Nightforce Review

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va_ken

New member
I got bored over the winter, sold some stuff to finance this project, quizzed you guys and researched everywhere I could find NF comments. I promised a review to several of you guys when I got my new Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X50 NP-R1 up and running, so here is where I am after two range trips. I selected the 50mm over the 56mm (same cost) based on my intended use for varmints. The scope was mounted on a Cooper 21 in .204. I elected to utilize NF rings to mount the scope. Since they don't make bases for a Cooper, but do recommend Warne, I placed an order for both. The Bases fit perfect but the NF 1.125 rings gave me minimal front clearance and I could not use the NF scope covers. My vendor did not have the next higher size in stock, so I purchased 1.265 rings from another source and sold the first pair here in short order. Scope mounting was uneventful and I will say the NF rings are worth the cost with unbelievable quality (lightweight rings). The scope shot low but was quickly put on paper @ 50 yds and then I moved to 100 yds where the Cooper shot the same (sub 1/2")group sizes I was used to with my Leupold VXlll. I shot groups in all four corners of the target using the internal adjustments. Tracking was spot on as expected, so then I shot groups using the different MOA reticle marks which proved to be exactly as advertised. The illuminated reticle was OK in a shady area but I doubt I will use it much in real world varminting unless it is early, late, very cloudy or shooting into shadows. Scope clarity was as good as my VXlll and equal to my Zeiss Conquest but not better... Is the NF worth the price? If you want a very nice heavy duty scope that has many reticle options with illumination capability and excellent tracking with positive click adjustments then you will not be disappointed. If you have experience with high end optics then I do not believe you will see much or any difference in NF lens clarity. Will I experience more hits on varmints using a NF over my other scopes... I doubt it, but if my target was shooting back, then NF would be worth the extra cost.
 
Good review it may help me decide.I have been waffling about gettin a NF 2.5-10X 32mm and I still cannot decide. On one hand they are as good as it gets when it comes to durablity and tracking but the glass is about what you get on the 400 to 750.00 scopes that are fine for 99% of hunting situations. I keep coming back to unless I plan on dailing for distance why pay extra for super precise tracking when there are dozens of good quality scopes that will work just as well BUT you cannot drive nails with them....
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Thanks for the review, va ken. So, I don't know how anal you are about you STUFF but...it's got to be pretty satisfying looking at that glass sitting on top of that Cooper, eh?
 
Venatic that's the scope I was considering but like you cannot justify the huge cost for a scope that would be marginally better optically and perhaps trackwise. I'd just get a Leupold V3 or Mk4 and a good hammer for when I want to drive nails.
 
tt35 - I am real anal about my stuff or I would have Savages and Tascos instead of Coopers and NF... you are correct that it is a good looking and very functional combo. I just dont know that I could justify another NF purchase for another gun.
 
Originally Posted By: tt35Thanks for the review, va ken. So, I don't know how anal you are about you STUFF but...it's got to be pretty satisfying looking at that glass sitting on top of that Cooper, eh?

It is very satisfying I wholeheartedly agree BUT its also pretty darn nice to buy a Zeiss 4-14X44mm and take the 600.00 bucks saved and buy a new Remington Model 7 with it.Hmmmmm.....
 
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What scope did you take off in order to mount the NF?? From a varmint hunting scenario does the NF do something that your old scope did not do?? I have thought about buying one for a varmint rifle, but I just can not justify the extra cost. I am not sure what I would actually gain in the groundhog fields?? IMO tracking is a very important feature in a varmint scope. Does the NF actually track better than other higher end scopes---in a varmint field situation?? I think I am goimg to end up buying a new VX3 and add the M1 or the CDS turret for elevation. From what I hear the new VX3's are tracking perfectly. Thanks, Tom.
 
Hogghead,

My NightForce seems to track better than anything I've operated, including my Leupolds.
While agree that in most situations you may not NEED a NightForce. But in my instance, I WANTED one.

The optics are superb. At first I would not notice the difference in other higher end optics and the NightForce, but after using it more and more, I notice things that stand out....Like being able to clearly see a fence wire from post to post at 1000 yards that I wasn't able to notice before the NightForce.

