Scope???
- Thread starter Smokey Joe
- Start date
I got to go with Saltydog I've got the same Nightforce on my 308. The lower end Nightforce beats the Viper HS series to death. I got mine for $980.00 out the door and am waiting for them to get the next shipment in so I can buy 2 more to replace the HS Vortex scopes I mentioned and another to replace a Nikon Prostaff 7 that I will move over to a hunting rig. My Vortex was great in the summer but in these colder months at the bench I'm getting total white outs in bright days and cloudy days both. Vortex is great on service and has Told me this is not possible but they will send a prepaid box to ship it back to let them check it out.
Smokey Joe said:
At that price, I would save up a couple hundred more and get a Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21X50MM G2DMR. More info here:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/09/19/tactical-scopes-field-test-results-summary/
Lensandlasers has it for $1155: http://www.lensandlasers.com/elite-tactical-3-5-21x50-g2dmr-34mm-mat
Saltydog235
New member
Wendy you need to go to this new NF SHV, it's an awesome piece of glass for the money. Definitely NF quality but FFP. It's not an NXS but it's pretty dang close. I'd take it over a Viper or XTR II both of which I considered. I just didn't like the illumination or reticles in the Vortex or Burris.
OP, Another one you might consider is a Trijicon 5X20X50 with a mil-dot. There were a few places that had them for right around a grand. I wish you could get Trijicon's illumination in a NF.
OP, Another one you might consider is a Trijicon 5X20X50 with a mil-dot. There were a few places that had them for right around a grand. I wish you could get Trijicon's illumination in a NF.
stagpanther
New member
Looked up that SHV 5 x 20 FFP variable mag that's awfully tempting--my problem with a deluxe category scope is that I know eventually I'll bash a tree with it or drop my gun off a bench or something--I don't like carrying around something that I have to treat like Tiffany glass. 
Saltydog235
New member
5X20X56 SHV is a SFP scope with capped turrets. The SHV 4X14X50 is a FFP, it's a brand new offering this year. The only place with them in stock right now is Europtik. I wouldn't worry about the premium aspect of a NF, they're made to be beat up. Not a china doll by any means. You could drive fence posts with a NXS, put it back on the gun and shoot a 1K match.
stagpanther
New member
Right you are--I must have got that mixed up with a different scope--I'd probably opt for slightly less mag to get the FFP ability at the $1K range (who makes a x14? should be x 16
).I have to install a fence this weekend--I'll let you know how it works out. : )
Smokey Joe
New member
WOW!!
So many suggestions! My head is spinning! I have my homework cut out for me! Thanks again to all!
So many suggestions! My head is spinning! I have my homework cut out for me! Thanks again to all!
Lots of recommendations here for high power, large objective scopes.
A truism: The higher the power, the bigger the glass, the more you will spend for equal glass and quality build vis a vis, a scope of lower power and smaller glass. The Corps and the Army have been getting it done out to 1000 and beyond for 60 years with fixed ten power scopes.
You going to carry the rifle? Or will it be relegated to the bench? Good question to answer before committing to a scope, IMO.
I recently put a Burris M-TAC 30mm 3.5-10x40 on my M1A with a Basset low rise Picatinny rail. I am zeroed at 200 yards and have enough elevation to reach 1000 yards with a .308. I paid <$400 for it at Optics planet. It is excellent glass. Don't buy the storyline that you need to spend over $1000 for the NF etal. $400-$500 buys you a lot of good glass these days. Just focus on spending that money on a reasonably sized scope. Seriously, how much magnification do you need to see at 1000 yards? My range is set up to 700 yards and I shoot at SODA CANS at that distance at 10x. I could do it at 5x but set it on 10x to use the mil ranging reticle.
A truism: The higher the power, the bigger the glass, the more you will spend for equal glass and quality build vis a vis, a scope of lower power and smaller glass. The Corps and the Army have been getting it done out to 1000 and beyond for 60 years with fixed ten power scopes.
You going to carry the rifle? Or will it be relegated to the bench? Good question to answer before committing to a scope, IMO.
