Talk me out of a night force svt!

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norrish

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I recently purchased a stainless browning x-bolt in 30.06 to use as my jack of all trades hunting rifle for deer and moose when I am lucky enough to get a draw. I anticipate shots around the 150ish mark. It will also be my quasi 'precision' shooter at the range when the season is closed; although admittedly I shoot handgun more than rifle. I suspect it'll see considerably more action at the formal and informal ranges where I will be playing at the 200-350 meter marks as I attempt to hone my skills.

So with this in mind I've been looking at a variety of optics from meopro to leupold to trijicon accupoint and now the nightforce shv. I originally thought I'd just pick up a 3-9 x40 but my tactical bug has bitten and the holdover of the nightforce is wearing on me.

So, if anyone could help me with answering these questions and helping a rookie rifle shooter pick an optic.

Is the moar reticle too busy?
Will a 56mm objective sit too high as compared to a 40mm?
Is the parallax adjustment just going to be a pain in the rear?
Will I really use the target turrets to set my crosshairs in the field? Or will they just be a range toy?

Should I go back to lookin at vx3's?

Everyone is curious on budgets and I'm trying to stay around 1k.
 
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I started with a Leoplod VX3 and ended up returning it, just wasn't worth the $850. After that I went to Night Force and haven't looked back.

1. Moar is great. Easy to frame the target with it and also use for holdovers.
2. 56 is okay with the right rings ( buy nightforce, you already spent that much so what's another $200). My rifle has an adjustable cheek piece so the height doesn't matter.
3. Wouldn't buy another scope without parallax. Makes it usable from close to far. YES Paralax adjustment.
4. With the zero stop I dial in. Learn the adjustments then move. I use this more for the range though.

I went with a NSX but I am sure the SVTs are great too.
 
Have a look at Swarovski's Z3 line, they make a 3-10 and 4-12 which would fit well into your use and budget. My thoughts are that Nightforce isn't ideal if your main use is hunting. They're heavy and I find the reticle too busy. They really are primarily a target scope, but many have convinced themselves to use it for long range hunting.
 
For me the x56mm objective and weight (almost 2lbs) was the deal breaker for me for a hunting scope.

If they were 50mm and in the 20oz range, I would've picked one up. Nightforce needs to go on a diet!
 
I will talk you out of the SVT and convince you to but the SHV!! Kidding, but in all seriousness, it is the SHV, the Shooter Hunter Varmint scope. It is on my list to replace my PST. Nightforce all the way!! The MOAR is a fantastic reticle. Once I looked at in buddies ATACR I was hooked like a crackhead. Wish my NXSs all had it.
 
For an Xbolt that scope is too big and reticle isn't gonna be practical for hunting. A 56 mm Objective is gonna require very high rings and mess with your cheek wield. I get that the reticle is cool, very sniperish but in hunting situations most shots aren't that far and getting a moving deer/animal in that reticle and figuring things out will be tricky.
Throw on a Leica or Swarovski 3-10 with a ballistic reticle and call it a day. Awesome glass, will fit perfect on the Xbolt and will be as clear if not more so then a NF.
In the end its really your rifle and money, NF makes a great scope for target guns...not so much for a hunting rifle.
 
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