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Rifle Scopes USO vs Nightforce?

Snipenace

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 28, 2011
298
21
GA
I am thinking of getting a new scope ether the 5.5-22x56 Nightforce or a SN-3 3.2-17 TPAL or ERGO or the 3.8-22 ERGO or maybe a 5-25 TPAL USO. Or maybe even a leupold mark 8 3.5-25. I have a 6.5-20x50 mark 4 now. One day I would like to get a PVS-22 or PVS-27 to hunt coyotes and hogs. I shoot out to 800 yards as of now And I will be hunting with it. Basically It will be going on my go to rifle. What Yall think?
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Personal preference. I' like the nf 3.5-15 or 5.5-22. Reticle again personal preference. For a MOA reticle I'm really enjoying the MOAR. If Mil adjustments are more your flavor then the MLR would be my choice. I prefer the MOAR over MLR (not taking ffp into consideration).
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

If you want First Focal ... the 3.2-17 SN3 is a great scope. If you want Second focal a Nightforce NXS would be the way to go.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I have the sn3 3.8-22x44 on my savage and it works flawlessly. Holds its zero every time I shoot no matter how hard I am on it. I carry it in a soft case that also is a shooting mat and I've been known to toss that bag where I'm gonna be shooting. It's even been knocked off the rack by kids not watching what there doing at the range and is still on target. I'm sure night force is just as sturdy but I have never owned one and cant vouch for that. They are both good scopes, but it all comes down to what's it your wallet in the end.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I would look at the Nightforce F1 as mentioned above. But with the MLR2 reticle.

Either way, I'd take a NF over a USO.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

What is all this blasphemy about NF over USO? The ONLY reason to consider a NF is if you want SFP. Other than that the uso is hands down a better scope. And if you are in the market there are better options than a NF.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

You have not really provided enough info for a good reply, but I'll say I am a huge fan of NF. Their QC is beyond reproach: and that is not as common as you might think. Once the "new scope smell" wears off, you want something that is reliable: period. NF is a stand out in this category and their prices are very reasonable. You are getting what everyone else charges $3K for....for $1500.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I just picked up a USO SN3 5-25 and I can tell you it's a big scope and has some weight to it. I plan to use it mostly at the range, but you may want to take that into consideration if you're going to lug it around in the woods. Still, it's an outstanding piece of glass.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

For you stated distances, I would go with the USO 3.2-17. Perfect mag for that range. Smaller and lighter than the USO 3.8-22x. More options to be able to personalize to your needs and better glass clarity than NF.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Comparing a FFP to SFP scope is a tad misconstrued because the FFP variant of NF is going to run you about as much as USO, which it will then come down to preference.

I own a USO SN-3 and love them to death. In this situation though i would be inclined to SFP with the nightforce for hunting. Not that it's hard with FFP, but i would prefer SFP for hunting.

Make a list of features/preferences then pick one you can't go wrong with either.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ffhogue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is all this blasphemy about NF over USO? The ONLY reason to consider a NF is if you want SFP. Other than that the uso is hands down a better scope. And if you are in the market there are better options than a NF. </div></div>

Disagree. USO has options/features, but NF builds a better scope in my experience of having owned both. NF glass is superior, their knobs are better, and they are much more consistent from scope to scope. My 3.2-17 TPAL had a very vague windage knob (US #1) and honestly the glass was worse than a $300 Burris. The parallax knob had a slight amount of lash and overall I was not impressed for the money. I really wanted to like USO, but they disappointed.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You have not really provided enough info for a good reply, but I'll say I am a huge fan of NF. Their QC is beyond reproach: and that is not as common as you might think. Once the "new scope smell" wears off, you want something that is reliable: period. NF is a stand out in this category and their prices are very reasonable. You are getting what everyone else charges $3K for....for $1500. </div></div>

For the very reasons you have stated. I've just seen too many that have had to be sent back due to the fact they wouldn't hold a zero.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I have the USO 3.2X17 on my 308 rifle, USO SN3 5X25 on my Lapua and USO SN3 3.8X21 on my M21. Almost most forgot the SN4 on my LWRC 6.8. GET USO US MADE and great customer service.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

USO fan
I love my 3.2-17
I was shooting at clay pidgeons at 1K last week with it on my 308.

Even with the mag backed off to 15 due to the mirage I had no problems lining up on a 3" target at 1K.

Even busted a few, though my hit ratio was not very high
smile.gif

 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

USO = same quality level as a Nightforce, but your going to pay more for it. smart money goes nightforce.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">USO = same quality level as a Nightforce, but your going to pay more for it. smart money goes nightforce. </div></div>

True they are more, but you are paying for the ability to customize your optic exactly how you want it. Many more options in mag range, reticle, lit reticle, knob styles, internal level, etc...

If you fit within what NF makes and you like it then great. I personally dont, especially considering the limited FFP options. I greatly prefer USO and dont mind paying a bit more for exactly what I want.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I started with a USO ST10 and loved it, but wanted more magnification and a variable so I ordered a nearly identical SN3 3.2-17. Being able to order a scope exactly as you want it is a huge plus. I didn't want to settle for anything less when ordering my first and now I don't want anything else.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I own NF. I would not hesitate to buy another NF when the need arises.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

NightForce!!