I recently put a Burris M-TAC 30mm 3.5-10x40 on my M1A with a Basset low rise Picatinny rail. I am zeroed at 200 yards and have enough elevation to reach 1000 yards with a .308. I paid <$400 for it at Optics planet. It is excellent glass. Don't buy the storyline that you need to spend over $1000 for the NF etal. $400-$500 buys you a lot of good glass these days. Just focus on spending that money on a reasonably sized scope. Seriously, how much magnification do you need to see at 1000 yards? My range is set up to 700 yards and I shoot at SODA CANS at that distance at 10x. I could do it at 5x but set it on 10x to use the mil ranging reticle.
Smokey Joe
New member
Hmmm...
Elmbow--There may be something in what you say. My heavy benchrest .22 rifle carries a Weaver T-36 for shooting 50 yd. At that magnification, my heartbeat is really annoying. (Not to say that the 'scope and rifle can't shoot better than I can...)
Elmbow--There may be something in what you say. My heavy benchrest .22 rifle carries a Weaver T-36 for shooting 50 yd. At that magnification, my heartbeat is really annoying. (Not to say that the 'scope and rifle can't shoot better than I can...)
Saltydog235
New member
Yeah, you can get it done at long range with a smaller objective in good light. My rifles serve more duty than range guns, I want as much light gathering capability as possible along with the best glass I can afford. I've sat until the edge of darkness too many times when a big buck comes out only to see a blob in the scope with poor glass and little or no light gathering capability. I'd rather spend the money that gives me the edge in that situation. True, fixed power scopes are great for many instances but 10X at dusk isn't where they shine, most eyes aren't able to process above 7X as light fades. Plus, variable power optics give you flexibility, why not take advantage of that technology.
SaltyDog, I wasn't recommending fixed 10's, but rather making the point that 10x is plenty of magnification to shoot effectively to 1000 and dollar for dollar a 10x40 optic will be better quality than a 20x50 optic. I understand also the low light thing, within reason. Europeans love their monster Hubbles because hunting for them is sitting on their asses in a stand in the middle of the night shooting pigs. Americans are a sucker for doing what the Euros do, so we have bought into the European idea that a riflescope needs a 50+mm objective. A Leupold vx3 2.5-8x36 will get you within ten minutes of a Swarovski 4-12x50 and do it at one quarter the cost. If you have the money to buy those few extra minutes, and don't mind being a pack mule, then the large objective, high power, spendy glass is certainly one way to approach the shooting game.
Saltydog235
New member
My Leupold VX3 3.5X10X50 won't hardly get me within 15 minutes of my Trijicon or NF scopes. And my point is that those 10-15 minutes are crucial in some places for bagging your trophy buck not so much punching range targets. Variable scopes allow for a wider range of use to most people.
I agree with you on many points. I also tend to match the optic to the application more so than the aesthetics. Personally 50mm is as much as I want, 56 and over is a point of deminishing returns. Glass quality is also more important than high magnification. I'd rather have low power glass that is crisp and clear over high mag glass that's hazy or blurred even at the best focus.
As to only needing 10X, that depends on a person's vision. Some of us appreciate a little more help than we use to. No need to quit doing what we love if the technology is there to assist us.
There's so many choices these days because everyone wants something a little different.
I agree with you on many points. I also tend to match the optic to the application more so than the aesthetics. Personally 50mm is as much as I want, 56 and over is a point of deminishing returns. Glass quality is also more important than high magnification. I'd rather have low power glass that is crisp and clear over high mag glass that's hazy or blurred even at the best focus.
As to only needing 10X, that depends on a person's vision. Some of us appreciate a little more help than we use to. No need to quit doing what we love if the technology is there to assist us.
There's so many choices these days because everyone wants something a little different.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
European scopes have clarity. Far East scopes are the best at light gathering. Leupold has the best customer service. Huskemaw for its ease of shooting distance. Than there all those other scopes marketed I and many others consider Mediocre.
Rule of thumb. Spend as much money on a scope w/ good mounts as was spent to purchase that new firearm.
Rule of thumb. Spend as much money on a scope w/ good mounts as was spent to purchase that new firearm.