Hey guys - looking to upgrade the glass on my .300wm. I'm currently using a NightForce SHV 4-14x50 F1. I purchased it through Doug at CameraLandNY based on the research and recommendations here. With my current scope - glass quality and turret tracking has been phenomenal. I have two main gripes with it tho - which is why I'm looking to "upgrade".
1.) The eye-box/eye relief is not as generous as I'd prefer. 3.1" eye relief has proven to be a little small and a little annoying to my neck.
2.) I'd like more magnification. Initially, I thought 14 would be enough - but I'm constantly hunting for a little more magnification.
Use: hunting anything from white tail to elk and big horn. Might use it to plink steel every now and then. Ranges from 100yds to~ 600yds.
I know the caliber will go further, but I'm not confident in my ability beyond that distance yet.
Important features in a scope for me are:
- Quality glass, good warranty, proven brand/product
- Reliable and repeatable external turret adjustment and tracking w/zero stop
- Durability
- FFP reticle
- Max magnification in the 24+ range
- 50mm or 56mm objective
- Generous eye box/eye relief
I'm struggling to choose between the below 5 considerations. My initial thought was to just stick w/ the NightForce 50mm and jump up to the NX8 for ~$850 premium over my current SHV. The eye box/eye relief on the NX8 is still a bit of a concern here for me though. The Vortex stuff...I love the price on those - but the durability and turret tracking don't seem to be quite as good as the NF stuff (from what I've read). Then I'm also wondering if it's worth it to step up to a 56mm objective (and the extra weight that comes with that) and/or spend A LOT more money on the ATACR or SB.
Current 50mm considerations:
- NightForce NX8 4-32x50 F1 ($2150)
- Vortex Razor HD AMG 6-24x50 ($2500)
Current 56mm considerations:
- Vortex Razor HD Gen2 4.5-27x56 ($2000)
- NightForce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 ($3100)
- S&B PM II 5-25x56 ($3200)
So...price range: I'd prefer to stay in the $2500 or under range - and obviously the cheaper ones in my list above appeal to my wallet, but I don't want to cheap out on glass and regret it. If needed, I could step up to a maximum of $3200...the buy once cry once....it'd be a good long hard ugly cry at $3k+
Any opinions on the above lineup? Any others contenders I missed and should consider (Something from Zeiss, Swarovski, etc.)?
Thanks for any and all help!
1.) The eye-box/eye relief is not as generous as I'd prefer. 3.1" eye relief has proven to be a little small and a little annoying to my neck.
2.) I'd like more magnification. Initially, I thought 14 would be enough - but I'm constantly hunting for a little more magnification.
Use: hunting anything from white tail to elk and big horn. Might use it to plink steel every now and then. Ranges from 100yds to~ 600yds.
I know the caliber will go further, but I'm not confident in my ability beyond that distance yet.
Important features in a scope for me are:
- Quality glass, good warranty, proven brand/product
- Reliable and repeatable external turret adjustment and tracking w/zero stop
- Durability
- FFP reticle
- Max magnification in the 24+ range
- 50mm or 56mm objective
- Generous eye box/eye relief
I'm struggling to choose between the below 5 considerations. My initial thought was to just stick w/ the NightForce 50mm and jump up to the NX8 for ~$850 premium over my current SHV. The eye box/eye relief on the NX8 is still a bit of a concern here for me though. The Vortex stuff...I love the price on those - but the durability and turret tracking don't seem to be quite as good as the NF stuff (from what I've read). Then I'm also wondering if it's worth it to step up to a 56mm objective (and the extra weight that comes with that) and/or spend A LOT more money on the ATACR or SB.
Current 50mm considerations:
- NightForce NX8 4-32x50 F1 ($2150)
- Vortex Razor HD AMG 6-24x50 ($2500)
Current 56mm considerations:
- Vortex Razor HD Gen2 4.5-27x56 ($2000)
- NightForce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 ($3100)
- S&B PM II 5-25x56 ($3200)
So...price range: I'd prefer to stay in the $2500 or under range - and obviously the cheaper ones in my list above appeal to my wallet, but I don't want to cheap out on glass and regret it. If needed, I could step up to a maximum of $3200...the buy once cry once....it'd be a good long hard ugly cry at $3k+
Any opinions on the above lineup? Any others contenders I missed and should consider (Something from Zeiss, Swarovski, etc.)?
Thanks for any and all help!
