Rifle Scopes Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

[emmagee]

OK, I know the NF is the better scope, that is a given and no argument.

I am looking for a scope in this power range for use on a long range varmint rifle, it will not get bounced around and/or see hard use, so the durability is not an issue. Using round numbers, lets call the V3 $800 and the NF $1,800.

Is the NF worth $1K more....more than twice the cost of the Leupold.... for shooting prairie dogs?

If it were a bit more there wouldn't be a question. If the NF BR model at roughly $1200 has a side focus, I would not give that scope a second thought, I'd buy it. When I want something I can pull the wool over my own eyes with the best of them, but I'm sure having trouble convincing myself that I should pay a grand more for the NF.

For those of you that are familiar with both scopes convince me to buy the NF, or am I more than likely to be perfectly happy with the Leupold V3? I have a feeling the V3 will do everything I want it to do, I have a lot of Leupold's and have never had a problem, I just don't want to buy the Leupold and in two months realized I should have bought the NF.

I know ya get what ya pay for, but sometimes it's tough being a cheap bastard at heart!

 

[pupdawg]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

Well I'll say just for the sole reason that you are not comfortable with spending the extra $1000... just get the leupold.

That extra grand gets you a choice of reticle (All NP reticles except npr1, ch1,ch2,ch3, mildot). It also gives you illumination, more power (32 VS 25), and better glass among other things. Which one of these is important to you is for you to decide.

If none of these "features" are important or matter to you then the answer is clear.

 

[LRCampos]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32


I have a Leup 8,5-25x50mm with Varmint Reticle and a Nightforce BR 12-42X56mm among others scopes.

I really like the Leup 8,5-25x50mm I have and it performed wonderful for about 2.500 rounds so far.

Comparing with my NF BR I dont see much diference on optics when they are at the same magnification. In fact, in my opinion I prefer the Leupold optics over NF.

What the Leup has over the NF NXS is that Leup has 1/8 MOA Clicks and the NF NXS has only 1/4 MOA clicks. In a varmint rifle, it may be an issue way bigger than the side focus/front focus.

I read somwhere that NF will release this year a series of NF scopes with 1/8 MOA clicks. So, it may be a good scope for varminting. I think 1/4 MOA is way too much. But it is only my opinion on this subject.

 

[matchking]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

I've never owned a V3, but I have a few Mark 4s that I wouldn't get rid of. Now I have gotten rid of several NXSs over the years; in fact, I have sold them all.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pupdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... and better glass among other things. </div></div>
Is the V3 glass poor quality? I never considered NF glass as top shelf, though they had other features that made them attractive.

 

[emmagee]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pupdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I'll say just for the sole reason that you are not comfortable with spending the extra $1000... just get the leupold.</div></div>

I wouldn't say that I'm not comfortable spending the extra $1K, I guess I am just wondering if the NF is $1K better? Am I getting that much more bang for my buck with the NF?

 

[pupdawg]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: matchking</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've never owned a V3, but I have a few Mark 4s that I wouldn't get rid of. Now I have gotten rid of several NXSs over the years; in fact, I have sold them all.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pupdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... and better glass among other things. </div></div>
Is the V3 glass poor quality? I never considered NF glass as top shelf, though they had other features that made them attractive. </div></div>

As far as my opinion is concerned, I think the NF glass seems sharper, a little brighter, better contrast than the Leupolds I've looked through. Again, this is just my opinion and I've heard others say they can't "see" a difference or don't care which is perfectly fine. I've never looked through a V3 so I really shouldn't have jumped to conclusions about the glass in those but...

 

[pupdawg]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: emmagee</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pupdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I'll say just for the sole reason that you are not comfortable with spending the extra $1000... just get the leupold.</div></div>

I wouldn't say that I'm not comfortable spending the extra $1K, I guess I am just wondering if the NF is $1K better? Am I getting that much more bang for my buck with the NF? </div></div>

Put it this way. If you bought the Leupold, would you sometimes "wish" you had bought the NF?

If the answer is "yes" then just get the NF.

If no then the Leupold will do.

Just keep in mind that all you can do is lay everything out on the table and decide from there. SO you have 1) price, 2) reticle, 3) turret adjustments, 4) power range, 5) glass, 6) dependability/reliability 7)how I'm going to use said scope. Those in no particular order are what I use to generally decide between scopes. Usually one or two of these "points" are enough to make me swing in one direction...usually.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

the sightron SIII 8-32x56 is the same price as the leupy with glass as good as NF, 1/8 clicks and more magnification thand the V3. It would work fine for prairie dogs or target shooting.
hope this helps.

 

[sniperaviator]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

Only you can decide the answer to your question. Whatever you buy, there is always a better scope for more money available somewhere. They are both good scopes.

 

[rifleman1981]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

one thing about a nightforce, if you buy it and wished you hadn't it will hold its value almost as well as gold does, but if you buy a leupold.......... you'd better just like it

 

[taterxl]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

I dont have a v3 but I love my mark 4 8.5-25x. Works perfectly for shooting prairie dogs in my opinion.

