Rifle Scopes Which NF NXS for this application?

[mram10]

After a year, I have finally decided to take all of your advice and buy a NF. I now have the money but I am lost with all of the models they have.

Application:
1. 300wsm (custom 300 ultra in the future) hunting rifle
2. shoot out to 1000 yards
3. I know VERY little about mils/moa, but want to learn

So which reticle would you choose?
Should I even bother with zero stop?
3.5-15 or 5.5-22?
Best place to get the best price on these?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[madd0c]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I have a 3.5-15 and an 8-32 both 50mm diameter.
There are going to be a bunch of folks posting in a while about how the operators use 10x scopes out to 1000, and the 3.5-15 is plenty of scope.

It probably is for them, but with my eyes I use the 8-32 90% of the time on a 308 out to 900 yards. I like the idea of aim small, miss small. Also, on steel I don't need a spotting scope.
If you get a higher mag scope, you can dial down the mag, but you can't easily add more mag to the lower magnification scope.

I think of the two you listed I would go with the 5.5-22. You won;t go wrong with any of them.

As for reticle, I like the mildot.

zerostop, not absolutely necessary, but very nice to have when dialing multiple distances to be able to twist back down to your zero without having to look or count. You can do this with judicious use of mounts with built in moa, but I like my zero stops.

If you are using the mildot reticle, then the mil turrets make sense, and cut out some of the calculations. If you go with the 3.5-15 F1 NFX (first focal plane) it cuts out ALOT of the calculations.

I have dealt with Jay at Sportoptics as well as several other vendors, but for price and customer service, they are hard to beat.

hope this helps,
madd0c

 

[former naval person]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

1+

 

[JTinIN]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Since you are putting this on a long range hunting rifle, would go with the 3.5x15 as you might be taking a shot off hand and/or closer at a moving target, if only a wounded deer.

Depending on the stock on the rifle etc. you may wish to consider the 50mm over the 56mm if it lets you get a better face weld to the stock etc.

Lastly several (i.e. everyone nearly ;-) has gotten and is happy with the 5.5x22 but these are on various long range rifles in 338 LM and 50 BMG, for the most part fired at 250 to 1500+ yards and not used for hunting.

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Noted. I will be using a LRF to range targets. I like the idea of the 56mm for more light, but if the 50mm would be easier to hunt with I will do that. Why don't all scopes match the reticle with the turrets?

 

[paraiso]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Ok lets make sure this is clear before you spend lots of money on something. The 56mm will draw in more light. This is always better in a hunting situation. The 56mm also requires that the scope be mounted a little bit higher off of the barrel because of the larger lens. This then MAY cause you to not get a solid cheek weld on your stock. If you have an adjustable cheek piece, then go for it. You can always just move it up a little bit and be comfortable. If not, you can do what I do and build up your own cheek peice out of things laying around the house. I suggest that you try any model of scope before buying it. Ask around and see if anybody has one that they can let you try.

 

[Mosdet]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

8x32 only comes in moa
5.5x22 50 or 56 comes in moa or mil

Decide if you want to learn moa or mil first. If you choose moa then you only have one option in the NSX 8x32 or you can go to a lower powered scope.

Moa NSX = NPR2
Mil NSX = MLR

56mm sounds like what you should look at.

Jay has always been talked of highly. His customer service to me has been great. Call him he will work with you to get a good deal.

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I just got my first Nightforce and I will be using it for long range target shooting and hunting as well. For me and my hunting the 5.5 is plenty low enough power. So I went with the 5.5-22x56 NP-R1 and MOA turrets, ZS and High speed turrets. I'm planning on making small notations on the turrets for 200, 300 ,400 yards, ect. My theory on the magnification is that the 2 lower settings wasn't worth trading the 7 higher magnifications.

+1 for Jay @ sportoptics. Great guy to deal with

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Great info guys.
For those that understand both mil and moa:
If you could learn just one, which would it be?

Are zero stops that important for hunting applications?

I am new to the high speed turrets. Are they worth the extra money?

 

[mkm]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I use a NXS 12-42x56 with the NPr1 RETICLE.

This one has 1MOA increments (not MIL) on vertical and 2 MOA on horizontal @ 24x.
When u crank it up to 42x you can 1/2 the values, makes it easier than converting from Mil dot to MOA turrent adjustments.

Also I would get the 5-22x50 for a multi purpose rifle, it has 100MOA elevation, the 12-42 has only 45MOA.

I use mine for long range target work.

mkm

 

[7mmRM]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

56mm obj will NOT give you more FOV over the 50mm version.

If I were in your shoes, I would rock either a SFP 3.5-15 with MLR reticle with MRAD adjustments or the FFP (F1) version of the same. Im a fan of zero stops, and think they are well worth the additional cost.

