NIGHTFORCE ATACR F1 SCOPES 4-16x42mm to 5-25x56mm

[Edsel]

My experiences with the 4-16x42mm (30 oz) have been quite good, and mirrors the review above.

Let’s just say it’s extremely user - friendly all around in my hands, an absolute joy to use.

Strongly considering buying this model for my .223 and .308 ARs.

I have no experience with the 4-20x50mm (35 oz) or the 5-25x56mm (37.5 oz).

Are they as “user - friendly” as the smaller 4-16x42mm scope - and with only around a 2 oz difference in weight between the two larger scopes - why should one bother with the 4-20x50mm model?

 

[Edsel]

4-16x42mm: 30.0 oz/850 g, nice short turret profile, great for 12 o'clock red dots if one so fancies. More room for tactical doodads and doohickeys.

4-20x50mm: 35.2 oz/998 g, turrets getting taller, optional red dots need to be offset, if ever...

5-25x56mm: 37.6 oz/1066 g, tallest turrets.

I suppose the latter two start getting "awkward" on AR platforms...

 

[diggler1833]

I had actually really wanted to get the 4-20x50 until I lucked into a 4-25x50 LRP S3.

Other than the obvious +4 on the top end of magnification, you'd get a little more exit pupil for a bit more light gathering at first/last light. But it comes at a cost of additional size and weight.

No experience with the 5-25, but rumors on here from more than one dude are that it is lacking in glass a bit when compared to the 4-16 and 7-35.

 

[Edsel]

NOT my pictures, but included to illustrate the size of the 4-16x42mm.

As far as size goes, personally - it's already at the upper limit of "okay."

 

[Edsel]

@CSTactical

You know your thread has something to do with these posts

 

[CSTactical]

@CSTactical

You know your thread has something to do with these posts

Who me? lol

Anyone looking for one, hit us up via PM or call 916-670-1103 in a little bit. - Richard

 

[Edsel]

Evening bump for opinions from real world usage…

 

[Tcorb734]

My 5-25 works well and holds up. I had the 4-16, but wanted more magnification. I've shot targets out to a mile with it in matches. It held up to the abuse of my 30-06 pushing 208 elds at 2760. The glass is clear and tracking is spot on.

 

[Edsel]

My 5-25 works well and holds up. I had the 4-16, but wanted more magnification. I've shot targets out to a mile with it in matches. It held up to the abuse of my 30-06 pushing 208 elds at 2760. The glass is clear and tracking is spot on.

Would thd 5-25x56mm be a bit too scope much for an AR?

 

[Tugboater]

I’ve taken over a 100 coyotes and 7 deer with with 4-16x42. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it.. I have the mil R reticle and love it. I don’t usually dial the turret inside of 350 yards.

 

[Ledzep]

I have a 4-16x42 and a 4-20x50. The reticle is a little thicker on the 4-16x. I hunt with the 4-16x and use in in NRL hunter. The 4-20x I shoot PRS with. Love both. Definitely appreciate the thinner reticle for PRS shooting on the 4-20x and the few times I've borrowed a 7-35x. I've had top-10 2-day PRS finishes with both the 4-16x and 4-20x so it's not a make or break thing.

7-35x is pretty awesome, I just don't ever use more than 20x on anything. I have heard (not seen actual data) that the 5-25x was not the greatest prescription in the optical elements. This is from a source I trust but again, I have no first hand experience, no data... YMMV.

ETA: For an AR platform it's 4-16x42 for me all day long between that and the other F1 ATACRs. Easy call.

 

[jbuck88]

My only gripe with my ATACR 4-16x42 is the rear scope cap rotates from TDC on 4x to perfectly interfere with the bolt on 16x. On a gas gun it didn't matter, however I either pull the rear cap off or cuss at it when using it on a bolt gun. Everything else about it is great.

Well maybe a simpler zero stop reset would be nice.

 

[Sendero_Man]

I have 5 of the 4-16x42's and two of the 7-35's.
Love them. Everything from hunting to comps to target shooting.

Ya can't go wrong !!

 

[Tcorb734]

Would thd 5-25x56mm be a bit too scope much for an AR?

That would depend on the size of your intended targets. If you shoot groundhogs or squirrels, then no. if you're after coyotes and larger, then the 4-16 should serve you well.

 

[Edsel]

Thanks, guys!

 

[MOUNTIC]

4-16x Mil-R is a very good optic for the price. Wish more manufacturers would use thicker reticles like the Mil-R and gen2mildot. One went with me to AK a few weeks ago. Have a few of these hunting guns. Rifle hit the ground and took a few spills that week before shooting a bull. Didn't have much worry. Yep, there's a dead one next to that one standing.

 

[Terry Cross]

My only gripe with my ATACR 4-16x42 is the rear scope cap rotates from TDC on 4x to perfectly interfere with the bolt on 16x. On a gas gun it didn't matter, however I either pull the rear cap off or cuss at it when using it on a bolt gun. Everything else about it is great.

#Bikinicover&zipties

 

[jbuck88]

#Bikinicover&zipties

I'm about to try this. I didn't even think about it.

 

[Dendro]

Man if NF could make the 4-16 a 4-20 and keep the same form factor & turrets they’d get all my $. @MOUNTIC nails it with the MIL R as the perfect hunting reticle, I couldn’t agree more.