Rifle Scopes Torn of my new optics purchase

Tacticalrum

Tacticalrum

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 1, 2011
157
2
53
Veneta, OR
#1
Ok guys here is the deal. I tried to save money and bought a Wotac 4-14x50 for my 300RUM build. I broke after 57 shots so I sent it back. I sold a few things to come up with some money to buy a better optic. I think I have it narrowed down to the Nightforce NXS 5-15x56 and the USO ST-10. I intend on shooting steel at 1 mile with this rifle so the extra power would probably be better but I like the "built like a tank" of USO. I am open to options but my budget is $1600. I would appriciate input however if you don't have anything nice to say then just go away.
 
#2
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

There is a reason the US F-class team uses NF scopes.
Given your stated use for scope, I'd go NF and most probably the 5.5-22 version over the 3.5-15 version.
 
#4
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

I went with the NXS 5.5-22x56 on my 300RUM and couldn't be happier. I have no experience with the USO stuff so I can't make a good comparison but I'm sure you will be good either way.
 
#7
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

I hadn't really given the 5.5-22 much thought. I appreciate the input. Thanks for helping me decide. I have never had high end optics so that leads me to my next question.

Are these scopes going to stay clear and crisp at higher power?

thanks
 
#8
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark Sebastian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Are these scopes going to stay clear and crisp at higher power?

thanks </div></div>
Compared to what you are used to in scopes like the Wotac? Ummmm.......heels yeah!!

You may look at the USO ST-17.
 
#9
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark Sebastian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think I have it narrowed down to the <span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce NXS 5-15x56 </span>and the USO ST-10.</div></div>

Nightforce does not have a 5-15. They either have a 5-22 or a 3.5-15.......
 
#10
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

If you have narrowed it down to the 15x Nightforce and the USO ST-10 but intend to shoot steel at 1 mile, your decision is easy in favor of the Nightforce. 10x is insufficient at that distance for any reasonably sized target.

If I'm not mistaken, the Nightforce is noted as "built like a tank," at least for the internals. I don't think you're losing anything there. The 22x is a better pick than the 15x, imho, if you are looking at shooting as far as you indicate.

Go Oregon!
 
#12
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mark Sebastian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think I have it narrowed down to the <span style="font-weight: bold">Nightforce NXS 5-15x56 </span>and the USO ST-10.</div></div>

Nightforce does not have a 5-15. They either have a 5-22 or a 3.5-15.......</div></div>


Just a small correction
smile.gif
Its 3.5-15 or 5.5-22
smile.gif
 
#13
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

So here's my question. You said you have a custom built 300RUM build. Why not have a custom built scope to your specs? I went to USO and never looked back. Oh and I do have a Schmidty too. NF NXS is nice, but reminds me of a Leupold on steroids. I can't seem to justify the extra expense. Same with the Schmidy, Its not THAT big of an advantage over the USO to justify the extra expense. The NF I'm not a big fan of their knobs, or their reticles. Are they OK? Sure. Are they tough, absolutely. Worth the money when you could step up for not much more. Not in my book.

 
#15
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KIMO</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you have narrowed it down to the 15x Nightforce and the USO ST-10 but intend to shoot steel at 1 mile, your decision is easy in favor of the Nightforce. 10x is insufficient at that distance for any reasonably sized target.

If I'm not mistaken, the Nightforce is noted as "built like a tank," at least for the internals. I don't think you're losing anything there. The 22x is a better pick than the 15x, imho, if you are looking at shooting as far as you indicate.

Go Oregon!

</div></div> What he said. Intended one mile max range + your budget of <$1600 = no brainer of a decision for NF.

10x magnification pretty much taps out at 1k yds. 15x at a mile is pushing the limit depending on target size and surrounding range conditions. With the 5.5-22x you can always dial down but with the 3.5-15x you can't always dial up. There isn't a whole lot of difference between 3.5x and 5.5x either when you're focusing your shooting at beyond 100yds. Just food for thought.

