Nightforce F1 5-25X56 B.E.A.S.T. Review & Analysis
By Nicholas Gebhardt
Discussions of premium rifle optics usually include the Nightforce brand. The consumer market in the precision rifle industry has been eagerly anticipating a feature-rich rifle scope from Nightforce since word got out that Nightforce was creating a high magnification front focal plane optic. The Nightforce booth at the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show has displayed an example of this new scope, called the Best Example of Advanced Scope Technology (B.E.A.S.T.), for the past few years. Sticking with their business profile, Nightforce wasn't going to release the scope for consumer purchase until every detail of the scope was extensively tested and proven even though this process could drag out the release date for several years. The consumer market was nearly ecstatic when the B.E.A.S.T. was finally released in 2014. So, does the B.E.A.S.T. live up to the vaunted claim and the expectations of the consumer market? I analyzed the scope and put it through some testing to find out. Following is my analysis and review of the B.E.A.S.T.
The Nightforce B.E.A.S.T. comes as a complete optics package. Included with the scope are the famous Nightforce bikini lens covers, a lens cleaning cloth, a set of premium Tenebraex lens covers with the Nightforce logo, owners manual in print and CD, reticle diagram and information page, and a couple Nightforce stickers. This is the most inclusive contents package I have seen with any scope.
Scope Overview
The B.E.A.S.T. from Nightforce is laden with premium features not found on many other optics and some features are only found on this optic alone. Starting at the front of the scope, it has a 56mm objective lens tapering down to a 34mm main tube, which both seem to be the current industry standard in high magnification rifle scopes. Next is the adjustment housing where the parallax, illumination, elevation, and windage controls are located. The B.E.A.S.T. can be had in either Minute of Angle (MOA) or Milradian (mRAD) adjustments and several corresponding reticles. Continuing back, the 34mm main tube transitions to the magnification ring which rotates clockwise to increase magnification from 5X to 25X. A First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle is utilized so all reticle measurements remain constant throughout the magnification range. The eyepiece housing contains the ocular lens measuring 46mm and utilizes a locking eyepiece focus as has been the standard on the Nightforce NXS line of optics. Nightforce has stuck with their design of integrating the eyepiece and magnification ring so the user can grasp the entire eyepiece housing and rotate to change magnification. The total length of the rifle scopes is 15.37 inches and weighs in at 39 ounces. The scope has a very nice matte black anodize finish, leaving very little shine in bright daylight, which hunters, shooters, and military personnel appreciate. Lastly, the B.E.A.S.T. is marked "MADE IN U.S.A." just forward of the adjustment housing.
Most of the design and technology advancements are found in the adjustment housing. Reticle illumination is a digital system by Nightforce called DigIllum. Reticle illumination is adjusted through a light bronze colored push button on the side of the parallax turret where intensity can be increased or decreased to the user's preference by repeatedly pressing the button once the illumination has been activated. The entire reticle is illuminated except for the actual numbers. To turn the illumination on, simply push the button and to turn it off, hold the button in for 1-3 seconds. Additionally, after the user has turned the illumination off, activating it again will return it to the last intensity level that was being utilized. As a final bonus, illumination color can be changed to either red or green by holding the button in for several seconds. The lowest settings in the green color only are compatible with NVG systems. The literature provided with the scope says that the illumination will automatically turn off after 60 minutes to conserve battery life.
The parallax control is marked with multiple hash marks as well as an infinity symbol, but does not include estimated yardage markings. This turret doesn't protrude as far from the side of the scope as the windage turret, so it is as streamlined as possible while still providing a proportioned turret.
Two words describe the elevation turret; complicated and tall. There is a lot going on with the elevation turret which is immediately noticeable upon looking at the scope. The entire elevation turret has what Nightforce calls i4F which stands for "intelligent four-function." There is a small knob situated directly on top of the elevation turret and another lever located near the base of the turret. These are the 360° Brake Control and M2 Precision Elevation Lever respectively. The B.E.A.S.T. has an elevation zero stop which is a feature also becoming an industry standard in high end rifle scopes. So the four functions as indicated by the i4F are: 360° Brake Control, XtremeSpeed elevation adjustment, Zero Stop, and M2 Precision Elevation Lever.
