MY scope is definitly old technology and I suspect as you say looking through it and then comparing it to the VX6 it would be like night and day which it is. However I have shot a behind a number of newer Leupold's (not the vx6 mind you) and was never really impressed that they made significant improvments and were just selling their name. I did buy a new vx3 about 10yrs ago but it bailed on me within 20 shots and that led to a a bad taste in which a Leupold will never see the top of one of my rifles again. I use my vx2 as I know it works but on my new rifle I want some newer tech. I'm not adverse to other brands but I'm not going to guinea pig myself either with something I have not been able to use when I only have enough funds for one good rig.
Mountain Rifle Question: Nighforce NXS or NXS Compact
- Thread starter Mudzbogger
- Start date
MY scope is definitly old technology and I suspect as you say looking through it and then comparing it to the VX6 it would be like night and day which it is. However I have shot a behind a number of newer Leupold's (not the vx6 mind you) and was never really impressed that they made significant improvments and were just selling their name. I did buy a new vx3 about 10yrs ago but it bailed on me within 20 shots and that led to a a bad taste in which a Leupold will never see the top of one of my rifles again. I use my vx2 as I know it works but on my new rifle I want some newer tech. I'm not adverse to other brands but I'm not going to guinea pig myself either with something I have not been able to use when I only have enough funds for one good rig.
All my leupolds have been replaced with swarovski z5 series 3.5-18's. My mark 4 was a pos as the turrets didn't track consistently. It has been replaced by a nightforce. Like you a leupold will never see the top of one of my rifles again regardless of what their current line up offers for changes. I wouldn't have an issue running a nightforce compact on a mountain rifle but right now it has a 3.5-18 swarovski brx which works great for me as I like to have the extra 8x magnification. They weigh in at 16oz with out the covers.
All I am saying is try the VX6 before passing judgement on it. If you don't like it, then that is ok as everyone's eyes are different. I've had it side by side with a Z3 at the range and I tell you that to me the VX6 is nicer. To my friend they are about equal. The eyebox on the VX6 is the best I have ever seen, bar none. The one other Leupold I am interested in is the fixed 6x or if I need a fixed low power then the 2.5x. At the price of the VX3's 2.5-8, 3-10x etc I'd rather add a few $ for a Swarovski Z3.
I currently use a bunch of different scope brands and I find that in today's market it is very difficult to
navigate the extensive private labels out there. The marketing world has done an excellent job of
catapulting a mirriad of brands into the consumer spotlight and in most cases they get a certain following
that might or might not be justified. OEM manufacturers like Leupold, Weaver, Redfield,
Zeiss, S&B, Swarovski, Kahles and some others get compared to these new kids on the block without a second
though, unjustifiably so in my opinion. I am not going to knock any ones choice out there but I will try to make my point
by giving a few examples of some of my experiences.
1. I sent a 35 yeard old Zeiss tactical scope back to the factory for a rebuild and it came back to new scope specs.,
parts and labour $350, I was amazed that they even accepted the work order for such old products.
2. I sent a 1.5-5 Vari X-III Leupold back to Leupold for fogging issues, it came back repaired no charge.
3. I sent a Bushnell Banner back to Bushnell for a defective power zoom ring, no parts available! They
offered to replace the scope for the price of a new model if I payed for it, cost less to buy it a LeBarons!
I asked the to send me back the scope, I no longer buy Bushnell products.
Small comfort in having a guarantee if you cannot get your product repaired, some like to bash Leupold,
I don't think that Leupold make products as well as some other companies namely the Europeans but I buy them
anyway because I know they will never leave me hanging, they are not my first choice but they are right up there
after S&B, Swarovski and Zeiss.
BB
navigate the extensive private labels out there. The marketing world has done an excellent job of
catapulting a mirriad of brands into the consumer spotlight and in most cases they get a certain following
that might or might not be justified. OEM manufacturers like Leupold, Weaver, Redfield,
Zeiss, S&B, Swarovski, Kahles and some others get compared to these new kids on the block without a second
though, unjustifiably so in my opinion. I am not going to knock any ones choice out there but I will try to make my point
by giving a few examples of some of my experiences.
1. I sent a 35 yeard old Zeiss tactical scope back to the factory for a rebuild and it came back to new scope specs.,
parts and labour $350, I was amazed that they even accepted the work order for such old products.
2. I sent a 1.5-5 Vari X-III Leupold back to Leupold for fogging issues, it came back repaired no charge.
3. I sent a Bushnell Banner back to Bushnell for a defective power zoom ring, no parts available! They
offered to replace the scope for the price of a new model if I payed for it, cost less to buy it a LeBarons!
I asked the to send me back the scope, I no longer buy Bushnell products.
