Rifle Scopes Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

[Cbmax]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum. I've been reading for several weeks now and getting lots of good information.

Can someone please post some real world pictures of the Night Force NP-2DD reticle.

It would be great if I could see it both non-illuminated and illuminated. I am not sure I will get the opportunity to see one of these in the local stores or range and I want to see something other than the manufacturers brochures online.

I am looking for an optic to put on a .308 bolt action. I need to be able to hit 3 inch targets at 300 yards. For the time being I will be shooting only at known distances so a mil-dot reticle doesn't seem appropriate right now.

I think I have my choice narrowed down to the Nightforce NXS 12x42 with the NP-2DD reticle.

Thanks for any help with the requested pictures and or other advice.

CB

 

[Rob01]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

Welcome to the Hide. Good choice on brand of scope but I wouldn't recommend the reticle or power range for what you want to do. The mil based MLR or MOA based NP R1 or R2 would be a better choice and give you a reticle that you can use for holds or ranging and not just as an aiming point.

12-42x is just too much power for a .308 shooting to 300 yards. What you want to do I can do with my 3.5-15x50 quite easily. Another reason is the higher powered scope has less internal elevation travel. If you want a good power range look at the 5.5-22x as it still has alot of elevation, 100 MOA, and gives a good power range.

 

[hank440]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

Cbmax

you can do all that with a simple Super Sniper either the 3-9x or the 10X HD will work fine for what you want to do and be much less expensive or you can get the NF F1.

 

[Cbmax]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

Thank you both for the responses thus far.

Let me start by saying that most of my rifle shooting experience has been confined to the 100 yard range. Isn't a 3 inch target pretty small at 300 yards? I know you all have tons more experience than I, and that's why I am posting here. However, is 22X really enough to put holes inside 3 inch circles?

As for the reticle (Nightforce NP-2DD) I thought this would be a good choice as it not a crowded reticle and is advertised as a benchrest reticle. Put the center dot on the circle and pull the trigger.

Again for the time being I do not need to range distance. With that said, it would be nice to purchase one scope that would work for the current match I wish to shoot (series of 3 inch cricles at 300 yards) and also allow me to shoot more traditional tactical matches should I locate a range that holds such matches.

I am not questioning the reponses received thus far, I just need a little more rationale and explanation to better understand.

Thank you.

 

[scottishtornado]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

C.B listen to rob01. He competes in matches with his 3x15 no problem at various distances. If you want magnification go with the 5x22 but you probably shoot with less than 22. The trick to hitting the target isnt how much magnification you use but applying the basic fundamentals and tuning the loads to your specific rifle. If you have a scope just now use it at 300 applying the basic fundamentals of shooting and then you can figure out how much magnification you actually need.

Mac


Mac

 

[Rob01]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

Ranging isn't the only thing done with MOA or Mil based reticle. Using them for holds such as wind or over or under on multiple targets is going to be what it is used for more.

As for power here is 10 shots on a 3" dot at 300 yards shot with a 15x scope.

I have also shot the 5.5-22 on a 408 Chey Tac to 2000 yards on an MOA sized target. No problems and I had it on 18x. You don't need 12-42x on a .308 to shoot to 300 yards or even a 1000 yards. I shoot at 5" dots at 1000 with my 3.5-15 and can see them without a problem.

A 5.5-22x50 with either the MLR(mil) or NP R1(moa) would do what you need to do very well and also allow you to grow with the scope as your skill set gets larger. I would hate to see you buy something that you will be looking to sell in a year or so.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

not to mention mirage, etc with the large power scopes.

 

[Cbmax]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

Robo1,

Thank you for the advice. I do want something I can grow into and also be able to use it when range finding does become an issue.

I have no issues with the price ranges we are at. Besides the Nightforce, is there anyrhing else I should be looking at. I have read some good thing on this forum about the Premiere Heritage scopes.

I will take as much feedback as you folks wish to give out. Thanks again.

CB

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

I really like the NF scopes. Great for the money and the tracking, repeatability and reliability is second to none !!

 

[richardj]

Re: Nightforce NP-2DD reticle

I have the NP-2DD on an NSX 8-32 x 56mm scope.

Having used it in a couple of matches here and there I have some experience with it's applicability to the games played (in matches) and opinions of its use in UKD shooting.

1. For Dot shooting from 100yrds to XXX yrds this reticle is very good.

2. Ranging.. no good

3. Engaging multiple targets (within 500yrds) with a time limit and wind... you have to really think and do some math beforehand and even then it's a crap shoot..

4. Generally, zoom above about 17x is useless beyond about 500yrds depending on atmospherics

5. I'm about to change my recticle to a NP-R2

6. I'm also in the market for a new scope and with my experience with this one in mind I have my eye on a Premier 5-25.

7. If I was going to purchase another NF it would be a 5.5-22 x 56 with MIL/MIL

Hope this helps

RJ