The elevation brake control is a feature that locks the turret in whatever setting the user decides and can be disengaged easily. To set the brake, push down on the small knob and rotate it clockwise. The small knob will then rise about 1/8-inch and show a thin red line between the main turret and the brake control knob. The elevation turret is now locked in that setting. To disengage, simply push down on the brake control knob and rotate counterclockwise.
Nightforce has dubbed the elevation turret the XtremeSpeed because of the amount of elevation that is capable of being dialed in a short amount of travel and time. This particular model scope has mRAD adjustments, so each click of the primary turret is 0.2 mRAD and provides 20 Mils of adjustment per revolution, which is the most of any scope I am aware of. The feel of the clicks on the elevation turret are the best I have felt on any Nightforce product. There is a firm amount of resistance required to make an input but not so stiff as to cause a bypass of an intended setting. I was unable to intentionally stop between clicks, which is a good thing. Two revolutions may be possible depending on the zero distance and how the rifle is set up. Being that the clicks are 0.2 mRAD, Nightforce did an outstanding job in providing maximum elevation potential in the turret and spacing the clicks far enough apart that it is readily apparent at a quick glance what the setting is. Other scopes in the market have clicks that are so close together that extra time must be taken to ensure the correct setting on the turret. The numbering on the turrets is also very well done and large enough to be easily visible without detracting from the aesthetics.
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By Nicholas Gebhardt
Discussions of premium rifle optics usually include the Nightforce brand. The consumer market in the precision rifle industry has been eagerly anticipating a feature-rich rifle scope from Nightforce since word got out that Nightforce was creating a high magnification front focal plane optic. The Nightforce booth at the annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show has displayed an example of this new scope, called the Best Example of Advanced Scope Technology (B.E.A.S.T.), for the past few years. Sticking with their business profile, Nightforce wasn't going to release the scope for consumer purchase until every detail of the scope was extensively tested and proven even though this process could drag out the release date for several years. The consumer market was nearly ecstatic when the B.E.A.S.T. was finally released in 2014. So, does the B.E.A.S.T. live up to the vaunted claim and the expectations of the consumer market? I analyzed the scope and put it through some testing to find out. Following is my analysis and review of the B.E.A.S.T.
The Nightforce B.E.A.S.T. comes as a complete optics package. Included with the scope are the famous Nightforce bikini lens covers, a lens cleaning cloth, a set of premium Tenebraex lens covers with the Nightforce logo, owners manual in print and CD, reticle diagram and information page, and a couple Nightforce stickers. This is the most inclusive contents package I have seen with any scope.
Scope Overview
The B.E.A.S.T. from Nightforce is laden with premium features not found on many other optics and some features are only found on this optic alone. Starting at the front of the scope, it has a 56mm objective lens tapering down to a 34mm main tube, which both seem to be the current industry standard in high magnification rifle scopes. Next is the adjustment housing where the parallax, illumination, elevation, and windage controls are located. The B.E.A.S.T. can be had in either Minute of Angle (MOA) or Milradian (mRAD) adjustments and several corresponding reticles. Continuing back, the 34mm main tube transitions to the magnification ring which rotates clockwise to increase magnification from 5X to 25X. A First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle is utilized so all reticle measurements remain constant throughout the magnification range. The eyepiece housing contains the ocular lens measuring 46mm and utilizes a locking eyepiece focus as has been the standard on the Nightforce NXS line of optics. Nightforce has stuck with their design of integrating the eyepiece and magnification ring so the user can grasp the entire eyepiece housing and rotate to change magnification. The total length of the rifle scopes is 15.37 inches and weighs in at 39 ounces. The scope has a very nice matte black anodize finish, leaving very little shine in bright daylight, which hunters, shooters, and military personnel appreciate. Lastly, the B.E.A.S.T. is marked "MADE IN U.S.A." just forward of the adjustment housing.
