Rifle Scopes Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

[Killshot44]

I'm going to buy one of the NF Benchrest scopes and need some opinions on magnification and reticles from those who have one.

I'm shooting in F T/R Matches to 1K. All known distances so I don't need Mil-Dot/rangefinding capability. Am using a fixed power 20X scope now.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Do you prefer the NightForce 8x36 or 12x42 version </span>and why?

<span style="font-weight: bold">Does anyone have experience with the "CH" reticles</span>, especially the CH2 and CH3?

I am leaning toward the 8x36 with the CH3 reticle. The 36X has 65MOA of internal elevation available, while the X42 has only 45MOA inside. If I go with the X42 I'll also need the .20MOA Unimount base NF sells. (unless someone knows of other one-piece 20MOA mount)

Please no comments on the NSX models, not what I'm asking for.

 

[brand692]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

12-42 is what you want. If you want to verify that, take a look at the equipment lists of guys who win these things.

You will never go below 15 power on F T/R. Its always nice to have the extra magnification if its available.

I used the NP2DD as it allowed for the most visibility to read wind as it has very little reticle to get in the way.

Near MFG also makes a one piece mount called the Alpha Mount. www.nearmfg.com.

Here is one on a NXS using a Pic Rail, but you get the point:

Near also makes them integral to bases. Check out their website.

 

[XTR]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

Just some thoughts. According to the NF site the BR scopes have 50moa of adjustment. A quick JBM calc assuming 2650 fps MV says that using 175 SMKs you'll get 37.3 MOA of drop to 1000 yds, so you'll definitely need a 20moa base to get out there, and that should still leave you enough adjustment to get in to 100.

This is sort of me thinking out loud as I'm getting into the same thing, 1000yd F/TR so I'm looking for glass too. I've been concentration more on the mil/mil kind of ranging stuff, but the reality is probably more that I'll be shooting at targets at known distances and probably won't need the ranging capabilities.

 

[CSTactical]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

The BR models are nice and will most likely do what you are looking for but I would recommend doing a NXS with the NPR2.

Mike @ CST

 

[Killshot44]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

Mike,
Besides side-focus, what do you find favorable of the NSX over the Benchrest?

I'm not ranging distances so I don't need FFP. Zero Stop? Don't need it. .250 MOA adjustment? At 1K distance I'd prefer .125.

I don't see the NXS serving me better than the BR, but I'm ALL EARS.

This is going on a Target AR in .223. With 80.5gr Bergers I've got 35MOA of drop at 1K.

 

[XTR]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killshot44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mike,
Besides side-focus, what do you find favorable of the NSX over the Benchrest?

I'm not ranging distances so I don't need FFP. Zero Stop? Don't need it. .250 MOA adjustment? At 1K distance I'd prefer .125.

I don't see the NXS serving me better than the BR, but I'm ALL EARS. </div></div>

I'm with you on this one. I was going to ask basically the same question. I know that the .1/8 moa clicks are a PITA if you're actually trying to do, dare I say it, tactical shooting, but to shoot stages at 600 and 1000 there's not much chance of getting lost.

 

[SMH]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

If the rifle is a dedicated F class gun then I would go with the 12-42 with the intent to dial down the power as mirage dictates.

If varmints could be on the menu I would go with the 8-32 for the wider field of view.

I can't say that I ever felt handicapped at 1K with a 5.5-22.
I believe I can shoot higher scores with my 22x NF vs my 10X Leupold but I don't think my scores will increase with a 32x or 42x top end.
Look at what the AMU is using. (5.5-22)

I was unable to run a NF 8-32BR on my TRG with a 20moa base as I couldn't lower it beyond +4MOA at 100 yards. This was never a problem with the NXS or Mk4. (hence the reason I'm selling the BR scope!)
Another shooter with a 20moa base (different model rifle) had 1 or 2 full rotations of adjustment remaining with a 12-42BR.
I'm still scratching my head on that one!

