Optics for service rifle?

I've been running the NF 2.5-10x with Mildot reticle on my service rifle for the past two seasons, for both ORA Matches 1-4 and NSCC 1-12.

Nice glass, very clear sight picture out to 500M. Like a typical Nightforce it tracks flawlessly and holds it zero with no issues.

More than enough magnification for matches 1-12, but 2.5x was a bit of a challenge for me on ORA match 2 (CQB) which moves down to 10 M.

A couple of points to consider, this scope has fairly generous eye relief, so you may have issues if you can't mount the scope far enough forward. A cantilevered mount may be beneficial for you.

The other thing is that these are in huge demand and the last I heard was that these are back ordered by several weeks. If you've found one in stock somewhere, grab it. Otherwise, plan ahead.
 
Match 2 is easy once you tear it apart and figure out where the bullets are going, and how to avoid cross fire. If doable with a 3.4 Elcan a 2.5 NF is going to work fine.

Ryan if you don't get a zero stop model you will be sorry.
 
3x works fine in match 2... 2.5 definitely should. The main issue is having a wide enough field of view that you can tell that you're on the far left fig. 11 when you get into the modified prone without having to swing to the side to check. The FM at 4x didn't work so well for that. It's easy to get aligned with the other 3 targets though.
 
Wil yeah the zero stop is definately on the list.
As far as getting the right targets well coming down the backstop from your target # ,is something I always add into my game plan. Havent had any crossfires in SR in years. Only takes a fraction of a second more.
 
kombayotch said:
3x works fine in match 2... 2.5 definitely should. The main issue is having a wide enough field of view that you can tell that you're on the far left fig. 11 when you get into the modified prone without having to swing to the side to check. The FM at 4x didn't work so well for that. It's easy to get aligned with the other 3 targets though.
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Absolutely, having a nice wide field of view (like the Elcan does) would make up for magnification at such a short distance. For me the challenge was coming up on the correct target when you can't see all four targets at the same time. Never did crossfire on myself, but more practice would have given me more confidence during the 10 M snap and rapids.

No problems with the modified prone at 25 M, except for the time the sand bag fell on my rifle.
 
I like the idea if a bit more power but also the more all roundness of a 1-4 (cqb, carbine clinics etc)

I've seen a few people on forums In the states with a 2.5-10 type optic with an offset red dot to try and get a best of both worlds type setup
 
My initial impressions about the Elcan OS 3.0 3X (Marksman model) can be found in Episode 10 of Canadian Service Conditions Radio.

You can find a link to the show here CSCR Episode 10

I'll be trying it out for ORA CQB this coming weekend and SR next spring.

Pictures (promotial and the actual optic) can be found on the Canadian Service Conditions Facebook page HERE
 
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Welcome to the Elcan side! I am moving my os4x to my 10.5" for CQB for next season. I had no issues with it on CQB distance targets and like it for 25 yards down.
 
Bolivar said:
So what are you going to use for SR next year?
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Going to a vortex 2.5-10x44 . Going to see what dialling turrets and more magnification brings to the table. The holdovers on the Elcan were pretty good and I could have dialed with it this year but I also wanted to add magnification to my game at CQB. I may also try my hand at a precision match or two off a bipod with this setup......So new vortex goes on the 20" for next season. Just waiting on Darren at one shot for the cantilever mount to come in.
 
well that sucked. called almost all nightforce dealers and couldnt find a 1-4 or a 2.5-10 in the options I wanted. didnt find any 1-4s and the occasional 2.5-10 but with .250moa turrets and usually a np reticle.
 
I would wait until after the Shot Show before making any major optics purchases. There are rumored to be a lot of new scopes coming out, and I would be very surprised it Nightforce didn't do something since they are getting left in the dust only having the one modern tactical offering (F1).
 
Some do, some don't. Sometimes the new product never materializes at all, and sometimes companies already have it on the way to suppliers. They usually indicate a release date. LeBaron had those new Bushnell 1-6.5x Tacticals in store by early spring last year... I was looking at them. Have heard they may be offering those with exposed turrets this year, similar to that 1-8.5x I posted above.

It at least gives you an indication of what is coming down the pipe. Then you can decide if you want to get something really good now, or just get something inexpensive to get by with until it appears.
 
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Well I got two treats tonight; one buddy lent me his Vortex PST 1-4x to try for a week, and another brought over his new March 1-10x Tactical. Here's a photo of the them along with my March F 3-24x for size reference:

P1060638.jpg


That March has the clearest, nicest 1x I have ever seen. With both eyes open there is no doubling, no tunneling, no distortion, NOTHING! It's like looking through a sparkling clean window. Apparently March is releasing a 1-8X FFP version of it.
 
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