Rifle Scopes Upgraging a Nightforce

[McGuyver]

Hello all,

I currently own 2 Nightforce NXS scopes, both of which are identical except one has the 50 mm objective lense, and the other has the 56 mm objective. All other specs are as follows: 5.5-22X, MLR reticle, zero stop, 0.25 MOA turrets. Great scopes, no complaints except I want to have a scope with consistent reticle and turrets (i.e. mil/mil, or moa/moa). I've looked into getting either the reticle or turrets converted at the factory, which will cost me about $400 ea, and about 6+1 weeks wait. The other option is to sell one of both of these scopes and buy a new one set up the way I want it. Would also be nice to have first focal plane, but that would cost $500 for the 3.5-15X, to $1200 more for the BEAST than a new F2 NXS. Could consider a used F1 Premiere Reticle too. Anyway, I'm undecided. What would you guys do? Convert or sell and buy new? If you buy new, do you go all the way and shell out the extra cash for an F1 scope?

 

[tylerw02]

Sell them both and buy an S&B and call it a day.

If that's too much cash or you don't want to swap back and forth, consider two Bushnell HDMRs.

 

[steve123]

I sold my 5.5-22's and went FFP mil/mil, very happy I did. SFP wasn't cutting the mustard for me. I don't like having to make sure I'm on the correct mag for holdovers.

If you don't need illume the HDMR's are the best FFP scope going for the money. The F1 is great scope as well, I like more mag though. My new S&B is the best of the 3 for a few reasons but is one big heavy scope for sure!

I might try a March 3-24 or 5-40 next, both are FFP and available with illume.

 

[hk401]

if you already have the Nightforce scope then try something else like SB, or Premier , used premier is still good to go (and warranty always there)

 

[McGuyver]

if you already have the Nightforce scope then try something else like SB, or Premier , used premier is still good to go (and warranty always there)

Is the warantee on a Premier reticle transferable? I had thought about getting one. Would be nice if I could find a used mil/mil FFP in good shape... I'm also not opposed to selling one or both NightForce scopes toward the purchase of new optics, but when all is said and done, I still want to have two scopes.

edit: right now I am leaning toward going with a FFP scope in mil/mil set up. Considering NightForce BEAST, and Premier Reticles. Might consider Schmidt & Bender too, if they are comparable price point (BEAST is listed at ~$3,300). So sell me on S&B? Why are they so much better than NF? Or PR for that matter? I've hear NF considered mid tier glass before, whereas S&B placed in top tier bracket.
Is that true? if so, why? Clarity of glass? repeatability of adjustments? Ruggedness and reliability?
I'm listening.

Thanks in advance.

 

[steve123]

Is the warantee on a Premier reticle transferable? I had thought about getting one. Would be nice if I could find a used mil/mil FFP in good shape... I'm also not opposed to selling one or both NightForce scopes toward the purchase of new optics, but when all is said and done, I still want to have two scopes.

edit: right now I am leaning toward going with a FFP scope in mil/mil set up. Considering NightForce BEAST, and Premier Reticles. Might consider Schmidt & Bender too, if they are comparable price point (BEAST is listed at ~$3,300). So sell me on S&B? Why are they so much better than NF? Or PR for that matter? I've hear NF considered mid tier glass before, whereas S&B placed in top tier bracket.
Is that true? if so, why? Clarity of glass? repeatability of adjustments? Ruggedness and reliability?
I'm listening.

Thanks in advance.

S&B is slightly more refined, better glass, adjustable illume, 10Y parallax and 13 mil a turn which I like more than 5 mils a turn. FYI, someone pretty popular around here on the Hide describes the MTC knobs as a abortion, LOL, glad I got the double turn instead! Also I've talked to a few individuals that have had their S&B's go down, one was during the TPRC about 3 years ago, he might have won that match if it hadn't. IMO, NF might have the advantage in the reliability dept.

I like really clear glass and wanted the option of mounting the S&B on my Field Target air rifle or the Anschutz 22lr match rifle so wanted 10Y parallax. Plus I like the H-59 reticle. That's why I bought the S&B.

I thought about getting the NF Beast for my ELR rig because it has 34 mils travel but after considering it I'd go with the S&B for the same reasons as above.

Had a USO, wasn't impressed, although it didn't have the EREK knob which I'm sure I would of liked better. The glass was downright poor in mine BTW.

If NF had 10Y parallax, more mag than the F1, modern illume system and at a reasonable price point, I'd a bought one instead of the S&B. One thing I do like about NF is their scopes aren't enormous.

The best scope/glass I've looked through is a March FX 5-40. They made a huge mistake putting 5 mil knobs on it vs 10 mil. Add H-59 reticle, 10 mil knobs and it would have been "my" perfect scope.

 

[JSF]

I have all three of the brands mentioned above. To me the cost difference of the S&B or Premier is not worth it if your just considering the glass. The glass in the NF has never stopped me from being able to take a shot. I have had all three out for comparison at dawn and dusk and to my eyes the difference is negligible. I have the S&B for my comp gun because the parallax goes down to 10 yards and NF did not make a 5-25 ffp scope. If NF made ATACR in ffp thats probably all I would run. I am unsure on the Beast. I need to try one first to see how I like the elevation turret before committing to one.

 

[McGuyver]

The BEAST is a 5-25X ffp scope.

-Sent from my brain using Telekinesis-

 

[Graham]

If you want another Nightforce get a Bushnell ERS.

