Rifle Scopes NXS or ATACR

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Hey guys finally ready for a scope for a 338 LM..... Im looking to shoot 1,760y and have it narrowed down to the 5.5-22x50 NXS or the 4-16 ATACR.... the NXS has 100moa of elevation with more power & the ATACR has 120moa with less power........ which would be the better choice for 1 mile? Thanks!

 

[doctordoctor]

Is there a reason you wouldn't get the 7x or 5x atacr?

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Oh, and the reticle choice is the MOAR-T....which the atacr has 30moa of holdover, the nxs has 20moa of holdover (correct me if im wrong).....

 

[hypno02]

FFP is always a good thing at that range as you never know what the mirage is going to be doing. Shooting at 13.7x with the NXS and trying to correct for a miss is going to suck.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Is there a reason you wouldn't get the 7x or 5x atacr?

Price is significantly higher....

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

FFP is always a good thing at that range as you never know what the mirage is going to be doing. Shooting at 13.7x with the NXS and trying to correct for a miss is going to suck.

Good point...the nxs is a 2nd as apposed to the atacr....

 

[hypno02]

Personally for that price and if you're shooting at that range I'd go for the Bushy XRS2 and call it quits.

 

[regency]

I shoot my .338LM on about 18-20 power shy of a mile. I think lowlight said he shoots in the 15-20 power range as well...

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I shoot my .338LM on about 18-20 power shy of a mile. I think lowlight said he shoots in the 15-20 power range as well...

So youd be suggesting the ATACR?

 

[regency]

So youd be suggesting the ATACR?

If I 'had' to choose between those 2 then yes. If it were me I would sit back and watch the For Sale section for a deal on something FFP and a little more zoom. I bet you could find a k624i slightly used for the price of a new ATACR 4-16.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

If I 'had' to choose between those 2 then yes. If it were me I would sit back and watch the For Sale section for a deal on something FFP and a little more zoom. I bet you could find a k624i slightly used for the price of a new ATACR 4-16.

I appreciate the reply...... it seems everyone this far is going with the ATACR

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

I had my 4-16 ATACR out to 1660 over the weekend, no issues shooting 18” targets. I have no experience with that particular NXS (I’ve only used the 3-15 and 1-4), but the ATACR is superior to the NXS I’ve used. Parralax is really forgiving, glass is great, if you ordered it in Mil-C or The new Christmas tree reticle you’d be way ahead of any NXS.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I had my 4-16 ATACR out to 1660 over the weekend, no issues shooting 18” targets. I have no experience with that particular NXS (I’ve only used the 3-15 and 1-4), but the ATACR is superior to the NXS I’ve used. Parralax is really forgiving, glass is great, if you ordered it in Mil-C or The new Christmas tree reticle you’d be way ahead of any NXS.

"Christmas tree"?.... are you referring to a horus style?

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

"Christmas tree"?.... are you referring to a horus style?

Nah, they just released a new reticle.

Edit: Mil-XT reticle

 

[Subwrx300]

ATACR. Yes more money but clarity, resolution and field of view will be substantially better on the ATACR. Oddly, I just got to show a buddy with an NXS this weekend the differences side by side. At a quick glance it seems tough to differentiate, but if you spend any amount of time behind the scope at extended range, you will appreciate the ATACR over the NXS. Both are good scopes but some of the details begin to mater significantly at ELR ranges for spotting trace, splash, impacts etc.

Go FFP to make your life easier.

 

[LakuNoc]

Why not vortex Gen 2 for that price?

 

[MysizeisMAGNUM]

Why not vortex Gen 2 for that price?

? he’s looking for a field rifle scope, not a boat anchor.

 

[tlsmith22]

I own some NXS and some ATACR scopes. I personally feel like the ATACR has much clearer glass and clarity. Both are built like a tank, but the glass edge goes to the ATACR. The MOAR-T reticle is the reticle of choice in IMHO as well.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Why not vortex Gen 2 for that price?

Not a fan of vortex at all.....

 

[Aescobar17]

Not a fan of vortex at all.....

It’ll be superior to the NXS in almost every way, but slightly behind the ATACR. The only thing the Gen II doesn’t beat the NXS on is reliability, but even then they’re about equal.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

@KOPFJÄGER13
Are you going to be buying new?
Lately there has been a few 5-25 atacr’s in the px for the price of a new 4-16. I’d never be afraid of a used NF.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

@KOPFJÄGER13
Are you going to be buying new?
Lately there has been a few 5-25 atacr’s in the px for the price of a new 4-16. I’d never be afraid of a used NF.

Yes new, but definately not apposed to slightly used....

