Crazyhorse,
I shoot a 3-12 just like yourself. Also was in the same boat wanting to know (for myself) which I'd prefer in the Huskemaw vs Nightforce debate, I bought a 3-15x50NXS to use to compare mine to most similarily.. a cousin and my brother both shoot 5-20 Huskemaws I might add (I have spent time behind them as well as my-own 3-12)
Honestly, to me the field of view comes across clearer and "easier" to get behind on the 3-12 than the 5-20's.. in my-own opinion there's a difference between the Huskemaw's themselves, nevermind NF. The NXS 3-15 is however very-much like the 3-12 Huskemaw far as their clarity and field of view's go... can't say either stands out any better than the other in that category... possibly an edge to FOV in the Huskemaw/may be a touch nicer eye box to get behind* (personally speaking)
Pros & Cons:
NF Pro's
- reticle has vertical hash marks for measuring first impact splash's (if high or low/can make exact adjustment for second impact precision), Huskemaw does not have ANY vertical markings on the reticle to do this
- elevation turret has rotation-indicator lines that appear as you pass each rev. Huskemaw does not
- robust due to weight-bulk (also con tho, for extra weight)
NF Con's:
- reticle (in mine) has 2 moa hash spacings vs 1 moa in Husky-- tougher to find center for single minute holdovers if not dialling the wind
- allen screw turret-fixtures vs. "drop into gears" style of the Huskemaw (tricky to set NF turret perfectly on a zero-line, but more a "pain" than a true problem, only is done once) still figured it a con*
- mine in-particular has no zero-stop (this version price-wise is most comparable to Husky and is why I chose so/hardly fair to say this is a con because zero-stop is available, am mentioning it anyway)
- turret only is marked for single rotation, no 2nd, 3rd etc numerical markings present like other dual-turn scopes have
- weight definitely noticeably heavier
- illumination (I find) bleeds fairly noticeably
- overall length is pretty substantial in comparison to the 3-12 Huskemaw as well
- **** poor parallax markings, I am always cranking mine/lost so to speak
Huskemaw Pro's:
- lighter weight for carry rifles
- drop into gear style turret w/larger style screw securing method vs allen keys
- zero-stop
- turret caps very-nice to have in the case for saddle-scabbards
- the low profile (well marked) parralx knob (also profile-wise a PRO, related to saddle scabbards/horse-back situations)
Huskemaw Con's:
- as mentioned above, no vertical markings on the reticle for measuring impacts/splashes in target situations (really don't like that they are missing this/personally is MY biggest CON to the scope)
- also like NF, turret is only marked for single rotation numerically, not multiple rev
- no illumination compared to similar priced 3-15 NF (not that it is necessary, but still a con between the two)
- no rotation indicators past single turn (also a big CON, be nice to have that)
For BOTH scopes, it be nice to have ffp reticle* In the max 12x or 15x it isn't that-that big a deal they are sfp.. but perfectly, if a guy was using the reticle for serious measurments and holdovers at "powers" other than max power, the MATH would become a pain in the *****. FFP is much preferred.
So ideally, there are small things both scopes lack, other things each are "better" than the other for.. however, both work well, track excellent, and do the same job GENERALLY SPEAKING. Niether has glass that won't strain your eye when watching for fine-details like splash impact at any significant distance or things of that nature, not the NF & not the Huskemaw.. on snow for one very-good example, it's hard to pick out that type of thing... you start straining through this-price-glass in those situations, in both* (must step into the next "tier" of optic for that level of luxury ie: Schmidt, Zeiss Diavari line, Hensoldt Kahles, etc etc/topic not related to this price category) ..but THAT is where the "money spent" optically starts becoming obvious
Absolute bottom line, for the money and overall "tier" of optics they fall into, EACH are top of category and very solid scopes.. almost have to have one of each to realize it. Either one will serve it's purpose just fine.
word of caution: UNLIKE WHAT 40crk SAYS, don't buy that Schmidt or any Hensoldt of sort.. doing so will ruin your thoughts on every scope you've ever used til that day, lol... will be the best AND worst thing you ever do. That level of rifle-scope optic changes everything you've ever thought about even your BEST scopes! ; )