scope after a short while.

Anyone used one care to give some advice?

Many thanks

Harold
 
#2
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

finding varmint targets at under 100 yds will be very difficult to do with any speed... 12x is alot
also a pretty big scope size wise

3-12 or 3-15 is all youll need
 
#3
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

That is a TON of magnification for just a .223 AR...especially if you have any ideas of using it for a sub-100yd hunting/varmint rifle. 12x minimum is WAY overkill for that purpose.

I will tell you this though...there is a market for these scopes and depending on how good a deal you are getting on it, it might be worth picking it up anyway and then flipping it for a profit to finance some different glass. I would personally want a low range on a variable scope of not more than 4x and while you may feel differently, I don't see you needing a top end higher than 16x or so (unless you are just one of those MORE MAGNIFICATION junkies).
wink.gif
 
#4
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

Thanks for the advice guys, I kinda knew it would be a bad call but just wanted to hear it from a few people here first.

BTW: It would be going on a bolt action tikka tac, not an AR.
 
#5
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

+1 on what ORD said, if it really is a good deal, I'd pick it up anyways and sell/trade it for something you want.

I'm one of those guys who likes more magnification but 12-42 is way too much. I've used 8-32 before and that's about the most I'd do. Anything more than that, it'd be hard to look through, for me at least. YMMW
 
#6
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

NF at a good price is always a great thing to pick up then find and F class guy who wants it. ANything past 22 or 25 power IMHO has to much of a downside with mirage and field of view
 
#7
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

12-42 is a bit high for a 223. I don't know where you are but ere in florida I can usually see a mirage before I even get to 24x. I borrowed a 8-32 NF and I couldn't even use all the magnification unless trying to find bullet holes at closer ranges. That said, I'm still thinking about getting the 8-32 br for my .50 just because I think the price is right.
 
#8
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

I had one and really liked it. The biggest limiting factor is the lack of elevation (45moa), I almost kept it just for load development and shooting the occasional mosquito off of my target. If you can live with 12 power on the bottom end you will like the 12-42. The 42x makes' for a great spotting scope! For strictly target shooting it works great.
 
#9
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

I totally agree with Sandbogg. I had one on a 300WM. I just sold the rifle and the scope now sits in my safe. It's great to spot shots that are out at 1000y on painted steel.

The second your barrel gets hot or the ground heats up you won't be spotting anything on 42X. It's like trying to spot fish 100' deep in the ocean while floating on the surface.

I also found that I maxed out my elevation past 1500 yards with 30 MOA bases. My shots at 1760y were all done with maxed turret and MOA hashes. It would have been nice to dial the dope. It probably would have helped if I had loaded rounds that didn't go transonic twice prior to impact but you get the point.

FOV is horrible at 42X and is not practical in a tactical situation. This glass is very niche. It was the first scope that I purchased back when I thought more was better. I have learned a lot since then and hope that you avoid my mistake.

I have a 12-42x56, 8-32x56, 5-22x56, and 3.5-15x56. I'd recommend a 5-22x? for long range stuff. 3.5-15x? is also awesome.
 
#11
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sandbogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had one and really liked it. The biggest limiting factor is the lack of elevation (45moa), I almost kept it just for load development and shooting the occasional mosquito off of my target. If you can live with 12 power on the bottom end you will like the 12-42. The 42x makes' for a great spotting scope! For strictly target shooting it works great. </div></div>

+1. It's absolutely great for target shooting. Not so great for tactical shooting, hunting, extreme long range (due to elevation) etc. Different tools for different purposes.
 
#12
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

keep it, and run it.., like a couple others said, the sucky thing is lack of up, i can get to a mile with mine using a bit of hold over for the 338NM, but once i get an upgrade, the 12-42 will be goin on yet another coyote gun... i'm gonna piss alot of guys off tellin em how many dogs i killed using such a magnified overkill of an optic, but then again skeptics are just that... skeptics.
 
#13
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

A lot of people use it for BR work. I have one on my M96 Windrunner and it usually stays around 20x. At 42x, like above, mirage is ridiculous.
 
#14
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeterN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also the cross hais in the reticle are too thin in a hunting application. Fine for target work though</div></div>
What do you mean? I have had NF with thick reticles and ones with thin reticles. What reticle does this one have?

The 12-42x NXS is a good choice for a F-class rig, but it is definately not a good all around choice.
 
#15
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

I have couple of 12-42NF BR. Like Bowman, I thought more power was better. I sometimes shoot with a fellow who hits steel at 1000+ with @ 6X. It is overkill for a .223, unless you are target shooting. Even varmint shooting, 16X is plenty. It's long and heavy.
I have realized over a couple of seasons that it mostly magnifies...mirage.

If it's a great deal, go for it, great glass, keeps value, all are illum. and you can always dial down. I find I put 12-42x on to see how accurate a rifle can be, take it off and go with a much lower power scope. my .02.

 
#17
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

Like ORD, Branson, WCW and probably a lot of others said, waaaaay too much mag. Great for br, but anything over 10 and you start fighting mirage. Good for wind calls, but not much else. But pick it up if it's cheap, gives you an excuse for another build
smile.gif
 
#18
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

I wouldn't listen to jack shit for opinions from people saying it IS or ISN'T to much scope for that rifle. It's a BF for Christ sake. If its a great deal...get it, try it and if it works...use it until you fun a scenario where it fails your feeds.
Then either put it on a new build or flip it for something different after you've formed your own opinion.
 
#19
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

If you're getting it for hundreds less then buy it and sell it, no argument there. If its a hundred less than what you'd buy it for new then it's not worth it. Try it out like everyone said. If its too much to deal with then sell it. Im new here and I'm still in awe at how quickly things sell in the thousand(s) dollar price range.
 
#21
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

+1 on not listening to the skeptics and forum shooters... I also had sort of the same question when I got my Savage .338 Lapua I was getting a scope for her and was in the NF market anyway everyone told me 5.5-22 was the way to go and that the 8-32 was way overkill but for the price I got the 8-32 was a better deal then the 5.5-22 and also I am firm beleiver of I rather have more mag then less I mean at 32x its tuff but I am glad I have it especially when strecthing out that 338.. With that said for a 223 that scope is way overkill I mean the scope will have the mag you need and then some but balastics wise the 223 just cant get out there. But depending on the kind of deal is what should make your mind up if you can save a few $$ and when i say few I dont mean 1 or 2 hundred its not worth it for that. But if you can save big you can sell it or swap for a nice 3-9 or like a Leupy 4-12 Mark AR and have some real cash left over.. all depending on what you get the 12-42 for..
 
#23
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Los338</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> .....I am firm beleiver of I rather have more mag then less I mean at 32x its tuff but I am glad I have it especially when strecthing out that 338.. </div></div>
Some are believers in haveing suitable adjustment range over magnification.
 
#24
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: matchking</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Some are believers in haveing suitable adjustment range over magnification. </div></div>

"suitable" is subjective
 
#25
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

To be honest the 3.5-15x50mm would be just right but if you wanted more the 22x would be more that enough.

We are a Dealer for NF and we have them in stock so if we can be of help fill free to ask.


Mike @ CST
 
#26
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

Well, NXS 12-42 is - of course - fine scope, BUT due to lowest possible magnification it is almost useless under 200-250 yards, if want to see something more than eyeball... (Not quite, but you´ll see my point :eek:) x5.5 is quite nice for all-around use, still, there would be more opportunities, if there would be NXS like 4-40X56... I would sell all of my scopes and would use this all the time...
 
#27
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

If you are an older guy..you will like this scope. It is usable at shorter ranges at the 12 power a little over kill but not a whole lot difference than using the Fixed 10 power lupys that we used in Army.

It is a perfect optic for doing ELR, or F-class shooting. I would personally prefer the 8-32 power as you can get zero stop high-speed turrets with the 8-32 and I do not think you can get any of that on the 12-42 power. Also not a whole lot of elevation adjustment in the 12-42. Certainly not as Crazy as a March 8-80.
 
#28
Re: Is a nightforce nxs 12-42x56 overkill?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: frankythefly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Certainly not as Crazy as a March 8-80. </div></div>
I saw this a couple days ago (online) and my first thought was ... "FINALLY"
But when I looked at their site, the one that interests me the most is the 5-50x56. A low end that's more than manageable and a high end that will do more than I ever would need. It would be great to be able to spot impact hits for others. Unless the glass is poor, I see no down side.
Even 1/8 MOA clicks is acceptable if you're still getting at least 10 MOA per rotation.

How reliable is the tracking and how good is the glass. Regardless, I'm glad to see someone pushing the limits.
 
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