Rifle Scopes Advise on which Nightforce

[Dacam]

Hey guys,
Currently I use a Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21x50mm with the G2hdmr reticle. I like this scope but want to get a Nightforce for my incoming AI AE MKIII 308.
I want to find a Nightforce that closely matches the features of the HDMR.
Do I really need a first focal plane scope? Not really sure. I mostly shoot known distances out to 1200yds, rarely do I range targets.
Will the second focal plane be good enough? I like the higher magnification, 15x is not enough. So many reticle designs.
Can you guys recommend a Nightforce and reticle that closely matches the HDMR.
Thanks,

 

[08Cayenne]

Not sure about the reticle, I shot one time to 1200 yards with a .308 semi auto and used 54 moa of elevation above 100 yard zero according to my notes. Used an NXS 5.5-22x56 with a NPR1 reticle. Wasn't easy but I lobbed them in.

 

[Dacam]

Im assuming the Nightforce NXS has better glass clarity than the Bushnell HDMR?

 

[hewlett260]

Your budget? My first pick would be the ATACR mil/mil, but since my NXS was purchased before the ATACR came out and I like their Mil-Dot, I have the 5.5-22x 50mm NXS with Mil-Dot, mil turrets and Zero-Stop sitting in a Spuhr mount on an AI AW260. Gotta say I love it and don't have any complaints other than the look my wife gives me every time I pull it out of the safe

 

[Dacam]

Your budget? My first pick would be the ATACR mil/mil, but since my NXS was purchased before the ATACR came out and I like their Mil-Dot, I have the 5.5-22x 50mm NXS with Mil-Dot, mil turrets and Zero-Stop sitting in a Spuhr mount on an AI AW260. Gotta say I love it and don't have any complaints other than the look my wife gives me every time I pull it out of the safe

Hahaha! That is fricken priceless....my wife does the same thing!
Questions I have is what is the main difference in the 50mm vs 56mm. Price range is around under $2000
Which Spuhr mount?

 

[Dynamic Response]

The FFP is not just for ranging. I use it more for holdovers. Its nice knowing that my scope is always true. So if I have to hold over 1.3 mils for wind I dont have to worry about what magnification I am on and multiplying my reticle.

Rule of thumb for magnification is 1x for every 100 yards. But if you want more then get more. I can tell you though that 15x on a high end scope is more magnification then a shitty scope on 40x.

Lately I have been shooting long range on the lowest magnification I can to make it harder and to kind of simulate shooting farther. example Ill shoot 800 yards on 3-5x.

As fas as reticles go thats a tricky one. I like shooting Mrad because its easier to hold for wind. Example on a 175smk with a 4mph wind. my wind hold is .1 for every hundred yards. So if I am shooting 600 yards with a 4mph wind my hold is .6mils if the wind is 12mph at 600 yards my hold is 1.8mil.

I have the MLR2.0 reticle and I love it but its only avab in FFP. If you want more sub tensions then a hours reticle is great. You dont have to guess where you are holding. You can literally hold 6mils down and 1.3 mils right for wind. it makes it very easy to hold for everything.

So If I where you I would decide if you want FFP or SFP. . In my opinion if you are shooting long range and want to use your reticle to holdover and dont want to do the extra math then FFP is the way to go. (the math isnt hard at all but its an extra step that can be avoided) So if you decide you want FFP then the F1 or the BEAST is your only 2 options.

If you decide you want SFP then the ATACR is a great option or any other NXS.


Hope some of this helps you. Buy the Best scope you cant afford. You wont regret it.

 

[Graham]

You don't need FFP unless you are shooting multiple targets at multiple distances under time constraints.

 

[Ultraman550]

I had the NPR-2 and really liked it but sold it because I needed the funds at the time. Now I'm looking at the Velocity 1000 because I'll be shooting at known distances and like Graham stated I wont be shooting multiple targets at multiple distances under time constraints so FFP isn't necessary.

 

[sib1948]

I would recommend finding a good used Nightforce here on the Hide in the For Sale section. Get out and start shooting at distance and you'll begin to realize what will work best for you. Also read the Optics Selection Sticky several times. Advantages to both FFP and SFP. Would go at least 20-25X. I have two of the March Tactical scopes and have a BEAST on order. I prefer FFP and matching mil/mil reticle and turrets. Most quality used scopes hold their value well and you could sell it and use the money toward your perfect match. Just my thoughts.

 

[sulcop96]

Graham THANK YOU!!!! Not to hijack the thread but I get sick of the FFP mandate on all things optics. Yes, great tool to have if the job calls for it BUT SFP is not a handicap for the most part. Now with that said I have both FFP and SFP scopes and also work in both mils and moa and therefore I look at all the other features offered and buy the scope to meet those needs and that is more often then not NF and my new favorite NF scope is the ATACR. Great glass, tracks dead on, very usable reticle, robust, zero stop etc. I currently have the moa with the MOAR reticle and have found no shortcoming in the design.

Sully

 

[dieselgeek]

You don't need FFP unless you are shooting multiple targets at multiple distances under time constraints.

Of if you like to shoot on anything else other than full power all the time.

I mean I guess you can dial your wind, and do 1/2 power = double thing.


or you could buy an FFP.


ERS XRS and HDMR are great scopes w/ great reticles. I'd say my HDMR is as durable as my Nightforce. I've not put my ERS though that much abuse, but it's a dang nice scope.

I'd use SFP for F-class or other bench rest shooting, but really can't see why you'd not get FFP for everything else.

 

[SpinDrift338]

I just bought my second NF, first was a 3.5-15xx56mm NPR1 and the second one is a 5.5-22x50mm NPR1 as well. I took the 15x to my 1000 yard matches (when I used to attend) and had no issue hitting the 10" X-ring when I was shooting well. The magnification was more than enough, and I love the second focal plane reticles with their thin subtensions. NF even marks the exact 1/2 magnification point, where your 0.5 mils measure 1 mil, and 1moa measures 2moa. not tough for wind holds, range on 1/2 power or 1/4 power just like normal, divide by 2 or 4 after your normal formula and you've got it. Of course FFP is vastly better with multiple targets under time like Graham said, but for shooters like myself I prefer the fine reticle and don't need the shifting one.

 

[Dacam]

Thanks guys,
I went ahead and bought a sfp Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50mm MOAR.
It looks really good, slightly better or just even with my Bushnell HDMR.

 

[samnev]

Excellent Choice and a great looking rig. Looks just like my AIAW folder. I also bought my NF NXS with the MOAR reticle.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

You don't need FFP unless you are shooting multiple targets at multiple distances under time constraints.

this, out to 1200 yards, i would get a 5.5-22 or the new atacr 5-25, more magnification and adjustment nice this reticles for the longer distance.

i didn't see where you had already gotten something, thats what i would have done

 

[sib1948]

You did the right thing and will enjoy your Nightforce for years to come. Good job.