Which nightforce scope?

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logan1080

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I have chosen nightforce as the scope to go on my next long range shooting rig. I am thinking the 5.5-22x56 scope but if I go up to the 12-42x56 or the 32x how is the clarity? I want to shoot targets a long long ways out and my current 20x leupold is tough enough at 1000 yards. I want to eventually go beyond 1000 yrds but is a 42x too much for a good clear picture? From what I see most guys go with the 22x.
 
logan1080 said:
I have chosen nightforce as the scope to go on my next long range shooting rig. I am thinking the 5.5-22x56 scope but if I go up to the 12-42x56 or the 32x how is the clarity? I want to shoot targets a long long ways out and my current 20x leupold is tough enough at 1000 yards. I want to eventually go beyond 1000 yrds but is a 42x too much for a good clear picture? From what I see most guys go with the 22x.
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The 12x42s are a very specialized use optic, typically used for CLOSE range shooting, the reason being they have extremely limited elevation and the amount of time you can actually make use of the high power is very limited at distance due to mirage.
For any serious long range shooting you NEED elevation, so the 5.5x22 or the 8x32s are more commonly used.
Clarity is clarity, the problem becomes mirage which effects all optics.

There isn't a day goes by that we do not get an inquiry from a new to long range shooter inquiring about ubber high magnification optics and at least once a week we guys that complain that some dealer who did not have a clue about long range sold a guy ubber high magnification and then the purchaser learns the hard way that the bought the wrong optic for the job.
Your 300 win mag will run out of elevation at about 600 yards if you go with a 12x42 where as you will easily get to 1200 or more with a 5.5x22
 
I use a NXS 8-32X56 and find the clarity very good. Not as much internal adjustment as the 22 ( 65 MOA vs 100 ) but with an appropriately canted rail the 32 ought to be able to get you out there.
 
I going to put this out there, I have a 12-42 NXS sitting on a 308 Remington 700 Varmint. With 20 MOA base I get to 1050 yards no problem. I understand not all Remington receivers are equal to the task in maximum MOA up due to small variations in diameter. I've yet to shoot it further.

ymmv
 
Brutus said:
I going to put this out there, I have a 12-42 NXS sitting on a 308 Remington 700 Varmint. With 20 MOA base I get to 1050 yards no problem. I understand not all Remington receivers are equal to the task in maximum MOA up due to small variations in diameter. I've yet to shoot it further.

ymmv
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How many MOA do you require to get to 1000 yards? Probably in the 32 to 35 area, so you have to be running very close to both the mechanical limits of the scope. That being said you are also running pretty close to the useful limits of the caliber.
 
If you intend to choose a reticle for ranging and/or holdover, like the NP-R1 or NP-R2 you should be aware that they are designed for use at 22x.

They won't be calibrated for 32x or 42x.

I could be wrong. If anyone can verify this please do.

That's one reason I recommended the NXS 5.5-22x56.
 
sask378 said:
If you intend to choose a reticle for ranging and/or holdover, like the NP-R1 or NP-R2 you should be aware that they are designed for use at 22x.

They won't be calibrated for 32x or 42x.

I could be wrong. If anyone can verify this please do.

That's one reason I recommended the NXS 5.5-22x56.
Click to expand...

You're correct.
 
My initial setup thoughts were to run the 5.5-22 with the NPR1 reticle sitting on a 20moa base. With that I would have a TON of elevation especially when using the reticle. I currently have a .300wsm that runs out of elevation on when shooting out to 1000 yards using a leupold vx3 6.5-20. I have 20moa bases on the way for it. I have been thinking about getting a custom rifle for long range targets and this is what the optics would be going on. I am not set on cal but I am leaning towards the .338.
 
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