I just got my new 24".308 5r from alberta tactical. they bedded it for me and installed a timney trigger and set it at 2.5 lbs and installed the scope rail. All I need to do now is to pick the glass. The choices are endless. I think I want to spend once and shoot lots. looking at nightforce nsx. The two I am considering are the 5.5-22x56 or the 8-32x56. At my home range 200yards is max. I want to reach out farther than this eventually. How far do people shoot out with the 5.5-22x56 or should I go for the gusto and get the big glass right from the get go. Also what is the best reticle for the long range shooting again way more choices than I am used to buying bushnell scopes in the past.
.308 rem 5r 24" optics
- Thread starter ERICK TUIN
- Start date
Having had both, I prefer the 8-32x56 for target only use particularly at 300+. Only downsides to the 8-32 is that it only has 65 MOA Elev while the 5-22 has 100 MOA and the 8-32 is more of a target only scope while the 5-22 could be more versatile. I am biased but I think you have the right two scopes in mind. One thing to consider is if you want FFP. I personally don't like FFP myself. Only the NXS 3-15 F1 has FFP.
Good luck
Good luck
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
65MOA will exceed the accurate long rage of the gun anyway, so don't let that be a limiting factor. there is no substitute for magnification, so more IS better. Stay away from FFP if you have a rangefinder or are shooting at known distances. no need and it just gets in the way.
You'll need around 30-32 MOA for 1000yards with 20MOA rail. More if lower elevation (we shoot around 5000 ft). I agree, I think FFP is something I wouldn't want.
22x will take you as far as you want to go. Mirage can make 22x difficult to use. More can sometimes be useful, but not needed. I can quite easily see bullet holes at 300yards on paper, I can see hit locations on steel at 850, to some degree even 1000 if painted. 24x.
And before people jump on me, my buddy has a nightforce and we have the exact same issues shooting 1000yards. I find his glass comparable to mine, or at least not massively better. Maybe I have a good Vortex, who knows. Both on same guns in fact (5R's). I know what good glass is. All my camera glass is top of the line Canon.
Choice is up to you. Vortex makes a decent scope for the price, in my books. Sightron being slightly more expensive is also a great buy. I've shot all three side by side.
My next scope will be a Sightron to run side by side with my Vortex. I see now they have zero stops. It wouldn't be a Nightforce unless I become in the position I can throw away 1000$ and not expect too much more for that cost. If that were the case, I'd consider the other alternatives.
Of course this is my opinion. People on here hate Vortex, but I wonder how many actually run one, or have compared them side-by-side.
I've done a lot of scope reviews in the last while to find the best scope for my 308 build. Sightron is deffinately #1 on my list to check out. I've never read a bad review. The LR MOA reticle looks appealing as well. I believe they are 2 moa hash marks.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I shoot my 260AI ATRS built for me out to 1000 semi regular. I use a NF NSX 5.5-22. I never feel like I need more magnification for my type of field based shooting. If anything there are times I need to dial down. SFP is also my choice.
Sightron cost less than NF and are really good for long range. So they are softer on your wallet.... NF are build tougher so if you were going in Afghanistan crawling rocks it would be a better scope...but for long range shooting....sightron are good enough....
Just finished looking and shooting a 8-32 Sightron SIII, 5-22 NSX NightforceF, and the newer 5-25 ATACR Nightforce alongside my Vortex Viper PST.
IMO, the NXS isn't worth it. I liked the way the scope fills the view easily at all zoom levels, but the optics, knobs, etc aren't enough to justify the cost FOR ME. The knobs turned well and had a dull click. The parralex was a bit too easily turned but still felt tight as you would expect from NF. The newer ATACR NF has a great field of view that is larger with great glass. That was a very nice touch, but I have no idea the cost. I'd suspect it would be enough for me to cringe. Worth the money?... IMO, probably not, but it was nice to use. If you have the money I'm sure you'd love it and it's something you would keep forever.
The Sightron was nothing new to me as I've had days out using it, but compared straight between Vortex, Sightron, and NF, it's very close to the NXS, but appeared to lack a bit to the ATACR, at least in my eyes. The large view of the ATACR leads you to believe it's bright. The Sightron shares the same full viewing at all zoom levels as the NXS which I like. It's also not as susceptible to head position as the Vortex is. I find the Vortex shades the edges a bit and when you have a full view, you zoom out and it changes. That's my biggest, and likely only complaint for the Vortex. It's major to some, annoying to others. Eye to lens distance is critical, but can also lead to good head position.
For the 200$ I can see some people paying this cost for Sightron. It has a nice reticle, etc. The parallex knob is stiff, but the other knobs are too loose but still have nice firm clicks. More click than NF and Vortex. NF also has less click than Vortex. Sightron is missing a zero stop which, in my opinion, is huge. The new model that has the zero stop has a MRSP of ~1400. This then makes it somewhat comparable to the NXS, but still a good deal. 600$ (nearly double the cost of the Vortex??? ) That's up to you. IMO, not really worth it. If the 1000$ SIII had a zero stop I'd say it's a great deal, but as of now it's only a good deal, much like the Vortex for 200$ less. Vortex's glass followed up the field. It's really not bad and I was quite easily seeing hit marks at 1100yards. I'd seriously say detail is 93-95% of the other scopes, but it did clearly lack brightness. I'd say around 18-20% loss if you consider the ATACR as 100. 95% for the NSX, and 92 for the SII.. Once again, 200$ savings and not a huge issue for most of us considering the detail is still good.
