Nightforce vs ???

[mattri]

Nightforce's NXS line seems to be the go-to scope for long range hunting, with others getting nods here and there.

Which scopes are its main competition and why?

Swarovski, Zeiss, US Optics, Leupold, Vortex?

Getting started building my first long range hunting rifle. Have been shooting at 600-1k for a couple of years and am confident enough to start looking at hunting at extended ranges. Don't have a rifle that is field friendly for shooting at longer ranges so want to build one, get it sorted and have a season or two to practice before actually hunting with it.

To that end need to decide on optics. Have no reason not to go with an NXS but have a little time so want to explore other options.

Primary purpose will be hunting deer/elk sized game out to 1-1300k That being said, seasons/trips are short and most of the year will be spent practicing. Would like to shoot targets/varmints out o the same ranges.

Thoughts?

 

[rcairflr]

Sightron SIII 8-32. Do a search, there are many long range shooters using the SIII scope because of it's great optics for the price. Many say the optics is equal to the Nightforce.

 

[Len Backus]

That is why we now offer the Sightron line in the LRH Store.

 

[mattri]

Wow that's good to know. I've read reviews of the Sightron and have heard that the optics are good but are they really on par with Nightforce, Zeiss etc? How do they hold up for field work?

 

[Len Backus]

My friend Ernie has used them for serious tactical competitions successfully.

 

[mattri]

Which reticle is he using? Their MOA looks interesting but strange that the crosshairs don't touch.

 

[rcairflr]

Which reticle is he using? Their MOA looks interesting but strange that the crosshairs don't touch.

I have the MOA reticle on one of my 3 Sightrons. There is a dot in the center, so it works better without the crosshairs touching.

 

[TH]

Premier Reticles best scope on the market

 

[mattri]

How do you find the MOA reticle with dit for precision work? Which other reticles are you using?

 

[mattri]

Looked through a few scopes yesterday evening as the light was dying. An NXS 5.5-22, a Swarovski Z5 5-25, a Zeiss Conquest 5-25 and a Vortex PST 6-24. The Nightforce and the Vortex seemed to be behind the others as far as glass goes, less bright, less "pop" to the image.

It's a good thing I have some time to decide- my head is swimming with all the options.

 

[Mikecr]

If someone gave you the impression that NF glass is anywhere near comparison to that of Swarovski, they were leading you astray.
And same if implied that Swarovski has anywhere near the field functionality of NF.

They are flat out opposites on scale.

 

[mattri]

So are Swarovskis not a good hunting optic?

 

[TH]

The nice thing about buying a night force is if you don't like it you can post it on one of the web sights and it will sell with in a day. In my case I sold 5 used night force scopes on here with in 20 minutes. Other scopes will be harder to get rid of

 

[gilmillan1]

Swarovski scopes are really good hunting scopes. They have some of the best glass out there. However, they do not have the same functionality as a nightforce. Nightforce has good glass, not the best but good. I am speaking of the nxs model. They have great tracking capabilities, they are rugged, a bunch of elevation, holds zero forever, and reticles are designed for long range range shooting. So if you are looking to shoot long distances constantly, then you need a scope that can take the abuse. The swaro may be able to get you to hit at long distances but it will lose its zero or it will not return to zero when you need it. If you will only hunt with it, meaning you will shoot little and not mess too much around with the turrets, then the swaro may be a good option. However, if you will constantly shoot paper and targets at long distances then the nightforce may be it for you.

I have a swaro and I do love it, but I only hunt with it at less than 500 yards.