Is a Nightforce overkill for a new long-range, hobby shooter? I keep hearing not to stick a cheap scope on a nice rifle and I think it might be the same with photography. I have lenses that cost multiple times the price of the some of the camera bodies I have used. So I am not opposed to splurging on optics, but also I am not a long range shooter. My plan was to just get a Remington 700 SPS Tactical and go from there. I live in GA ( just north of of Atlanta.) Open to suggestions.
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Rifle Scopes Nightforce before rifle?
- Thread starter TheWaker43
- Start date
I started with a Vortex Viper and didn't like the eyebox and could not get comfortable behind it. I got an NXS in MOA and SFP but quickly decided I wanted FFP and mils. I got a Nightforce F1 at a good price and really liked it. 10 months later I traded it on a USO but really wish I had not. Since then I've sold the USO and now have 3 Premiers, 2 5-25's and a 3-15. Just make sure you get the type of scope that suits the type of shooting you'll be doing in the future. This includes mil vs moa and ffp vs sfp. ZeroStop is another great feature that is extremely useful for some types of shooting.
Top end optics are a good investment. By all means get the Nightforce. It is not uncommon to put a scope on a rifle that costs 2 or 3+ times what the rifle did.
OFG
OFG
You'll either do it now, or do it eventually. You might as well do it now and not waste the money on a "cheap" scope, just to replace it later. It's always better to have a better scope on a cheaper rifle (not to degrade your Remington at all) than a great rifle and a cheap scope.
I think a good plan when just getting into the long range thing is to get a good "first" scope. You will eventually, like Visionr has, change it up a few times to settle in on what you really want for features and what image you prefer. Resale value is great on most higher end scopes, but is also good on mid-priced scoped too, such as Vortex PST, SWFA SS's, etc. Nighforces have good resale value, and are most common among guys who want SFP scopes with emphasis on robustness.
All that being said, you don't' have to drop $1800 on a scope to use for a year or two to know if you want to stick with it, or sell it. I'd recommend a Great mid-priced, hi resale optic like the new SS 3-15x42 -- it is FFP and Mil/Mil and would easily last as a permanent scope, or could be traded off or sold without too much hit. Nightforces are great, but I would venture a guess you'll eventually want a FFP scope anyway, unless shooting very long range.
All that being said, you don't' have to drop $1800 on a scope to use for a year or two to know if you want to stick with it, or sell it. I'd recommend a Great mid-priced, hi resale optic like the new SS 3-15x42 -- it is FFP and Mil/Mil and would easily last as a permanent scope, or could be traded off or sold without too much hit. Nightforces are great, but I would venture a guess you'll eventually want a FFP scope anyway, unless shooting very long range.
I have a good scope and rings on the way with no rifle to put it on. I do it like this to get the important part out of the way so I'm not tempted to cheap out after I pay for the rifle.
Know exactly what you mean. Month ago called my gunsmith and on the phone we put together a 6.5X47. He figured the gun will maybe be ready in about 6 weeks. Couple weeks ago bought a NXS 5.5-22. first Nightforce i bought, haven't had any gun time behind it but just looking through it when the atmosphere is good, turned way up, i was stunned by how much it resolves. Have a couple Weaver tacticles and a Vortex 1-6. With my aging eyes i view the Weavers as entry level. Have way too many Nikons, Burris and stuff like that, some are laying arround, a couple i gave away, a few still on guns. I don't think it's a case of putting the cart in front of the horse at all, maybe i am a slow learner but think i have finally learned. Don't cheap out on optics.
I spend most of my money on optics... the rifle is almost an afterthought.
Most bolt action rifles nowadays are capable of 1 moa or less given the proper free floated barrel.
However, that accuracy can never be realized, if the optic can not hold zero or track worth a damn.
Get the Nightforce... I've never regretted any Nightforce purchase.
Most bolt action rifles nowadays are capable of 1 moa or less given the proper free floated barrel.
However, that accuracy can never be realized, if the optic can not hold zero or track worth a damn.
Get the Nightforce... I've never regretted any Nightforce purchase.
If you're heart is set on a NF, then get one.
But instead of buying the Rem 700 Tac, buy two of them. Immediately send the other to GA Precision. This way you can have something to shoot while your rifle is being built
In all honesty, the 700 will be a great platform to learn on. Learn what you want and don't want before having the custom put together. The NF will be a great scope. I used to run them on stock Remingtons starting out. They did everything I wanted them to do.
But instead of buying the Rem 700 Tac, buy two of them. Immediately send the other to GA Precision. This way you can have something to shoot while your rifle is being built
In all honesty, the 700 will be a great platform to learn on. Learn what you want and don't want before having the custom put together. The NF will be a great scope. I used to run them on stock Remingtons starting out. They did everything I wanted them to do.
If you're heart is set on a NF, then get one.
But instead of buying the Rem 700 Tac, buy two of them. Immediately send the other to GA Precision. This way you can have something to shoot while your rifle is being built
In all honesty, the 700 will be a great platform to learn on. Learn what you want and don't want before having the custom put together. The NF will be a great scope. I used to run them on stock Remingtons starting out. They did everything I wanted them to do.
Absolutely agree. Your optic is only as accurate/reliable as the rifle it sits on (of course both are only as accurate as the ammo its fed and the shooter behind it).
Would you recommend someone getting into cameras, into photography for the first time, that they buy the top end lens and camera? Probably not, you'd likely tell them to not get junk, but that the top end isn't necessary right now. That getting familiar with the gear is, taking a lot of pictures with the fundamentals in mind, that's important to a new hobby or venture.
That said, I'd get a Vortex or similar. Those SS scopes are actually pretty well made too.