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Thanks guys. I like the idea of a 50mm for the cheek weld you guys mentioned. As for the zero stop, I need to read more on it.
If you could only use one method (mil or moa) which would it be? I want to learn one well for now, then expand later.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mram10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you could only use one method (mil or moa) which would it be? </div></div>

MILs. At one time I was strictly an MOA guy, Ive since seen the light and have gone MIL everything.

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I saw the poll that 53% of the guys on here were mil/mil guys so I gues I will learn that way. Where is the best place to find NF scopes? Military discounts

?

 

[The Quiet One]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

High Caliber Sales, "KJO" on this site is the place for Nightforce. Great guy and great service!

 

[john2000]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mram10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where is the best place to find NF scopes? Military discounts

? </div></div>

Military overruns?

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

The "military discount" is a joke, since everyone on here is/was in. Sometimes we can get a good discount by asking.

 

[john2000]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Yepp, I was just referring to the fact that there are other brands out there, that are more reasonably priced since they are military overruns...if cost is an issue I mean

 

[head2h2o]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

Go with the 5.5-22. 50 or 56 objective is your choice. I have 50's that I really like, but you may want a little more light gathering ability since this is a hunting rig and go with the 56. Reticle and turrets are a matter of preference. I am an MOA guy and the combination of the MOA high speed turrets and NP-R1 reticle does it for me. I have 2 NXS with the NP-R1. It is just a very user friendly reticle. I have purchased both of my NXS's, as well as other scopes, from Don and Long Range Supply. He is great to deal with and offers a lot of communication. If you want to use a site sponsor, then a quick look through the optics section will give you multiple names.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

i learned moa. if i had it to do over i would have learned mils instid. it seams there are more mil scope options out there

 

[HotrRod308]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I bought mine at Bear Basin, good service got my stuff quick and I think the shipping was free..Check them out

 

[azimutha]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

While you can't add magnification to a scope, by the same token you can't add more field of view either. Seriously consider how many shots you will ever take over 600 yards and think about how much magnification you really need to achieve that. Of all the scopes I've ever owned, I like my 3-15X the best, followed by a 2.5-10, which is a compact NXS.

 

[Aqua Mark]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

RE 50mm vs 56mm: I have used the same rings for both scopes. So there is no 'cheekweld issue' between the two for me.

I am on the list at CSTactical.com right now for 5.5-22x-56mm, Milrad Speed Turret w/zero stop, and Mildot Reticle. All the new NF NXS on your wish list are shipping with the speed turrets (improvement) and zero stop, so make sure you are getting one of them when you order.

I went to Mike's shop www.cstactical.com and looked through the 3.5-15 and 5.5-22. I have owned them both in the past, but wanted to look side by side 'one more time' before a final decision. I went with the 5.5-22 again because I don't feel I am losing much on the bottom end from 3.5x to 5.5x for close range, scans, etc., while at the same time I am gaining a lot on top if I want to spot for others, identify targets at distance, or see holes in paper further than is possible with the 3.5-15x.

They are both very similar in size/weight as well, so there was really no reason not to get the one with 30% more magnification, it can always be turned down.

I think the 3.5-15 excels where you would need that low magnification, for example (1) fast movers or targets of opportunity for limited time under 100 yards, or (2) if you need to glass large areas and dont use binos. I would use the gas gun/ACOG for situation 1 if available, and the 5.5x would suit me fine for situation 2.

If you get the 5.5-22 and would rather have the 3.5-15, it would take you about 15 minutes on here to do a trade with cash added from the other guy, but unlikely if the situation were reversed. Food for thought.

Here is a 5.5-22x56 on a 308. I dont consider this too much scope for my use.

 

[vman]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

You just gota think of important that range between 3 to 5.5x magnification is to you. If its crucial, go with the 3-15x but if you think you might be cranking her up to 22 to spot holes at the range then go for the 5.5-22

Both are highly versatile models imo

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

3.5-15x50 MLR/mrad gets my vote, a strong case could be made for the 5.5-22 but after having scopes in that range I missed my low power setting and rarely used more than 17-18x.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7mmRM</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mram10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you could only use one method (mil or moa) which would it be? </div></div>

MILs. At one time I was strictly an MOA guy, Ive since seen the light and have gone MIL everything. </div></div>

Oh, and same here!

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I vote for 1 of each!! right now the 5.5 is next on my list of acquisitions but I am of the opinion that the 3.5 is thebest all
around scope ever made

 

[mram10]

Re: Which NF NXS for this application?

I pulled the trigger on a NXS 5.5-22x50 NP1R with Moa turrets from Rodent on here. I can't thank you guys enough for the info you gave me. I wanted to go Mil, but the scope was a good deal, so I couldn't pass it up.