Nightforce Optics

Andy I'm actually shopping for a Nightforce right now too, although I'm looking at the 2.5-10 x 32 NXS for my SCAR 17. I'm also looking at IOR and looked at the Trijicons. The world of higher end optics can get overwhelming quickly.
 
1.US Optics / Premier Reticles/ Schmidt and Bender
2.Zeiss / Swarovski
3.NightForce/ Vortex ( Their higher end stuff)
4.Leupold / Bushnell Elite/ Vortex ( Lower end stuff)/Nikon


That's the tier structure as I understand it, with individual models shifting up or down a tier. Because of Ammo availability, I haven't been competing for the last year or so, so I may have inadvertently left somebody out.
 
As noted above, both are good glass. The Nightforce is built like a tank, and will take more abuse before being damaged, but the trade-off for that is that it is heavier. The other annoyance with the Nightforce is that changing the magnification setting requires turning the eyepiece, so flip-open caps don't work well.
 
Thanks guys, all good information. I am arranging an opportunity to shoot the Leupold, Nightforce and Trijicon all on the same day on the same (configuration) Rem 700s, that should settle it for me I hope. The NF (in my mind at least) is the frontrunner just now. A close mate is trying to talk me into a Hensolt but at $3.5KUS (4K A) I am not up for that one... the

On a side note the S&B PMII is issue to the ADF and does OK from what I can understand. They kind of ended up with them by default as they came initially with the SR98s (AI) and then in the inetrests of commonality they were kept for all manner or precision rifles.

Andy
 
My friends that are shooting Long range (up to a mile with .308 and .338 Lapua) have sold their MK IVs to get Nightforces and one just bough a US Optics. If it has the features you want and less than a MK IV I would jump on the Nightforce without hesitation.
 
I've only used one night force and it wasn't mine. but it was very nice. I think leupold has just about the clearest glass. Swarovski makes pretty incredible stuff also. and of coarse trijicon is awesome.
 
Major Kong said:
Andy I'm actually shopping for a Nightforce right now too, although I'm looking at the 2.5-10 x 32 NXS for my SCAR 17. I'm also looking at IOR and looked at the Trijicons. The world of higher end optics can get overwhelming quickly.
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I own two NightForce scopes. A 2.5-10x NXS compact (original) and 2.5-10x 32mm NXS Compact on a Sig 556 Swat and Sig 716. I spent months researching before purchase.

I also looked at the IOR's which are phenomenal, but the service scared me a bit and their website is terrible. Not that I have ever had the need to utilize it, but NightForce is universally accepted to have astounding service. They are built like tanks, have every reticle option you ever deemed of and then some.

The glass is amazing and to best it, you have to step up quite a bit in $$$$ as you head to the S&B, Swaro etc. Even at moderate price point, I feel NF represents significant value in the upper tier of optics.
 
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Sadly when the measurements were done I figured that the Nightforce was just not going to fit on the rifle, a combination between fixed rear sight, short mounting rail and turret placement/eye relief. :(

I did however just SCORE a Leupold 6.5-20 MKIV yesterday at a better than "good" ;) price, it should arrive tomorrow.... :D :D
 
dockbox said:
1.US Optics / Premier Reticles/ Schmidt and Bender
2.Zeiss / Swarovski
3.NightForce/ Vortex ( Their higher end stuff)
4.Leupold / Bushnell Elite/ Vortex ( Lower end stuff)/Nikon



That's the tier structure as I understand it, with individual models shifting up or down a tier. Because of Ammo availability, I haven't been competing for the last year or so, so I may have inadvertently left somebody out.
Click to expand...

In all my research I have heard the same thing as far as glass quality. I think S&B is the only one 100 percent single country origin in all materials. At one time and maybe now I heard USO imports Schott glass from Germany. March schools from Japan are also excellent as top tier. I think USO is Prob physically strongest scope. SB best glass of all but very close behind is the other top tiers. As Mach 5 said make sure turrets match reticle and I'd def look for a FFP reticle if you plan on ranging with the reticle. Otherwise only a single zoom setting will be useable to range. And if it's off even a little the range answer will be way off.
 
Have owned both and am a big fan of Nightforce--great optics!

Happy New Year!
 
I have shot rifles with Nightforce scopes on them and they have been great, however I will stick to Leupold or Nikon for good budget optics and if I am going all out its Zeiss or Swarovski.
 
dockbox said:
1.US Optics / Premier Reticles/ Schmidt and Bender
2.Zeiss / Swarovski
3.NightForce/ Vortex ( Their higher end stuff)
4.Leupold / Bushnell Elite/ Vortex ( Lower end stuff)/Nikon


That's the tier structure as I understand it, with individual models shifting up or down a tier. Because of Ammo availability, I haven't been competing for the last year or so, so I may have inadvertently left somebody out.
Click to expand...

that's pretty much my take on it to. I've spent enough time behind most of them to add one thing tho. Unless shooting em side by side it's really hard to tell a difference between a USO and a Leopold. High end glass buys you a small percentage improvement in glass. Get the one with the features you like. I mean I used to beat USO scoped rifles all the time with a Nikon in F class.
 
My "new to me" ;) Mk4 arrived, just need mounts now, and some flip up lens caps, and need my trigger guard assy machined for my set trigger and those magazines on BO to arrive and to work up some loads again....oh where will it ever end..... ;)
 
Aw Mate...It's never about the end...It's a journey "man's quest for fulfillment"....Sittin' in the bush with game in sight as you peer through a scope with "mirage" so thick you
can cut it with a FBM....Heart Beat and Pulse pick up that tiny drip of sweat flies buzzing everything else lost for that tiny moment as you hear the break of the sear...:):cool:
 
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