Rifle Scopes Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

eleaf

eleaf

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 12, 2009
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The Bluegrass
www.puregrowthorganics.com
#1
I'm looking into buying a new scope that has the features I want. Currently I have a NF 5.5-22x56 that I really dig, but I've been in the process of moving over to FFP on all my precision guns, and this one is last.

Currently I've narrowed it down to 2 scopes:

IOR Valdada 3.5-18x50 MP-8 Reticle mil/mil

or

Nightforce 3.5-15x50 NXS F1 MLR Reticle

So far I'm leaning towards the IOR because of both the price differential and the MP-8 reticle is awesome. That said, I'll have to also get a new base which will bring it closer to the NF in cost (I currently use a NF Direct Mount which integrates the base and rings in 1 piece which won't work for the IOR due to the base only being 30mm whereas the IOR is 35).

I'm hesitant, however because I've actually used NF and I know the quality. Simply put, they're outstanding. I'm just not sure that they're hundreds of dollars better.

Are these scopes even comparable from a quality standpoint? They have more or less the same features (ffp, mil/mil, zero stop, illuminated) so that makes me lean towards the IOR (plus I REALLY dig the reticle).

Help!
 
#4
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nightforce for the reliability, everything else is secondary to reliability. </div></div>

I agree with the sentiment.

But is the NF THAT much more reliable? I've read nothing but good about the IOR, and have read that this new 3.5-18x50 is by far the best built scope they've ever made, and their CS is impeccable.

If reliability were the ONLY factor, we'd all be running some $3500 scope.

So the question, then, is if the NF is hundreds of dollars more reliable given that most every other factor is a wash and, as you rightly point out, reliability should be a primary consideration.
 
#5
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know how I figure these"can't decide which one". Buy both, and if unhappy with either. sell it </div></div>

Good in theory, but I can't justify dropping over $4000 for 2 scopes just to give a looksee. If I did that, I'd likely have one of my guns turned on me by the wife!
wink.gif
 
#6
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know how I figure these"can't decide which one". Buy both, and if unhappy with either. sell it </div></div>

Good in theory, but I can't justify dropping over $4000 for 2 scopes just to give a looksee. If I did that, I'd likely have one of my guns turned on me by the wife!
wink.gif
</div></div>

screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working.
 
#7
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know how I figure these"can't decide which one". Buy both, and if unhappy with either. sell it </div></div>

Good in theory, but I can't justify dropping over $4000 for 2 scopes just to give a looksee. If I did that, I'd likely have one of my guns turned on me by the wife!
wink.gif
</div></div>

screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working. </div></div>

True. But in my household, I'm the one who stays at home with the kids. The wife works. Just works out better for us that way.
 
#8
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know how I figure these"can't decide which one". Buy both, and if unhappy with either. sell it </div></div>

Good in theory, but I can't justify dropping over $4000 for 2 scopes just to give a looksee. If I did that, I'd likely have one of my guns turned on me by the wife!
wink.gif
</div></div>

screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working. </div></div>

True. But in my household, I'm the one who stays at home with the kids. The wife works. Just works out better for us that way.</div></div>

I guess we need to tell the wife to put in some OT
wink.gif
 
#11
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

Normally I'd say the NF F1, but you have been running the 5.5-22 already and dropping 7x on your scope could be annoying... have you considered the Vortex Razor HD 5-20??

I think considering what you are looking for in terms of a scope it might fill that void. Just a thought.
 
#12
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Normally I'd say the NF F1, but you have been running the 5.5-22 already and dropping 7x on your scope could be annoying... have you considered the Vortex Razor HD 5-20??

I think considering what you are looking for in terms of a scope it might fill that void. Just a thought. </div></div>

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; the reticle simply jumps too much (heartbeat) when I have it anywhere past about 15-17x. I had considered the Vortex Razor, but quickly jettisoned the idea when I read repeatedly that they are very picky with eye relief and that the eye box is very small. This was a big part of Scott from Liberty Optics review thread of the new IOR Valdada 3.5-18x50.

I already went ahead and ordered the NF F1, but when I sell my current NF 5.5-22x56 and get back some of my cash, I may go ahead and pick up the Valdada anyways for my new 6.5 Grendel that's arriving today. I've already ordered a new Bushy Elite 4200 3-12x FFP for it, but I can always put that on another gun.
 
#13
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working. </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess we need to tell the wife to put in some OT
wink.gif
</div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SOMETHING tells me SOMEONE here isn't married.
laugh.gif

</div></div>
HaHaHa!!! Being unmarried myself, I gotta side with Lazy on this one. That's hilarious (shit, I really hope my girlfriend isn't reading this)!
 
#19
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; </div></div>

WTF is "dialing in"?
 