The way the scope operates to me, is what will keep me with them. I mean when you make an adjustment, it's clear, concise and has every bit of my faith in it. At 100 yards all you have to do is click it, and the adjustments are precise enough to get the tape measure out and compare. That's how it should be, but rarely IS with my other scopes.

The quality that goes into the NightForce is obvious.
Are they for "everyone"..?? Probably not. I'm sure happy with mine.
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Barry
 
HOGGHEAD - I replaced a Leupold VXlll with the NF. I am a fan of high end optics and enjoy trying out different brands. I did struggle justifying the cost of the NF, but sold some stuff I wasnt using to finance the deal. I put it on a Cooper .204 because I know how the gun shoots and my NF would be compared to the Leupold. The NF tracks absolute - not saying the Leupold did not. In a varmint situation verses a more controlled target range, I am not sure anyone could tell any difference. I have other varmint rifles with Leupold and Zeiss optics. The Leupold is as bright as the NF and the NF may not be quite as bright as my Zeiss. I doubt I would replace any more scopes with another NF based on what you get for what you spend.
 
Guys thank you for the answers. I have spent more time on this scope purchasing decision than anything else I have ever bought in my life. I do not like the fact that you have to spend that much for a NF scope. But if they really deliver then they are probably worth it. If it wasn't for the new erector system in the VX-3's I would have probably already bought the NF scope. However if the new VX-3"s will track perfectly then it is difficult for me to spend the extra for the NF?? I think I will wait a little while longer and wait on more tracking reports on the new VX-3. However everything I have heard about the new VX-3 is that they do track perfectly?? Tom.
 
My only additional comment would be that I have never had a tracking problem with Leupold VXlll or Zeiss - the NF is exact. I have had tracking issues with Burris, Nikon and Leupold VXll. Of course, unless you are shooting paper at known ranges and a gun that is an absolute one hole shooter, "exact" verses excellent verses really good may all be the same in the field. I feel your pain on the NF purchase, I research most everything to death before I buy.
 
dpms, I agree with your decision, I most likely wont buy another NF but wont sell the one I have either! I have 4 Zeiss Conquest scopes and they cant be beat with any scope out there for anywhere near the price.
 
I found a Swaro. 6X18 with the ballistic turret on closeout. And my timimg was perfect. They had one left. So I got the best of both worlds for a fantastic price. Tom.
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Maybe i'm highjacking the thread but...... i just got a conquest and side by side comparison with my leupold VX-III the zeiss was brighter and clearer BUT the heat waves were 10x worse. both are 6-20 power 50MM obj. is this just a trade off for the brighter and clearer image? (leupold was 30MM tube if that makes any difference)
 
Interesting remarks about the heat wave effect. I have not noticed it unless it is a very hot day and hot barrel. What were the circumstances of your observations?
 
i'm shooting at about 2800 elevation, 9AM, 50-60 degr, i'm not sure what the humidity was that day but we have had a relatively wet year (i doubt it was over 50% here in the desert). scope was mounted on .204 AR-15 barrel got a little warm but not hot. i only shot a total of 30 rds and they were not very fast and they were broken up when i set the gun down to let the barrel cool after about 10 rds to shoot the gun with the leup scope. i've been a loyal leupold guy for years and then traded for the zeiss when i looked through a friends and noticed the brightness and clarity that his had over my leupolds.
 
Originally Posted By: nightcallerMaybe i'm highjacking the thread but...... i just got a conquest and side by side comparison with my leupold VX-III the zeiss was brighter and clearer BUT the heat waves were 10x worse. both are 6-20 power 50MM obj. is this just a trade off for the brighter and clearer image? (leupold was 30MM tube if that makes any difference)

I noticed this today shooting some long ranges with my friend with our .308's his Nightforce shows so much Mirage vapors he cant utilize all of his power when shooting out 400-700yds. It was pretty bad in my Muller but his seemed even worse. His is a 22x power and the highest he could go without it being to blurry was maybe 14x at far distances.
 


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