Narrowing down my Scope Search, Need Help

[Fire306]

I am currently building a custom long range rig based off a Sako TRG-s m995 Action. It is currently getting a Kreiger SS Barrel installed #6 contour, and is being chambered in 7mm STW. I have a Whiskey 3 Chassis from Kinetic research ordered for it.
I would like to work my way out to shooting 1000 yards, possibly further.

I am trying to decide on what optics to put on it. I have several Leupold scopes now, and don't have a complaint about any of them. So naturally, I am looking at Leupolds, but I have also long wanted to try a Nightforce NSX.

I have somewhat narrowed my search down to a Leupold Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50 30mm tube TMR Reticle in either the M1 or M5. (Could use some info on the difference between the M1 and M5) Or, the Nightforce option would be a Nightforce NSX 5.5-22x50 with the NP-R1 or MOAR reticle.

Looking for any info anyone has one either model, reviews would be great. The Leupold is Front Focal Plain, the Nightforce is not. I understand how FFP is important if using the reticle for ranging known sized targets, just not sure how important that is to me.

Thanks in advance

 

[ultimate_monkey]

Do you dial your dope or shoot holds? If you dial everything sfp or FFP won't make much differance but if you shoot holds , then FFP is the only way to go as it will be the same hold on any magnification

 

[BigUglyMan]

I believe that the difference between the M1 and M5 dials on the leupold is that the M1 is in .25 MOA clicks and the M5 is .1 Milrad.

I prefer the NXS for several reasons. First I like their reticle selection better than Leupold. Second, they had the rapid turn dials that have 20 minutes of elevation per revolution. Third is the built in illumination that comes standard.

What I hate about Nightforce, the only thing, is that the entire eyepiece turns as you crank the magnification up or down. Maybe this is a small detail, but it drives me absolutely freaking bananas. But if that's the only thing then I guess it's a minor issue.

I run a 3.5-15x50mm NXS on my 308, a 5.5-22x56mm NXS on my 300WM and a 3.5-10x40mm Leupold on my SAN 5.56. I like all three and wouldn't feel bad about going with either brand, but I would tip just a bit toward the NXS if I was buying another.

FWIW I dial my elevation corrections. I know that makes me an ibecillic tacti-fudd, but I suck at mental math and I find the idea of decreasing my magnification so that I can hold over on a reticle counter-intuitive.

Tacti-fudd, and proud of it.

 

[Fire306]

Do you dial your dope or shoot holds? If you dial everything sfp or FFP won't make much differance but if you shoot holds , then FFP is the only way to go as it will be the same hold on any magnification

I am just getting into long range shooting, properly that is. I love shooting way out there, I just never have truly taken the time to properly learn proper methods. If target shooting, I would be dialing in my shots, but if hunting most times where I hunt, you don't have time to be dialing in scopes, I usually just hold over.

I'll add to my original post. What power, on the high end is most desirable for shooting way out there? Currently, most of my scopes top out at 14.5x, and I like using that power setting for longer shots. I am looking at the 6.5-20x power range, but I see several things I read about that 10x is a common setting for long range shots. Including the US military snipers, who use 10x fixed power scopes.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I know guys that swear by the 5.5-22x NXS for shooting "way out" on their 308s. Mine has a 3.5-15x NXS on it but truth be told I wish now it had a 5.5-22x on it to match my 300 WM. I think you will find, like I did, that 10x isn't enough for what you want to do. Think of a 10x at 1000 yards as shooting at 100 yards with iron sights. Doable, but not super precise. Jump it to 20x and that's 50 yards. Easier to see means easier to hold tight and hit small.

Just because the military uses something doesn't make it the best option for a civilian plinker. Talk to guys like Rick at Alberta Tactical or Jerry at Mystic Precision. These guys know long range and will tell you the same things that I am. Probably.

 

[Tomochan]

I'd add that out of the two I'd pick the NF NXS time after time. To echo BigUM's comment, I have a 5.5-22 NXS and a 8-32 NXS and the latter gets more use as the additional magnification is most welcome

 

[Fire306]

I am following you guys on the more magnification the better, to a point. I personally love using the higher magnification even when shooting groups at 100 yards. I like being able to hold on a small spot in the bull, rather than just generally on it. I just wondered if there was some reason for the lower power. The only reason I can think of is higher magnification shows your flaws/movement more. Lower powers generally help when shooting offhand or from poor positions because the shooter "feels" more stable.
I think I will stick to the 20-22X on the high end. Still up in the air about whether to stick with Leupold, or try a Nightforce. I am liking the MOAR reticle on the nightforce more every time I check it out, only problem is without FFP it only works on the highest power setting. The flip side is, that if I am shooting far enough to justify the MOAR and holdovers, I will likely be using the highest magnification anyways.

 

[Jordan Smith]

I am following you guys on the more magnification the better, to a point.

I would suggest just the opposite. Use as little magnification as you can comfortably get away with. Lower magnification scopes have a few advantages over higher mag scopes, such as more erector travel, brighter image, and lighter/more compact physical size.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I would suggest just the opposite. Use as little magnification as you can comfortably get away with. Lower magnification scopes have a few advantages over higher mag scopes, such as more erector travel, brighter image, and lighter/more compact physical size.

Not sure that I agree with that statement. The 3.5-15x and 5.5-22x NXS both have 100 minutes of internal adjustment. The 8-32x and 12-42x have less (65 and 45 respectively) but if you find that there isn't enough elevation to get you where you're going then a tapered base will rectify that problem. I didn't have enough to get from my 200 yard zero to 1000 yards with much room to spare so I ordered a custom +45MOA base from ATRS. Bingo, 85 minutes of elevation up from my 200 yard zero. Life is good. It pays to have a tame gunsmith on speed dial.

 

[Jordan Smith]

45 and 65MOA just wouldn't be enough for my uses, even with a canted base. 100MOA, yes. And just to clarify, the 3.5-15 F1 has 110MOA, the 5.5-22 has 100MOA.