Most of the design and technology advancements are found in the adjustment housing. Reticle illumination is a digital system by Nightforce called DigIllum. Reticle illumination is adjusted through a light bronze colored push button on the side of the parallax turret where intensity can be increased or decreased to the user's preference by repeatedly pressing the button once the illumination has been activated. The entire reticle is illuminated except for the actual numbers. To turn the illumination on, simply push the button and to turn it off, hold the button in for 1-3 seconds. Additionally, after the user has turned the illumination off, activating it again will return it to the last intensity level that was being utilized. As a final bonus, illumination color can be changed to either red or green by holding the button in for several seconds. The lowest settings in the green color only are compatible with NVG systems. The literature provided with the scope says that the illumination will automatically turn off after 60 minutes to conserve battery life.
The parallax control is marked with multiple hash marks as well as an infinity symbol, but does not include estimated yardage markings. This turret doesn't protrude as far from the side of the scope as the windage turret, so it is as streamlined as possible while still providing a proportioned turret.
Two words describe the elevation turret; complicated and tall. There is a lot going on with the elevation turret which is immediately noticeable upon looking at the scope. The entire elevation turret has what Nightforce calls i4F which stands for "intelligent four-function." There is a small knob situated directly on top of the elevation turret and another lever located near the base of the turret. These are the 360° Brake Control and M2 Precision Elevation Lever respectively. The B.E.A.S.T. has an elevation zero stop which is a feature also becoming an industry standard in high end rifle scopes. So the four functions as indicated by the i4F are: 360° Brake Control, XtremeSpeed elevation adjustment, Zero Stop, and M2 Precision Elevation Lever.
The elevation brake control is a feature that locks the turret in whatever setting the user decides and can be disengaged easily. To set the brake, push down on the small knob and rotate it clockwise. The small knob will then rise about 1/8-inch and show a thin red line between the main turret and the brake control knob. The elevation turret is now locked in that setting. To disengage, simply push down on the brake control knob and rotate counterclockwise.
Nightforce has dubbed the elevation turret the XtremeSpeed because of the amount of elevation that is capable of being dialed in a short amount of travel and time. This particular model scope has mRAD adjustments, so each click of the primary turret is 0.2 mRAD and provides 20 Mils of adjustment per revolution, which is the most of any scope I am aware of. The feel of the clicks on the elevation turret are the best I have felt on any Nightforce product. There is a firm amount of resistance required to make an input but not so stiff as to cause a bypass of an intended setting. I was unable to intentionally stop between clicks, which is a good thing. Two revolutions may be possible depending on the zero distance and how the rifle is set up. Being that the clicks are 0.2 mRAD, Nightforce did an outstanding job in providing maximum elevation potential in the turret and spacing the clicks far enough apart that it is readily apparent at a quick glance what the setting is. Other scopes in the market have clicks that are so close together that extra time must be taken to ensure the correct setting on the turret. The numbering on the turrets is also very well done and large enough to be easily visible without detracting from the aesthetics.
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Nightforce BEAST Review
The procedure for setting the Zero Stop on the B.E.A.S.T. is slightly different than the mechanism on their NXS line of optics. Instead of getting into the procedure, I'll just say the procedure is straight forward and easy to accomplish but the user should read through the instruction manual prior to making adjustments.
The M2 Precision Elevation Lever on this scope increases the elevation setting by 0.1 mRAD. This particular part of the i4F only increases elevation; it can't be moved in the opposite direction to decrease the elevation. There is a significant amount of resistance in this lever, enough that it can't be engaged with a quick swipe of the thumb while coming off the elevation turret. Deliberate pressure must be applied to add the additional 0.1 mRAD. The same amount of pressure must be applied to return the lever to the non-engaged position. All these features of the i4F stack up for an elevation turret that is a little less than two inches tall. The knob appears out of place but provides for features not found in any other optic.
