Nightforce Optic Question

[Hanse Davion]

Hey all. I was told I should post this question I made to the Calguns forum as I might get a better answer here. Thanks for any help!

Ok first the details of the weapon-

Rem 700 SPS Tactical
Nightforce Optic
20 MOA mount

Here is my question- I recently took my weapon to a gunsmith to install a muzzle break, but on top of that asked them about an apparent issue I have with my optic. As it stands, I have zero'd the optic for 100 yards, simple enough. However, in doing so, the turret adjustment for elevation is sitting at the 4th line indicator for the turret. That means it has been through 4 complete revolutions of the elevation adjustment on the optic. To me, that seems like I am wasting alot of elevation adjustment when I get into longer distances, yet the gunsmiths told me using the 20 MOA mount for the optic was needed for longer distance shooting, and didnt seem to have an easy answer for my question.

I havent had experience at long distance shooting yet as it is hard to find a range close enough for me to frequent it, especially while attending classes during the fall and spring, so please forgive my ignorance on the subject.

Photo of the weapon below, although I dont have a close up of the turret to give a good visual as its still at the smith.

Not sure if it really matters too, but after the optic was installed, and boresighted (As I was told by the dealer), the shots were completely off the paper even at 50 yards before I made the adjustment.

 

[ejb]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

is the 20 MOA mount 180 backward's ?

 

[ColinH]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ejb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">is the 20 MOA mount 180 backward's ? </div></div>

It doesn't look like it is in the pic.

I wouldn't think that you should be dialed in that high. With the 10MOA/revolution on the nightforce that puts you at 40 MOA to dial in at 100yds. There is no way it should be that high. Maybe check to see if when the scope is dialed all the way down if it actually reads 0, maybe the hash marks are off a bit??

 

[Hanse Davion]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Yes, I can turn the turret all the way down and no hash marks will show at all. When the optic was mounted, I was told it was boresighted by the shop I had do the install. When I got out to the range to begin fine tuning, it wasnt even close to being on the paper even at 50 yards. I got a reply on Calguns that points out I still have a good 60 or so MOA adjustments left, and that because I shouldnt need more than 35 or so for ranges at 1000 yards, this is actually a good thing because it keeps the optic closer to the center of adjustment where the glass is best. I am interested to see if there are thoughts on this.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Does that NF really have 100 MOA of adjustment? Its true 1000 yards will take between 30 and 45-50 moa (308 i assume) from a 100 yard zero. In the picture, the base doesn't look angled very much... A 20 MOA base will be fairly obviously angled.

Perhaps there is trash/debris under the base?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Also... I'm pretty sure those NF rings are on backwards. I think the nuts are supposed to be on the drivers side, not the passenger side.

My suggestion is to pull it apart, inspect for debris, bed your base and reinstall with nuts arranged properly.

To be sure you've got the angled base: is the rear off the base very obviously thicker than the front?

 

[redirt78]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Hmm... Sounds like you should take a huge loss and sell it to me cheap so I can deal with this headache... JK, the shop you took it to might like selling you extry boolits though. "Here she is, boresighted and ready for paper". Never hurts to start at 25yds after boresight either.

Hard to tell from pic but like mentioned earlier there is a noticeable slant to a 20 moa rail base. Good luck

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also... I'm pretty sure those NF rings are on backwards. I think the nuts are supposed to be on the drivers side, not the passenger side.</div></div>

This. Optic mount bolts on the left side of rail as you shoot, not the right side. I just mounted a NF 8-32x56 on a 20 MOA canted base. It was shooting ~18.5 MOA high @ 100 yd before adjustment, which would have put it about 1.5 MOA low on a flat base (with no adjustment). You should be somewhere in that general neighborhood with a 20 MOA mount. You want the objective (bell end) of the scope to be canted downward toward the barrel, not upward.

To check, unbolt the mount/scope as a complete unit from the rail. Use a bubble level to level the rail (both bolt to muzzle and side to side). Bolt (or just fully seat onto the rail without bolting) the scope/mount and use your level on the top of the elevation turret. You should easily be able to tell which way the 20 MOA cant is oriented.

 

[felderthewelder]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Sorry if this is off the purpose of the thread but is the 20 moa base really needed? I have an nxs 5.5-22x56 and it has 100 moa adjustment I think. Isn't that more than enough for just about anything he could do with a .308 or even a .300 WM?

 

[DirtyRod]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does that NF really have 100 MOA of adjustment? Its true 1000 yards will take between 30 and 45-50 moa (308 i assume) from a 100 yard zero.</div></div>

Not sure what model he has (appears to be an NXS) but most if not all current models should have 100 or 110 giving you 50-55 up without a MOA base.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Felderthewelder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry if this is off the purpose of the thread but is the 20 moa base really needed? I have an nxs 5.5-22x56 and it has 100 moa adjustment I think. Isn't that more than enough for just about anything he could do with a .308 or even a .300 WM? </div></div>

Depends on how far you shoot. It took 34.75 to get my .308 to 1018 yards. If the scope and bore are aligned you can get there with a flat base. Sounds like they were suggesting the MOA base as a bandade.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also... I'm pretty sure those NF rings are on backwards. I think the nuts are supposed to be on the drivers side, not the passenger side.

My suggestion is to pull it apart, inspect for debris, bed your base and reinstall with nuts arranged properly.

To be sure you've got the angled base: is the rear off the base very obviously thicker than the front? </div></div>

Unless NF rings are different, it shouldn't make any difference in your elevation range which way they are turned although turning them around will keep the bolts out of your way as you run the bolt, load, etc. Can't speak from experience with NF though since I use Mark 4s but I wouldn't think NF rings were canted.

Agree with the suggestions. I would strip it down, check engagement surfaces, check rifle, base, and scope with a level.

Are both the rings and base NF?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Felderthewelder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry if this is off the purpose of the thread but is the 20 moa base really needed? I have an nxs 5.5-22x56 and it has 100 moa adjustment I think. Isn't that more than enough for just about anything he could do with a .308 or even a .300 WM? </div></div>

Having a 20 MOA base???? Here is my take on it. Its similar to my take on guns and condoms.

Its better to have and not need, than need and not have.

 

[spts05]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

get some tools, take everything off safely, learn to mount yourself. pay for hide online training courses as well. also make sure when you go to remount that you have the adjustments centered in the scope before doing so.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DirtyRod</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unless NF rings are different, it shouldn't make any difference in your elevation range which way they are turned although turning them around will keep the bolts out of your way as you run the bolt, load, etc. Can't speak from experience with NF though since I use Mark 4s but I wouldn't think NF rings were canted.</div></div>

You're absolutely right. At first glance, I thought it was the NF Unimount, which has it's own 20 MOA cant built in, so orientation is an issue. If it's just rings, it won't matter.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

After you got it zeroed, did you check and see how much "up" you have left?

 

[JKirkland]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

Looks like the objective bell of the scope might be touching the front of the base. That will give you major problems.

 

[Hanse Davion]

Re: Nightforce Optic Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After you got it zeroed, did you check and see how much "up" you have left? </div></div>

I still have about 60% of the adjustment left to use.