Of course this is all my opinion. We were shooting in good day light, mostly sunny and 990-1100 yards. ATACR was on a custom 338 AI, NSX was on a custom 308, Sightron a custom 300W, and my Vortex on my semi factory 308.
IMO, the NXS isn't worth it. I liked the way the scope fills the view easily at all zoom levels, but the optics, knobs, etc aren't enough to justify the cost FOR ME. The knobs turned well and had a dull click. The parralex was a bit too easily turned but still felt tight as you would expect from NF. The newer ATACR NF has a great field of view that is larger with great glass. That was a very nice touch, but I have no idea the cost. I'd suspect it would be enough for me to cringe. Worth the money?... IMO, probably not, but it was nice to use. If you have the money I'm sure you'd love it and it's something you would keep forever.
The Sightron was nothing new to me as I've had days out using it, but compared straight between Vortex, Sightron, and NF, it's very close to the NXS, but appeared to lack a bit to the ATACR, at least in my eyes. The large view of the ATACR leads you to believe it's bright. The Sightron shares the same full viewing at all zoom levels as the NXS which I like. It's also not as susceptible to head position as the Vortex is. I find the Vortex shades the edges a bit and when you have a full view, you zoom out and it changes. That's my biggest, and likely only complaint for the Vortex. It's major to some, annoying to others. Eye to lens distance is critical, but can also lead to good head position.
For the 200$ I can see some people paying this cost for Sightron. It has a nice reticle, etc. The parallex knob is stiff, but the other knobs are too loose but still have nice firm clicks. More click than NF and Vortex. NF also has less click than Vortex. Sightron is missing a zero stop which, in my opinion, is huge. The new model that has the zero stop has a MRSP of ~1400. This then makes it somewhat comparable to the NXS, but still a good deal. 600$ (nearly double the cost of the Vortex??? ) That's up to you. IMO, not really worth it. If the 1000$ SIII had a zero stop I'd say it's a great deal, but as of now it's only a good deal, much like the Vortex for 200$ less. Vortex's glass followed up the field. It's really not bad and I was quite easily seeing hit marks at 1100yards. I'd seriously say detail is 93-95% of the other scopes, but it did clearly lack brightness. I'd say around 18-20% loss if you consider the ATACR as 100. 95% for the NSX, and 92 for the SII.. Once again, 200$ savings and not a huge issue for most of us considering the detail is still good.
Of course this is all my opinion. We were shooting in good day light, mostly sunny and 990-1100 yards. ATACR was on a custom 338 AI, NSX was on a custom 308, Sightron a custom 300W, and my Vortex on my semi factory 308.
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Other considerations to consider when buying a scope.
Etched reticle or wire? Fixed eye relief over entire magnification range or changing? MOA adjustment values ie 1/4 or 1/8". MOA elevation. Glass quality, and available reticles.
The NF is a good scope. But.. it's expensive.
I have my cheaper version the Zeiss conquest with Pride Fowler style reticles to counter it's main weakness the lack of MOA adjustment. The conquest with a Z1000 reticle is an excellent scope. I have one on a 5R. I also own a couple of NF scopes too. If you can afford the NF scope then absolutely go for one. But realize that something like the Zeiss at half the price also has an etched reticle, exceptional glass, fixed eye relief and excellent repeatability.
The Sightron SIII also has my attention. They're at the point were I will most likely will be buying one. Especially for the higher 8-32x magnification ranges.
There are lots of good choices out there. You won't do wrong with a high end scope. How much you're willing to spend and which features you prefer should dictate your decision.
Scopes are like the old saying : Fast, good or cheap. Pick any two. There is always a compromise, unless you're willing to pay top dollar.
Etched reticle or wire? Fixed eye relief over entire magnification range or changing? MOA adjustment values ie 1/4 or 1/8". MOA elevation. Glass quality, and available reticles.
The NF is a good scope. But.. it's expensive.
I have my cheaper version the Zeiss conquest with Pride Fowler style reticles to counter it's main weakness the lack of MOA adjustment. The conquest with a Z1000 reticle is an excellent scope. I have one on a 5R. I also own a couple of NF scopes too. If you can afford the NF scope then absolutely go for one. But realize that something like the Zeiss at half the price also has an etched reticle, exceptional glass, fixed eye relief and excellent repeatability.
The Sightron SIII also has my attention. They're at the point were I will most likely will be buying one. Especially for the higher 8-32x magnification ranges.
There are lots of good choices out there. You won't do wrong with a high end scope. How much you're willing to spend and which features you prefer should dictate your decision.
Scopes are like the old saying : Fast, good or cheap. Pick any two. There is always a compromise, unless you're willing to pay top dollar.
