NXS 5.5x22 or 8x32 ???

[Broz]

OK guys I need some help. I am faced with a terrable decision to make here. I just aquired a new 8-32 x 56 NP-R2 NXS. I have never used the 8x32 but I have a few 5.5x22's. This would go on my 17lb .338 Lapua Mag. which now has a 5.5-22x50 on it. I will need to change rings (50mm to 56mm) and probably the base too as right now I am just a few moa up from bottom with the current base and I will be going from 100 moa scope to a 65 moa.

This rifle will be used for extreme long shots. I have taken game twice at over 1100 yards already and done just fine with 22 power.

Is it worth the change?

Will I miss the loss of 35 moa? (I have shot this rifle to 2100 yards but only a couple times it took mid 80's moa) I will have to find a good 35 moa base or custom mill one so I get the full 65 moa up the 8-32 has to get me to a mile.

What about mirrage? I have never had a problem at 22x will 32x be usable or will I have to crank it down to get rid of mirrage?

Anybody been this route??

What you say?

Here is the rifle.

Thanks! Jeff

 

[Buffalobob]

I assume you will be holding over with the reticle (or under depending on which way you go with the base). For the really longer distances say 1300 yards and on I like the 32X. I do not know if I would like it enough to keep it if I was forced to the reticule a lot. That is a step in the process of shooting which to me is potential confusion. I did it once and I worried about whether the magnification ring was calibrated correctly such that my math would work out correctly ie 32/22. I had never field checked the reticle to see if it subtends correctly.

 

[Broz]

Bob, I will cant the scope so it will be dialed all the way down (or close) when zeroed at 200. Then dial up for every shot and use a dead on cross hair hold. Just like I do now. But the very best I can hope for would be to get 65 moa up from the 200 yard zero. That will get me to roughly 1760 yds with this rifle.

Jeff

 

[Chas1]

Is it worth it? If on occassion your going to shoot really far then I'd be inclined to say no. On the otherhand if more frequently than not then I'd say yes.

 

[Buffalobob]

Jeff

What I am trying to say is that with a 200 ayrd zero you can use a combination of the dial and the holdover to get to 2K+ yards

After you dial it "nearly" all the way up you can use the reticle in holdover fashion and then get another 20 MOA if set on 22X or more if you dial up to 32 X and use the ratio of 32/22 (1.45 ratio gives 2.9 MOA per hash mark) to determine the MOA between the hash marks. I have done it that way once. I do not like to do that because if you do not get the magnification exactly right then you do not have an accurate calculation. Also I had never field checked the reticle to see if it was accurate

At 32X the total MOA on the reticle from top to bottom is 43.6. Add that to the dial and you have over 100 MOA.


Just to make a little funny, sell the rile and get a 7AM and put it under the scope. You will have plenty of dial to get to 2K

 

[Broz]

Ok Bob, got it. So what about mirrage at 32X is it an issue?

Jeff

 

[Buffalobob]

You will have to talk to Boss Hoss or Goodgrouper. I do not shoot in the middle of the day with that scope set like that enough to know. GG uses Lueppys though.

Kirby and Shawn would know also.

 

[Buffalobob]

After you dial it "nearly" all the way up you can use the reticle in holdover fashion and then get another 20 MOA if set on 22X or more if you dial up to 32 X and use the ratio of 32/22 (1.45 ratio gives 2.9 MOA per hash mark) to determine the MOA between the hash marks. I have done it that way once. I do not like to do that because if you do not get the magnification exactly right then you do not have an accurate calculation. Also I had never field checked the reticle to see if it was accurate

At 32X the total MOA on the reticle from top to bottom is 43.6. Add that to the dial and you have over 100 MOA.

It has occurred to me that this is just exactly wrong. In a second focal plane scope the MOA between the hash marks decreases as the power increases. The ratio to be used should have been inverted i.e. 22/32 = 0.6875. This then gives you only an extra 13.75 MOA on 32 power. Of course, if you decide to use a combination of dial and reticle you can stay at 22X and have your full 20MOA.

 

[Broz]

It has occurred to me that this is just exactly wrong. In a second focal plane scope the MOA between the hash marks decreases as the power increases. The ratio to be used should have been inverted i.e. 22/32 = 0.6875. This then gives you only an extra 13.75 MOA on 32 power. Of course, if you decide to use a combination of dial and reticle you can stay at 22X and have your full 20MOA.

I am not that good with math and I don't want to use the reticle. I tend to screw up at times.. I have talked with Near and I will be oordering a base that will allow me to have the full 65 moa of elevation with a 300 yard zero. This should get me out past a mile. If that is not far enough, I will go back to the 5.5x22. I am going to try the 8x32 and after I have some seat time with it I will post my thoughts.

 

[kellyzier]

Hey Broz,,,How'd that 32 power NF scope work for you. I have a 22 power NF also and I am considering the 32 power like you, but I have the same concernes you posted earlier.

 

[Broz]

I posted this in a simular thread. I just tested it yesterday.

""Got my 8-32x56 mounted up and took it to the range today. Thought I would report in with my findings.

I had no issues at all with eye relief of getting a good full view through the scope. I started at 100 yards , then 300 then 1000. All good.

It was 9 degrees when I got to the range at 9:00 am and sun was out bright. I messed around with two rifles and soon it was 11:30 and had warmed to near 30. I was shooting to 1000 by then and mirage or heat waves was not an issue. I should add I did all the shooting on 32x.

I used a 30 moa NEAR MFG base and I came out right where it should. zeroed at 300 I am 9.75 moa off bottom and that leaves me 55 moa of elevation. Looks like Nightforce is on the money too with their advertised 65 moa.

I like it very well so far. My target at 1008 yards has a 2 1/2" orange dot and I was able to cut it into 4 even pieces while shooting a group.

My hopes were that the added magnification would alow me to place bullet more precisely a long distances on both targets and game. I think it is going to help as I shot my best 1000 yard group to date today.

I think the 8-32 is worth looking at if you shoot past 1000 yards very often.

Jeff " gun)gun)

 

[B23]

Since you have one and have spent some time behind it what's your opinion on the 32x and their lack of a zero stop? Or is it even a concern to you at all?

Personally, I like the zero stops and i'm not sure how big of an issue the lack of ZS would be.

 

[Broz]

Since you have one and have spent some time behind it what's your opinion on the 32x and their lack of a zero stop? Or is it even a concern to you at all?

Personally, I like the zero stops and i'm not sure how big of an issue the lack of ZS would be.

I do like the zero stop. But it is not a big issue with me. I set most my rifles up with the proper canted incline mounts to be close to bottom of elevation when zeroed. In this case I am 9.75 moa off bottom zeroed at 300. That is just .25 moa under 1 turn of the truuet. I plan to remove it and shim or change the base to either a 35 moa or a 40 moa. This will give me my Zero between 250 and 300 when the turret is all the way down. Plus I want that extra 9 moa of elevation.

Jeff

 

[Buffalobob]

I do like the zero stop. But it is not a big issue with me. I set most my rifles up with the proper canted incline mounts to be close to bottom of elevation when zeroed.

I think that's where I am also. Less than one Rev off bottom and no zero stop on it.