 

[Mooncake]

If I was sticking it on a gun with the intended purpose of short to medium range use (to 1000yds) and I was on a budget I would go NXS. If you're going to be shooting further the ATACR is worth the extra coin. As has been said, it is superior in every way (although I wouldn't be surprised if the NXS faired better through a "torture test").

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I swore there was a 5-25 atacr f1 in the 2400 range in the px, euro optic had the 4-16 f1 for 2425 I believe. Easy choice for me anyways.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/nightforce-atacr-5-25-mil-c-flawless-2450.6912448/

 

[DOA]

Not a fan of vortex at all.....

Do you have any experience with Razor models or their lifetime no-hassle warranty or are you like most Vortex haters and tried one of their lessor models and now dislike the entire company.

 

[DOA]

? he’s looking for a field rifle scope, not a boat anchor.

Perhaps you forgot to eat your Wheaties or have chicken arms?

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Do you have any experience with Razor models or their lifetime no-hassle warranty or are you like most Vortex haters and tried one of their lessor models and now dislike the entire company.

I have experience with the viper pst's which as we know is their "medium qaulity" line... i have held and looked through a razor hd, and they are nice... however i wont say a company is great because they make 1 decent model and certainly wont boast their qaulity because of a warranty that shouldnt be needed as often as vortex owners need it. It doesnt matter if the warranty is outstanding if your sending the optic in every 3 months.....

 

[RNWRKNP]

Only problem with the ATACR F1........you will want another one if you own more than one rifle?? Love that scope!

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

Only problem with the ATACR F1........you will want another one if you own more than one rifle?? Love that scope!

I almost made a thread about that, I have 1 ATACR but want another, but can’t afford another. Should I just go be poor somewhere else? ?

To the OP, I do think you’re going to want more magnification once you get out to those distances you described. I see a lot of guys shooting from 200-1300 yards opting for the 7-35 even. Most of them don’t need the 30+ but sometimes it’s nice to have. I’m almost always in the 16-22 range for prs type scenarios.

 

[SporterII]

I have three NSX 15x. MOAR.
Old slow guy needs fov and likes solid reliable mechanicals. 243 to 1200 yards on the clock and still like them.
I am going with a 22x moart on a 7 mag for "elr"activities. Cannot imagine I will need more mag and familiarity is why.

 

[RNWRKNP]

I almost made a thread about that, I have 1 ATACR but want another, but can’t afford another. Should I just go be poor somewhere else? ?

To the OP, I do think you’re going to want more magnification once you get out to those distances you described. I see a lot of guys shooting from 200-1300 yards opting for the 7-35 even. Most of them don’t need the 30+ but sometimes it’s nice to have. I’m almost always in the 16-22 range for prs type scenarios.

Personally a voting member of ‘Somewhere Else’. I think the chair election is next week??? I’ll wind up with another one before I start into a custom? Started out with the goal of fixing optics first and staying the course. Don’t compete so a chassis with 10 round bottom metal isn’t required......for now.

 

[Poorboyr]

Why does everyone always have to bring up a Vortex in every thread people are asking about other scopes???? They are not God's gift to scopes. Man it's annoying....

But back to the OP's original question between the ATACR and NXS. I've used both and think the glass is pretty comparable between the two. To me the main difference is the eyebox. The NXS is very touchy, the ATACR is much better.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Why does everyone always have to bring up a Vortex in every thread people are asking about other scopes???? They are not God's gift to scopes. Man it's annoying....

But back to the OP's original question between the ATACR and NXS. I've used both and think the glass is pretty comparable between the two. To me the main difference is the eyebox. The NXS is very touchy, the ATACR is much better.

Thanks! Lol

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Thoughts on the Burris XTR II 4-20x50 for this application? For the price, why not?

 

[Black Ice]

I swore there was a 5-25 atacr f1 in the 2400 range in the px, euro optic had the 4-16 f1 for 2425 I believe. Easy choice for me anyways.

I bought one of the two demo 5-25x56 F1 ATACR Europtic had for $2325 shipped to my door. It said Demo but can’t tell that it has ever been mounted and comes with full warranty.

 

[VegasHKShooter]

Thoughts on the Burris XTR II 4-20x50 for this application? For the price, why not?

Not even in the same conversation as the ATACR.
Not a bad scope, but he asked about the NXS vs ATACR. Burris is an entry level scope, and not a competitor to the ATACR.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Not even in the same conversation as the ATACR.
Not a bad scope, but he asked about the NXS vs ATACR. Burris is an entry level scope, and not a competitor to the ATACR.