I love the NP2DD reticle for 1K FTR and 200/300 prone matches. The free floating dot is more natural to center in a circle while the bars allow me to align the reticle and target frame in a consistent manner.
The NPR-1 and 2's lack of symmetry annoys me. (even though I own them both). I wish there were evenly spaced marks around the center of those models!

 

[XTR]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SMH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...I was unable to run a NF 8-32BR on my TRG with a 20moa base as I couldn't lower it beyond +4MOA at 100 yards. ...
I'm still scratching my head on that one!
</div></div>

Are you sure your base is a 20moa and not a 30moa? I think the math says that would be pretty much spot on. (that or is the receiver set up with some built in angle?)

 

[42769vette]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

for fclass i use a 8-36x56 nf br scope. i went with the 8-32 because i got one of the limited rin with the npr1 recticle. if i could have i would have gotten a 12-42 with the npr1 but i was lucky to find the scope i did

 

[SMH]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

The package (Warne) was marked 20moa. It would make me wonder if it was more than 20moa, but I have used other scopes on that rifle and 20moa seemed believable.

Just something to be aware of if you are cutting it close on elevation. (and a potential reason to go NXS over BR)
I do however feel that 1/8 moa adjustments are preferrable for F class.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

either one will work fine, but remember that the NXS have 3 inch of eye relief and the BR only 2
hope this helps.

 

[Killshot44]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

Thanks for the comments. I looked at the NP2DD reticle and agree that looks like a winner for my application.


Anyone else shooting with NF Benchrest want to weigh in?

 

[dc45]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killshot44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the comments. I looked at the NP2DD reticle and agree that looks like a winner for my application.


Anyone else shooting with NF Benchrest want to weigh in?</div></div>

I have seen more than one shooter not be able to get his .308 to 1,000 yards using the 12-42X BR, even with 20 MOA bases. To me the only significant downside of the NF 12-42X is the limited elevation range and the weight. That said, the .125 MOA clicks are a definite plus. If I was looking to buy a dedicated F-Class scope I would also take a hard look at the March scopes as well.

Cheers,

DC

 

[Zilla]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

There are several people changing over to the March scopes. But the majority of the line at a major F-Class event will have NF BR scopes. I use the NP-R2. 1/8 minute clicks are a must, in my opinion.

 

[Trevor]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

I use the Nightforce BR 12-42 model with NP-R2 reticle and find for my 308 the NP-R2 allows me to hold off more precisely when I need to favour wind.

I haven’t had an issue with the 40min of elevation with a 20moa rail but you are at not at the scopes ocular centre which is not ideal for clarity. My moa is 29 at 1,000 but others may be 34+ MOA up depending on bullet velocity combination.

I prefer the out front objective as it has a more refined focus capability over the side focus NXS. Others who are shorter then I complain that the front focus forces them out of position.

An irritant is the limited windage drum; the BR model with 1/8 clicks only has 6 min per revolution which means for a 308 anything over a 6 min of wind will have you turn the drum one full turn. If there is switching winds you may (no you will) get caught trying to figure out which revolution you are supposed to be for a 0 wind. Usually only after the target comes up blank do you figure out your one full revolution out… HINT read the Harsh marks

One final thorn for me is the illuminating switch. When I wear a ball cap the illuminating switch during recoil runs back into the beak of my hat which pushes my head back. I think it takes away from my shot follow through and ended up switch hats to correct the problem. I would prefer no Illuminating switch for a BR scope.

Best of luck
Trevor

 

[emmagee]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trevor</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
One final thorn for me is the illuminating switch. When I wear a ball cap the illuminating switch during recoil runs back into the beak of my hat which pushes my head back. I think it takes away from my shot follow through and ended up switch hats to correct the problem. I would prefer no Illuminating switch for a BR scope.

Best of luck
Trevor

</div></div>

I amazed that NF put an illuminated reticle on a target scope. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'm considering a NF BR scope for one of my rifles, I'd be much more inclined to go that route if they 86'ed the illuminated reticle and added a side focus.

 

[vman]

Re: Nightforce Benchrest Scopes, opinions please

It would be dumb for them NOT to do it. If they can just put the technology in there, why not? Somebody out there will use it at some point