Rifle Scopes Nightforce Reticles

trpr154

trpr154

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Mar 17, 2009
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#1
I am getting ready to purchase a nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56, or a NXS 8-32x56. I want opinions on your favorite nightforce reticle. I will be mounting this nightforce on an ELR rifle. I plan on shooting from 1000 -1760 yards with it, and possibly some tactical comps.

I only want opinions on nightforce reticles. I have made up my mind on the nightforce purchase.

Thanks
 
#3
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Probably MOA, unless someone convinces me otherwise. Have you fired a nightforce with the NP-R2 reticle?

Usually just shoot a standard mil-dot reticle, but I was interested in the NP-R1/NP-R2 reticles.
 
#4
Re: Nightforce Reticles

I have one with mildot and one with np-r2, I like the np-r2 better. It is just a little less cluttered than than the np-r1 but does not offer as fine of MOA markings. If I were doing unknown distance competitions frequently I might prefer the np-r1.
 
#5
Re: Nightforce Reticles

A couple of things here to consider the 5.5-22 has 100MOA of elevation since you mentioned shooting to 1800 yards. The others have less.
Second if you can wait till May when Nightforce comes out with thier new 20MOA per revolution target knobs compared to the current 10MOA per revolution it might be a worthwhile addition to consider.
Third, of ALL the Nightforce reticles available I like the NP2-DD by far the best. It's not a ranging reticle I know, but it is still by far the best in my opinion.

Danny
 
#6
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jbulrs3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have one with mildot and one with np-r2, I like the np-r2 better. It is just a little less cluttered than than the np-r1 but does not offer as fine of MOA markings. If I were doing unknown distance competitions frequently I might prefer the np-r1. </div></div>

You read my mind in regards to the NP-R1 vs NP-R2. I would think targets would be easier to pick-up with the NP-R2.

If its not too cluttered, I think I would still prefer the ranging/holdover capabilities of the NP-R1 with 1 MOA vertical and 2 MOA horizontal markings, but I am not sure.
 
#8
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Danny,

I appreciate the heads up on the 100 MOA vs 65 MOA, between my two scope choices. I will have to figure up how much MOA I will need to get out to my max shooting distance.

The base has 27 MOA + the scope MOA.

I may run a Barrett BORS on the nightforce, and I'm not sure if it will be compatable with the new 20 MOA turret?

Reasons for your preference of the NP2-DD reticle. I'm set on a ranging reticle, but just curious.

Thanks
 
#9
Re: Nightforce Reticles

The NP-R2 doesn't appeal to me as much as the R1's. The lack of "resolution" on the reticle is much more of a turn off than having an "uncluttered" appearance to me.

If you have a shot on a mover, 5 MOA holds at longer distance are probably fine, however, if you're holding for wind, 5 MOA holds leave me searching for better resolution.
 
#13
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Graham,

Is nightforce coming out with more reticle options this summer or were you referring to the 20 MOA turrets?

MLR is an option, but still planning on an NP-R1/NP-R2.
 
#14
Re: Nightforce Reticles

One thing that is interesting about the NP-R2 reticle is that if you are using zero-stop turrets, the windage turret only allows for 5MOA of adjustment in either direction. So, if you need to dial more wind the 5moa hashmarks allow you to hold and then dial for any value. So if you need 7moa, hold one hashmark and dial 2.

In this way the turrets work with the reticle pretty well. It's kind of an interesting compromise.
 
#15
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Salmonaxe,

That was news to me, about the zero stop turrets. I didn't realize they only allowed 5 MOA of windage. I would like to have zero stop turrets, but they are not an option with the BORS. If I don't end up getting a BORS, then I'll probably kick myself for not getting the zero stop turrets.
 
#16
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Salmonaxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One thing that is interesting about the NP-R2 reticle is that if you are using zero-stop turrets, the windage turret only allows for 5MOA of adjustment in either direction. So, if you need to dial more wind the 5moa hashmarks allow you to hold and then dial for any value. So if you need 7moa, hold one hashmark and dial 2.

In this way the turrets work with the reticle pretty well. It's kind of an interesting compromise. </div></div>

Interesting, unfortunately I don't have ZS turrets, but that's a good thing to keep in mind.
 