In the meantime, the added savings of getting the middle line scope will give you more money for ammo, because I'm sure you don't load either, just getting into it. So that would be my recommendation. You'd retain some resale value and you'd get more practice.
That said, I'd get a Vortex or similar. Those SS scopes are actually pretty well made too.
In the meantime, the added savings of getting the middle line scope will give you more money for ammo, because I'm sure you don't load either, just getting into it. So that would be my recommendation. You'd retain some resale value and you'd get more practice.
The glass is a very important part of the rifle. I went thought the Burris, Vortex thing and they were good but nothing like my Night Force and yes I drink that kool aide lol. If you dont like the Night Force you can always sell it for just about the same about you paid for it unlike some optics. I learnt buy once cry once and nothing wrong with getting the optic before the rifle my.02
Sorry folks but I would not stick a 2-3k scope on a 500 dollar rifle. As you are starting out in the long range game, there are plenty of scopes under 1,500 that will work for you. That being said, if you intend on learning with this setup and then taking the scope off and utilizing it on the next upgrade that is one thing. I went to a group shoot one time with a Remington 700 police and a cheap 200 dollar scope and had better results than those around me with 6k kits. If you have the money and you want to start off at a higher level then by all means drop the coin. Or, spend some money for a decent scope and learn from experience what you like and dislike in optics. With high dollar optics you are paying for subtleties that you will not fully appreciate for some time. JMHO
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If you have the coin it will be good to get the scope you really want. Just consider it attaching a rifle to the scope and not the other way around. As a matter of fact the scope will retain more value than the entry level rifle. I say this because part of the learning process is acquiring, calculating, ranging, dialing, holding etc. More than half of the process has to do with the optic. The rest is accomplished by good marksmanship, (positioning, trigger discipline etc). Most out of the box Remmies, Savage, Howas should be able to hit steel out to 700-800 with reasonable accuracy. Having high quality optic will reduce eye strain and frustration.
For a REM 700 SPS Tactical w/ a Nightforce is not overkill at all. If you go with the Nightforce scope and you will be very happy you did. We sale a lot of brands and NF is one of the best.
Mike @ CST
Mike @ CST
Well, kind of. Investment isn't the right word. Insurance is a better one. Schmidt Bender advertisements in hunting magazines use the quote "only a rich man can afford a crappy scope". This is true, buy the best and buy it once.
If you're heart is set on a NF, then get one.
But instead of buying the Rem 700 Tac, buy two of them. Immediately send the other to GA Precision. This way you can have something to shoot while your rifle is being built
In all honesty, the 700 will be a great platform to learn on. Learn what you want and don't want before having the custom put together. The NF will be a great scope. I used to run them on stock Remingtons starting out. They did everything I wanted them to do.
you will be money ahead if you just call GAP and buy a rock or.....something similar.
Thanks for the replies. Guess I should say the Remington will be upgraded as well. I am still reading and trying to learn as much as I can but I thought that the Tactical would be a good base gun. So I am open to suggestions in that area too.
Listen you are better off buying the cheapest M700 tupperware stocked rifle you can find if that's what your plans are. Walmart is a good place to make that happen.
Don't spend more on "tactical anything". Just buy 1 or 2 Walmart 700s and shoot one and get the other one built.
Don't spend more on "tactical anything". Just buy 1 or 2 Walmart 700s and shoot one and get the other one built.
This was my train of thought when I bought my first bolt gun (Remmy 700 5R) and put a Nightforce F1 on top of it.
what kind of shooter are you? pretty new? shot out to 800 yards and beyond yet? if you aren't at least a bit experienced id wait on the night force. id get a vortex pst or something similar, plenty good for mid level shooters. if you don't have the skills to utilize the better optics of the night force its kind of a waste of money. you can use the extra 1200 or so to buy ammo, upgrade the rifle some, maybe get a range finder or something. the night force type optics should come after you have excelled past the level of mid tier optics and need something for serious shooting.
now if you have unlimited money, by all means, get the top of the line of everything. if not, and you are new, you won't really be able to use the better scopes to their ability. vortex psts and similar scopes retain value pretty well, you can turn around and sell a well taken care of one for 50-100 less than what you buy it for.
now if you have unlimited money, by all means, get the top of the line of everything. if not, and you are new, you won't really be able to use the better scopes to their ability. vortex psts and similar scopes retain value pretty well, you can turn around and sell a well taken care of one for 50-100 less than what you buy it for.
Bad advice.
Better optics is better optics, period. You don't need to be an experienced shooter to look through two different quality levels of scope and see the difference.
Better optics is better optics, period. You don't need to be an experienced shooter to look through two different quality levels of scope and see the difference.
You can always buy a used Nightforce with confidence and save a few hundred. With their exemplary customer service, NF Can make anything right if there is an issue. Also, buying used, you can pretty much get all of your money out of it if you decide to sell.
I can't see any downside to it, as it's like parking cash in a safe, except you get a killer piece of equipment to use in the meantime.
I can't see any downside to it, as it's like parking cash in a safe, except you get a killer piece of equipment to use in the meantime.
Read the Optics Selection sticky at the topic of this section. If you what type and ranges of shooting you plan, you can get a good idea of what your need. A good quality scope will allow your rifle function to it's maximum potential in both accuracy and precision. Always fun going to the range and consistently shoot 1" dots at 100 yds, while those around me struggle to hit 6" targets at the same distance. Let them shoot my setup and optics and they always seem amazed at the difference. Good optics also make all the practice you need much less frustrating. Good Luck
Keep the bushnell, Bushnell put R&D into that thing that no one else has ever done in a long time. It's tops for the money.
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