A locking windage turret is found on the right side of the scope. A small red button protrudes slightly from the outer edge of the turret adjacent to the "0" indication, and must be depressed to move the adjustment off the "0" setting but does not need to be depressed again unless the turret is moved back to zero. This feature ensures that the windage turret does not get inadvertently adjusted away from the zero position without the operator making it happen. I personally know professional competitors that have had their windage settings get adjusted while transitioning from one shooting position to another, so this feature could have been a nice thing to have at that time.
Activating the red button is simple to accomplish and doesn't take any more time to do than a shooter would otherwise need to make an adjustment without the turret lock. The windage turret utilizes clicks at 0.1 mRAD and is marked with increasing numbers both left and right up to 6 mRAD. A stop feature is present on the windage turret so that it can't be rotated past 5.9 mRAD in either direction. This is a handy feature to have and one that I personally appreciate.
After familiarizing myself with the scope, I had some questions to answer while conducting this analysis. First, how good are the optical qualities? Second, I noticed that the M2 Precision Elevation Lever moves when the brake is in the "on" position, so does an input still occur for that 0.1 mRAD if this occurs? Lastly, do the turrets track true and return the scope to zero each and every time?
To begin this evaluation, I mounted the Nightforce B.E.A.S.T. to my custom built 300 Winchester Magnum by ensuring the crossbolt clamps were properly torque down to the scope base, the reticle was level to the action, and the ring cap screws were also properly torqued down.
My first range trip was during a slightly cloudy evening, about an hour prior to sunset. I brought along another optic that is also a 5-25X56 power and of high quality. As I am very familiar with this other optic I figured it would provide a decent baseline to compare the low light capability of the B.E.A.S.T. Unfortunately, I didn't bring along any insect repellant and the mosquitoes were relentless. I was eager to leave before visible light had completely given way to nighttime. However, as the light faded I did have ample time to compare the optics out to 300 yards while attempting to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Eventually, that target was no longer visible to the naked eye but could be identified through each scope. I came to the conclusion that the Nightforce seemed to provide slightly better clarity and contrast into the evening on targets out to 300 yards, as I was able to identify more markings on the target. Low light performance is quite good with this new scope from Nightforce.
The second range day was a beautiful cloudless morning in South Dakota with temperatures in the 70s and a slight 5-8 mph wind from the eight o'clock position. I had the entire range to myself so I spent a couple hours putting the B.E.A.S.T. through the wringer by evaluating the optics, working with the controls, and testing the tracking and return-to-zero on the scope.
Optics and Magnification
I began the day by spending a lot of time just evaluating the optics through the entire magnification range. All of the optical properties on this scope are superb and among the best of any scope I have tested. I was able to discern individual yucca plant stalks at 900 yards, minimal shade difference in dead grass, and objects in dark shadows at 900 yards. Of significant importance to some shooters is that I was unable to detect any chromatic aberration (CA) whatsoever. In the optic I used to compare the low light capability, I was able to easily pick up CA with high contrast objects. Looking through the B.E.A.S.T. at the same objects however, there was absolutely no CA to be seen. If you are a shooter that is particularly sensitive to CA and find it annoying, this is the scope you have been waiting for!
The field of view is very good providing a flat image without any curvature that is crisp throughout the entire magnification range. Only at the maximum magnification could I detect a faint blur at the extreme outer edge, which I estimate to comprise about 1% of the view, so it should be considered a non-issue. Once the magnification is backed off to about 20X, I could not detect any edge blur.
As I decreased the magnification ring, I noticed that the field of view edge shadows were starting to come in around the 11X setting, causing me to creep forward on the stock by about 1/4-inch to maintain a full field of view. I experimented with this occurrence by establishing my eye relief at maximum power of 25X and then decreasing the magnification slowly, paying particular attention to not change my stock weld. Each time, the edge shadows started coming into view at the same approximate power setting. This is unusual as eye relief usually gets shorter when magnification is increased, not when it is decreased. The amount of change in eye relief was slight, but enough worth mentioning in this analysis.
