I have not owned the x42 NF but I did have the x24 for a year or more. I think the x42 fixed a lot of the x24 and x32’s shortcomings. I sold it and got a MK6 3-18 TMR M5C2 and could not be happier. Honestly the M5C2 turrets are excellent. I like the capped windage. The TMR reticle is meh, but I think a reticle upgrade is $175, but the TMR is plenty usable, just not my favorite. At 24oz and the profile you will be hard pushed to find something as good. my only complaints are the parallax adjustment which has a lot of rotation but the numbers don’t line up and it is very stiff. Second complaint is the lack of a sunshade.
If you can find a used MK6 I think you will be plenty happy, but as stated previously the 4-16 ATACR is in the next class up, but also heavier and larger.