Nightforce SHV 4-14X56 Riflescope Review - 3
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Nightforce SHV Observations and Thoughts
After utilizing the scope for a brief range session, I came away with some good impressions and will offer my thoughts about them. The turrets had an adequate feel for both firmness and positive adjustment. They do have a bit of wiggle back and forth but not so much as to be a nuisance. I found the resistance for making a correction to be heavier than my NXS series scope and every click was very positive with a slight dull audible feedback. Making adjustments to the turrets with heavy winter gloves on was a non-issue as the turrets were quite distinct in feel of each click.
Nightforce SHV elevation and windage turrets
Setting the turret to the zero setting is quite easy and can be accomplished with a coin or flat blade screw driver. The turrets are however on the small side and this presents one complication. While using the turrets to establish my zero at 100 yards I immediately noticed that while making an adjustment, my fingers were covering the numbers so I would have to let go of the turret to verify which click I was currently on, and then proceed to my intended setting. Wearing heavy gloves made the task of adjustment worse with the gloves obscuring the entire turret. The knurling at the top of the turrets was suitable for establishing a positive grasp of it and is just fine with heavy weight gloves on.
One minor detail regarding the turrets is that the turret didn't exactly line up with the index line behind the turret sleeve. The offset is miniscule, about the thickness of the etched line. When reinstalling the turret sleeve after establishing a zero, the turret slides down over machined teeth which seem to be offset ever so slightly. This is however a small and minor issue as the offset isn't enough to be confusing as to which click the turret is actually on. The numbering around the turrets is also nicely done and sufficiently large enough that aging eyes will enjoy this attribute.
I appreciate the parallax markings that the SHV has. The distance markings are very closely spaced and were correct while I was conducting the evaluation. Only a little bit of movement of the parallax turret is necessary to make a correction for a change in target distance.
Nightforce SHV parallax and illumination control.
The power adjustment ring was smooth in operation with a decent amount of firmness and the resistance was consistent throughout the entire range of magnification. The numbers are sufficiently large to be easily seem in low light conditions but not so large as to be distasteful. I found the top end of 14X magnification to be adequate for the occasional long range shot on either animals or targets. I was able to quarter a standard size clay pigeon target at 685 yards with the reticle in the SHV and magnification on 14X. I'm certain that taking shots at extended distance would be easily accomplished with this magnification and reticle design. This scope also utilizes a fast-focus eyepiece for focusing the reticle to the user's eye and it was also smooth throughout the adjustment range. A single indication dot is provided on the eyepiece for a visual reference.
Nightforce's MOAR was easy to use and provided a clear sight picture for engaging small targets. The line thickness is perfect for both precise shot placement and visibility. My personal preference however would be for the even hash marks to be numbered for the entire lower portion of the reticle. Counting lines for the correct holdover takes extra time that can be detrimental if a shooter is in a hurry. This was my first time using this reticle however, so more familiarization with it might decrease the time needed in making accurate hold-overs.
Regarding the illumination, only the very center portion of the reticle illuminates, so using it in low light conditions and needing hold-over shot corrections could potentially be problematic. As I understand Nightforce's intent, they didn't want to illuminate the entire reticle as this affords the possibility of too much illumination washing out the target view. By only illuminating the very center portion where the majority of shots are likely to be taken, the shooter doesn't have to worry about the target image being flooded with too much light. Several high end optic manufacturers use this same approach and it works well. I would prefer to have the entire reticle illuminated, however, but this wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if I was looking to purchase this optic. The illumination control is collocated with the parallax adjustment knob and provides 11 intensity settings with an "off" position between each numbered setting, so returning to a favored setting is quite easy to achieve. This configuration of illumination and parallax on the same turret seems to be popular with several brands of optics so it should be familiar with a variety of shooters around the world. The lowest settings aren't even visible with the unaided eye while the brightest setting is easily visible in bright daylight. Overall execution for location of illumination control, capability to adjust intensity, and quality of reticle illumination is among the best in the industry in an easily affordable package.
Nightforce SHV Summary
I believe that Nightforce has designed and built an exceptional optic with the SHV. This single scope is ideally suited for a variety of purposes and covers all the bases for an all-around scope. Shooters, hunters, and varminters alike will quickly come to favor this single scope above all others, especially if they have a rifle that fills as many purposes as the scope that sits atop it.
