Best Scope for F Class

When I shot F-Class with a 6.5-20X, it stayed at 20X (other than during setup of the rifle on the mound). When I went to an 8.5-25X, it pretty much lived on 25X, and while it was certainly adequate I usually wished I could have a fair bit more. I wouldn't hesitate to try a 50X scope for F-Class.

I've also shot some pretty darn good scores at 1000 yards off my elbows with a 15X scope, and at 500 yards with an AR15 with a 4X scope, so I do understand that you can shoot a lot better than what your sight picture might suggest. But things sure looked and felt *small*...
 
If you go with nightforce get the bencherest model it has 1/8 min adjustments The NSX I have seen are all 1/4min with new small targets its a plus to have the 1/8min
manitou
 
I have 2 leupold VX-III LR in 8.5X25X50... I miss shooting in the winter with no mirage... I don’t shoot competitively just for fun. If money was no object I would go for an S&B hands down they seem to have quite the reputation for being excellent. US optics seems to be a big player in the tactical world.

Like a lot of you guys my scope tends to be set on 25X all the time but I am trying to break the habit of dialling up to max right away.

I am suprised no one uses leupolds... nightforce also makes an exellent product also.
 
I use and love leupold. I too have an 8.5-25X50 and its glass is superb. Better at its maximum than the Nightforce, but that is not a fair comparison. I love its clarity, the "Fine Target Dot Reticle" and the side focus. Awesome. I wish it had 1/8 MOA clicks.
.25 MOA clicks on a .4 MOA v-bull is $hitty.

The Day Leupold gets off its duff and starts making scopes to compete with NF power-wise, will be the day you see a significant drop in NF market share.

I think Sightron is ONLY for want of a proper F-Class reticle, and it would be a serious contender too. That is the one comment I see in forums all over the US too, and it is the reason you are seeing several up for sale used already. I'd buy one tomorrow. if they had a NP2 or DD equivalent.
 
X2 Obtunded.... $15-1700 for a 25x leup or $15-1700 for a 42x N/F.. both excellent glass but I've had the NXS and the BR both at 42X and absolutely loved em.
Huge choice of reticles to pick from for what ever purpose you need... enough adjustment to shoot from 100 to 1000 with a 20 moa rail on.
My older boy just got his first f-class set up and we got him a 42x BR as well.
If N/F made the NXS with 1/8th adjustments no-body would buy anything else again...

M.
 
I had a Nightforce 5-22 NSX model and now have a Nightforce 8-32x56 BR model. The clarity of the BR model easily surpasses the more expensive NSX model( not sure why but it does). I also have a Schmidt and bender PMII 12-50x56 and this scope is simply stunning but nightforce has many reticles to choose from and is alot cheaper.I would think a 12-42x56 nightforce would be the way to go if funds are any issue at all.
 
I use and love leupold. I too have an 8.5-25X50 and its glass is superb. Better at its maximum than the Nightforce, but that is not a fair comparison. I love its clarity, the "Fine Target Dot Reticle" and the side focus.

I have the same scope except with a duplex reticle (my personal preference is for heavier reticles, but by far the majority of successful F-Class shooters seem to prefer very fine reticles). It's a pretty good scope (once I got it fixed...another story!). I think a small improvement would be if the side parallax knob weren't quite so coarse. Another improvement would be for the focus adjustment (on the eyepiece) to use much coarser threads.

Awesome. I wish it had 1/8 MOA clicks. .25 MOA clicks on a .4 MOA v-bull is $hitty.

I'm not going to hijack this thread, but some other time, on some other thread, it'd really be nice to talk about this (i.e. the whole "click vs. hold-off vs. do-both" approach to shooting F-Class).
 
What about leupolds fixed high power competition line 45X45 has 1/8 moa clicks. I allways wanted to try one of these but have been afraid lol.

"1/8-MOA target-style click windage and elevation adjustments."

Thats a pretty nice scope.
Competition_45x45.jpg
 
What about leupolds fixed high power competition line 45X45 has 1/8 moa clicks. I allways wanted to try one of these but have been afraid lol.

"1/8-MOA target-style click windage and elevation adjustments."

Thats a pretty nice scope.

Great scopes until the mirage is unmanageable then you will be wishing for a variable.
 
I had a Nightforce 5-22 NSX model and now have a Nightforce 8-32x56 BR model. The clarity of the BR model easily surpasses the more expensive NSX model( not sure why but it does). I also have a Schmidt and bender PMII 12-50x56 and this scope is simply stunning but nightforce has many reticles to choose from and is alot cheaper.I would think a 12-42x56 nightforce would be the way to go if funds are any issue at all.