 

[turbo54]

If you're ok with a fat pig of a scope, I think the Premier is the way to go. The Premier was the first scope that ever made me say "wow" when I looked through it the first time....and I'd had a Bender before.

If you want a sleek, lightweight, highly capable scope, consider the March F 3-24. Excellent glass, and it's almost practical joke small. People at the range though my buddy had a Tasco or something until they asked to check it out.

If you want to save some money, the Bushnell's provide a solid, useable precision optic for a damned decent price.

 

[Graham]

The Premier was the first scope that ever made me say "wow" when I looked through it the first time....and I'd had a Bender before.

You should limit your drinking the night before a match.

 

[jbell]

If you want another Nightforce get a Bushnell ERS.

What do you mean?

 

[Goin'Hot]

If you're ok with a fat pig of a scope, I think the Premier is the way to go. The Premier was the first scope that ever made me say "wow" when I looked through it the first time....and I'd had a Bender before.

If you want a sleek, lightweight, highly capable scope, consider the March F 3-24. Excellent glass, and it's almost practical joke small. People at the range though my buddy had a Tasco or something until they asked to check it out.

I agree with everything here. I love my PH's but, I wanted a smaller package and bought a March 3-24. WOW! What a nice scope. I still really like my PH's but, there's something about a scope half the size having 95% of the features. The turrets are great on the March but, I still prefer the turrets on the PH. You know exactly where you are (by feel) on the PH but, the spacing on the March also makes it easy. I still find myself peaking at the dial on the March.

My only gripe about the S&B 5-25's is the tunneling under 8X. At that price, the tunneling should NOT be there.

 

[Graham]

What do you mean?

That was a hint.

 

[Pappasniper]

Sell your current NF and buy new NF. It will probably be cheaper and you will still have a Nightforce. You don't lose that much mony when you sell them. They hold their value very good.

PB

 

[tylerw02]

I couldn't agree with steve123 more. I wouldn't have gone with a Bender if there was a $2200 F1 in 5.5-22x. Now that I have Benders, I don't think I could go back to a SFP NF.

 

[Will Fennell]

I'm VERY happy with my NF F1's and Steiner's...

 

[McGuyver]

I didn't think NF made a ffp 5.5-22X scope. It was my understanding that the only ffp they make in the NXS line is the 3.5-15X. If I want more magnification than that, then I have to go to the 5-25X BEAST. Someone please tell me where I'm wrong. I'd love to be able to get a 5.5-22X ffp NXS, but I don't think they make them...

-Sent from my brain using Telekinesis-

 

[EasternNChunter]

The BEAST is their version of the FFP NXS 5.5-22x56.

 

[bodywerks]

The BEAST is their version of the FFP NXS 5.5-22x56.

Hardly! Do you really think it costs an extra $1300 just to go FFP? In the beast you get:
5-25(5x) magnification range
34mm tube
120 MOA + elevation travel
Digital reticle illumination (no glare or fuzziness)
First focal plane
And the biggy - ED glass! Some liken the crispness and clarity to s&b/premier glass

 

[peaceatwar]

Happy to see another NF customer looking for something different. I know what you are going through first hand let me tell you.

NFs I have owned:

2.5-10x32
5.5-22x56
3.5-15x50 F1 Mil-Spec
3.5-15x50 F1 With newer MLR 2.0 Reticle

NFs I would consider purchasing from this point on:
2.5-10x32
3.5-15x50 F1 with MLR 2.0

Why?

I think NF really got it right with their newer reticles I have no problems getting hits out to 1200 with 15x and I see the guys with the S&Bs turning them down at the matches I go to. Yes for the bench or bipod and bag belly shooting it would be nice to have more power but I like the FFP, price range and clarity of glass I get for right around $2300 with rings. If I were you I would sell both scopes, buy F1 non mil-spec NF and invest a little more if I need to. You can get matching turrets and reticles galore. When the BEAST comes out I will probably let the hide abuse them for about 6 months to a year before I sink that kind of money into a scope. For me $2300 for optics is pushing the top end of the optics budget.

 

[McGuyver]

Thanks for the input. I had considered selling both scopes, and buying one 3.5-15X ffp NXS, and one 5-25X ffp BEAST. The NXS would be used on my AR-10, and the BEAST used on my LR bolt gun...

-Sent from my brain using Telekinesis-

 

[KillShot]

The glass on the ATACR is impressive, to say the least, so I'd love to peer through a BEAST.

 

[McGuyver]

Maybe I could sell both NF sfp NXS scopes and replace them with a used Premiere Reticle, and a new BEAST... Course I would have to shell out some additional cash to boot. Just thinking out loud on my options...

 

[paindoc]

I own s&b's, nf, and host of others. So far my bushnell ers is as good and I bought a lot of ammo with the $$$ saved

 

[hewlett260]

As for whether to send it in or sell it? I would just send them in one at a time. You still get to keep them, not out that much money and if you really think about the time they are gone vs. the time it will take you to sell them and turn around to order whatever else, were I in your shoes and had the money, I would just send them in. Their turnaround time is pretty quick to, I'm willing to bet they over estimated that time for you. I had to send mine in for a fluke repair, quoted three and a half weeks. Sent the scope out on a Tuesday, received the e-mail stating they received it that Friday morning, repair completed Friday night and that it would be sent back Monday. Monday morning I had a tracking number and a message stating that I should have it the following day. Tuesday night at about 4:45 a knock on the door and I had my scope back. So like I said, quoted three and a half, but had it back in a week. Pretty hard to beat Nightforce.