NIghtforce 2.5-10x32 vs 3.5-15x56 vs everything else

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

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A buddy of mine started looking at NF scopes for his 7mm RM hunting rifle. He wants to shoot to 500 yards when we build our new 500 yard range and also be able to use it hunting for close to long shots. I dont' have any experience with the NF scopes except I hear they are pretty good. I've got mostly Leupolds on my rifles. He asked me to look into this.

He likes the 3.5-15x56, but what I see there seems a bit bulky for a rifle that is going to get hiked with in the mountains. I like the looks of the 2.5-10. I have never had any problems shooting to 500 yards with a 8x or 10x scope, although the smallest objective range I use is a 36mm, and I dont' really like anything bigger than 42mm for a hunting rifle.

I also like the Velocity 1000 and 600 reticles available with the 2.5-10, they seem like they would be easier for him to use as he isn't going to use his scope for ranging, and the Velocity reticles seem pretty simple to use (get reticle based on your load, find range, use appropriate crosshatch and shoot)

He'd also consider Swaro, Ziess, Leupold.

Be interested in any comments on the 2 NF or comparable scopes. thanks
 
I own the 3.5-15x56 and its a beast but worth the weight, I also pack it around however if he only wants a 500yrd rifle scope I would not hesitate to go with the 2.5-10x32 should be plenty magnification. I have successfully shot out to 1000yds (targets not hunting) with a fixed 10x in the past.
 
I haven't looked through any Minox scopes yet, but the ZA5 3-15X42 seems like it would suit my needs. It can't be the quality of the NF, but if it's anything like my HG binos, it would be more than sufficient for my eyes.
 
Gatehouse said:
for a rifle that is going to get hiked with in the mountains. I like the looks of the 2.5-10. I have never had any problems shooting to 500 yards with a 8x or 10x scope,
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If this is for the hills, get a 2.5-10. In fact, try to find a x24 on the ee. It will save you some more weight.

The 2.5-10x24 scope always seems to be at the top of our 1-500m service rifle comps. And, set at 2.5, still sucks in a fair bit of light.

>x40 never makes much sense to me in the mountains,unless in the mountains means quad/horse to where you are going.
 
If your buddy isn't planning on twisting turrets, but would use a reticle instead, then I see no reason to get a NF. A Zeiss Conquest with RZ600 reticle would be more than great for shooting beyond 500 yards. I use my FX3 6x42 to shoot milk jugs and gongs well beyond 500 yards all the time.
 
manitou210 said:
Have a Nightforce and its great but its not even near the class of this one
http://www.swarovskioptik.com/en/products/rifle-scope-z6-z6i

Z6/Z6i 2.5-15x56 P
All-in-one - outstanding field of view, high magnification, optic with excellent light-gathering qualities.
manitou
Click to expand...

Unless you buddy is hunting Taliban the nf is over kill for what he will be using it for. Manitou has pointed you to the perfect scope. It is much clearer than the nf( for some eyes anyhow) will be better at first light and dusk and is a lot lighter. And offers a better magnification range.

Fwiw All my hunting rigs wear swaro, all my range rigs wear nf.
 
I'd have a close look at the Swarovski Z5 in 3.5-18x44. I have the 5-25x52 on my 700 R5 and it's really nice to be able to zoom up really close at long range and it can double as a spotter while hunting.
On a lighter hunting rifle, I think the 3.5-18 would be ideal at 16 oz. If you're only shooting to 500 with a 7RM, there'll be plenty of adjustments in the 1" tube and I doubt the Z5 gives up anything to the NF in low light. The ballistic turret system is great as well, I have my 308 sighted to 500 using them.
 
For a standard (i.e. not long range) hunting rifle, NF would not be my first recommendation. While NF offers excellent bang for the buck there are more suitable choices for a rifle that will be used more for hunting than range work.

As has been stated, the Zeiss Conquest line with rapid-z reticles (z-600 in this case) offers great glass, proven performance, durability and excellent value for dollar. A properly calibrated rapid-z reticle delivers very accurate hold-over that can be applied quickly (i.e. as opposed to a ballistic turret which requires you to take your eyes out of the sight picture).

For a bit more money, you can get into a Swarovski Z3 or Z5, with a hold-over reticle (i.e. brx/brh) that will deliver superior performance than a Conquest. If you prefer the accuracy and fine-adjustment of a ballistic turret, Swarovski has the best system on the market, which can be coupled with either a straight plex reticle, or the new 4-W reticle (which is a German #4 with windage markers).

I say the Swarovski ballistic turret system is the best on the market because it gives the user the flexibility to experiment with different loads and find out what works best for them, and then change that load if desired. Other systems require dedicated turrets that will only work for a specified load; if you change the parameters of the load, you must have another turret engraved, which incurs additional costs (roughly $100) and wait time. That being said, if having a dedicated turret is your thing, Swarovski will soon offer that service.