 

[BX1129]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

Once you go into like high end scopes, you start getting some serious diminishing returns. If you go from a 100 dollar scope (BSA/Barska/Centerpoint etc) to a decent 300 dollar scope, like the super sniper/Wonder Optic, there is a huge difference. If you go from a std SS to a SS HD or Leupold, there is again, a pretty big difference. But if you are comparing a Leupold Mark 4 to a NF, or a NF to US OPTIC, now you are paying a lot more to be a little better overall.

The Leupold will do the job. I don't know about V3s, but I have the Mark 4 LRT 3.5-10 and the ERT 4.5-14x, both of them worked well. I could do the job with either the NF 3-15 FFP or the Mark 4s, but the NF has cooler features (zero stop, milrad..etc) that cost quite a few hundred more. Again, some people believe that spending it is worth it.... I don't really have a verdict yet.

 

[Tulie]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

I too am having this dilemma. I've seen the higher powered Mark 4's going for around 1K +/- say 50-100 bucks and wonder if they are $500 less worthy scopes than the NF's, say the 5.5-22x50 line? I'm also tossing in the Vortex PST line which you can get new for around that 1K price. I could dig deeper and get the NF budget but am curious as to others thoughts. Is the Mark 4 as reliable and consistent as the NF. I know some say the Mark 4 has to go back to the shop more often but I know one NF that has been back and forth more then the owner thought it ever would.

I know the NF has a great reputation but it seems depending on who you talk to they may or may not like the Mark 4 series even though there don't seem to be many with NF dislikes. I have looked through both optics and honestly I thought the Leupold glass was better on the ones I looked through. Just seemed clearer but maybe that was just on that day too. I have 2 of the Viper PA's and like them a lot, especially for their price.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

I have the v3 8.5-25, it has been a GREAT scope, sometimes I think it is clearer than my Mk4's, it is an awsome scope for long range. I dont own a NF but have used them quite a bit, and while I like them alot, and their features, I still dont own one, mainly becaus I cant afford one. I think that if the v3 has the features you need, then get it.But if you are looking for more, get the NF. I love em both , but my wallet dictates which one I get to use.

 

[wooferocau]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

The Leupold VX3 8.5-25 actually has clearer optics than both the Nightforce scopes i have ( NSX 5-5x22 ..12-42 ) ...
After purchasing the first VX3 , i was so impressed i bought another for my custom .223 , agian very sharp optics.

As well as my 2 NF a freind has the NSX 5.5-22 and he was surprised at how good the VX3 is.....

I wouldnt actually purchase another NF...very disappointing.

As a credit to the Leupold , i have a S&B 12.5-5-x56 PMII and the Leupold is very good even when compared the the S&B.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

If you are varmint hunting, I will assume you'll be cranking on your elevation and windage knobs a lot. That should make you lean towards a NF for sure. Now, I don't see why you are opposed to an adjustable objective parallax. It's actually a simpler, more solid design. Go with the NF benchrest scope.

 

[emmagee]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

Guys, I really appreciate all the comments. I think the issue about the law of diminishing returns really comes into play here.

Scooter-PIE, what you say is absolutely correct, I just prefer the side focus.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[gugubica]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

If you don't need the features and durability of th NF, don't spend the extra.

Buy two leupolds, and have a backup in case one goes down.

Make a list of what the NF offers over the V3. Then make an honest assesment if those things are important for your needs.

 

[BX1129]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

If you are LE/MIL, Leupold has their LE/MIL program at promotive.com. Those prices can't be beat.

 

[Black Majik]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

I use a Leupold Mark4 6.5-20x and NF 5.5-22x to shoot ground squirrels. I can offer a few notes:

The Leupold should be sufficient for your needs, however the NF with matching reticles makes things a bit easier.

The Leupold, in my opinion offers better contrast in glass over NF. However, the extra $1000 gets you matching reticles (the biggest advantage), better resolution, brighter image at dawn/dusk, easier eyebox, larger FOV, and finer reticles. I would say the NF has allowed me to kill more squirrels because I was able to spot my hits more precisely due to the matching reticle.

After a long day of shooting squirrels, my eyes don't feel as tired with the NF as it does with the Mk4. I always shoot at 22x and 20x.

The Leupold can seriously hold its own though. At dawn/dusk the thicker reticle helps. Illumination is pretty useless on the NF since it usually blooms over the squirrel. My Leupold tracks just as well as the NF, even after falling out of the truck and landing on the turret.

Whether it is $1000 better, I seriously cannot say. I will say I do perform better with the NF only because of the matching reticles. Everything else is pretty moot.

FWIW..

 

[BX1129]

Re: Leupold V3 8.5-25 compared to NightforceNXS 8.5-32

The M5 version is matching reticlew with upgraded lenses.