Advice on Replacing my ATACR with another Scope!

[Ingwe]

Hello Fellas,

I recently purchased a Nightforce ATACR and mounted it on my Win M70 7mmRemMag. The ATACR is a PHENOMENALLY well built and crystal-clear scope but it is just too big, heavy, and bulky, for my set up! In my opinion of course

I am going to sell it and replace it with something else, so I would appreciate hearing your comments on what to replace it with.

I am leaning towards an NSX 5x22x50 but I am open to suggestions. I do want a ballistic turret like the ATACR/NSX, which I will buy a Kenton Industries Turret Knob for, along with the top-notch optical quality of the Nightforce scopes. I won't be range-finding with the reticle, since I use a rangefinder. It does have to be smaller than my ATACR!

With the above in mind, what other scopes would you all recommend? I would be willing to spend NSX money, so my budget is around $2,100 or so.

Thanks in advance for your efforts!

 

[Timber338]

I just did the same thing! That ATACR is awesome, just too heavy and bulky.

I've already got the new Vortex Razor AMG on order ... should be in sometime in June. Got in on optics planet with a coupon and paid $2,150. This scope is just packed with features, and I am expecting the glass to be a little better than the NSX's. Weighs in at 28 ounces so a touch lighter than the NSX's.

 

[Ingwe]

Hey Timber,

I just checked out the Vortex Razor AMG you mention, and it looks like that it is about the same size as the ATACR, so I am wondering why did you replaced the ATACR with it if you found the ATACR to be bulky?

 

[Timber338]

Smaller turrets, 50mm objective, 30mm main tube, and 10 ounces lighter... Can use 30mm rings over 34mm... Not sure how it's even in the same ballpark size-wise as the ATACR.

 

[orch]

Hey there,

I have a March 3-24 x 52 and love it. Have never looked through an ATACR, but did own a Nightforce NXS 5-22 x 56 and I found the march glass better to my eye... The March is much lighter and compact and I think I prefer the turrets on the March too... My NXS didn't have high speed turrets or zero stop either... Also have a vortex razor 5-20x50 love the reticle, solid turrets, not quite as good of glass as the March but probably about the same as the NXS. But it's a big bulky optic too...

I think bullets.com is the only dealer for March in North America now...


Orch

 

[Ingwe]

Smaller turrets, 50mm objective, 30mm main tube, and 10 ounces lighter... Can use 30mm rings over 34mm... Not sure how it's even in the same ballpark size-wise as the ATACR.

My mistake! I thought the specs said that it was a 34mm tube!

That really looks nice Timber, and you got an insane price too...I'm going to definitely consider that one thanks!

 

[Timber338]

One of the big weight savings is being able to use 30mm Talley lightweight one-piece rings over a picatinny base and rings. At least 4 ounces lighter than the lightest rail/ring setup you can find. Don't get 20moa, but there are gunsmiths that will cut 20 moa into the Talley and some smaller companies making similar rings as Talley with 20 moa cut standard into the base.

I am swapping my scopes around a bit. I had the ATACR on my 300 win mag and the Leupold vx6 3-18x50 on my 338 rum. Now I think the vx6 is going on my 300 win mag and my 338 is going to take a bit of a weight hit upgrading to the AMG. It's just so accurate I think the larger AMG is justified.

Good luck figuring out your scope. Lots of good options out there!

 

[Browninglover1]

At 30 oz the Kahles K624i is awesome. It's in the same price range as the ATACR if you can find one used and it is a fantastic optic.

 

[Greyfox]

I agree that the ATACR, while a great scope is too much bulk and weight, particularly with steel pic rails and mounts. Using an NXS with a 50mm objective and Tally's while still somewhat bulky and heavy cuts down the weight and bulk compared to the ATACR. I removed my ATACR with this set-up in a 50mm G7 NF on my 300WM Rem Milspec. It looks and feels more balanced on this rifle. The scope on my Cooper 520 in 6.5x284 for 6 years that fills the bill for a compact look and lighter weight is a Huskemaw 5x20x50mm in Tally mounts. Glass on par with the NF, very rugged, and superb turret reproducibility.

 

[Wedgy]

I would have to agree that the March is the best glass in a lightweight, compact setup. Clicks have a little better feel than the NF and glass is a toss up or better to me than ATACR, definitely an edge over the NXS(3.5-15x50 & 3.5-15x56) Go with the 52mm objective instead of the 42 if you are going to use 25x in low light as it can get dark. I love my ATACR but it's on the .338 with a straight taper barrel so weight isn't a concern. I just added another VX-6 in 3-18x50, I think they are a very good hunting scope with glass close to an NXS, a lot lighter, a little less travel, and a bit cheaper. I haven't broken one but I'm sure less rugged than the NF. Some of their reticles are a bit thick so look at the fine duplex of TMOA. The VX6 clicks are a bit soft and the power knob on this VX-6 is just as hard to turn as the other two, 4-24x & 3-18x. Does anybody have one that isn't hard to turn the power ring ?

Bullets.com®

 

[bigngreen]

I'm extremely high on March optics in that price range for hunting, extremely high quality but simple and sleek comparatively, the 2.5-25x52 is as perfect a hunting optic as I've used honestly.

 

[Ingwe]

Great points fellas!! I am now putting the new Vortex Razor AMG in the mix as well as an NSX.

As I said before, I want a ballistic turret too.

 

[Timber338]

I would have to agree that the March is the best glass in a lightweight, compact setup. Clicks have a little better feel than the NF and glass is a toss up or better to me than ATACR, definitely an edge over the NXS(3.5-15x50 & 3.5-15x56) Go with the 52mm objective instead of the 42 if you are going to use 25x in low light as it can get dark. I love my ATACR but it's on the .338 with a straight taper barrel so weight isn't a concern. I just added another VX-6 in 3-18x50, I think they are a very good hunting scope with glass close to an NXS, a lot lighter, a little less travel, and a bit cheaper. I haven't broken one but I'm sure less rugged than the NF. Some of their reticles are a bit thick so look at the fine duplex of TMOA. The VX6 clicks are a bit soft and the power knob on this VX-6 is just as hard to turn as the other two, 4-24x & 3-18x. Does anybody have one that isn't hard to turn the power ring ?

Bullets.com®

I've got a VX6 3-18x50 and I have not noticed my power ring to be too hard to turn at all. Overall I love that scope.

Bigngreen, how much is that March scope?? I assumed it was in the $3k+ price range well above even the ATACR.... More money than I'm willing to spend on a scope.

 

[Ingwe]

I will add that I want a 30mm tube with turret knobs.

Thanks for your imput fellas. There dosnt seem to be many scopes out there with the feature I'm looking for, so I have it narrowed down to the NSX 5.5x22x50 and the new Vortex Razor AMG.

Soon as I decide I will put my ATACR 2nd Focal Plane for sale...it's as new