Small comfort in having a guarantee if you cannot get your product repaired, some like to bash Leupold,
I don't think that Leupold make products as well as some other companies namely the Europeans but I buy them
anyway because I know they will never leave me hanging, they are not my first choice but they are right up there
after S&B, Swarovski and Zeiss.
BB
The main reason im a Leupold basher is because a week before a mule deer hunt I bought a VX3 last year that was pooched right out of the box. The retailer and Leupold would not replace the scope new and only offered to fix it. NOT IMPRESSED ... I ended up having a Z3 shipped express from Grouse River so my rifle was good to go for the trip.
Leupold was quite " Kurt " with me when I was on the phone with them about this out of the box faulty scope.
Could this happen with NF or Swaro ? I suppose ... but it seems less likely to me. Between the experience I described and the failure of about a half dozen VX3's between my dad and myself, and other failures my friends have had ... I just have gave up on Leupold with out a good thing to say. Some guys have nothing but luck with Leupold , I wish I was that guy because I used to swear by them.
Way she goes
I'll put up with a little extra weight even on a light-weight mountain rifle for decent magnification and high quality optics with some type of ballistic compensation. I don't intend on shooting great distances but it has happened. Thankfully, my rifle had the optics to make it happen.
I would certainly save some weight if this was only to be a mountain rifle 100% of the time but it wont be, it will be my range rifle as well since as I said it will be my only rig. I dont have access to shoot behind a vx6 but will review it at the shop later this week but it will require alot of effort to sway me in Leupolds direction again. I might also get in touch with mystic precistion to look at the sightrons as well since they are on my radar too since he is in my area.
Perhaps...I personally use a 21 ounce scope on my lightest mountain rifles...it meets my criteria.
Honestly for the criteria that 20oz scopes are meeting right now its pretty sweet. My lightest mountain rifle is a Rem ti with a #1 conture and a swaro Z3. Comes in at 6 lbs 4ozs. But my second rifle is going to have that NF on it for an extra 6 or 7 0z's ... worth it to me. Again I now have the best of both worlds. Very light and ultra light
My issue with a Nightforce on a hunting rig is they just are not great for that application. What is Nightforce known for? Dead, bang on, repeatable adjustments every time with exposed turrets and fancy target reticles. The only hunting application that is useful for is a dedicated long range rig, not a rifle that is meant for everything and has the option of reaching out. For their price a NXS certainly does not shine in the optics department, they are priced with Swaros and S&B, is a Nightforce better optically than S&B? Definitely not. Are exposed turrets and fancy reticles (I'm not saying a ballistic reticle isn't useful on a hunting rig, I'm saying a super complicated target reticle isn't.) and the ability to do a box test 1000 times and never having it move really useful on a hunting rig when you have to sacrifice both weight and optical clarity? Not in my eyes. Nightforce makes a great target scope, tactical scope and would sit nice on a dedicated long range hunting rig, but to me that is the limit of a NXS's application.
Sheephunter. I agree wholeheartedly on giving up a few ounces for better optics. An 8 ounce Leupold ultralight leaves a fair amount to be desired for sure. I do think there are a whole host of options in the 12-16 ounce range that are optically amazing and have a reticle capable of taking game at any range the rifle and shooter are capable of. Of course complaining about 5 or 6 ounces may be splitting hairs, but why pack it on your shoulder, in the hills, if those few ounces gain you nothing in performance?
Sheephunter. I agree wholeheartedly on giving up a few ounces for better optics. An 8 ounce Leupold ultralight leaves a fair amount to be desired for sure. I do think there are a whole host of options in the 12-16 ounce range that are optically amazing and have a reticle capable of taking game at any range the rifle and shooter are capable of. Of course complaining about 5 or 6 ounces may be splitting hairs, but why pack it on your shoulder, in the hills, if those few ounces gain you nothing in performance?
Most S&B's I've seen are quite a bit more than the nightforce I have on my rig. As far as fancy reticle's go nightforce has plenty of options that aren't the least bit cluttered. I'm running a NPR-2 and I find it works quite well on a hunting rifle. While it does have exposed turrets the zero stop ensures I can always return to zero without issue and I have yet to hang the turrets up on anything. The scope is completely reliable and will withstand anything a hunting trip can throw at it.
There are plenty of scope options out there and some may be better suited to hunting, but I don't feel like I've given up a thing running a nightforce.
Jumping jacks. seriously, start now with 20, and work up to 1000 before your trip and a few ounces on the scope will make no difference whatsoever.
Remember the guy who poops before the hunt, will be carrying 2 pounds more or less than the guy who poops after the hunt. So friggen poop first. in Reality does an ounce or more on the scope really make that big of a difference? Not when you put it all into perspective.