Nicholas 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.
Nightforce SHV Observations and Thoughts
After utilizing the scope for a brief range session, I came away with some good impressions and will offer my thoughts about them. The turrets had an adequate feel for both firmness and positive adjustment. They do have a bit of wiggle back and forth but not so much as to be a nuisance. I found the resistance for making a correction to be heavier than my NXS series scope and every click was very positive with a slight dull audible feedback. Making adjustments to the turrets with heavy winter gloves on was a non-issue as the turrets were quite distinct in feel of each click.
Nightforce SHV elevation and windage turrets
Setting the turret to the zero setting is quite easy and can be accomplished with a coin or flat blade screw driver. The turrets are however on the small side and this presents one complication. While using the turrets to establish my zero at 100 yards I immediately noticed that while making an adjustment, my fingers were covering the numbers so I would have to let go of the turret to verify which click I was currently on, and then proceed to my intended setting. Wearing heavy gloves made the task of adjustment worse with the gloves obscuring the entire turret. The knurling at the top of the turrets was suitable for establishing a positive grasp of it and is just fine with heavy weight gloves on.
One minor detail regarding the turrets is that the turret didn't exactly line up with the index line behind the turret sleeve. The offset is miniscule, about the thickness of the etched line. When reinstalling the turret sleeve after establishing a zero, the turret slides down over machined teeth which seem to be offset ever so slightly. This is however a small and minor issue as the offset isn't enough to be confusing as to which click the turret is actually on. The numbering around the turrets is also nicely done and sufficiently large enough that aging eyes will enjoy this attribute.
I appreciate the parallax markings that the SHV has. The distance markings are very closely spaced and were correct while I was conducting the evaluation. Only a little bit of movement of the parallax turret is necessary to make a correction for a change in target distance.
Nightforce SHV parallax and illumination control.
The power adjustment ring was smooth in operation with a decent amount of firmness and the resistance was consistent throughout the entire range of magnification. The numbers are sufficiently large to be easily seem in low light conditions but not so large as to be distasteful. I found the top end of 14X magnification to be adequate for the occasional long range shot on either animals or targets. I was able to quarter a standard size clay pigeon target at 685 yards with the reticle in the SHV and magnification on 14X. I'm certain that taking shots at extended distance would be easily accomplished with this magnification and reticle design. This scope also utilizes a fast-focus eyepiece for focusing the reticle to the user's eye and it was also smooth throughout the adjustment range. A single indication dot is provided on the eyepiece for a visual reference.
Nightforce's MOAR was easy to use and provided a clear sight picture for engaging small targets. The line thickness is perfect for both precise shot placement and visibility. My personal preference however would be for the even hash marks to be numbered for the entire lower portion of the reticle. Counting lines for the correct holdover takes extra time that can be detrimental if a shooter is in a hurry. This was my first time using this reticle however, so more familiarization with it might decrease the time needed in making accurate hold-overs.
Regarding the illumination, only the very center portion of the reticle illuminates, so using it in low light conditions and needing hold-over shot corrections could potentially be problematic. As I understand Nightforce's intent, they didn't want to illuminate the entire reticle as this affords the possibility of too much illumination washing out the target view. By only illuminating the very center portion where the majority of shots are likely to be taken, the shooter doesn't have to worry about the target image being flooded with too much light. Several high end optic manufacturers use this same approach and it works well. I would prefer to have the entire reticle illuminated, however, but this wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if I was looking to purchase this optic. The illumination control is collocated with the parallax adjustment knob and provides 11 intensity settings with an "off" position between each numbered setting, so returning to a favored setting is quite easy to achieve. This configuration of illumination and parallax on the same turret seems to be popular with several brands of optics so it should be familiar with a variety of shooters around the world. The lowest settings aren't even visible with the unaided eye while the brightest setting is easily visible in bright daylight. Overall execution for location of illumination control, capability to adjust intensity, and quality of reticle illumination is among the best in the industry in an easily affordable package.
Nightforce SHV Summary
I believe that Nightforce has designed and built an exceptional optic with the SHV. This single scope is ideally suited for a variety of purposes and covers all the bases for an all-around scope. Shooters, hunters, and varminters alike will quickly come to favor this single scope above all others, especially if they have a rifle that fills as many purposes as the scope that sits atop it.
Nicholas 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.
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