VX6HD, ATACR or NXS

so I have narrowed down my choices and am looking for some sound advice on the above models , pros cons etc. I have contacted a few guys on here selling scopes and considered trying a buy from individual but I am not familiar with PayPal and all that stuff so I am just gonna buy new from local shop. I thank all of you who I have contacted on used scopes for taking the time, bunch of good folks on here. I am mounting on a Christensen arms ridgeline in 6.5x284. I can safely take a few 900-1000 yard shots on the farm and adjacent farms but being new to the long range scene it will be awhile before I would be confident in taking a shot that far on a animal. I am confused a bit on magnification as some guys say the 3-18 VX6HD or 4-16 Atacr would be great and others say absolutely get 24-25 power on top. Give me your thoughts please so I can narrow it down some more and get shooting soon. I have no experience with upper end scopes, have used Leupold 3-9 and 3.5-10 my whole life but now I wanna get into longer range. I have looked at all the scopes and handled them in the stores, I have narrowed it down to these two and plan on purchasing one of the three models ! Thanks guys

Easy to loose game in sight picture when in upper teen or twenty power range. I usually have to back the power down in the low to mid teens when shooting at an animal even if it is as big as an elk.

Now, shooting targets is a different story. I like as much power as I can get and still remain steady on rest and bags.

I may do some steel plates a few times but mainly gonna be a deer and elk setup. Summertime practice on groundhogs and coyotes when they present themselves. My biggest concern is either getting too much and not using it or not getting enough and wanting more? Just unsure and don't want to have to spend the money again.

I've shot extensively with all 3 of your picks.

If weight is a concern, the leupold hands down.

If budget isn't a factor or weight I would buy the 5-25 Atacr.

I love my atacr. Great glass, and you never have to worry about tracking or dependability.

The nxs is nice, however the glass to me was no better then the leupold.

Well weight is not much a factor since the gun is 6.6 , I actually think a little weight will steady it up some? The price of atacr doesn't scare me , I can get it for $2399 I just want to know I am making the right decision and won't be regretting my purchase. Lol

I've got a vx6, not hd, 3-18x50
On my 28 nosler.
I think the power range is about perfect.
I've shot to 1300 yards and didn't feel that I really needed more magnification.
I wouldn't go any less though I like to have some magnification to check out antlers at long range, it eliminates the need to pack a spotting scope around .
I think you will be happy with the vx6, it's an excellent long range hunting scope without the weight and bulk of a tactical scope.

For me, I have seen too many Leupold, including 3 different VX-6, that will not track or return to zero to ever consider it for a hunting rifle if you dial for elevation. Glass is really good, lightweight is a plus. But adding illumination is going to cost a lot, and reliability has been a concern to a lot of them.

The NXS is not better in glass than the Leupold. But much better in function.

The ATACR is a step up. 4-16×42 if you want compact. Still.plenty for shooting to 1000+ for coyotes and deer sized game. 5-25×56 if you want the big dog. You really only lose 1x @ low power, but gains in the top end are huge.

There are a lot of other scopes out there in the sub-$2500 range that would work as well.

From the perspective of a first high level scope, I would suggest the NXS, you will never regret the decision. If you want really high end optical clarity, then the ATACR is the choice. It is very clearly a step above the NXS, but extra $$. I have a number of both scopes and am very pleased with them all. The one thing I really like about the ATACR is that, while heavy, it is quite compact and when mounted on a lightweight rifle, it really does not throw off the balance of the gun because the scope weight is really centered in your hands.

I can't really comment on the VX6 as I stopped using Leupold products years ago.

If your primary use is deer and elk hunting, I'd stick with something that starts at 4x or less for when you are stalking in dark timber, where that low end power really comes in handy.......3 is better than 4, but I think 4 is still fine. 5x IMO is too high for my taste. I also agree with the people above that suggest 16x - 18x is more than adequate. Can't speak for the NF products other than their stellar reputation, but the new VX5HD and VX6HD are sweet, and have tracked very true for me.

I've been in pretty much the same struggle. I just ordered a 3-15X50 NXS. I didn't want to put a rail on this particular gun and with 34MM rings that's about the only choice. I also didn't see enough to justify moving up to the ATACR over the NXS.

lancetkenyon said:

For me, I have seen too many Leupold, including 3 different VX-6, that will not track or return to zero to ever consider it for a hunting rifle if you dial for elevation. Glass is really good, lightweight is a plus. But adding illumination is going to cost a lot, and reliability has been a concern to a lot of them.

The NXS is not better in glass than the Leupold. But much better in function.

The ATACR is a step up. 4-16×42 if you want compact. Still.plenty for shooting to 1000+ for coyotes and deer sized game. 5-25×56 if you want the big dog. You really only lose 1x @ low power, but gains in the top end are huge.

There are a lot of other scopes out there in the sub-$2500 range that would work as well.

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Others have mentioned tracking issues in the past as well.
I have cranked my turrets all over the place and had no problems returning to zero or tracking.
Same results with a vx3 and mark 4 that friends have been using for almost a decade.
The new turrets on the vx6 hd are getting great reviews as far as tracking true.

SKMR-3.......

ophious said:

SKMR-3.......

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Meaning Kahles...K318i or K624i. I love mine.

lancetkenyon said:

Meaning Kahles...K318i or K624i. I love mine.

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Exactly. I looked at many scopes out there. Nightforce reticles were way too busy and junky. I liked the durability of them, but I'm not going to spend that kind of money and get a reticle that I would hate. I love my K624i.