#18
Re: Nightforce Reticles

I have both, NP-R1 and R2. I use the R-2 for Hunting mostly. For tactical and target if you're going MOA I think the R-1 is certainly the better choice Much more precise. IMHO
 
#19
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Thanks for your opinion, Dagsta.

Seems like most people have been leaning towards NP-R1 reticles for precise tactical/long range target use.
 
#20
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trpr154</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for your opinion, Dagsta.

Seems like most people have been leaning towards NP-R1 reticles for precise tactical/long range target use. </div></div>

For the shear number of rounds fired through my rifles, getting a hunting reticle on a mainly target rifle is less productive than putting a tactical/target reticle on a rifle that can still be used for hunting.

My primary hunting rifle is a M7 in 7 SAUM with a 3-9x50 Conquest Z600 reticle on top, the only thing I find wanting for is an illumination dot for those very low light shots or low contrast backgrounds at twilight.

If you will use the rifle for running 'yotes a bunch it may very well suit you better to get an R2 but those shots are less than 1/500 for me. From your stated purpose, I think you're going to find yourself wanting more resolution than the R2 provides.
 
#21
Re: Nightforce Reticles

The R2 is a great tactical reticle. We have been seeing them popping up at more sniper training and competitions here in AZ. They are quicker than the mil-dots with the users I have seen. They are very accurate and guys do great with them.

I have not seen anyone use them to shoot as far as youu are gonna, since I work w/ LE, but I would think they would be suited just fine for it. That scope afterall was designed for the big 50's.

-Nate
 
#22
Re: Nightforce Reticles

The rifle is a large caliber ELR setup. It might get used for hunting, but rarely and only on stationary large game at long range.

Yote rifle is a 223 or 204 with a Leupy in a Varmint reticle.
 
#23
Re: Nightforce Reticles

I would go with the R1 its not too "busy" and way better for using your Mill dot master than the R2

R2 is great for hunting IMHO
its just not as good for tactical however
 
#25
Re: Nightforce Reticles

I don't understand why you folks say the NP-R1 and the NP-R2 are not ranging reticles? Since you know the distance between horizontal and vertical hashmarks (1 & 2 moa for the R1 and 2 & 5 moa for the R2) you can very easily use them as a ranging reticle, since you know 1moa=1" per 100 yards. You just end up reverse math-ing the formula a little. An 18" tall silhouette taking up 3 vertical hashmarks on an R1 will range out as 600yds. Seems pretty simple to me.

As an old highpower shooter, the R1 reticle for my 308 seemed an obvious choice. I know my rifle, zero'd at 200yds, with my match ammo will need 3moa to go to 300, 7 more (10) for 500 and 14 for 600, 25 for 800 and 38.5 for 1K. 1moa windage per 5mph wind at 500, 1/2 at 300, 1/4 for 200, 1.25 at 600, 2 at 800 and 2.5 at 1000. I have a scope cap chart, but those numbers are there from many years of M852 shooting. I am shifting to 175s, but it's going to fry my old brain to learn new numbers.
 
#27
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Go MLR and MilRad knobs, it's such an easier system to use, hence the reason every Military Sniper on the planet uses Mils, I just made the swtich from MOA NF to a PR MilRad scope, I may send off my NF for a Mil conversion, MILs and MOA are both measurements of angles, niether is standard or metric, but Mils are universal, as for magnification, 5.5-22 is all you need, I would get the 56mm bell.
 
#28
Re: Nightforce Reticles

A couple of you have said "Mil turrets and MLR reticle".

I understand those are your opinions, but I would need some good reasons to convince me to change from MOA to Mil, not just opinions.
 
#29
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trpr154</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I understand those are your opinions, but I would need some good reasons to convince me to change from MOA to Mil, not just opinions. </div></div>
I prefer MOA over mils . But, when shooting with other people, most of the corrections called are in mils. So, if you use MOA, you either need to convert in your head quickly, or spot your own shots. Or shoot with someone in MOA!
Honestly, they are both effective ways to achieve the same thing- elevation on a scope. So, if you want MOA, go MOA.
 
#31
Re: Nightforce Reticles

MLR all the way!

