Rifle Scopes NX8 1-8 at distance and small targets

[lennyo3034]

I just picked up a NX8 1-8 and took it to the 100 yard range today.

Rifle is a RECCE type, and will in fact be shot in "RECCE" class in a local gas gun series. Limited to max 8x magnification.

As such, I need 1X capability, but will spend more time at 8X than 1X. The NX8 is not nearly as good at 1X as the Razor it replaces, but that's not a huge concern for me. At 8X, it has better resolving power than the Razor did at 6X. Being able to spot my splashes is a big deal to me.

My only concern at 8X is the size of the center dot. It was too big to align with a 2" target spot, but I was able to do so with a 3" spot. My concern is a lot of targets I will be shooting at will be 2MOA or less. Have any NX8 owners had issues with 2 MOA sized targets at distance? Do you use the center dot, or just holdover?

 

[Rlb40x]

I have the same scope on a 6.5 Grendel.
In the late 70s early 80s I used a weaver quick point sight on my slug gun for deer hunting.
They had a large orange fiber optic powered dot.
I used to sight in for point of impact at the top of the dot, this let me sight a little finer.
Top of dot sight in at 40yds let you take head shots from 40yds and in if needed.

 

[jda2631]

When playing around on the 600 yard range with mine, I found it easier to dial under the total amount and hold over in the reticle for smaller targets as the 0.5 mil, 1 mil, 1.5 mil etc marks in the reticle are finer than the center dot. if you dial 0.5 mil under your dope for a distance you can use the top of the post of the reticle at 0.5 mil down, or 1 mil under your dope and you can use the 1 mil hash mark.

 

[Catahoula]

I had a hard time using this scope on steel targets at longer distance. The dot covers to much area and
I could not use MOA reticle for holdover quickly. Sold and replaced with Kahles 1-6.

 

[lennyo3034]

I had a hard time using this scope on steel targets at longer distance. The dot covers to much area and
I could not use MOA reticle for holdover quickly. Sold and replaced with Kahles 1-6.

I may give that one a try if this doesn’t work out. I had no issues with the Razor 1-6.

 

[Birddog6424]

The often overlooked Burris 1-8 in FFP has an excellent reticle for dialing for elevation and holding wind. It has a very small center dot.

I've used it out to 950 yards on my 6.5 Creedmoor. And have countless rounds through one with a 5.56 and 7.62 in 3 Gun.
You can mix and match and go uncapped elevation, capped windage.

This is really a great performing optic made for Burris by LOW. It still surprises me how often people insist on spending more money on an LPVO for little or no measurable gain in performance.

 

[Catahoula]

Burris is a great scope, great fit on some rifles. Heavy for lightweight ar15

 

[Birddog6424]

Burris is a great scope, great fit on some rifles. Heavy for lightweight ar15

I do agree with that. The NX8 and Kahles are both fantastic optics if you are looking for compact and lightweight.

The Burris is a 34mm tube with some beef. Its robust, but not lightweight or compact.

 

[MountainRogue]

I have worked and hunted with a design engineer for the NX8. It’s mission specific for 3 gun matches and the center dot like the strike eagle is for 8” round plates at ~200 yds. A great optic, but I agree the center dot is too big for many precision and longer range applications.

 

[The King]

I really didn’t like the target obscuring dot of doom. that said, past the point it’s an issue I’m holding anyway.

 

[Catahoula]

Nx8 is a great scope for self defense! Plenty of features in a small package.
Not for shooting smaller targets at any distance using the dot, I personally had a hard time
With the MOA reticle for holdover. I was able to achieve hits but not with any speed or precision
Using the reticle.

 

[diderr]

I have a 2.5-8 MRT on my mk12 and what I notice the most is parallax. The parallax is sent for around 200 yards. It makes shooting longer range pretty difficult. Have to make sure head position is in the perfect position everytime

 

[79steeler]

I don't think this scope was ever intended for that and I think you need to reavaluate your use.

 

[MosesTheTank]

I have both the Kahles and NF. The Kahles does have a more forgiving eye box, but I have never been frustrated by the NF. Kahles has slightly better glass. For 3G I definitely prefer the Kahles. This may be because I have 10x more rounds downrange with it. Maybe it's because 90% of my 3G shooting stays inside of 250 yards and I know my holdovers (which aren't much at these ranges). The bigger eye box does make it a tad easier to shoot on the move.

Practicing for an upcoming run and gun I will be using the NF. Moving between 50 and 600 yards, as will be required, is much easier with the NF. Blast the 50 yard steel with the dot and hold 5.6 mils at 600. Repeat. The NF is far superior for this and for holds on movers.

 

[BigRed308]

Have the same issue with my Trijicon 1-8 as the OP. Center crosshairs is way to thick. Great for a run and gun. Not for precision work.

 

[lennyo3034]

I think that’s what I end up doing. Just use holds instead of dialing when there is not much wind. When there is wind, I’ll dial elevation and use the wind holds.

I’ll be shooting 2 MOA targets out to 700. Previously I had no issue doing this with the Razor but would like a little more mag to spot misses.

 

[Milo 2.5]

I hesitated mounting and shooting my NX8 and really wish I had returned it, esp with that new Trijicon that came out. But it is still a fun scope, I do not have issues on a 5" plate at 400, or 10" plates to 600, after 600, there is not enough magnification for me to aim at anything other than over size plate, and I do believe an IPSC fits that bill.
The shroud, or whatever surrounds the huge dot bugs me, misses get absorbed by it if dialing, I have found illuminating the reticle helps quite a bit in daylight for that.

 

[wade2big]

These LPVO scopes are not meant to thread a needle. They are meant to put lead on target relatively quickly. I would not want a low power optic with a small thin reticle. I would want one with a robust reticle that can be picked up quickly in all conditions. This is why the Nightforce reticle is like it is. It is a duty optic and not built primarily for playing games.

 

[lennyo3034]

I understand. This particular game (Geissele Gas Gun) only allows up to 8x for the recce class.

That being said, 10” plates at 600 is good enough for what I need it for. If Milo says that’s not a problem, I’m not too worried.

 

[Milo 2.5]

I understand. This particular game (Geissele Gas Gun) only allows up to 8x for the recce class.

That being said, 10” plates at 600 is good enough for what I need it for. If Milo says that’s not a problem, I’m not too worried.

Lol, I did not say I can pick up misses at 600, 500 I can, have not shot in all conditions though, so not saying you will not be able to.

 

[Biggy]

IMHO, from 0-400 yds, the Kahles is still the scope to beat, after that the 1-8x FFP scopes come into their own. The main flaw on the NX8 is it's tight ass eyebox, sure you can use and get used to it, just like a crossed eyed old lady.

 

[Primus]

Then get the ATACR8. Better glass, eyebox and reticle.

 

[Mk32784]

I've used the NX8 and Kahles to run a couple of 3gun stages.
I would have a Kahles for 3gun/Carbine/Tactical style matches.

An NX8 for maybe hunting or dinging steel at range, an ATACR8 if I wanted to be more precision focused.

But for doing a lot of work on 1-2MOA targets at range I would rather have something else TBH.

 

[TACC]

I had a hard time using this scope on steel targets at longer distance. The dot covers to much area and
I could not use MOA reticle for holdover quickly. Sold and replaced with Kahles 1-6.

Curious, did the kahles produce better results, even with only being a 6 power.

I was looking at putting a NX8 on a 6.5 CM gas gun, and hopefully getting it out to 1000 yards.

 

[Primus]

Get the ATACR. Worth it just for the reticle , glass and eyebox. NX8 while best in class for lpv, is more suited to SBRs and lightweight rifles.