Rifle Scopes Nightforce reticle question

[GalvestonWader]

Question about the reticle on a NF 1-4x24. Which would you prefer? They offer the NP-1, which is just basically illuminated fine crosshairs. The FC-2 which is illuminated circle dot. And mil-dot, which is obviously illuminated cross hairs with mil dots.

http://nightforceoptics.com/1-4x24-nxs-riflescope/

I really like the FC-2. Seems simple and uncluttered and quick to get on target. I will be using this primarily for hunting hogs with shots from about 30 - 150ish yards. I think the circle dot will be great for closer ranges, but wondering if it is precise enough for ear hole shots at 150+ yds? Also at the range, will the circle dot be precise enough to hit bullseyes out past 100 yds? Say you are on the 200yd range, I just dont know if at 4 power will the dot completely cover the bulls eye? Or is the dot small enough and precise enough at 200yds?

For right now I wont be shooting anything paper or live any over 200 yds. Im thinking the FC-2 would be great. Just looking for input from people who own or have used this scope, or anyone familiar with it. I dont want to choose the wrong reticle. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[samnev]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

I like the FC-2 reticle on my NXS 1-4X24 scope. The center dot is fine for shooting decent groups at 100 yards but I've never shot it out to 200 yards. I've been able to shoot groups a little over 1.25" with my LMT CQB @100 yards using FGMM ammo.

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

The FC-2 will do everything you need and then some. I've shot mine out to several hundred yards on small steel targets and it works just fine for precision use. The center dot is 2 MOA in diameter at 4x, which offers a nice balance of precision and speed on a target.

-Sean

 

[GalvestonWader]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

Thanks for the replies.

Would there be any advantage/disadvantage going with the NP-1 over the FC-2? NP-1 would give me a finer aiming point for further shots...

Man I had my mind all made up to get a NF, then I just read the "where did your NF fall short" thread and now Im not so sure. I though NF was about as good as you could get for a 1-4x24 in the $1200-$1300 range??

Well back to more researching and reading. Im going to go actually put my hands on and look through some scopes this week as well to see for myself.

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GalvestonWader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the replies.

Would there be any advantage/disadvantage going with the NP-1 over the FC-2? NP-1 would give me a finer aiming point for further shots...

Man I had my mind all made up to get a NF, then I just read the "where did your NF fall short" thread and now Im not so sure. I though NF was about as good as you could get for a 1-4x24 in the $1200-$1300 range??

Well back to more researching and reading. Im going to go actually put my hands on and look through some scopes this week as well to see for myself. </div></div>

The NP-1 leaves a lot to be desired all around.

What do you see as a shortfall? The 1-4x is one of the best all around in the price range you're looking for.

Sean

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GalvestonWader</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Man I had my mind all made up to get a NF, then I just read the "where did your NF fall short" thread and now Im not so sure. I though NF was about as good as you could get for a 1-4x24 in the $1200-$1300 range??

Well back to more researching and reading. Im going to go actually put my hands on and look through some scopes this week as well to see for myself. </div></div>

What did you read that was negative about NF to make you change your mind?

 

[Sandbogg]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

Order the 1-4 fc2 and quit over analyzing! It is as solid and reliable as you will ever need. I have had Premiers, S&B, Leupolds and I always go back to Nightforce.
Sure there glass is not the best , but it is still pretty damn good! I will trade a little optical clarity for drop dead reliability and great ergos everytime.
As to the complaints on that thread most sound like very minor things or failure to research the scopes features before buying ( 12-42 for example, it is well known that they do not have alot of elevation and vould be a poor choice to shoot 1000 and beyond). Some of "issues" are things that I ended up really liking about NF scopes. For instance, the rotating occular (easy to manipulate under stress), the illumination adjustment (set it up right and forget it). Some of the "issues" have nothing to do with the 1-4 nxs, like the illumination and the occular.

 

[GalvestonWader]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

I guess Im just over analyzing and second guessing myself. This is a major purchase for me and I want to do it right, and do it once.

Just doing as much research as I can. I want a scope thats great at close ranges and also still effective for kill shots to 200 yds. Im sure the NF 1-4x24 will be fine for that.

Also, I will have a green varmint light (ND3) for dark nights with no moon. But when the moon is more than 3/4 full I want to be able to just rely on moonlight. Im pretty sure the 24mm objective will still gather enough light to see with, but it still has me second guessing if I should go to a bigger objective? However, from day one when I started all this I have said that I want a small, low powered scope, NOT A FULL SIZED scope. Ive got bolt guns with bigger scopes, so I dont want that on my AR.

I'll just stick with the plan and get the NF with FC-2 reticle. Im sure it is plenty sufficient for 25-200 yds with a 308. Im just asking as many questions to as many people to help me make the right choice.

Thanks for yall's input.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

I wish I could share more information, but there will be a new reticle released for the 1-4 at SHOT.

As for the capability of the 1-4x24 in low light situations. It works phenomenally well. I've taken several hogs out to 100 yards with mine in near darkness with just a Surefire flashlight to illuminate the pig for a flash.

At 4x with the 24mm objective, it still provides a very large exit pupil.

And for peace of mind, the 1-4x24 is probably the toughest scope we produce.

I'm rather certain you will be very pleased. A whole lot of goodness is packaged in an 8.8" 16oz. package.

 

[map_it]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

I recently went with the 1-4x24 in the FC2 in thew 1-4 range. I usually shoot 50 and 100 yards at the range and engage hogs and deer at 50-250 yards in the woods, power lines in central AL where I hunt.
I have had the following..
3-9x36 Swarvoski Z3 Hunting Scope
Aimpoint H1
EOTECH
MarkIV 4-14 and for the hunting application I more prefer the 1-4x24 class optic.

You have a black circle and pretty good darn glass and in low light turn on the reticle and drive on.
Crank it up to 4x for the more precise shots and I hold the very top of the circle at the point of aim at 200 yards and split the windage with the little arrowhead at the bottom and I get really good results for precise stuff.

In my mind in a high stress situation home defense / hunting / competition I put more emphasis on low magnification and fast target acqusition than precision.

Off topic a little...
I went with the USO SN3 for my bolt gun as I wanted a little more magnification and I liked the reticle choices better...
But with all of the recent changes to the USO line and no ERGO option needing another scope for my AR-10 I was going with a 1.8-10 USO but now I'm ordering another Nightforce Compact in the 2.5-10x32 when funds allow.....

I really think the NF is the best value for the tactical scopes and they are just too darn consistant and seem to always work...

Just my 2 cents but for your application I bet the NF Compact will work great.....

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

i like that fc2 personally, can't go wrong with that.

 

[Anonymous-51]

Re: Nightforce reticle question

The FC2 reticle is great to hunt with, you can get fast follow up shots on running coyotes or multiple targets.