A step up from the Swarovski Z3/Z5 line would be Zeiss Victory/Diavari, Swarovski Z6, the new Leica rifle scopes, or the Schmidt Bender hunting lines (precision hunter, klassic, zenith...). Between the four, my recommendation tends to be with the Z6 series as this line offers 6x zoom range (more mag choices), lighter weight scopes, numerous reticles, as well as the ballistic turret.

In contrast, the Zeiss Victory/Diavari line uses the same 4x zoom range as the Conquest line and does not offer any sort of ballistic turret. The Leica scopes are very well designed, however they have not been around long enough to generate enough debate and feedback. And while Schmidt Bender is my favorite optics manufacturer, the Z6 still offers options that you cannot find elsewhere (at this level of glass).

Optically, the Leica, S&B, Victory/Diavari and Z6 are all outstanding and leave nothing on the table...they are all "the best". When speaking of mag choices, with the Z6 your options are 1.1-7, 2-12, 2.5-15, 3-18, and 5-30 which provides you with unparralled access to low and high mag in the same scope, giving said scope more flexibility. The same can be said of the Z5 series, with the 3.5-18 being the top recommendation in my book. As the other scope lines rely on a 4x zoom range, if you desire higher mag, you will be sacrificing low mag, which may not be consistent with your hunting requirements.

I am a dealer for all of the above brands (Nightforce, Schmidt Bender, Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica) and more, and have many in stock. Currently the best overall value would be the Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 with ballistic turret - regular $1,739, on promo for $1,555 (taxes in, plus shipping).

I'd be happy to provide you with any info or quotes you require.
 
I have the swarovski brx reticle and have used other holdover reticles. I really like the swarovski because of the 1 inch tube and the side parallax focus which I think you really should have for longer range. I would say though that whatever you guys choose that you should learn what the hold over marks equal in moa (at max power). If you shoot outside of the conditions where the reticle is calibrated the variances start to show themselves at distance. If you have a handheld ballistic program where you can update pressure and temp as you go and then reference the outputs to the moa of the scopes reticles you're in business.
 
I picked up a Leica ER from plainSight a few months back.

It's very, very nice and an improvement over the VXII it replaced. Nothing wrong with the VXII, but the Leica is just that much better at the margins (edge to edge clarity, brightness dawn or dusk under some magnification, etc).

The only thing I might pick on is the turret clicks feel a bit soft...but that's only if I`m really looking for something to complain about!

Also, plainSight is great to deal with. Highly recommended.
 
Gatehouse said:
A buddy of mine started looking at NF scopes for his 7mm RM hunting rifle. He wants to shoot to 500 yards when we build our new 500 yard range and also be able to use it hunting for close to long shots. I dont' have any experience with the NF scopes except I hear they are pretty good. I've got mostly Leupolds on my rifles. He asked me to look into this.

He likes the 3.5-15x56, but what I see there seems a bit bulky for a rifle that is going to get hiked with in the mountains. I like the looks of the 2.5-10. I have never had any problems shooting to 500 yards with a 8x or 10x scope, although the smallest objective range I use is a 36mm, and I dont' really like anything bigger than 42mm for a hunting rifle.

I also like the Velocity 1000 and 600 reticles available with the 2.5-10, they seem like they would be easier for him to use as he isn't going to use his scope for ranging, and the Velocity reticles seem pretty simple to use (get reticle based on your load, find range, use appropriate crosshatch and shoot)

He'd also consider Swaro, Ziess, Leupold.

Be interested in any comments on the 2 NF or comparable scopes. thanks
Click to expand...

Hi Gatehouse,

I have a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x32, a NXS 3.5-15x50, and a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest mounted on various rifles.

I have found the 3.5-15x50 a bit bulky for a carry rig. The turrets seem to get in the way and will hang up in a scabbard. Apart from that it is an outstanding scope as far as clarity an low light usage.

I replaced the 3.5-15 with the 2.5-10 with the hunting turrets on my goto rig. While the 2.5-10 is not the equal of the 3.5-15 for low light use it is certainly more than adequate for all legal light.

I regularly shoot out to 500 yards with both Nightforce and the Zeiss. 2.5 to 10 is plenty good. I would carefully consider the turrets for a carry rig as a ballistic reticle is plenty good and fast out to 500. At this point I find the NPR2 reticle, which is an MOA segmented reticle very easy to use and would recommend it over the velocity reticles from what I have seen.

For me the jury is still out on the Zeiss 600 yard ballistic reticle compared to the NPR 2. I currently like the NPR2 better but I have to give the Zeiss more time. The Zeiss 40 is about the same as the Nightforce 32 for low light but not close to the Nightforce 50. Presuming the 56 is better than the 50 it will be outstanding in low light.

While all of the NXS series have an illuminated reticle the new 2.5-10x32 has a readily adjustable one that is excellent in real life use.

Anyway, yes I would wholeheartedly recommend the Nightforce 2.5-10x32 with the hunting turrets and the NPR2 reticle.

PM if you are going to be up near Williams Lake I could show you first hand.
 
Kingdarb : the website is under construction.

There are various price lists in my dealer forum in the Optics Specialist section.

I am happy to provide you with any information or quote you require.
 
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