The only other issue I encountered with the magnification was at the lowest setting, where the effect of tunneling occurred from approximately 6.5X down to 5X. This is an effect where the magnification is decreased but the field of view stays the same instead of increasing. Some other very expensive high magnification rifle scopes exhibit this property as well and it is a minor annoyance. However, if a shooter finds his self utilizing the lower magnification settings regularly, he may find this effect particularly distracting.
Operation of Controls
The parallax turret has the function of making the reticle image coincide with the target image when looking through the scope. If parallax is not completely dialed out, any change in head position when looking through the scope will produce a change in bullet impact on the target due to an apparent shift in the reticle position on the target. Turning the parallax turret also focuses the target image and many shooters use the control for this purpose as they possibly don't understand that it should be utilized for parallax instead. While conducting my analysis, I determined that the parallax free setting was also the best target focus on that particular day. This is how it should be and Nightforce has done a superb job. Parallax can shift slightly with a change in atmospheric conditions however, but my experience has shown it to be a very minimal shift. If a shooter has their target in focus, the parallax will be either non-existent or extremely minimal with this scope. Except for one tiny section while adjusting the parallax back toward the close focus setting, the turret rotated smoothly and had enough resistance to give positive feedback. I'm not sure what was causing the drag, but something internally could be felt while adjusting the parallax in that one direction, and only for a very brief portion of the adjustment range. My only suggested improvement for the parallax would be to include some yardage numbering as a quick reference. From that point, the parallax could be fine tuned but it would get the shooter to there faster.
Operation and function of the DigIllum was also a breeze to work with. The single push button had a nice amount of resistance and worked exactly as the literature described. Changing illumination intensity levels is as simple as pushing the button. I wish Nightforce would allow this as an upgrade to the NXS line of optics. This illumination control is now my favorite design of any scope I'm aware of! It really is that simple and easy to operate and provides enough intensity levels to cover any illumination need I can think of.
Nightforce's i4F is a magnificent design and I found the entire operation of this turret to be well executed. The 360° Brake control is easy to engage or disengage. This is a feature that has merit for some shooters, many of them being military or professional rifle competitors. But the nice thing about this control is that it doesn't ever have to be used if it isn't needed. The click spacing and feel on the XtremeSpeed elevation turret was perfect. With Nightforce's design, they provide 20 mRAD in only one revolution of the turret but have spaced the clicks far enough apart that the user can easily see which exact click he is on with a fast glance at the turret.
After establishing a 100 yard zero on my rifle, I had 23 mRAD of turret travel remaining. This would get my bullets out to over 1800 yards without having to use the reticle for hold-overs. Since I prefer to dial my initial settings on the scope, there is more than enough turret travel and reticle hold over to shoot to the furthest limit of my bullets capability. Elevation tracking and return to zero on the B.E.A.S.T. at 100 yards were exact through a total of 7 mRAD, the most I was able to test. I checked tracking at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mRAD, returning to zero for one round between each adjustment. In total, two rounds were fired at each elevation setting and all impacts were within ¼ inch of the exact elevation they should have been. The group fired for a check on return to zero produced a tight cluster of bullet holes measuring under 1/2" at 100 yards.
Nightforce BEAST Review
The zero stop mechanism found in the B.E.A.S.T. is another design that I am a big fan of. With Nightforce's zero stop design, a shooter may elect to set a zero stop point or not set it at all. The beauty of their design is that the user can set the zero stop point to anywhere they determine works best. Other designs on the market have the zero stop built in to the turret and often times only allow from 0.1 mRAD to 0.5 mRAD of travel below the zero indication on the turret. I prefer to have at least 0.5 mRAD of adjustment below the zero indication as this gives me the ability to make an adjustment that far below my zero should I ever have the need, such as to re-zero in a completely different environment.
