Rifle Scopes Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

Q

Quackaddict

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Nov 7, 2009
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Minnesota
#1
Hey guys, I would like your opinion on an optics choice I will make in the very near future.

I have decided to make the jump to nightforce optics, I plan on adding a 5.5-22x50 to my heavy 243 rifle.

This rifle has a number of "tactical" features but I use it 100% for punching paper and killing varmints. I load ammunition in the 70 and 75 grain range and dont really care about if I can get the thing to stabilize 115 Dtacs and such. I call for coyotes, shoot prairie dogs out west, and whack crows out of corn fields with it.

I have been looking at and researching the various options you can get in nightforce optics. I have decided to stay with MOA based adjustments because everything I own is in MOA, I also plan on getting a scope with the high speed 20 minute turrets, I should be able to dial in much farther than my bullet selection is useful to in one revolution, which appeals to me.

I would like to solicit your experiences with the MOA based reticles and the NP-2DD reticle. I was almost sure I wanted the NP-2DD for the simplicity and fine dot to minimize the reticle obscuring the target. But now im thinking the MOA based measuring types would be useful for calling misses on distant prairie dogs and such.

I dont shoot matches, and I have shot out to 600 and 700 yards once (dont have the space)

For my needs, what would you guys recommend?
 
#2
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

What you're asking for is almost easy. NP-R1 (or NP-R2) reticle. These reticles were designed for what you have in mind. I like the NP-R2 because the view appears to me to be less cluttered. The markings are in 2MOA increments. Some say that the increments are not fine enough and prefer the NP-R1.

I shoot paper mostly and do most of my shooting at 100 yards. Farther distances are a treat to me. At 100 yards, I typically shoot at things like paint balls and target dots of 3/4" and smaller and have no problems shooting at them with my 5.5-22X50 with NP-R2. Just beware that the finer Nightforce reticles are geared more toward target shooting and it is sometimes hard to pick up the reticle against some backgrounds.

You also made a reference to 20min turrets. The high speed turrets only allow you to dial in a given amount of correction faster. They do not allow you dial in more correction than a non high speed turret model. I'm only mentioning this because there are deals to be had on models with the Zero Stops without the high speed turrets. I know that I got my 5.5-22X50 with Zero Stops and NP-R2 reticle without high speed turrets for the same price that the 2.5-10X32 models sell for.
 
#3
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

I have a NF with the 5.5-22x56 with NP-R1 reticle and love it. I use my rifle for mixed long range shooting and varmint hunting. Some may dissagree but IMO the reticle is not cluttered and doesn't obstruct the view. I missed but took a shot at a crow that I ranged at 550 yds and didn't even it adjusted to the higher power settings.

Jason
 
#4
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

Ive seen that, and im aware the total MOA adjustment is the same for both the high speed and non high speed turrets. The only difference is the amount of elevation you get with one turn (10 vs 20)
 
#6
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

I have the 5.5-22x56 with the NP-R1. You will like this for what you are going to do with it. I highly recommend this scope. Oh yea, go ahead and ger HS and ZS. Better to have and not use than need and not have.
 
#7
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

I have the 5-22X50 NPR-1 with Zero Stop but not high speed.....

I love it and would tell you that the zero stop is more important to me than the HS turrets. They didn't have the high speed when I got mine. So, I would say that if the price difference for HS is too great, don't sweat it....but definitely go for the zero stop.
 
#8
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

If it were up to me, I'd go with either the NP-1RR, NP-R1 or NP-R2 reticle. I think those three are the best for MOA based reticles for varmint hunting.
 
#11
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

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#14
Re: Reticle Choice for Nightforce on a Varmint Rifle

I have a .243AI that I use with 70gr and 75gr bullets on dogs. I went with the NP-R1 reticle with my 5.5 x 22 and found it to be a great match. If I miss read the wind, I can see my impact and make immediate adjustments for a quick second shot and typical hit. The NP-R1 might be a little "crowded" on lower powers, but at 22X, it works great.
 
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