#20
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Normally I'd say the NF F1, but you have been running the 5.5-22 already and dropping 7x on your scope could be annoying... have you considered the Vortex Razor HD 5-20??

I think considering what you are looking for in terms of a scope it might fill that void. Just a thought. </div></div>

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; the reticle simply jumps too much (heartbeat) when I have it anywhere past about 15-17x. I had considered the Vortex Razor, but quickly jettisoned the idea when I read repeatedly that they are very picky with eye relief and that the eye box is very small. This was a big part of Scott from Liberty Optics review thread of the new IOR Valdada 3.5-18x50.

I already went ahead and ordered the NF F1, but when I sell my current NF 5.5-22x56 and get back some of my cash, I may go ahead and pick up the Valdada anyways for my new 6.5 Grendel that's arriving today. I've already ordered a new Bushy Elite 4200 3-12x FFP for it, but I can always put that on another gun. </div></div>

this is for you......

burstballoon-270x300.jpg


as I burst your bubble on Vortex.
 
#21
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; </div></div>

WTF is "dialing in"?

</div></div>

Using the reticle to see how far I need to "dial in" my turrets to be on target. On my current NF (SFP), I can only do that at full power (22x) because that's where the scale for the mildots is correct.

Sorry for the lack of technical terms. As some other shooter on the board recently wrote, "What do you want? I just shoot the shit!" LOL

smile.gif
 
#23
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Normally I'd say the NF F1, but you have been running the 5.5-22 already and dropping 7x on your scope could be annoying... have you considered the Vortex Razor HD 5-20??

I think considering what you are looking for in terms of a scope it might fill that void. Just a thought. </div></div>

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; the reticle simply jumps too much (heartbeat) when I have it anywhere past about 15-17x. I had considered the Vortex Razor, but quickly jettisoned the idea when I read repeatedly that they are very picky with eye relief and that the eye box is very small. This was a big part of Scott from Liberty Optics review thread of the new IOR Valdada 3.5-18x50.

I already went ahead and ordered the NF F1, but when I sell my current NF 5.5-22x56 and get back some of my cash, I may go ahead and pick up the Valdada anyways for my new 6.5 Grendel that's arriving today. I've already ordered a new Bushy Elite 4200 3-12x FFP for it, but I can always put that on another gun. </div></div>

this is for you......

burstballoon-270x300.jpg


as I burst your bubble on Vortex. </div></div>

What's that about?
 
#25
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LibertyOptics</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Normally I'd say the NF F1, but you have been running the 5.5-22 already and dropping 7x on your scope could be annoying... have you considered the Vortex Razor HD 5-20??

I think considering what you are looking for in terms of a scope it might fill that void. Just a thought. </div></div>

I NEVER use the scope at anywhere near full power except for dialing in; the reticle simply jumps too much (heartbeat) when I have it anywhere past about 15-17x. I had considered the Vortex Razor, but quickly jettisoned the idea when I read repeatedly that they are very picky with eye relief and that the eye box is very small. This was a big part of Scott from Liberty Optics review thread of the new IOR Valdada 3.5-18x50.

I already went ahead and ordered the NF F1, but when I sell my current NF 5.5-22x56 and get back some of my cash, I may go ahead and pick up the Valdada anyways for my new 6.5 Grendel that's arriving today. I've already ordered a new Bushy Elite 4200 3-12x FFP for it, but I can always put that on another gun. </div></div>

this is for you......

burstballoon-270x300.jpg


as I burst your bubble on Vortex. </div></div>

What's that about? </div></div>

Oh,ever since Chiller got those Razors he's been kicking our ass's at all the shoots
grin.gif
 
#26
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J-Ham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working. </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess we need to tell the wife to put in some OT
wink.gif
</div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SOMETHING tells me SOMEONE here isn't married.
laugh.gif

</div></div>
HaHaHa!!! Being unmarried myself, I gotta side with Lazy on this one. That's hilarious (shit, I really hope my girlfriend isn't reading this)!</div></div>

Ha, I'm actually married(four years) and have a little girl. as long as my girls have everything they want. I'm gtg
 
#27
Re: Trouble Deciding Between Scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J-Ham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">screw it, thats why we all bust our ass working. </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess we need to tell the wife to put in some OT
wink.gif
</div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boltstop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SOMETHING tells me SOMEONE here isn't married.
laugh.gif

</div></div>
HaHaHa!!! Being unmarried myself, I gotta side with Lazy on this one. That's hilarious (shit, I really hope my girlfriend isn't reading this)!</div></div>

Ha, I'm actually married(four years) and have a little girl. as long as my girls have everything they want. I'm gtg </div></div>

And you gave me horrible, horrible thoughts (which turned in to a reality).

I bought both.

Gonna have to do some extra special shit for this.
 
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