The final part of the i4F is the M2 Precision Elevation lever which allows an increase in elevation adjustment of 0.1 mRAD. Using this control is easy to do but does take some practice in the field. There is some training that needs to take place to become comfortable with this control, but a good day at the range practicing shooting at targets from near to far and vice versa should get it done. Once a shooter is familiar and comfortable with the lever, it'll make precision shots out to distance come faster. While utilizing the scope, I noticed that the lever could be moved when the brake control was engaged. I verified my 100 yard zero, engaged the brake, and moved the lever to the 0.1 mRAD position. I then fired one round which produced a single bullet hole precisely 0.1 mRAD above the previous group. The lever was then moved back to the non-engaged position and another round fired which went into the 100 yard zero group. Activating the 360° Brake Control and moving the M2 Precision Elevation lever will allow the user to still make a 0.1 mRAD elevation adjustment.
Tracking was tested to 3.0 mRAD of right and left adjustment each on the windage turret. I did not test at the 1.0 or 2.0 settings, but went directly to the 3.0 mRAD position. As with the elevation, bullet impacts were within the accuracy of the rifle, coinciding with the exact distance the bullet should have been displaced. I found the windage lock easy to operate and it posed no problems making an adjustment. Depressing the lock button with my thumb as I grasped the turret was sufficient pressure to allow me to make an adjustment. I tried to turn the turret as fast as possible in an attempt to bypass the lock when going from right to left and also from left to right. Each time, the lock was able to engage before I could physically turn past the zero indication. This lock works well and will prevent any accidental movement off of the zero setting while providing a turret that is still easy to operate. The firmness of the turret after the lock is disengaged is also very good. Only a very firm amount of resistance on the outer portion of the turret will produce a change in the setting. Click feel and spacing is the same as the elevation, that is to say excellent and very well done. If I were to suggest an improvement to the windage turret, it would be to move the reference mark on the scope body about 1/4-inch away from the adjustment housing. As the scope is now, a right handed shooter must roll their head over the side of the stock a significant distance to verify the exact click that the windage is set on. By moving the reference mark out further away from the adjustment housing, less movement would be required to verify the windage setting from a firing position.
The B.E.A.S.T. comes with Tenebraex ocular and objective lens covers with the Nightforce logo. I have been a fan of these covers since reviewing another optic with them and consider these covers to be of much higher quality than another popular brand. Nightforce has worked with Tenebraex on these covers as they solve a common complaint regarding the movement of the entire eyepiece housing with the magnification. The ocular cover has a clamp to secure the cover to the eyepiece housing. The actual flip up cover is allowed to rotate independently of the eyepiece though so it can be repositioned as needed no matter what magnification setting the scope is on. Now shooters can utilize a top quality flip up ocular lens cover on a Nightforce scope and still have full functional rotation of the magnification ring and eyepiece housing. Gone are the days of going sans ocular lens protection or having to utilize covers tied to the scope body to prevent accidental loss in the field. Bravo Nightforce!
Summary
The total optical experience when looking through the B.E.A.S.T. is phenomenal. Clarity, contrast, resolution, and complete lack of CA place this scope optically among the top rifle scopes in the world. The layout and function of all controls combined with click feel, spacing, amount of resistance, tracking, and return to zero make this scope an even stronger contender for the top place. The only questions that need answered now regard durability and reliability, which take time to establish. In my professional opinion, Nightforce has developed a rifle scope that is a top contender for the best rifle scopes being produced, and they call it the B.E.A.S.T.!
Nicholas Gebhardt has been an active hunter primarily pursuing mule deer, antelope, coyotes and prairie dogs since he was old enough to legally hunt. Nicholas is a precision rifle competitor and uses the knowledge he gains from competition shooting to aid in his ethical taking of game in the field under most any condition. He enjoys custom rifles and is usually in some form or another of either planning or building the next one. Nicholas earned his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and is a Captain in the Montana National Guard.
