Pristine NXS or well used ATACR?

[Scooter1942]

I’m looking at a number of scope options to put on either a 6.5 LMT MWS 20” auto loader or a 308 Tikka Tact 1 24”.

I currently have an NXS 3.5-15x50 that I moved from the LMT to the Tikka and I’ve been thinking about something with more magnification for the LMT.

Two of the scopes I’m considering are Nightforce. One is a pretty pristine NXS 5.5-22x56 and another is the same but with 50mm objective. Or, I have an option to get a very well used (but not abused) ATACR 5-25x56.

Is there a significant advantage of the ATACR over the NXS? It would cost about $100 more plus the cost of mount/rings with the added wear and tear.

Worth it?

 

[hafejd30]

What’s the cost of the NXS? You see them go here around $1200

If that’s the case a $1300 atacr would be my choice because that’s a steal

I’d go atacr personally for another $100. 5-25 atacr go around $2300 here for reference

Also compare first vs second focal plane.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

ATACR, all day long over the NXS.

 

[ma smith]

+1 Make sure it's FFP

(The naming convention for SFP x NF is to be silent on the subject***)

 

[oldrifleman]

Not even close, The ATCAR is much better and a $100 difference it’s a no brainer either the McD is way over priced or the ATCAR is a real steal!

 

[Scooter1942]

I believe all three options are SFP.

The NXS 5.5-22x56 non-illuminated is $1200 with Barrett rings in Excellent Condition.
The NXS 5.5-22x50 non-illuminated MOAR-T in one piece Mount with extras is $1300. Also excellent condition.
The ATACR 5-22x56 non-illuminated Mil-R well used with no mount $1400.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Even being SFP, the ATACR would be my choice.

 

[ma smith]

Just my $0.02 cents...

I'd try to get what you really need,
not the best "deal"...

The question to ask first is FFP vs SFP?
and is SFP worth if for your use case?

There are definitely time/places where it is,
just confirm that prior to making a decision, etc.

best luck either way.

 

[diggler1833]

The ATACR has lost a lot of ground regarding competitors surpassing it with the ever-subjective "glass quality". However, I don't think that you will generally find a more durable optic.

If it is only going to be $100 more than the NXS with a similar feature set - I'll go ATACR all day long, even if it has some external wear on it.

 

[Scooter1942]

In my old school way of thinking, the only reason for FFP is the ability to "range" at any magnification with speed being an advantage, with the drawback being the reticle is harder to see detail (.20 Mils) for instance, when magnification is low. Is there another advantage I'm not thinking about? Because in my mind, it seems the most precise ranging would be done at maximum magnification anyways so a SFP would do just fine.

What am I missing?

 

[ma smith]

The reason you want FFP is holding wind, not ranging.

The 3-15 works fine as SFP, since 15x us so usable for alot of work.
I'd be less happy to be forced into using 25x or 12.5 (with .4 graduations).

since you are going to be new to 15-25x shooting,
just want to mentino this...16-18x is sweetspot for FFP reticles,

you get 100% information and its all usable,
and if you need to drop to 10x or 12x, the wind-holds still 100% usable

This need of 8-12x is common for target acquistion...which matters alot at long range,
and it matters alot on the clock and/or hunting etc...ie under time pressure

You only lose usability IMHO under 8x,but with a 3x low end, this matters alot more

5.5x low end...IMHO is not always much more usable sometimes than 8x,
which is why you have 7-35x models being sold now.

Again, just my $0.02c

There's many ways to look at this and many opinions.

 

[diggler1833]

I see you just posted another question regarding illumination in PRS. I'm assuming that you would want this optic to shoot PRS in? SFP in PRS is going to mean that you are dialing for windage every time unless you limit yourself to shooting at whatever specific magnification the manufacturer set the scope to mil accurately at. That can add extra complications in a hurry.

 

[Scooter1942]

All good points I hadn't considered.

 

[hafejd30]

You sure the NXS is non illuminated? On those the parallax knob pulls out

 

[Scooter1942]

Not entirely…seller said non illuminated. But I know of at least one instance when someone had illumination and never realized it was illuminated!

So...is there a particular gripe with Nightforce scopes that are SFP?

 

[R_A_W]

So...is there a particular gripe with Nightforce scopes that are SFP?

Yeah, the SFP part

 

[K80/6.5]

What’s the cost of the NXS? You see them go here around $1200

If that’s the case a $1300 atacr would be my choice because that’s a steal

I’d go atacr personally for another $100. 5-25 atacr go around $2300 here for reference

Also compare first vs second focal plane.

If you find a atacr for $1300 I would be worried about it being a scam if it’s too good to be true it usually is.