Rifle Scopes Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

[GentleBen]

I have narrowed it down to 3 Nightforce scopes to go on a new .308 build but have never owned a Nightforce. Please, some opinions on whether the additional features among these choices are worth it ...

1) Nightforce 5.5-22x50 with MOAR reticle -- $1,766 (+$0)
2) Same power, size, reticle but with Zero Stop -- $1,955 (+$190)
3) Same power size, but with HVM.5 1000 ballistic reticle and zero stop -- $2,025 (+$259).

Choice 1) is the best price and value, it seems. But does zero stop on choice 2) add that much convenience for $190 more. Or for $259 more, does choice 3) make more sense.

I don't think I will go wrong with any of them, but have to take into consideration extra bucks for rings.

I'd like, if possible, to hear from someone who has actually owned any one of these three scopes. Thanks so much.

Uses, shooting targets out to 500-600; prairie-dogging when my .223s can't reach far enough; sitting and petting it.

 

[Bradu]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

If you want best bang for the buck go with the 3.5-15x56 through Milehigh, they are being discontinued and are $1475 for high speed/zero stop. I was going to go that route but I wanted to try the ATACR.

 

[scissorhands]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

I'm on my first NF scope. The zero stop is really nice to have, Dont think I will own a scope without one. For me, it eases my mind (in knowing when I reset to zero..I dont have to rely on my counting)

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GentleBen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have narrowed it down to 3 Nightforce scopes to go on a new .308 build but have never owned a Nightforce. Please, some opinions on whether the additional features among these choices are worth it ...

1) Nightforce 5.5-22x50 with MOAR reticle -- $1,766 (+$0)
2) Same power, size, reticle but with Zero Stop -- $1,955 (+$190)
3) Same power size, but with HVM.5 1000 ballistic reticle and zero stop -- $2,025 (+$259).

Choice 1) is the best price and value, it seems. But does zero stop on choice 2) add that much convenience for $190 more. Or for $259 more, does choice 3) make more sense.

I don't think I will go wrong with any of them, but have to take into consideration extra bucks for rings.

I'd like, if possible, to hear from someone who has actually owned any one of these three scopes. Thanks so much.

Uses, shooting targets out to 500-600; prairie-dogging when my .223s can't reach far enough; sitting and petting it.


</div></div>

out of the 3 I would pick option 2. the velocity reticles are a bit on the finicky side if you change your load in any way, personally I feel like developing a load and getting a custom turret with a reticle like the moar, or npr1 or npr2 is a better way to go. as the other gentleman said, I wouldn't get a nightforce without a zero stop. mine has come in handy many times on hunts

 

[samnev]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

I would go with the NXS 5.5-22X50/56 with the MOAR reticle and spend the extra $$$ for the zero stop. As Jay said the velocity reticle are load dependent and are more trouble than they are worth IMO. The Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X50 or 56 is my favorite of the 5 Nightforce scopes I own. I use to be a NP-R1 reticle guy but now the MOAR is.

 

[Graham]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

For target shooting between 500 and 600 you don't need a SFP 22x, and will probably be happier with 15x.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

I'd go with a NF F1, mil-rad knobs, MLR2.0, personally. Its a much more user-friendly scope.

Of those listed, I'm not sure if a guy really needs a zero stop or not. It depends on the gun and the base. My old NF on my 700 only had about 5 MOA of "down" left after zeroing. It wasn't that hard to remember to go down and come back to zero. If you end up with two or three revolutions below the 0, then it is a good thing to have.

 

[me124704]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

Option 2 -

I currently have an 8-32x56 non-high speed without Zero Stop, and I've decided that my next one will definitely have that feature. I've second guessed myself many times on how many rotations I've made...at least with Zero Stop I could quickly dial down to Zero and back up.

 

[ss7]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: me124704</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Option 2 -

I currently have an 8-32x56 non-high speed without Zero Stop, and I've decided that my next one will definitely have that feature. I've second guessed myself many times on how many rotations I've made...at least with Zero Stop I could quickly dial down to Zero and back up. </div></div>

Having the HS will help with the counting problem.. the ZS is convenient, but I couldn't say its necessary.

 

[DIBBS]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

I dont believe HS elevation knobs are absolutely necessary. I like the older knobs better, but that is a personal preference. I am happy with the zero stop, and it's easy to drop to zero if you aren't 100% sure where you are in elevation (this doesn't mean you cant/wont read your dope card wrong and put the wrong elevation!

in I use a NXS 5.5 x 22 mil/MLR, and am happy with the scope. Whatever your final choice, Make sure your knobs match your reticle (mil/mil or moa/moa)

 

[fargo007]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

For a .308 with MOA knobs, and an intent to do a lot of 100-1000Y or longer shooting, I would call a zero stop pretty close to necessary.

At least to the point that you will at some point regret not having it.

On a .243.... not so much.

--Fargo007

 

[mdslammer]

Re: Which Nightforce ... bang for the buck?

I started with the NF NXS 3-15x50. Great scope but I needed a bit more magnification. I swapped it for the Nightforce NXC 5.5-22x50mm. Zero Stop/Speed Turret 1/4" MOA, NP-R1 reticle.

I love this scope. I have 2 of them. One on my .308 and one on my .338 Lapua Magnum.

Will probably go with the same scope for my new custom .338 LM build.