The other thing many forget is the weight of the clothing, you might be better offer spending that extra $800 on lighter clothing than a lighter scope. .
It sounds like you want a NF, buy it, they are great scopes, they hold their value, you can drop it off a cliff, pick up your rifle aim and shoot and still hit your target. Many of the other brands mentioned don't give you that same reliability and ruggedness, they don't. Your friends shoot NF you will fit in on the range, and in the mountains. They are great great scopes. Are there better? Yes are there worse yes. There are not many more rugged than NF and for a mountain rig, you do want rugged.
Remember the guy who poops before the hunt, will be carrying 2 pounds more or less than the guy who poops after the hunt. So friggen poop first. in Reality does an ounce or more on the scope really make that big of a difference? Not when you put it all into perspective.
The other thing many forget is the weight of the clothing, you might be better offer spending that extra $800 on lighter clothing than a lighter scope. .
It sounds like you want a NF, buy it, they are great scopes, they hold their value, you can drop it off a cliff, pick up your rifle aim and shoot and still hit your target. Many of the other brands mentioned don't give you that same reliability and ruggedness, they don't. Your friends shoot NF you will fit in on the range, and in the mountains. They are great great scopes. Are there better? Yes are there worse yes. There are not many more rugged than NF and for a mountain rig, you do want rugged.
This complete crazy talk ! NF is a phenomenal optic for the money, and the are phenomenal hunting optic as well. I feel the most confident while hunting with my NF , That's why I bought more Night Force, I wouldn't trust Leupold nothing to a sheep hunt. I would rather have open sights than Leupold. If you cannot pack an extra 8oz's on a sheep hunt added to something as important as optics ? ... My NF NXS is going sheep hunting this year. Im not even going to bat an eye
Sorry but that was a completely amateur post
Interesting point on the gear which can not be said enough as thats a point where you can shed tons of weight without too much effort. (yes even a dump before the hike will help lol) which I have already started doing. That said dizzy is right i am leaning towards a nightforce it was really just a question on whether or not to worry about the extra 10 ounces in favour of the increase objective and magnification capabilities of the regular NXS. Either way my new rig is going to be almost 2lbs lighter than my old one which I hunted with since 88 lol so its an improvment.
It's obvious that you either just skimmed through my post or you lack in reading comprehension skills.
I did not state that NF is not a phenomenal optic, just that the optics in a NF do not compete to the optics in a few other brands at the same price point. This is not a bad thing, as NF excels in different aspects; aspects which are important to target shooting at 1000m, but not as important as flawless optics in most hunting situations. Anyone (and believe me I have) who has spent some field time behind a NF and something like a S&B Summit will see that the S&B has better optics.
As for Leupold, I said nothing except that the ultra light leave a lot to be desired and that it is worth it to pack a better scope at more weight.
As for not being able to pack an extra 8 oz, if you read my post I said it's probably just splitting hairs, but ever oz does count, especially if you carry your rifle on your shoulder. I simply said it's more practical if you can not carry the extra 8 oz and still get the same or better performance.
I'm sure your NF will do just fine on your sheep hunt, I wish you good luck! I'm not saying it is a bad optic or will let you down, I'm saying there are better options for the application. A NF for a sheep hunt is like buying a German sports car for a drag race. German sports cars are great machines and excel at doing what they do, but for the same price there are better options for drag racing. This doesn't mean a German sports car is bad at drag racing, it means for the money of the German car you could buy a better drag racer. And if drag racing is your game, why buy the German sports car?
As for me being an amateur, well I don't get paid to hunt so I guess I am an amateur. However, I have spent years doing amateur astronomy, so I know optics well. Chromatic aberration, Spherical aberration, astigmatism ect. I know what to look for in optics. As for being in the mountains, I'm a relatively inexperienced sheep hunter (started in 2010, I've shot mountain Mulie's, but never a sheep.), but have spent a lot of time in the hills including summitting several of the 11 000+ ft peaks in the Rockies. I know about trade offs in gear when it comes to weight.
Last edited:
This is not what I gathered from the initial post I replied too ... so fair enough , Like I said before I Have a 7-08 in titanium with a #1 contour barrel and a 2.5-10 Z3 swaro on it. Its 6 and 1/4 lbs scoped ... For the extra 8 ozs ill just rock my new 300wsm titanium with the NF on it for an extra total 1lb. If the wsm is to much for sheep hunting and im sure it will be fine , ill go back to the 7-08 and rock my wsm/NF for mule deer and blacktail.
Thanks for the clarification , you had me scratching my head
The above statement is 100% true, I just watched them do it on that "Lone Survivor" movie...three times!
Based on a true story bro...
Last edited:
