Is it a necessity to have 1st focal plane when shooting/hunting long distance? Is nightforce superiority a thing of the past since all of their scopes on the market are 2nd focal plane?
Rifle Scopes NF vs. Vortex vs. S&B
- Thread starter whitenup11
- Start date
NF has a front focal scope out right now called the F1 and the 5-25x56 BEAST will be coming out soon (hopefully). and how long are we talking about here?
Nightforce NXS F1
Nightforce NXS F1
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SFP is still good for ELR with stationary target. Trying to decide right now if I should go FFP or SFP for my Barrett .416 as it will only see stationary targets at LR. I have a mid-priced FFP on it now but am looking to upgrade (USO. NF BEAST, NF NSX) and I am still on the fence as to what I want. I would say that SFP still has a place in the shooting world as far as targets go but for hunting I would select a FFP.JMHO
I think FFP is a must. I see no reason for my scope to have inaccurate subtensions EVER. NF is starting to catch up just give em time. All three make good glass and stand behind their products. Actually I take it back... The only reason I'd take a SFP would be if I only had a duplex (or any non ranging reticle).
~Brett
~Brett
For any scope with magnification beyond 8x or so, I don't see myself ever buying an SFP scope again.
In my opinion, Nightforce still makes the most reliable scope. I own or have owned all the high end scopes in the brands you mentioned... if I had to sell all my scopes but one, the remaining one with be a Nightforce F1.
In my opinion, Nightforce still makes the most reliable scope. I own or have owned all the high end scopes in the brands you mentioned... if I had to sell all my scopes but one, the remaining one with be a Nightforce F1.
Most people who are hunting on low magnification also have no need for a ranging reticle though. And there are reticles that are designed to look right at the lower mags....
I do a lot of hunting in the plains and if I could have shot 800-1200 yds I might have some monster deer!
How many times have you shot 800-1200 yards?
How many times have you shot 800-1200 yards in field conditions?
How many times have you shot 800-1200 yards in field conditions?
I have only shot out to around 500 just messing around target practice. NEver shot more than 350 in the field because I only want to make ethical shots. I feel with the right scope and some help from a friend I should be able to extend my range.
Past 600 yards it's a whole new ball game. I wouldn't take a shot at an animal at that range and I have been competing for years. You better get out and practice at those ranges alot and then practice some more and become very good at reading the wind before you take a shot at that range because if not you will not be making ethical shots. Don't confuse having gear with having skill.
The biggest problem with shooting animals at extended ranges is not the ability to hit the target, its the time of flight. A grazing deer moving just one step during the flight time turns that perfect shot into a gut shot. Any time you intend to make a shot like that, keep flight time in mind.
P
Pleistarchus
Guest
Figure a .5moa rifle(if you can maintain that degree of accuracy) is a 6 inch group at 1200 yards. A 1moa rifle is a 12 inch group at 1200. Taking wind, humidity and all other factors that come in effect at that range even the best marksman will need several shots to hit a 12 inch target at 1200 yards. Trying to hit an animal at that range is________(please fill in the blank).
I understand that that these are not 50 yd chip shots. I understand that practice wont always make perfect. however, other people are able to make long shot, so I want to make long shots even if they are just 600-800. As of right now I do not have the quality of optics needed to accomplish this. thats why I am here asking for everyone input on scopes. Right now Im thinking a NXS 5.5x22 56mm MOAR will suffice. I would like a FFP, but not ready to commit another 1500 bucks to the cause
. My local store is selling one for 1700 with zero stop. It was bought and returned, so they have discounted the price. seems like a solid buy.
. My local store is selling one for 1700 with zero stop. It was bought and returned, so they have discounted the price. seems like a solid buy.
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I've got two FFP scopes, a Hensholt 3-12 and a Premier Heritage 5-25 both have nice fine lines and are good scopes.
However, they are pricey...
I have a NightForce SFP scope and the glass is great.
I'm super spoiled with the Hensholt, as its an awesomely well designed scope.
I do think in going to look at the Vortex Razor HD Gen II...
However, they are pricey...
I have a NightForce SFP scope and the glass is great.
I'm super spoiled with the Hensholt, as its an awesomely well designed scope.
I do think in going to look at the Vortex Razor HD Gen II...
Is weight a factor in your rifle? Is it a beanfield type rifle, or will you be packing it long distances? Just for hunting or will you use it for comps? Huge scopes and large magnification ranges aren't ideal for hunting scenarios, in my opinion. The pesky deer pops out at 25 yards, at a trot, and you will wish you had a lower magnification. A skillful shooter can make hits with a good 3-12 or 3-15 and still have a low end magnification. 3x is the highest I would want to have as the bottom of the mag range. My opinion only, but I wanted to kick myself when my 6-24 was on my LR rig and I had 400 in most directions in a stand, and the deer was 15 yards away and chasing a doe trail. Didn't get a shot off.
haha that sucks. Where I hunt I sit on a hill and can shoot further than I could ever imagine. weight not an issue.