Completely agree..... but the burris will handle the 338 easily, has more magnification, enough dial up & reticle hold over to get to a mile relatively easy..... the glass is definately not as good but its not bad either &$1,500 less..... glass wise what would be the draw backs with the xtr vs the atacr?

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

Come one man. You’re going backwards here. Is it price of the ATACR that’s holding you back? If you want a 800-1300 dollar scope let us know.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I’m not saying there’s not value in the xtr but you started out wanting a 2000-2400 dollar scope now you back down to an xtr.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Come one man. You’re going backwards here. Is it price of the ATACR that’s holding you back? If you want a 800-1300 dollar scope let us know.

Lol, price isnt much of an issue, but i hadnt really considere the Burris till a buddy brought it up, and if it meets or exceeds its application then it should be considered....especially for the price, and in my opinion it would be second to the nightforce and still way ahead of a viper or other comparable scopes..... i opologize for drifting off, but it seems to be a strong contender and should be considered....right?

 

[Farmerbrown32]

The XTR is not even in the same world as a nxs or atacr. My buddy has an xtr and we compared it next to my nxs. Honestly i couldnt believe how shitty the xtr was. On 25x or whatever the high range was you cant even find what you are trying to look at. Like lookin through a damn key hole.
Ps, not being a snob just telling you my experience, and there aint no way in hell id pay 1k for one, 500$ would be pushin it.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I come across a xtr when I was looking for a scope, I had the atacr in mind to begin with. I loved the turrets of the xtr but I’m glad the store manager sold me on the atacr. If you basically want a nxs in ffp, check out an Athlon Cronus btr.

 

[VegasHKShooter]

Honestly, I’d go with a NF SHV before I’d go with the XTR. I have looked through the Burris, and to me.....jut my eyes, the Burris looked like the lens was foggy. Like it had something on it.
It did not, that was “normal.”
The owner didn’t even see it, said that’s how it always looked.
I had a SHV 4-14 F1 on a .308 gas gun that I owned. I sold it to step up into some other glass. I love the ATACR’s that I own (3), but I sorta regret selling the SHV. I’m told it’s the same glass as the prior NXS series.

 

[generalzip]

If it was me I'd def lean toward the ATACR or the two you've listed, however neither of those two would be on my list for that price range and application. I know it's not what you want to hear but the Gen2 Razor would be much better on a 338 LM and offer a lot more "value" (price/features/quality). You'll want 25+ power when shooting to a mile for sure. Honestly your best bet is probably picking up a used Schmidt in that price range. The Khales is nice too but has probably the worst eye relief on any scope I've used. Not what I'd want on a 338LM. It sounds like most of your shots will be long range prone, so I'd opt for the best glass you can afford. It makes a difference past 800 yards especially when there's mirage. I promise you that you'll want more than 16x at the range you're talking about. I use well over 16x every PRS match and the furthest shot is only 900-1100 yards. Easier to spot your misses when prone at distance.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Honestly, I’d go with a NF SHV before I’d go with the XTR. I have looked through the Burris, and to me.....jut my eyes, the Burris looked like the lens was foggy. Like it had something on it.
It did not, that was “normal.”
The owner didn’t even see it, said that’s how it always looked.
I had a SHV 4-14 F1 on a .308 gas gun that I owned. I sold it to step up into some other glass. I love the ATACR’s that I own (3), but I sorta regret selling the SHV. I’m told it’s the same glass as the prior NXS series.

I have that same SHV, very nice, reticle is pretty thick, not sure how that would work for ELR....

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

If it was me I'd def lean toward the ATACR or the two you've listed, however neither of those two would be on my list for that price range and application. I know it's not what you want to hear but the Gen2 Razor would be much better on a 338 LM and offer a lot more "value" (price/features/quality). You'll want 25+ power when shooting to a mile for sure. Honestly your best bet is probably picking up a used Schmidt in that price range. The Khales is nice too but has probably the worst eye relief on any scope I've used. Not what I'd want on a 338LM. It sounds like most of your shots will be long range prone, so I'd opt for the best glass you can afford. It makes a difference past 800 yards especially when there's mirage. I promise you that you'll want more than 16x at the range you're talking about. I use well over 16x every PRS match and the furthest shot is only 900-1100 yards. Easier to spot your misses when prone at distance.

For the price of the Gen2 id definately go with the ATACR, the price is close and the NF makes the gen 2 look like way less of a "value"......

 

[Temper]

Why didn't NF just make a NXS 5.5-22 F1 is the better question.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Why didn't NF just make a NXS 5.5-22 F1 is the better question.

No doubt......

 

[SporterII]

Glass was upgraded is one reason as was explained to me.