The final part of the i4F is the M2 Precision Elevation lever which allows an increase in elevation adjustment of 0.1 mRAD. Using this control is easy to do but does take some practice in the field. There is some training that needs to take place to become comfortable with this control, but a good day at the range practicing shooting at targets from near to far and vice versa should get it done. Once a shooter is familiar and comfortable with the lever, it'll make precision shots out to distance come faster. While utilizing the scope, I noticed that the lever could be moved when the brake control was engaged. I verified my 100 yard zero, engaged the brake, and moved the lever to the 0.1 mRAD position. I then fired one round which produced a single bullet hole precisely 0.1 mRAD above the previous group. The lever was then moved back to the non-engaged position and another round fired which went into the 100 yard zero group. Activating the 360° Brake Control and moving the M2 Precision Elevation lever will allow the user to still make a 0.1 mRAD elevation adjustment.
Tracking was tested to 3.0 mRAD of right and left adjustment each on the windage turret. I did not test at the 1.0 or 2.0 settings, but went directly to the 3.0 mRAD position. As with the elevation, bullet impacts were within the accuracy of the rifle, coinciding with the exact distance the bullet should have been displaced. I found the windage lock easy to operate and it posed no problems making an adjustment. Depressing the lock button with my thumb as I grasped the turret was sufficient pressure to allow me to make an adjustment. I tried to turn the turret as fast as possible in an attempt to bypass the lock when going from right to left and also from left to right. Each time, the lock was able to engage before I could physically turn past the zero indication. This lock works well and will prevent any accidental movement off of the zero setting while providing a turret that is still easy to operate. The firmness of the turret after the lock is disengaged is also very good. Only a very firm amount of resistance on the outer portion of the turret will produce a change in the setting. Click feel and spacing is the same as the elevation, that is to say excellent and very well done. If I were to suggest an improvement to the windage turret, it would be to move the reference mark on the scope body about 1/4-inch away from the adjustment housing. As the scope is now, a right handed shooter must roll their head over the side of the stock a significant distance to verify the exact click that the windage is set on. By moving the reference mark out further away from the adjustment housing, less movement would be required to verify the windage setting from a firing position.
The B.E.A.S.T. comes with Tenebraex ocular and objective lens covers with the Nightforce logo. I have been a fan of these covers since reviewing another optic with them and consider these covers to be of much higher quality than another popular brand. Nightforce has worked with Tenebraex on these covers as they solve a common complaint regarding the movement of the entire eyepiece housing with the magnification. The ocular cover has a clamp to secure the cover to the eyepiece housing. The actual flip up cover is allowed to rotate independently of the eyepiece though so it can be repositioned as needed no matter what magnification setting the scope is on. Now shooters can utilize a top quality flip up ocular lens cover on a Nightforce scope and still have full functional rotation of the magnification ring and eyepiece housing. Gone are the days of going sans ocular lens protection or having to utilize covers tied to the scope body to prevent accidental loss in the field. Bravo Nightforce!
Summary
The total optical experience when looking through the B.E.A.S.T. is phenomenal. Clarity, contrast, resolution, and complete lack of CA place this scope optically among the top rifle scopes in the world. The layout and function of all controls combined with click feel, spacing, amount of resistance, tracking, and return to zero make this scope an even stronger contender for the top place. The only questions that need answered now regard durability and reliability, which take time to establish. In my professional opinion, Nightforce has developed a rifle scope that is a top contender for the best rifle scopes being produced, and they call it the B.E.A.S.T.!
Nicholas Gebhardt has been an active hunter primarily pursuing mule deer, antelope, coyotes and prairie dogs since he was old enough to legally hunt. Nicholas is a precision rifle competitor and uses the knowledge he gains from competition shooting to aid in his ethical taking of game in the field under most any condition. He enjoys custom rifles and is usually in some form or another of either planning or building the next one. Nicholas earned his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and is a Captain in the Montana National Guard.
