I'm looking for a scope for my new X-bolt hunter in .308 and am looking to spend around $1,500. I'm leaning towards to Nightforce SHV series. How does the SHV compare to other optics in this price range? I am looking specifically at the 4-14x56 with MOAR reticle. I will be using it for Mule and whitetail deer in the BC interior this fall, Moose and Elk eventually. Scope weight is not an issue for me, looking for feedback regarding ruggedness and glass quality.
Nightforce SHV, Best optic for the money?
- Thread starter Overlander2018
- Start date
I had the 4-20 SHV, nice scope but they’re huge , sold that and got the vx 5 3-15 which is also a nice scope, but decided to sell that as well.
I just recently picked up a Zeiss V4 conquest 4-16 , they can be found for less than $1500 off the EE, best out of the 3 so far.
I just recently picked up a Zeiss V4 conquest 4-16 , they can be found for less than $1500 off the EE, best out of the 3 so far.
I have this exact scope. I used it on a savage BA stealth in 6.5CM and it was an awesome combination.
I have long since sold the rifle but still have the scope in the box. Was thinking about maybe selling it, if your interested shoot me a message
Owned two models. The lower power and the 4-20 illuminated. Never a problem. Great clear glass and built tough. Only sold because I switched to FFP and had a deal for another brand. Id buy an F1 in a heart beat.
A bit more expensive at retail price but have a look at Vortex LHT line. Optics are excellent and very light weight. The locking turret is nice for hunting. Main downside (seems a known issue), the magnification ring is very stiff.
(EDIT: oops, I’m too late. Congratulations on your purchase!)
(EDIT: oops, I’m too late. Congratulations on your purchase!)
I ended up going with a Razor LHT in place of one of the SHVs as well (the 4-14 replaced with the 3-15), they're my #1 favorite hunting scope now but the price tags are not insignificant.
Another good scope I have is the Steiner Predator 4. At sales price, it’s hard to beat. They have upgraded the line with ballistic turret now so the price has increased. Very good optics with large and bright eyepiece with quick focus. The E3 reticle (Burris) is quite nice and there’s an online app to figure out ballistics. The illumination is very clean in low light. When bought during the Black Friday period there is a promo from Stoeger Canada: with an application they send a free lens cover and pair of Steiner rings! Frequently on sale at Cabela’s.
keep going, if you do you'll eventually try a trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 dot or mil-dot duplex and 13.4 oz one day and you'll finally be done the buying and trying game for ultimate no fat hunting scope, clear most barrels in 1" low rings, glass puts leupold in the dark, literally, adjustments, lift/lock turrets, rtz and tracking on point, a level above leupold in every way and that illuminated dot without batteries magnifies any ambient light a solid 15 min past legal light ratio but is so intuitive in actual hunting and placing on game, can get Kenton turrets or use mil-dot holds for elevation solutions, about $1050 new
well played mikeyb and overlander...see my note above
keep going, if you do you'll eventually try a trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 dot or mil-dot duplex and 13.4 oz one day and you'll finally be done the buying and trying game for ultimate no fat hunting scope, clear most barrels in 1" low rings, glass puts leupold in the dark, literally, adjustments, lift/lock turrets, rtz and tracking on point, a level above leupold in every way and that illuminated dot without batteries magnifies any ambient light a solid 15 min past legal light ratio but is so intuitive in actual hunting and placing on game, can get Kenton turrets or use mil-dot holds for elevation solutions, about $1050 new
well played mikeyb and overlander...see my note above
Well played? Coming from the Tricon fanboy. Leupold are junk according too you! Big difference between 3-9 and 4-16 also. As far as the 15 minutes after legal shooting? Not really sure how thats an advantage unless your a poacher. My quality optics dont require anything for viewing well beyond legal time. I use my cell phone and pay attention to sunrise and sunset. A mildot SFP scope for long range hunting? Really from a guy thats been on here as long as you. If the weight difference of 3-6 ounces is that big of a deal then go to the gym or buy better quality outerwear to make the difference. Everyone doesnt need a 12 ounce scope on a five pound rifle.
couple things, never said leupold was junk, it's all I ever ran, quite a fan of it really, just took awhile to try many options and then find the trijicon accupoint, which all I say is it is a level above and prepare to open your wallet should you also compare it to leupold, and having now fielded the trijicon for awhile it continues to impress, and anyone who I am with who checks one out in person is very impressed also, you can get heavier ones than the 3-9x40 but at least if people want an optic under 1 lb they know now there is an alternative to the leupold usuals...and it's a very good alternative and level above those staples, the comments about the battery free illuminated dot are to explain that regardless of lighting conditions the dot will be brighter and illuminate, unless you're in a blind, but outside hunting....so even on a bright sunny day chasing coyotes in a blindingly white landscape the dot still takes in more light and makes the dot visible for that intuitive placement at crunch time on game, so bright or dim conditions the dot does it's thing, it's not overpowering, it just works awesome, I know sunset/sunrise also, wind speeds, all that while hunting for just in case anything, I purposely tested the dot past these times just to see how much amplification of the ambient lighting to the dot is there, to give that perspective to those who haven't spent time with one before, much like archery sights which are fiber optic also, some take in more light than others and the bowhunters know which ones perform better in the last 5 minutes etc., this accupoint is much like the better archery sight options, it still illuminates past legal shooting time, you don't want it to be useless during the last or first half hour of shooting time, that's where you want it to excel and it does...just giving perspective on it
so I'm a trijicon and leupold fanboy for life, leupold is the staple, trijicon is the next level...hope that clears things up, everyone can keep playing with the 1.5-3 lb optics that work great at the range where everything works, and those that are coming back down to less and less fat for task at hand (hunting) I was simply saying where the buck stops as I went up and down also...currently that's the 3-9x40 accupoint as the no fat 0-600 yard hunting pinnacle
