NF NX8 scope

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MartyK2500

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Lately I have been working on this project .308 rifle,
We could call it an M24 lookalike.

I wanted something that's under 12.5-13lbs fully equipped magazine loaded, which I have lot's of confidence shooting at 200-300M kneeling.

I was looking into the NXS 3.5-15x50 for a balance between scope weight, durability, magnification, long range turrets (as I will use it up to 600M on bipod).
Lately I saw the NX8 come out, which has a bigger range of magnification, shorter than the NXS, and slightly lighter.
And retail price, is going to give the guys selling used on the EE and the stores a hard time to sell NXS series at current asking price.

The one I spotted was NX8 2.5-20x50.
This should give me plenty of high end for the 600M Petawawa event, as well as staying light enough for a carry/hunting.

Currently sitting as it is, rifle with loaded mag, HS precision fiberglass stock, chambered round, harris bipod, and ATRS steel rail (replaced the one pictured since), setup is at : 10.48lbs,
A pair of nightforce ultralight rings are 0.19lbs
For scope the NXS 3-15 weighs in at 1.88lbs
We are looking at 12.55lbs so far.

The NX8 is almost the same weight, at 1.85lbs, but at least is lighter, smaller, and has more features.

What do you guys think, will the NX8 be a good candidate for this setup for 50-300M hunting as well as 600M gongs?
Btw I already have a 19.5lbs heavyweight .308 with a razor gen ll for NSCC precision rifle and 1000M gongs, it's me regular go to rifle, just is not carry friendly.

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yup, definitely. I think these are gonna sell quickly, you may have a hard time getting hold of one though.
 
Curious as well....been a pretty diehard NXS for years, so FFP looks good for the price. My only concern is that it must give something up to the ATACR to come in at that price point.
 
Not much room for mounting with the 2.5-20x50.
I was going to go with .885” rings. I set the eye relief by how close I could have the objective to the front of the NF rail.
I’ll switch to 1.00” rings, might give a bit more clearance. Then run the.885”’s with the 4-32x50.

There is the possibility of having to cut the front of the rail off to make room.
 
I’m not one for writing up detailed reviews. Check out Snipers Hide, there is an excellent review there.

I have both with the MIL-C reticle. Sharp glass but my eyes must be aging. I can’t pick up the target dot until a higher than I like magnification.
 
sask378 said:
I’m not one for writing up detailed reviews. Check out Snipers Hide, there is an excellent review there.

I have both with the MIL-C reticle. Sharp glass but my eyes must be aging. I can’t pick up the target dot until a higher than I like magnification.
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I read that review. Are you experiencing any edge clarity issues at mid magnification, and how tight/intolerant are you finding the eyebox is?
 
steve-r said:
I read that review. Are you experiencing any edge clarity issues at mid magnification, and how tight/intolerant are you finding the eyebox is?
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The eye box isn’t tight to me. They are good.

Overall I like the NX8. Have to remember it is only just over half the price of a heavy 34mm scope with premium glass.
 
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The more I read about USO and NX8 2.5-20x50, the more I see that users tend to say that both optics are very comparable.

I also see that a 8x zoom range is a compromise optic.
It allows for a single rifle to have many uses, but not excel in any so to speak.

So both for USO and NX8 seem to have narrow eyeboxes, and inferior edge clarity, when compared to regular zoom range scopes.
At least that's the general consensus in the SH forums.

If I had 1 rifle, only 1, that I would like to hunt, shoot target, ring the gong at 900M, this type of optic looks like a way to go among many.
Myself have 3 precision rifles in 3 specific roles, so a compromise optic is not what I want.
 
Has anybody been able to compare the NX8 2.5-20 to the Leupold Mk5 3.6-18? They both have similar weights and mag ranged I'm debating which to use for a lightweight long range mountain hunting/occasional ELR rifle (7SAUM). I'm leaning towards the NF right now because I prefer the available reticles with illumination (Mil XT).
 
If I was in the market for a compact Nightforce I would go with the ATACR 4-16x42. I feel that you have to make too much compromise in order to achieve a 8x erector ratio in a 30mm tube, same problem with the March "shorties" 3-24s.

Also I feel that the Nightforce are slightly overpriced in Canada as opposed to the States, not sure if it's a distribution issue but the street price is much lower down south, especially MIL/LEO discounts.

By all means, I'm no fan of Leupold, never liked the MK4s or MK6s (except the 2.5-8x36 TS30-A2 which is a huge underdog for SPR type rifles) but I believe their MK5 serie could be the great redemption of Leupold. I'm hoping they bring out a lightweight 1-5, 35mm FFP LPVO to replace their MK6. The new MK5 locking turrets are also great if you're hunting. That being said, Nightforce always had great turrets and great repeatability. Nightforce also have much better reticle choices especially considering the MK5 illumination cost a big premium. Personally I do think illumination is required for a FFP scope if you're planning to hunt as it helps a lot at low mag to define the reticle in the woods.

Optics are a very personal issue, if I had the extra coin I would go for a MK5 or a maybe used ATACR 4-16 or S&B US 5-20. Otherwise, you'll be well served by the NX8 as long as you are happy with the limitations at high magnification (narrow eye box mostly and clarity). If FFP or mil/mil isn't a requirement, the VX6HD 3-18x44 is an amazing product as well and much lighter too.
 
DaedalusX said:
If I was in the market for a compact Nightforce I would go with the ATACR 4-16x42. I feel that you have to make too much compromise in order to achieve a 8x erector ratio in a 30mm tube, same problem with the March "shorties" 3-24s.

Also I feel that the Nightforce are slightly overpriced in Canada as opposed to the States, not sure if it's a distribution issue but the street price is much lower down south, especially MIL/LEO discounts.

By all means, I'm no fan of Leupold, never liked the MK4s or MK6s (except the 2.5-8x36 TS30-A2 which is a huge underdog for SPR type rifles) but I believe their MK5 serie could be the great redemption of Leupold. I'm hoping they bring out a lightweight 1-5, 35mm FFP LPVO to replace their MK6. The new MK5 locking turrets are also great if you're hunting. That being said, Nightforce always had great turrets and great repeatability. Nightforce also have much better reticle choices especially considering the MK5 illumination cost a big premium. Personally I do think illumination is required for a FFP scope if you're planning to hunt as it helps a lot at low mag to define the reticle in the woods.

Optics are a very personal issue, if I had the extra coin I would go for a MK5 or a maybe used ATACR 4-16 or S&B US 5-20. Otherwise, you'll be well served by the NX8 as long as you are happy with the limitations at high magnification (narrow eye box mostly and clarity). If FFP or mil/mil isn't a requirement, the VX6HD 3-18x44 is an amazing product as well and much lighter too.
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For what it's worth I already have 2 Mk5 5-25 CCH (one on my match and one on my backup gun) and really like them. Price also isn't an issue as I can get good pricing on either brand. I agree that the Atacr 4-16 would be a better choice than both but I don't want to spend that for this rig as it won't get as much use as my match guns (plus it's heavier). I'd get the Mk5 3.6-18 in a heartbeat but seeing as this will be used for hunting as well, I want illumination and the choices from Leupold suck. The TMR is too simple for my tastes and the Tremor 3 is just too busy. That's why I'm curious how the NX8 stacks up as the Mil-XT is pretty much ideal and the form factor is about the same between the MK5 and NX8...
 
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