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#33
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NukeMMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't understand why you folks say the NP-R1 and the NP-R2 are not ranging reticles? Since you know the distance between horizontal and vertical hashmarks (1 & 2 moa for the R1 and 2 & 5 moa for the R2) you can very easily use them as a ranging reticle, since you know 1moa=1" per 100 yards. You just end up reverse math-ing the formula a little. An 18" tall silhouette taking up 3 vertical hashmarks on an R1 will range out as 600yds. Seems pretty simple to me.

As an old highpower shooter, the R1 reticle for my 308 seemed an obvious choice. I know my rifle, zero'd at 200yds, with my match ammo will need 3moa to go to 300, 7 more (10) for 500 and 14 for 600, 25 for 800 and 38.5 for 1K. 1moa windage per 5mph wind at 500, 1/2 at 300, 1/4 for 200, 1.25 at 600, 2 at 800 and 2.5 at 1000. I have a scope cap chart, but those numbers are there from many years of M852 shooting. I am shifting to 175s, but it's going to fry my old brain to learn new numbers. </div></div>

I'm with you. I shoot NP-R1 on two scopes and have no trouble with ranging and correction calls. The thing to remember is you HAVE TO range on 22 power unless you do the math. If you shoot and 8-32 you have shoot on 22X if you hold over with the reticle. I have a 45 MOA base on my 300WSM and my 100 yards zero in on the very top line when on 22X. I can go out past 1500 yards without touching the turret.
 
#35
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Sweet Tikka
2ij2ej7.jpg
 
#36
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trpr154</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Graham,Is nightforce coming out with more reticle options this summer or were you referring to the 20 MOA turrets? MLR is an option, but still planning on an NP-R1/NP-R2.</div></div>Nope: didn't mean the new turrets.

Go Mil/Mil.
 
#37
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Thanks for all your thoughts and opinions. Still leaning towards MOA turrets and NP-R1.

Like Wild Man said, since I'm comfortable with MOA turrets, I think I will stick with those. The NP-R1 should compliment the MOA turrets well.
 
#43
Re: Nightforce Reticles

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">go 5.5-22. 8-32 is too much. </div></div>

Even out to a mile? Seems like the extra 10 power might be needed.
 
#45
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Don't know about 8 power on the low end being too much. The military and a lot of LEO agencies used to use 10X fixed power exclusively.

I don't forsee using my ELR rifle for anything under 300 yards except for sightining it in.at 100. Most of the time, I will shoot it from 600 on out to a mile.
 
#46
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Your original post mentioned tactical competitions as well as ELR, hence my comment - and the military <span style="font-style: italic">now</span> uses variables. The Marine Corps went from a fixed 10 to a 3-15X variable.

Your call.
 
#48
Re: Nightforce Reticles

True 5.5 may be a little better during some of the tactical comps on the low end, but still think 8 would do the job. May just use my Surgeon Scalpel for the Tactical Comps, it has a 4.5-14.

Then just keep the ELR rifle for the Extreme Long Range shooting.

Good point Lindy
 
#49
Re: Nightforce Reticles

I would second the comment on 32x being too much. If you are anywhere that you deal with mirage, you are gonna hate life at any power over 18-20. I know guys who get by with the NF 5.5-22x, but honestly my 3.5x15 is clearer on hot days.

I would go no higher than the 5.5-22. You can shoot 1600 yards no prob with that scope. As I stated before, that exact scope was designed for the .50 BMG. 1000-2000 yards is where that gun is designed to shine. You are not doing bench competitions, and any practical/ tactical shooting is not gonna need 32x.

Also, I work as LE, and I dont know any agencies that use the fixed 10x scopes. Military does, but LE sniper engagements on national average are 70 yards and in, and 10x is way to high for that use.

This is again my opinion, but good luck on your choice!

-Nate
 
#50
Re: Nightforce Reticles

Living up in Kansas, I don't have to worry about Mirage all the time, but it's plenty hot in the summer.

Your right that at 32X the Mirage could give me hell.

I realize the 5.5-22 was designed for the big 50. I've shot that NXS on a 50 before, but I wasn't sure if a little more top end wouldn't have been better.

I may go with the 5.5-22 anyway, to get the 100 MOA adjustment.
 
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