Rifle Scopes So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

[Lofty]

I'm thinking about switching out my MOA/MOA scope and was looking at Horus reticles but the cost and scope options keep my choice limited.

I saw nightforces new Velocity 1000 reticle and I like the idea. I don't have a problem sticking with one scope and one rifle....even one round if it works well enough. It seems to be the fastest reticle out there if you pick the right one for your round.

But how do you pick the right one?

I mean I know how their calculator works but when I put in my known FPS, backed up not only by chrono but by drop tables out to 500 yards, their calculator suggests the closest reticle for my uses but most of the yardage data is outside their .5 MOA suggested parameters.

So how do you fix that, change ammo, custom hand load to bump up or slow down the round to taylor it to the reticle?

So it seems like the easy factor makes it more complicated in the long run.

Also the resale value on the scope is severely limited. So I'm still up in the air on this.

There website says the 100 hasn't been released yet but some people have got to play with them as samples ahead of time.

Anyone had the chance to use one? Opinions?

 

[Lowlight]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

When you match up the reticle to your load they work outstanding.

The key is you zero the scope then fine tune the zero at distance (like 500 yards) and it will match up perfectly.

I have a military version of the Velocity reticle that matches the load for the MK11 shooting a 175gr. On an AR10 here that matches I zeroed it at 100 then fine tuned it to 500 yards on the 500 yard line in the reticle and it's dead on out to 800 yards, my max effective for the rifle it is used on.

They work well in my opinion and you use the turrets to adjust the curve when conditions change. Need to add or subtract based on weather, temp, no problem it lines the reticle back up.

If you are constantly switching loads, you want a mil based solution as a BDC type solution won't fit your changes. But if you have a load you like, the Velocity is outstanding.

 

[Lofty]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

Thanks Frank.

So what do I do when my round doesn't match any of their reticles? I shoot primarily Southwest Ammos match 175 SMK. Out of my barrel I get right around 2650. When I plug it into nightforces computer and load in the average atmospherics of my area, nightforces computer says that only from 200 to 500 yards is within their accepted level of tolerance.

So should I try tuning my load up or down? Switch to a completely new round?

I was also considering this for my new rifle in progress, it's gonna have an 18 inch barrel and I haven't decided what I want to shoot out of it. How do I pick the best performer for my rifle that happenes to match up with the best reticle for that round.


I typically like to pick one round and stick with it but it seems like so many unknowns to get a really good match between round and reticle.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

They should have one to match, mine is a 175 @ 2575fps, there should be a match at 2650.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

What DA or atmospherics were you entering? What BC? All that jazz?

I've got the HVM on my 243 shooting 115 DTACS to 3080 and its only an inch off at 1k for a 1288 DA. Its ridiculously spot on with deviations less than .1 MOA throughout the entire range.

Some folks will say that the BDC reticles are only good on one rifle at one atmospheric. That is true if you do not correct for it. I utilize ExBal to correct for DA and assign new distances to the corresponding lines in the reticle. Works great. I can even use the reticle for other calibers by assigning a distance to the lines. The drop subtensions are given to you on the datasheet in the calculator.

It can be a simple or advanced reticle depending on your experience level and understanding of ballistics.

I just wish that the HVM was currently available in the F1.

Disclaimer - I work for NF

 

[Lofty]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

I was using mean atmospherics based on weather tables I pulled for eastern Tennessee.

As far as BC, I just selected the bullet from the Nightforce calculator.

So if I decided to order one for my new rifle I should wait until its completed, break it in and chrono my rounds I'd imagine.

When are the 1000's gonna start delivering.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

The V1000's have shipped and continue to ship.

Keep in mind that the calculator is only going to give you as good of information as you put in to it. The garbage in/garbage out principle. The more accurate you are with your information the better.

I prefer to use Bryan Litz's confirmed G7 BC's when possible. His book is priceless. The best atmospheric data you can provide will come from a Kestrel, but an average DA(density altitude) for your region will suffice.

You can adjust your velocity and DA to see what provides the lowest deviation for that reticle and tune your load to it for optimum performance under those conditions. But be aware that atmospherics are not constant and do change throughout the year.

It might be easier to assign a distance to each line if your deviation tends to be more than .5MOA.

The above will most likely need to be done throughout the year as the DA changes due to temperature.
Some say this is a flaw. I tend to disagree as it is only if you do not correct for it.

The Velocity series of reticles are designed around a 2500' Density Altitude parameter.

Another trick you can use is to slightly decrease the power setting to increase the drop subtension. It just does not work the other way around since it is on max power. This usually works for slower cartridges, not the faster ones of a specific reticle.
The other drop subtensions usually adjust in a linear pattern as well, but do not always work out. It is just another trick to making a BDC type reticle like the NF Velocity series work.

 

[Kevin 53]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lofty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was using mean atmospherics based on weather tables I pulled for eastern Tennessee.

As far as BC, I just selected the bullet from the Nightforce calculator.

So if I decided to order one for my new rifle I should wait until its completed, break it in and chrono my rounds I'd imagine.

When are the 1000's gonna start delivering. </div></div>. I was told if I ordered one today I would receive one in three days. This info came from the local gun shop. I'm also interested in getting one.

 

[Lofty]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

Great information....thank you.

One last question. How would you work the formula to determine how to adjust you elevation turret for atmospheric variables?

Let's say I'm here in Tennessee with a reticle for the round I shoot here and then I go out to Colorado to do some hunting. How would I work a formula to give me adjustments out to the hundred ranges on the reticle?

Or would I need to work some dope the day before I hit the field?

 

[Lofty]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

Oh yeah sorry, one other question......what does it cost to switch a reticle out if you have the wrong one?

 

[00bullitt]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

Reticle swaps are $300 if I recall correctly.

As for dialing to correct for the line hold, the calculator gives you the deviations. Just dial up or down as close as possible to the deviation and hold the line.

Your most likely going to need to couple ExBal or ballistic software with your load and match the drops of the reticle to the drop chart for your load.

I'm curious to know what data you entered in to the calculator. Can you share what you entered?

 

[Lofty]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

I used the data from the 175 grain SMK off the calculator. I used DA of 1749, which is a good median for Knoxville throuout the year. If I put in 2575 fps It tells me to use the LV.5 reticle.

But it shows that 100/200 is outside the acceptable deviation. It also show that 800/1000 is outside as well.

If I bump velocity up to 2650 It gets better, only 800/1000 is outside acceptable deviation.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: So I was considering The Nightforce Velocity 1000

Use the Litz profile for the 175 SMK and use the default settings at 2650 and it gives you a sweet match. Or use the 1749 DA and increase the velocity about 25fps if possible and it comes in to a good match.

Just for explanation sake, I would do the following for a 7000' DA using a 175SMK @ 2650 with a G7 BC of .268


Zero at 200yds
300yds - 300
400yds - 410
500yds - 520
600yds - 620
700yds - 730
750yds - 780
800yds - 840
850yds - 890
900yds - 950
950yds - 1000
1000yds - 1050

You do the same for your 5,10, and 15mph wind holds. Asign them a new value.

Now, to go out further, dial 30MOA on your turret and now your holds are as follows:

300 is now 1020
400 is now 1070
500 is now 1120
600 is now 1180
700 is now 1240
750 is now 1270
800 is now 1300
850 is now 1330
900 is now 1370
950 is now 1400
1000 is now 1440

Make sense?