I tried 1 USO scope & absolutley hated it = glass was very lacking in my opinion!!!
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Down here in Texas we get (when we're lucky) one shot at a hog then they're gone. So what ever scope you get I would think a SFP would be the way to go because shot placement will be critical. It is my understanding that NF has some really good SFP scopes and they are a little cheaper then the others you mentioned. Good luck with your choice.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: recondo84</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> ....I would think a SFP would be the way to go because shot placement will be critical. </div></div>
What does that mean? Just curious.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

maybe I got lucky, but my USO has very good glass, not quite as good as my S&B or Ziess FL but certainly not far behind.

I am very picky on glass and if it wasn't very, very good I would have gotten rid of it..
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">maybe I got lucky, but my USO has very good glass</div></div>

I think perhaps it is more a question of not getting unlucky. I have owned 4 and used another 4 USO's so far and every one has been excellent. They have all been better optically than the high end Japanese stuff I have compared them with. I am most partial to the 3.2-17x44 ergo. It has a remarkably roomy eyebox and consequently is comfortable to be behind. It is also a bit smaller than the big 5-25x58's for a guy who doesn't do much low light shooting.

Maybe some day I will find one of these USO's that easily optically beaten by top Japanese stuff but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I don't know anything about scopes, but it is my understanding that the more precise shot you want (like benchrest shooters) then SFP scopes are the way to go. The guy said he was going to use this for hog hunting. So he's more then likely only going to get one shot, so that shot needs to be as precise as possable.

Most hunting scopes are SFP just like most sniper scopes are SFP because the shot placement is critical.

Again I don't know much about scopes, but if I'm wrong (and it would not be the first time) please feel free to enlighten me.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Arguments can be made for both FFP and SFP scopes in different situations. As far as "precision shot placement" goes, a FFP scope shouldn't have "zero shift" as the magnification is changed as a SFP scope will, so I would say it is more "precise."

While most sniper scopes MAY be SFP, it isn't because "shot placement is critical." It is more likely because police department budgets/leadership is limited.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I found this....... It's challenging to design a reticle that is visible through the entire range of magnification e.g. a reticle that looks fine and crisp at 24x may be very difficult to see at 6x magnification. On the other hand, a reticle that's easy to see at 6x may be thick enough at 24x to make "precision shots difficult"...
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Personally, I would go with the USO 3.7-17x and the EREK knob. I've owned an NXS 5.5-22x56, and I always preferred the EREK adjustment to the Nightforce adjustments.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Reticle thickness of a FFP scope may be a problem if quartering a 1/2 MOA X-ring, but not for precisely placing a shot on a hog. If one needs to do a holdover or lead a hog, the FFP scope will allow them to do so on any power with consistency. I will say that their are MANY people out there that can precisely place a shot with a FFP scope.

Again, if one is trying to make precision shots with their scope on varying magnifications, the FFP is better due to the lack of zero shift that is present in MOST SFP scopes. Obviously, some scopes are worse than others when it comes to this shift.

Like many, I own both FFP and SFP scopes and both have their places.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I'm not a scope guy, so I only know what I read.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Currently I have 4 USO's I have picked up used over the years and I have owned a few more. They range in age from a year or two old to ten years old. All have had very good glass. Not S and B but very good. The only USO I have ever been disappointed with was the field spotter.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

What it comes down to really is what scope meets your needs. I was running a NF 3.5-15x50 for a while and I loved it. It worked for me. But then I started playing around with USO and the erek knob and that was the deal that made me sell my NF and go with uso. Its not really of which one is better than the other but more of which one fits your needs better.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I have a Nightforce 5.5x22 on a Barrett M82A1. It works great.

I currently have a Larue OBR on order and have been contemplating getting a USO scope. Its a hard decision to make.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

If you get any scope that tracks well and holds zero your allready doing allright. Anything past that your just getting into things that suit you. Not saying thats wrong, it's just you have passed up the needs and now are in the wants. I guess what I'm saying is you have the means to make the shot, but these items will speed up the process. Good luck with your future scope purchase. The lupy might just suit your needs fine. Mine was a great scope
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

Brother, you mentioned three great scopes.

For field use I would go with FFP and find lower magnification fr the close shots and less at top end for only shooting to 800 yards.

I really like the new MK6 in 3-18, with ffp.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I have a Leupold ERT, a Nightforce NXS and a USO SN3 T-Pal 5.5-25 with Erek.
I am very happy with all of these optics! As far as weight the Nightforce weighs 32 oz (2 lbs) according to Nightfoce, a USO SN3 T-pal 3.2-17 according to Nightforce weighs in a 2.10 lbs http://www.usoptics.com/optics/sn-3-t-pal.html so between those two optics you are not looking at much weight.

I think they are both phenominal optics and will do what you need them to. So you can not go wrong either way.
 
Re: USO vs Nightforce?

I ordered the 3x15 f1 with the mlr2 hands down my favorite reticle and also great glass you won't be disappointed with nightforce