As for clear and crisp at high power, all optics have limitations at high power when the mirage starts kicking hard. There will be times you can max it out, and other times you will have to dial it down. Your limitations will be more environmental than they will be optical.
 
#18
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

I'll go against the grain here a little and say this: If you are going to go with the NF for 1 mile shooting, then for the love of God make sure to get a zero stop or the new speed turrets or whatever they are calling them - or both. 10 MOA per/revolution on their standard turrets = a LOT of revolutions to get to 1 mile. Very easy to lose track coming back down and 10 or 20 MOA off at your bottom zero makes a BIG difference. For comparison, USO's 1/2 MOA EREK knob(my personal preference) gets you 45 MOA in one revoIution which is a long ways - also huge travel on the Mil based version if you are a mil-based kind of guy.

I've had 5 NF's and always end up getting rid of them for this reason and replacing with USO and I have a bunch of them right now. Granted, I have not had a NF since the new turrets and Zero Stop have been out. They make nice scopes, but I really prefer the USO's for a lot of reasons, and a good, used SN3 can be found for not a lot more if you are patient. If you are really patient, you'll get one exactly how you would have ordered it new from the factory - that's how I've gotten all of mine. don't think you can say enough for a company that hand builds their scopes to your specs right here in the USA with all US parts(except the glass) and whose President will(in my experience) return e-mails within hours.....

Anyways, just my opinions, but I've used both plenty.

Good luck,
Erik

 
#19
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

This is all very good information. For that I say thanks. Yeah small typing error on the power of the scope(but i knew what I meant). to try to reply to the suggestions..... I actually have a quote for the USO ST-17 and spoke with them by phone. The scope has 74MOA total elevation. In the winter in western Oregon it would take nearly all of that to get to 1 mile and a good portion of that would be used to get to zero. I do like that USO makes scopes to order and I believe that they are great scopes. However, I am not patient and don't want to wait 3+months to get my scope. As for the size of the nightforce(big and bulky with big knobs) That is right up my alley. The rifle weighs in @ just under 20lbs so it will fit right in. Agian thank you all for your input in this matter because I do value all of your opinions. Oh and Kimo.... GO DUCKS!
 
#21
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

I'm with Erud. I've owned almost every high end scope on the market. Lets see, 4 Mark 4's, 5 IOR's, 1 NF 5.5-22, 1 S&B, and 3 USO's. Guess which ones I still have.......

USO all the way and of course the Schmidt. All the rest....lie in the forgotten memories of hopeful has been optics.
 
#22
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is a reason the US F-class team uses NF scopes.
Given your stated use for scope, I'd go NF and most probably the 5.5-22 version over the 3.5-15 version. </div></div>

+1 on the NightForce choices.
 
#24
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: E3C3H3O3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">go with the nightforce, and let me be jealous that you have $1600 to drop on glass </div></div>


LOL! Get ready to be jelious then. I have decided on the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56. The money didn't come easy but I decided that since I have a once in a lifetime rifle I had better quit messing around and get a once in a lifetime scope for it.

Just for clarification, I think that the USO's are great scopes. But I don't want a used one and a new one with similar features is just out of my price range. I also am confident that the Nightforce scope will be all I could ever want.

With that being said can anyone tell me if the TPS medium rings are tall enough to handle the 56mm objective?

Thanks for the input
 
#25
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

Before you go with the TPS rings on your dream rig, you might want to run the google search on the topic.

I have read some very unfavorable comments about TPS rings failing.

I personally have Seekins on my 308 and Burris XTR on my 223. Both work, but the Seekins are definitely the superior product (and they should be...they cost me twice as much!).

Many here seem to like Badger Ordinance and Nightforce rings as well.

Just FYI.
 
#26
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

The rings are already duracoated and on the rifle... the first scope failed hence why I am upgrading. I don't want to buy another set of rings and I have had only good luck with all 4 sets of tps that I own. It just may force me to get the 50mm version of the scope instead of the 56mm
 
#28
Re: Torn of my new optics purchase

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Super Sniper 16X and $1300 towards a USO 5-25...... </div></div>

+1 go big!
 
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