Can't decide between the two. I run mostly ZCO but need a new gas gun optic.
Is the ZCO really worth 1.5x the cost?
Would be a MPCT1x or a Mil-c
Is the ZCO really worth 1.5x the cost?
Would be a MPCT1x or a Mil-c
ZCO 420 vs NF 420 on a gas gun.
- Thread starter DeathBeforeDismount
- Start date
Been very happy with my ZCO 4-20 mpct1x…. It’s not on a gas gun tho…
I have a nx8 2.5-20 but not a 4-20 so no real experience there. The 2.5-20 has been great as well, not sure the ZCO is worth the money over it for a gas rig. JMO tho
Everyone sells their NF 420 Riki tik
Hear it tunnels so bad it’s more like a 5+-20
Hear it tunnels so bad it’s more like a 5+-20
Everyone loves their zco 420
Perfect larger gas gun optic. 2.5-20nf works for a more compact solution
Perfect larger gas gun optic. 2.5-20nf works for a more compact solution
Last edited:
It is one of @Lowlight favorites according to a podcast interview he did a few years back. Even put it on one of his AI rifles on the cover of his book: https://a.co/d/emDox9D
Everyone loves their 4-16x42. Arguably a better scope than the 420nf
Yea I am looking at the 4-16x42 as well. Seems like a better match as long as the eye box is forgiving. It's replacing a mk4hd I am not happy with on a 6 arc gas gun.
On a gas gun it's just not forgiving eyebox wise with my current setup. I like them on bolt/hunting guns where you can setup the gun without LOP and cheek restrictions. I took it out to play with at a PRS match last weekend and just didn't dig it for what I'm trying to do.
I like my NF 4-20. Its true, it tunnels at around 4x-7x but it don’t bother me much since I would never use the optic at that magnification. The ZCO 420 IMO is the best ZCO offers and it’s very impressive but, if you don’t want to drop that kind of coin the NF is a good option.
I haven’t owned the 4-20 ZCO. I have the 527. But have owned the 4-16 and 4-20 atacr. The 4-20 is a 5.5-20 with tunneling. Between the two I’ll be buying the 4-16 again when I upgrade my LMT MWS. The low profile locking turret and overall compact design is what stands out to me. It’s the perfect gas gun optic in my opinion if the 16 on the top end is enough magnification
If I have the $$ laying around at the time I’ll get the ZCO instead. But the NF can be purchased for about $1000 less in the px
If I have the $$ laying around at the time I’ll get the ZCO instead. But the NF can be purchased for about $1000 less in the px
Had a ZCO 420 on my SR25 but now a 4-16 NF. Flip a coin.
Under NV with a CNVD the ZCO looked crispy. One of my favs. But as a day optic, I wouldn't be mad with either one.
Under NV with a CNVD the ZCO looked crispy. One of my favs. But as a day optic, I wouldn't be mad with either one.
Last edited:
Am I really going to be that a-hole? Buy my stuff - S&B Ultra Short 3-20 in the PX. I wouldn't be that guy but another dude selling his k540i and I want it for a long throat 300 RUM that needs an upgrade.
I was considering the ZCO 4-20, but went cheap route on the S3 4-25 and have been very happy with it on my gas gun. Not PRS, but great on animals to 600 and steel to 1000m. Needs the sun shade, though. Just throwing out another option. Expert Voice pricing was well worth it.
I’ve run a zco 4-20 mpct -3x on a large and small frame. I’ve come to like it better then my NF 4-16 mil-xt
Tbh the 416 is prolly the only NF this NF hater would own.. great scope
- Nov 3, 2010
- 10,418
- 22,746
Had 4-32F1 on my gas gun, now running the 420. So far the 420 seems better from the little bit of used I’ve had with it.
Call me crazy, but the NF lineup seems to have suffered some glass issues lately. The 2.5-10 on my 7-08 seems ok still
Call me crazy, but the NF lineup seems to have suffered some glass issues lately. The 2.5-10 on my 7-08 seems ok still
R-Lock Dovetail Rail: Larue Tactical
Full length dovetail rails for the Larue Tactical forend.
www.sawtoothrifles.com
+1 for Sawtooth!R-Lock Dovetail Rail: Larue Tactical
Full length dovetail rails for the Larue Tactical forend.
We shall see. I might pull the trigger on a 4-16x42 NF and if for some reason I hate it, Can always sell it and grab another ZCO. I already have a 8-40 on order and could move a 5-27 to the gas gun in the short term if needed.
If you had the 8-40 on order with me, you would probably have it faster. - Richard
- Nov 3, 2010
- 10,418
- 22,746
Sorry, from my perspective. When I started playing with NF(mostly NXS and NX8) and it was quite a bit nicer than I was used to, I guess I put the brand on a pedestal. As I got more involved with stuff and looked through more, I saw there were others that outdid NF, some even cheaper by a good bit. I have played very little with the ATACR line so not a lot of input.
I see the difference in the higher end scopes so there is no real comparison in my 420 and a NXS/8 series.
I think for the money you pay for NF, they are probably quite a few brands that perform as well and maybe cost less. Seems like they would have picked up on this over the years and tried to keep pace. The low light gathering on most of the NXS/8 series is not that great IMO.
Probably all sounds like rubbish and babble, but that’s just my fault cause I can’t talk right
If you’re comparing scopes like ZCO you need to be comparing them to the atacr line. It’s a different animal vs NX8 and for sure NXS. The NXS glass I had compared fairly well with my Sightron SIII glass 15 years ago.
I’ve looked through the NX8 and didn’t think it was all that great compared to others. Keep in mind the NX8/NXS line are 30 mm tubes. Atacr are 34mm and ZCO is 36mm I believe which will effect light gathering
My favorite of the atacr line are the 4-16 and 7-35. ZCO is going to be better than the NF optically. Even if only by a bit in some comparisons. My 4-20 atacr I wasn’t blow away by. I haven’t looked through a 5-25 atacr because of their past rep of being the worse glass in the atacr series. Newer models may be better
If we’re comparing NF atacr to cheaper glass (glass only) I say my Athlon Cronus was about right on par in good lighting. Never tested the two in low light. But even my DNT looks surprisingly good in good lighting
NF has built their history of reliability with the NXS which carried on to the atacr line. The SHV/NX8 were just some cheaper options added within their flagship products
- Nov 3, 2010
- 10,418
- 22,746
To be honest I've never owned a zco. I own/owned a bunch of everything else including NF.
The ATACR 4-16x42 is a great smaller scope. Have one on my sp10 and on a 300wsm hunting rifle. Seems to have a very forgiving eyebox. I can shoot it along with my wife and 2 young boys (8yo and 12yo) without making any adjustments in lop
The ATACR 4-16x42 is a great smaller scope. Have one on my sp10 and on a 300wsm hunting rifle. Seems to have a very forgiving eyebox. I can shoot it along with my wife and 2 young boys (8yo and 12yo) without making any adjustments in lop
^^^^ this guy
Yeah the 4-16 is the way to go for a gas gun. It's kinda the gold standard for compact high power all around optics.
Yeah the 4-16 is the way to go for a gas gun. It's kinda the gold standard for compact high power all around optics.
Thanks. I may need to try one of these on my smaller Tac Ops Delta.
No reason to be hesitant, there are tons of great 36mm options and many high end scopes are moving to 36mm.
My only experience with 36mm mounts are area419 and I must say, they are outstanding. Beautiful craftsmanship!!! My current setup is a zero MOA with the high top rail but I recently picked up a 20MOA and low rail. Hopefully everything clears and still have a good visual on the LRF display.
Similar threads
