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Rifle Scopes For the money: NXS 2.5-10X42 or MK6 3-18 ?

#3
I prefer the Mk6. Its FFP which I like the thicker reticle and the extra magnification. I also like the locking turrets and the zero stop better on the Mk6. Glass is better as well.
 
#4
Mk6 all the way. Love scope and reticle and it has no downsides.
Extra magnification is always a plus - better to have and not need

Have NF 2.5-10x32 and they are good very light scopes as well
Just Mk6 is better
 
#5
actually scratch that - I was referring to CMR-W reticle which is more $$$

Still Mk6 has better glass, very nice turrets and more magnification on top
NF has illumination - do you plan to shoot in low light?
 
#8
I guess I'm in the same boat and undecided... I'm stuck trying to decide between these exact two scopes the OP mentioned, for a KAC LPR 18" 5.56.
 
#9
What's killing me is that I may not be able to decide. Each are so good in their segments. May have to just get both over time. I will probably go Mk6 first because it offers the most performance for the majority of what I need the platform to do in daylight conditions. The Nightforce is just too badass to not get one. Ultimately this almost always leads to an additional build to make a "home" . Glad tax season is upon us.....

TP.....
 
#10
I'm missing what your purpose is for your rifle TP. "Lightweight AR" to me means you intend to move around a bit with it, whether busting brush or dynamic shooting, and are looking for the full range of shooting spectrum.

With the exception of my MK12 Mod 1 (near spec build including 2.5-8x32 Leupold scope), all my small frame ARs have a 1-?x scope on them or an Aimpoint. I like lightweight and fast up close for them as a significant option, and the distant shooting I find 6x or 8x to be more than enough on the targets I use. Anything beyond 600yds <1/2 IPSC sized targets, I use larger calibers that defeat the wind better. Anything paper-punching or precision (including small varmint hunting), I'm using the .260/.308 bolt guns or rimfire. I'm finishing up a 6.5CM semi to plug the gap, but that's still a work in progress.

I've tried 3-9x, fixed 10x, and even ran a 3-12x50 PMII on my 5.56 ARs. None of them did what I was really looking for, made the rifle bulkier, slower, and more limited.

Not trying to say you need to change your optics decisions, simply giving food for thought from my own experiences. The "what/where/how" would definitely help in providing advice to you.
 
#11
Redmanss said:
I'm missing what your purpose is for your rifle TP. "Lightweight AR" to me means you intend to move around a bit with it, whether busting brush or dynamic shooting, and are looking for the full range of shooting spectrum.

With the exception of my MK12 Mod 1 (near spec build including 2.5-8x32 Leupold scope), all my small frame ARs have a 1-?x scope on them or an Aimpoint. I like lightweight and fast up close for them as a significant option, and the distant shooting I find 6x or 8x to be more than enough on the targets I use. Anything beyond 600yds <1/2 IPSC sized targets, I use larger calibers that defeat the wind better. Anything paper-punching or precision (including small varmint hunting), I'm using the .260/.308 bolt guns or rimfire. I'm finishing up a 6.5CM semi to plug the gap, but that's still a work in progress.

I've tried 3-9x, fixed 10x, and even ran a 3-12x50 PMII on my 5.56 ARs. None of them did what I was really looking for, made the rifle bulkier, slower, and more limited.

Not trying to say you need to change your optics decisions, simply giving food for thought from my own experiences. The "what/where/how" would definitely help in providing advice to you.
Click to expand...

One of the most intelligent posts ever written on the subject of optics most suitable for the 5.56mm AR15. Actually matching the scope to the real abilities of the round the rifles chambered for is apparently not a lost art....
 
#12
Great replies ! This is my best attempt at a general purpose platform that I use for open class 3 gun and Tactical shooting out to 650. It's a Noveske Shooting Team rifle but with upgrades. It's what I use for all competition. I use a S3G trigger on a purpose built short length of pull lower (Pinned for NJ compliance) and a 1-4 Accupoint for all matches inside of 300. When I do matches with steel out to 650, I reconfigure the gun with a lower wearing an SSA-E two stage and an A1 length stock. It's this "mode " where the scopes discussed would be used along with a mini dot mounted on an offset specifically to give me 0 - 25y speed on target.

This rig is waaay more accurate than I expected. With 77gr Black Hills its a tack driver. It's my Swiss Army knife.
I love how it's balance allows me to run stages from awkward shooting positions. Should have given a better description earlier.

TP. ..
 
#13
TP,

I think if I was in your position and using the gun for the applications you mention (especially 650 yard steel matches), I'd definitely go with the Leupold 3-18x. You're only losing .5x on the low end over the NF, but picking up 8x on the high end. Don't need the reduced low end magnification on your rig if you're running a mini dot since you will handle all the close range engagements with that and the extra 8x on the high end will mean a lot with those longer range steel engagements.

I personally like illumination on my scopes since I use them in low light situations, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on the Leupold 3-18x. I want my scope for long range engagements as well, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on the NF 2.5-10x42 (not that it can't handle long range, just looking for more magnification). So I'm going S&B 3-20x50. Weighs 12 ounces more than the NF, but I'm willing to compromise on that since it has everything else I need and S&B sits at the top of the scope food chain. Gonna cost a bit more, but I'm willing to wait to save up the cash.
 
#15
KAC SR-15 LPR.... perfect fit IMO.

2pyxt2t.jpg

2py6wrm.jpg
 
#17
Infringed711 said:
That's what I was thinking...also 18x on an AR seems like a little overkill for me
Click to expand...
IMO 18x is actually just right for almost everything you would need or want for the 77gr Sierra out of an 18 inch barrel. I also plan on doing some varmint shooting along with everything else I listed. No rule that says you have to use all the magnification. :)
Back in the day when higher magnification was directly related to size and weight, I would agree that 18x is overkill. But we are now seeing excellent examples of high performance in lightweight packages. Might as well take advantage of the opportunity.

I'm still waiting for full size , feature rich scopes in magnesium.

TP...
 
Last edited:
#18
I don't think that's much of a weight savings. IMO, any huge weight savings in scopes will be with the use of non-glass lenses, but CA issues are more prevalent.

Either way, 15" scopes which weigh 3lbs are on the way out.
 
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