Anybody else find this??
 
Yeah, fixed 45's are designed for SRBR which is shot 100-200M. No effing way you could use one at 1400 hrs at 600M on Vokes Range in sunshine, unless there was a 60 km wind from 90 degrees left or right
 
As far as S&B scopes go I'm going to suggest that they were primarily designed as a tactical scope.

After looking at the 300 yard Canadian F-class target Jerry posted :)eek:) I would think most competitors would find the S&B reticles a bit too heavy and the 25 power a little on the light side.

From what I can see the March looks like the Rolls Royce of the F-class world...With a cost to match.

Hard to beat Nightforce.
 
Daniel you're right, i've actually never been behind the stock of an F class rifle, i've shot pistol for years, start shooting service rifle, then shot a friends rifle at 600M and loved it. Decided to have an F class rifle built for me, got a barnard action, a truflite barrel and a robertson stock, all put together for me by ian robertson. So no offense taken at all, i'm a complete F class idiot.

I know nothing about F class, but want to jump in the game with two feet.

After reading everything everyone has said here, i don't think i can go wrong with either scope, i have to admit i have more of a tendancy towards to S&B because i've got it in my head that it is a better scope, it may not be, but that's what i think based on nothing at all other than the fact that i love my short dot and i love german stuff.

I'm trying to find the specs on elevation and windage adjustments for the S&B and for the life of me i cant' find it on the internet.

Now X-fan you're driving me nuts, making the comparison that the March scopes are the rolls royce of f class has made me look into them!! I've got to stop adding options, too many options allows no decision!!!
 
You've certainly got yourself a rifle that will not stand in the way of you learning how to shoot well, what a nice piece of gear! I am curious whether you've gotten a .308, or an F/Open rifle.

Good to confirm that the S&B has enough elevation (of course it probably does, but might as well find out *before* you pay for it, eh? ;-)
 
My opinion is that the objectives aren't big enough for the amount of magnification some of these scopes have,, 42 X out of a 56mm objesctive doesn't make sense to me..but I am no expert..
 
LMAO! :D

Go with Nightforce mate you will never regret it.

Honestly?
You will be ten miles ahead by spending the extra money on bullets. :D
 
noneck180, the observation that the NF BR has superior optical properties to the NXS is not nuts. It is very obvious when you get behind both scopes.

Most companies have had a string of problems making the side parallax work as well as the front AO. Leupold, NF have had their fare share of concerns. Bushnell and Nikon are better but neither is set up for competition work and the glass is not as good as the more expensive products.

Sightron is the first affordable scope that I have used where both side and reticle/eye focus work very very well TOGETHER. Very noticeable the higher in mag you go.

The first scope I used that did this well was a S&B so I too believe they are a really great scope BUT, the features may not be ideal for F class - that would be a personal opinion.

If spending this much money, get exactly what you NEED for the task at hand.

If you want 1/8" click or a particular reticle or side focus or lots of elevation or all of the above, you have the budget to make it/anything happen.

If you review the specs on the SIII 10X50, you will be surprised that most of the common Christmas wish list for F class shooters has been answered. This is a surprisingly very bright scope and I would happily compare it to older 24 to 36X scopes

There is a very fine dot for those that dial and a very nice FCH reticle for those that hold off. Although very fine, there is enough contrast that the reticle is not lost on a black target. This is the first target scope I have seen this. Usually, go too fine and under some light, you have to look to find the reticle.

Again, new tech or just lucky engineering but it is there and very useful.

As more of these scopes get out onto the line, try and look through one and have a NF beside it. I bet you will find the SIII offer better clarity, resolution and contrast vs the NXS at 42X.

When a BR is compared, it will boil down to personal preference in what you see (I still see better with the SIII) but most will likely find it easier to set up the focus on the SIII. But then the SIII gives you the option of side focus which is much easier to use then the front AO, and that can be very helpful under match conditions.

Best thing to do is to take them all out for a test drive and see what works best for you and your eyes.

Take price out of the comparison and just compare scopes, their function and how easy it is for YOU to shoot with.

That is what I did...

Jerry
 
I never said it was " nuts" I was just asking because to me thay are the same glass.. but if the focus location makes a difference then so be it. I will be getting a Sightron to see what all the Hype is all about...
 
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