Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 vs Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56

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Shoot4Days

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Let me know if there's already a thread for this, new here and couldn't find one.

I'm looking at getting a new optic and i'm debating between the Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25 or the Nightforce NX8 4-32. I currently have a Leupold VX3i LRP 6.5-20 and I've never owned any NF optics before. I've handled the Mk5 instore for maybe 10min and really loved the glass in it. I'll be getting a chance to take a look at the NX8 this week.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience, good or bad, with either optic and if you have one or both, do you mind sharing your reasoning for choosing it?
 
I recently considered both of these but went for a Trijicon instead, mainly because of the discounted price at the time.

In my limited experience. I like the Nightforce reticles, but I think Leupold glass is better. Ymmv
 
I haven't mounted it yet, rifle is coming tomorrow. It's a Trijicon Accupower 4.5-30 SFP. Reticle is ok, glass is very clear. I feel that it has less chromatic aberration than most scopes I have been behind. Elevation clicks are good and precise. Windage not so much I'd say it's a step below Nightforce and the Mark 5, but not so much that it will prevent me from some 1500 yd hits.
 
Of those two choices I'd get the Mark 5 and its not close.

Locking elevation turret, better glass, Leupold alumina covers, the Mark 5 is way above the VX3i LRP you currently have.
 
Right, forgot about Leupold scope covers.

That alone is reason to go with the Mark 5.

I can't believe other scope manufacturers don't offer something similar for their own scopes.

Again, the Trijicon was too good of a deal to pass up. Otherwise I would have been in the same boat.
 
I haven't got behind an NX8 yet although I'd like to compare the 2.5-20 to the Mk5 3.6-18 for a lighter build. I do have 2 of the Mk5 5-25s and have in excess of 15k rds through the rifles they sit on. I really don't have anything negative to say about the Mk 5s. They track great, glass is great and I like the reticle (CCH) although I'd probably prefer the new PR2. The elevation zero stop turret is the easiest one to set up, it's dead simple, lets you go 0.5mil below zero and locks on zero as well, just really well designed. My only minor quibble is I'd rather have a locking windage turret (like on the Mk8) vs the capped one on the Mk5 but honestly that only comes into play on movers and in winds well over 20mph.
 
Bfranklin said:
Right, forgot about Leupold scope covers.

That alone is reason to go with the Mark 5.

I can't believe other scope manufacturers don't offer something similar for their own scopes.

Again, the Trijicon was too good of a deal to pass up. Otherwise I would have been in the same boat.
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Your Trijicon should have come with Tenebraex covers, which is pretty class standard. And also has a soft cover.
 
rugbydave said:
I haven't got behind an NX8 yet although I'd like to compare the 2.5-20 to the Mk5 3.6-18 for a lighter build. I do have 2 of the Mk5 5-25s and have in excess of 15k rds through the rifles they sit on. I really don't have anything negative to say about the Mk 5s. They track great, glass is great and I like the reticle (CCH) although I'd probably prefer the new PR2. The elevation zero stop turret is the easiest one to set up, it's dead simple, lets you go 0.5mil below zero and locks on zero as well, just really well designed. My only minor quibble is I'd rather have a locking windage turret (like on the Mk8) vs the capped one on the Mk5 but honestly that only comes into play on movers and in winds well over 20mph.
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Thanks for the info, I'll keep that in mind. By chance what 35mm mount/rings do you use?
 
I personally like the glass in nightforce better. Everytime i look into a Leupold I find the chromatic aberrations to be too obvious for my taste. Locking turrets aren't what I want in a scope for my uses (prs). I also like the illumination system on the NF better.

Ultimately they are both great scopes. If for prs type shooting though, I think you'll be better served by the nightforce.
 
jhnvan said:
I personally like the glass in nightforce better. Everytime i look into a Leupold I find the chromatic aberrations to be too obvious for my taste. Locking turrets aren't what I want in a scope for my uses (prs). I also like the illumination system on the NF better.

Ultimately they are both great scopes. If for prs type shooting though, I think you'll be better served by the nightforce.
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I'd say that's a pretty broad generalization with regards to NF vs Leupold. The Atacr has better glass (to my eye) than the Mk5 and although I have no time behind a NX8, the Mk5 has nicer glass than the NXS or SHV line and I've been told by buddies wth time behind both that they prefer the glass in the Mk5 to that in the NX8.

As to locking turrets not being suitable (or ideal) for PRS, I'd tend to agree (with regards to elevation) but the Mk5 doesn't have typical locking turrets in that it only locks at zero, once you "unlock" the turret to dial up, the turret is no longer locked. Locking windage is the best option for PRS by a mile though (not that either of these scopes have that feature).

The illumination system on both is nice however Leupold charge a ridiculous markup for illumination whereas with NF, it comes stock.

Shoot4Days, I'm currently using the Leupold Mk4 rings with an accessory cap to run a offset DeltaPoint Pro. I run MDT One Piece mounts or rings on most of my rifles but at the time that I got my Mk5s, they hadn't made it in 35mm with accessory caps yet. Not that there is anything at all wrong with the Mk4 rings, if I was getting rings/mount for my Mk5 now, I'd get another MDT One Piece mount but as it stands, I'm too lazy to swap my setup around.
 
jhnvan said:
I personally like the glass in nightforce better. Everytime i look into a Leupold I find the chromatic aberrations to be too obvious for my taste. Locking turrets aren't what I want in a scope for my uses (prs). I also like the illumination system on the NF better.

Ultimately they are both great scopes. If for prs type shooting though, I think you'll be better served by the nightforce.
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Just got to check out the NX8 today, was limited to the indoors, but I can't say if i noticed the CA in the Mk5 more than the NX8. The only thing i disliked about the NX8, was that on full 32x, the built in throw lever would prevent my 90* bolt from sliding back all the way.
 
rugbydave said:
I'd say that's a pretty broad generalization with regards to NF vs Leupold. The Atacr has better glass (to my eye) than the Mk5 and although I have no time behind a NX8, the Mk5 has nicer glass than the NXS or SHV line and I've been told by buddies wth time behind both that they prefer the glass in the Mk5 to that in the NX8.

As to locking turrets not being suitable (or ideal) for PRS, I'd tend to agree (with regards to elevation) but the Mk5 doesn't have typical locking turrets in that it only locks at zero, once you "unlock" the turret to dial up, the turret is no longer locked. Locking windage is the best option for PRS by a mile though (not that either of these scopes have that feature).

The illumination system on both is nice however Leupold charge a ridiculous markup for illumination whereas with NF, it comes stock.

Shoot4Days, I'm currently using the Leupold Mk4 rings with an accessory cap to run a offset DeltaPoint Pro. I run MDT One Piece mounts or rings on most of my rifles but at the time that I got my Mk5s, they hadn't made it in 35mm with accessory caps yet. Not that there is anything at all wrong with the Mk4 rings, if I was getting rings/mount for my Mk5 now, I'd get another MDT One Piece mount but as it stands, I'm too lazy to swap my setup around.
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Since I was able to look through the NX8 today, I'd say i agree with your buddies. I thought the sight picture looked better in the Mk5 glass. The illumination/lack of illumination isn't a big deal breaker to me.

Yeah i'll check that out, i was leaning towards a one piece.
 
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