I went ahead an picked up a new NF 5.5X22 56mm zero stop. I got it for 1600, so I feel like if I dont like it I can trade or sell for something else without losing to much money.
Good luck with the new scope, it is a good one. Always liked the NSX line, just wanted it in FFP like everyone else.
Had 3 NF's and am down to 1, The first one I sold, I upgraded to a Razor, and couldn't be happier! FFP all the way. J
If you can afford an SnB then thats the best of the three, usually. FFP all the way. NF has never been the superior, but they are pretty good.
Boy do I agree with that. My 3 FFP scope the reticles are almost useless on their lowest powers. Call me dumb but I much prefer my 2nd FP Nightforce scopes with the MOAR reticle over any of the 3 FFP scopes i own.
i have a razor, i shoot with guys that have the NXS and S&B,,, the razor is way better then the NXS, the S&B you could see it was crisper, but not 1800$+ crisper...
its a combo thing.. glass is better, not huge, but noticeable... the big things are value..
razor u get FFP, EBR2b, zero stop, 10mil turrets, sun shade tube, ARD, bubble lvl, flip caps and a craftsman like warrenty
GREAT.mil/leo discount as well..
The Razor has great glass, only a fan of the 10mil turrets however. Nxs glass is not bad, pretty good but it's not HD glass, at least I don't think it's fluorite fused. You can't go wrong with the Razor. But it's a big ass scope.
Nice. I'm working my way to the expensive scopes. Right now I'm using a Trijicon 5-20x50, SWFA SS 3-15FFP and about to get a SWFA SS 5-20 HD but I want to eventually get a Razor or NF.
Damn, I honestly never thought of that. I could just swap it between 2 rifles. It shouldn't be too difficult with the difference in Win/Ele
Hmmm I see a lot of the NXS line of NF scopes for sale on here. I'm assuming these are not FFP scopes? Nobody mentions it in their Ads anyway. I will either look for a used NF or Razor
NXS are all SFP's... and only the new ones have ZS
only the F1 and beast are FFP, the f1 is low power, and the beast is priced like a S&B...
only the F1 and beast are FFP, the f1 is low power, and the beast is priced like a S&B...
Ah okay. So if I want a NF scope in FFP I need to find a used F1.
What would honestly choose between a Razor or a NF F1? As far as "nice" goes. Great glass, eyebox, repeatability etc
Damn haha.
I'm thinking I cannot afford a used NF F1 so I will probably look around for a used Razor.
Yeah and I haven't seen any used NF F1 for sale recently. I want to say they go for ~$1800 used
Vortex and NF get their glass from the same japanese manufacturer to my understanding. SnB glass is Euro. So if they they are coming from the same place what would make the glass that much better?
I just picked up a new nightforce NXS. I looked through both FFP and SFP and it really didnt make that much of a difference for me except on FFP the reticle at low power is hard to distinguish (noticeably difficult). I think people are on a vortex and SnB kick only because of popularity of FFP currently. NF is still a great scope, I got an appraisal from swfc for a 2002 model NXS at 1100 bucks! whoa that is a lot for an 11 year old scope. Im sure I will own a FFP one day, but only because a I have quality sfp scope and there is no need to have 2 of the same kind.
Vortex is good for the price. NF is a step up in clarity and durability. S&B is a few steps up and highest tier in glass clarity and the turrets track very true. Only you can decide what is worth it from your budget limitations and needs.
FFP is nice to have for holdovers at any magnification, but it can be difficult to see the reticle at lower magnifications, illumination can help with this. SFP is easy to see the reticle at all magnifications but holdovers are only accurate at the maximal magnification, so if you every forgot and have it dialed lower, that could result in an unnecessary miss.
It boils down to personal preferences, budget, and applications.
FFP is nice to have for holdovers at any magnification, but it can be difficult to see the reticle at lower magnifications, illumination can help with this. SFP is easy to see the reticle at all magnifications but holdovers are only accurate at the maximal magnification, so if you every forgot and have it dialed lower, that could result in an unnecessary miss.
It boils down to personal preferences, budget, and applications.
A company orders glass and demands a spec. Just like you order a hamburger at a restaurant, you get it how you want it. Furthermore, it isn't just the "glass", but rather the design and lens coatings that make a scope "pop" to your eye.
Lets assume for comparison's sake that Remington and Bartlein order blanks from the same place...are they the same quality? Works the same with with glass.
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