What scope if not Nightforce

[Boman]

So I'm trying to decide what scope to put on my new rifle. It's a 7AM built by Kirby. It seems most folks on here use Nightforce scopes on their longrange rigs. But from what I've seen so far from Nightforce I'm just not sure that's what I want. I really don't care for the moving ocular lens or the fact that I have to pay extra for a Zero stop and to have mil turrets added. But I'm not even sure I want to go mil/mil yet. Moa/moa could work I think but I don't like having the scope on one power to use the reticle so I think mil mil is the way to go for me. So my question is what scope do you recommend that has mil mil, zero stop, FFP in a 5-20 or close power range? I'd like to stay in the Nightforce dollar range, which appears to be about $2000 or a little more. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[J E Custom]

So I'm trying to decide what scope to put on my new rifle. It's a 7AM built by Kirby. It seems most folks on here use Nightforce scopes on their longrange rigs. But from what I've seen so far from Nightforce I'm just not sure that's what I want. I really don't care for the moving ocular lens or the fact that I have to pay extra for a Zero stop and to have mil turrets added. But I'm not even sure I want to go mil/mil yet. Moa/moa could work I think but I don't like having the scope on one power to use the reticle so I think mil mil is the way to go for me. So my question is what scope do you recommend that has mil mil, zero stop, FFP in a 5-20 or close power range? I'd like to stay in the Nightforce dollar range, which appears to be about $2000 or a little more. What do you think?

Thanks

There are lots of options on what scope to choose so it realy boil down to what you like.

If not the Nightforce then I like the Leupold Mark 4. There are lots of choices of reticles,
mill dots, focal planes.turret styles ETC. Plus the Leupold's are lighter than the nightforce
if weight is a problem.

They will cost any where from $1100.oo to $1800.oo depending on the options.

J E CUSTOM

 

[LouBoyd]

In my opinion it makes sense to pick a scope based on the job it needs to do. Certainly Nightforce scopes are good quality, but there may be good reasons to choose something else.
1. Prefer a lighter weight scope.
2. Want much better low light capability such as a Gen III night vision scope.
3. Concerned over breaking any scope in rugged terrain and would rather it be a cheap one.
4. Want more field of view than the lowest magnification available in a Nightforce.
5. A scope costing 1/2 or even 1/10 as much may not the limiting factor in aiming at the target. Wind estimation, range estimation, or ammo velocity spread can be limiting instead. Money should be spent in reducing the real error sources.
6. Twiddling knobs is slower for getting on target than a precision reticle like those from Horus vision and others. ( I believe NF does offer some of the Horus reticles).

Each of the above have been reasons (or excuses) why I haven't bought a Nightforce scope for my various rifles.

 

[Boss Hoss]

NF is a good mid line scope no doubt I use them on my competition rifles but to step up in durability and performance the USO is tough to beat. Others like the S&B PMII are outstanding as is March (I do not own a March however have handled and looked through one at a match) the best thing about this is you have a lot of choices..

 

[mike33]

NF is a good mid line scope no doubt I use them on my competition rifles but to step up in durability and performance the USO is tough to beat. Others like the S&B PMII are outstanding as is March (I do not own a March however have handled and looked through one at a match) the best thing about this is you have a lot of choices..

Would you consider the March? I was kicking it but didn't lioke the warranty.
mike

 

[LouBoyd]

Would you consider the March? I was kicking it but didn't lioke the warranty.
mike

You can find $200 scopes with excellent warranties. It's likely the manufacturer can afford to replace it if it breaks and still make money.

 

[NomadPilot]

Moa/moa could work I think but I don't like having the scope on one power to use the reticle so I think mil mil is the way to go for me.

I don't understand this statement. The location of the reticle determines where the reticle properly subtends, not the type. Both MOA and MIL reticles will only subtend correctly at one power if they're in the second focal plane. And they'll both always subtend correctly if they're in the first.

 

[Boman]

I'll try to answer your questions since my first post wasn't well written.

RE: Leupold's- I have a Leupold now and I really like the scope but it's a fixed power scope and I have seen and read of too many problems with their variables. I haven't had a chance to use or look through a new Mark 4 but I'd consider them. The problem is whenever someone asks about them on these threads most just say save your money and get a Nightforce.

Would I consider the March brand-Yes I would but I'm having a hard time finding info and prices for them but have seen them mentioned. I'd consider almost any brand if it had what I'm looking for

USO scopes- I would love to own a USO scope but for what I want I couldn't get one for less than $2400

RE the Reticle SFP vs FFP- I was referring more towards using the reticle to shoot with not ranging. I would only use the ranging feature if my RF broke. But maybe you're right and I don't understand the difference... I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.

Ruggedness is a big deal to me ( I know Nightforce right) but I figure I should be able to get a rugged scope for $1600-$2000. Weight is not a big deal to me. This rifle will weigh around 10lbs without the scope.

 

[LRHWAL]

take a look at IOR.

 

[Boman]

I knew someone would bring up IOR, I should have mentioned them earlier. I owned an IOR a couple years ago. I had the 3-18x42 Tactical. I loved the glasss, it was the best I had seen, better than my Swarovski. Only one small problem.. It wouldn't hold zero. The US location for IOR is about 10 miles from me so I took it in to them. They looked it over for about 1 min and said, nope the scope is fine you need to check your rings.. After I had explained to them I did, in fact I remounted the scope just to see. So I had to send it off to Europe and got it back in a few months when I promptly sold it. So I'm pretty burned on IOR. They are the only company that's out..

 

[jwp475]

So I'm trying to decide what scope to put on my new rifle. It's a 7AM built by Kirby. It seems most folks on here use Nightforce scopes on their longrange rigs. But from what I've seen so far from Nightforce I'm just not sure that's what I want. I really don't care for the moving ocular lens or the fact that I have to pay extra for a Zero stop and to have mil turrets added. But I'm not even sure I want to go mil/mil yet. Moa/moa could work I think but I don't like having the scope on one power to use the reticle so I think mil mil is the way to go for me. So my question is what scope do you recommend that has mil mil, zero stop, FFP in a 5-20 or close power range? I'd like to stay in the Nightforce dollar range, which appears to be about $2000 or a little more. What do you think?

Thanks

I beleive that at this time the only FFP scope that NF makes is the 3.5X15 which is about 2100 dollars retail. A S&B 4X16 is about 2400 dollars and is a hell of a scope IMHO

To stay in the 2000 dollare range perhaps IOR is your best bet

 

[davewilson]

Vortex is bringing out a scope in the near future, part of the Viper line, called the PST. i'm pretty sure a 6-24 will be offered, first or second focal plane, 30mm tube, etched illuminated reticle, mil/mil or moa/moa, zero stop. goes for about 900. i have one on back order through swfa. i'm getting the 2.5-10 model. have heard from 2 people that saw them at the shot show say they were very impressive.
they also have a scope called the Razor that is a step above the Nightforce, in the S+B, USO class. it goes for 2k.

 

[LRHWAL]

Boman, sorry to hear about your experience.

A friend and I have probably 7 of the IORs between us and so far no problems at all. Good tracking, great glass, holding zero including travel on some pretty shocking African dirt roads for hundreds of miles every year (with rifles in decent cases of course).

I suppose there's sometimes one bad apple in the box. I can't comment on the aftersales service. Over here if I run into issues I'll need to send it to Europe myself!