Rifle Scopes Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

F

fw707

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Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 12, 2010
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KY
#1
Well, I've got a new rifle that's almost finished, and I can't decide on scopes. It's a .243 Win #1 contour barrel in a MCS-L stock, so weight is obviously a concern. I'd like to have a scope that I can dial to 600 yards or so.
I've got a new-in-the-plastic wrap 4.5-14x40 AO VX3 with a standard duplex in the cabinet. It doesn't have turrets, but I can send it to Leupold and get M1's stuck on it pretty easily.
That would have been the easy choice a while back....BEFORE I got the 3.5-15x50 Nightforce a few months ago.
So now I'm thinking do I use what I've already got, or drop the $$ for another Nightforce?
I've shot the NF 3.5-15 a little out to about 700 yards, so the turrets and nice reticle already have me spoiled I guess.
I'm thinking the 2.5-10x32 NF because of the smaller size and lighter weight for this particular rifle, and that would be an easy choice except it doesn't have any parallax adjustment.
Would the lack of AO cause me any accuracy issues at longer ranges? Or, would the AO on the Leupold be unnecessary on a hunting rifle?
Also, I've always used the older Vari-x III and VXII scopes, and my VX3 is still unopened because I haven't decided to keep it. How does the glass compare to the NF glass?

Which scope would be the better choice?

Thanks!





 
#2
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

you know what scope would be the better choice! BUT... just throw your VX3 on your 243 if your only torchin em to 600, you don't need that 30mm tube, save your cash for more lead. Just my 2c.
 
#3
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

I have a bushnell Elite 6500 on a Sako 85 .223 and i only hunt with it its 2.5-16x50 with side px.

As much as id like to put a NF or a S&B or a Zeiss on the gun its just not worth it for hunting.

I zero the gun at 100 yards and then put the covers on the turrets and never touch them again. it holds zero well enough for normal use and has always been good to me.

the Glass is no S&B but its no slouch either. its not even got milldot ret!

I see a bird or a rabbit or a fox and i aim dead at it or give it a couple inches hold over and BAM its dead.

There is no time to dial in the distance and tactical turrets are more likely to move when im climbing over barb wire fences etc.

They look cool but you dont really need them on a hunting gun.

if i ever upgrade ill get a S&B 4-16x50 Varmint £1150 which is a bargain compared to the price the US has them advertised for.

i cant justify the PMII
 
#5
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

You know you want another NF, go ahead and get it.
grin.gif
 
#6
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

Your in the same situation that I was in, until last night. Ive got 3 NF scopes already on my rifles. I have a new rifle that will be here later this week and I was considering the Leupold Mk4 over the NF. Well after some moments of clarity I chose the NF 3.5-15x50. Once you've had a premium optic it's hard to settle for something you feel is inferior, even if it's just a little inferior. From the way you talk, it sounds like you'd be happier with the rifle if it had the NF on it.

As for the comment about "tactical turrets" getting turned while crossing a fence or any other activity while hunting is BS, atleast on a NF. Brushing your turret up against your coat or leg accidentally is not going to move your turret. Even if it did, you should know your scope and know your turrets. If it's been moved you should easily spot it with just a quick glance, I know I would.
 
#7
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: broke_again</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know you want another NF, go ahead and get it.
grin.gif
</div></div>

Well, you're right about that.
I'm just wondering if I'll miss the AO on the longer shots. I'm pretty consistent about staying centered up in the scope, so maybe the parallax wouldn't bother me too bad. Does anybody know if the 2.5-10 NF is parallax adjusted for 100 yards like most scopes seem to be?
 
#13
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blackside</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nf all the way! Buy Once..Cry Once..</div></div> I thought he said he already had one, so wouldn't he be crying twice then??
 
#14
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

Yes......I will be crying twice!
grin.gif


I copied this comment directly from the NF website:

<span style="text-decoration: underline">"Our new 2.5-10 x 32 has no parallax concerns;"</span>


Anybody have any idea what that means??
How can a scope without an AO have no parallax concerns?
I haven't been able to get anybody at the NF office today.
 
#15
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

It means that at 10x and less, parallax error is trivially small and nobody bothers putting an adjustment feature for it. It's just not an issue and your scope is lighter without the extra adjustment mechanism....isn't that what you want?

Given that you are trying to save ounces, I'd go with the Leupold. Even a NF2.5-10x32 will weigh several ounces more than the Leupold scope you have now. You've put all that effort into making a light hunting rifle and a leupold is the perfect choice to finish it off. In fact, I'd swap your current Leupold for a lighter weight 3.5-10x40 version.

PS. I own 3 NF scopes, but my lightweight hunting rifles have Leupold VX-3s on them: great value and performance.
 
#16
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> You've put all that effort into making a light hunting rifle and a leupold is the perfect choice to finish it off. In fact, I'd swap your current Leupold for a lighter weight 3.5-10x40 version.

PS. I own 3 NF scopes, but my lightweight hunting rifles have Leupold VX-3s on them: great value and performance. </div></div>

As a matter of fact, I've been looking at the VX3 3.5-10 with the CDS dial. It comes with a standard 14-15 MOA dial in addition to the custom dial. That would be plenty of adjustment for a 600 yard gun, and I can probably keep the total weight around 7 pounds.
 
#17
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

NIghtforce x32s weight 19 oz. I have a x24 with mil/mil and it weights 17 oz. KJO/high caliber sales hooked it up with a crazy good price. I went with nightforce because I was concerned with weight and quality.

Well worth it IMO.
If money is a concern, why not a Supersniper 3-9? Only thing missing is the illum reticle.. Its also FFP.
 
#18
Re: Use the new VX3 I've got, or buy a Nightforce?

The NF is a very nice scope. I have had 2ea 2.5-10x32 and like them very much. I also have had a few Leupold VX scopes. I still have one in fact and am now using it on a hunting rifle. I will sell it eventually and get a plain hunting scope for that rifle since mine has target turrets. When I am hunting I have never shot a deer over 500. I usually just estimate my holdover. It has worked for me. I also think the paralax is not needed on a hunting scope if it is under 10x. For hunting I like a plaing simple scope with heavy duplex.
 
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