NightForce Rifle Scopes - The Firearms Forum

gun runner · 12-17-2011, 04:26 PM

The Nightforce 12-42x56 NXS Long Distance scope is what I was looking at. Its pretty expensive but instead I will settle with a cheaper scope possibly with the same magnification if one is available. Is it possible to view a 3 inch target at about 300 yards or to make this a simple question how far can this scope help you see right up to your bullet holes on paper. I been trying to find one for atleast a True football field lenght(100 yards) so I can see where the holes on paper can be viewable at this distance and I cant find an answer. Thanks for any help

bamajoey · 12-17-2011, 05:48 PM

I don't know if it helps, but I have an 8-32 that I can read the date on my watch at 50 yds. Surely you could see bullet holes at 100.

cycloneman · 12-17-2011, 05:53 PM

I have an elite 4200 bushnell 6x24x i dont recall the objective but i can see my bullet holes at 100 yrds clear as day.

rcairflr · 12-17-2011, 08:06 PM

My 6-24 Sightron has no trouble seeing .223 bullet holes at 100 yards set to x18 power.

reynolds357 · 12-17-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gun runner

The Nightforce 12-42x56 NXS Long Distance scope is what I was looking at. Its pretty expensive but instead I will settle with a cheaper scope possibly with the same magnification if one is available. Is it possible to view a 3 inch target at about 300 yards or to make this a simple question how far can this scope help you see right up to your bullet holes on paper. I been trying to find one for atleast a True football field lenght(100 yards) so I can see where the holes on paper can be viewable at this distance and I cant find an answer. Thanks for any help

I am honestly not trying to be a smart a.. but I can usually see bullet holes at 100 yards with a 9 power scope. I can pretty much always see them with a 12.
If you want Night Force quality, you are not going to get it any cheaper than Night Force. There are scopes just as good and some better, but they definitely aint cheaper than NightForce.

mr.t7024 · 12-19-2011, 04:34 PM

I agree with reynolds 357

Grizz · 12-19-2011, 09:13 PM

I've heard good things about the millet lrs 1 6.5-25x56. for the price it might be worth a try before getting the night force.

JLA · 12-19-2011, 09:20 PM

Night Force optics are for serious shooters. If you are going to shoot 1000 yds regularly then by all means grab one, the couple Gs youll drop on it will be worth it, but if you never really venture out past 200 yds and maybe a couple times a year shoot at 300 or 400 youd be much better served by a 300 dollar Nikon.

Grizz · 12-19-2011, 09:37 PM

I was hoping to do 1 mile shots with the millet with its 100 MOA adjustment, I've heard good things from other long distance shooters about this scope. I'd only be using it till i could actually afford a night force.

reynolds357 · 12-19-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizz

I was hoping to do 1 mile shots with the millet with its 100 MOA adjustment, I've heard good things from other long distance shooters about this scope. I'd only be using it till i could actually afford a night force.

You are still going to need a lot of cant in your base and probably some more in your rings. I try not to use more than 50% of the available adjustment in my scopes.

cpttango30 · 12-20-2011, 05:51 AM

25MOA bases with the millet will get you to 1 mile if you have the right cartridge and load.

I know a guy taking P dogs at 1200 y with a 20br custom shop savage 12 benchrest.

LDBennett · 12-20-2011, 07:22 AM

We have the Millett 6-25x56 on a 50BMG bolt gun. It survives the recoil fine once we got the scope to stay put from recoil. It took four rings, grinding the rings to be concentric and gluing the scope to the rings. Before we got the scope stabilized on the gun, the scope moved its turret against a scope mount and broke the reticule inside the scope loose (OUR FAULT!). Millet replaced the scope no questions asked.

But be aware that only rings available for it are the ones Millett provides with the scope as they are 35mm I believe (not the same as the huge Leopold rings, either).

When the scope was returned by us for repair, it was handled by the Bushnell Service Center(?). Maybe Bushnell owns Millett (??).

Anyway, the scope is excellent and has a clear sharp image even at ranges in excess of 1000 yds. It is priced in the $400 price range. We recommend it.

LDBennett

JLA · 12-20-2011, 07:29 AM

Yep. 25MOA cant will do it for just about any rig thats actually capable of shooting a mile with precision. Itll put your 200 yd zero at the bottom of the elevation adjustment and give you all the zero for cranking up the elevation to dope long ranges. Dont sweat using all the adjustment in your scope, thats what its there for. Just make sure if those knobs start getting tight not to force them. If they begin to tighten up they have run out of adjustment and you will actually be crushing the springs in your scope if you over tighten the knobs. and that WILL mess thing up when you return to zero. I do tend to stay a half rev off max adjustment just to prevent this from happening. Which brings me to another personal preference id like to point out. I favor BDC reticles. If you have a scope with BDC reticle built in then you can zero your scope at 500 yds with its aiming point in the reticle and not only will it be accurate at all the other aiming points for the closer distances, but when coupled with the 20 or 25 MOA canted base you wont need but maybe half the scopes adjustment to dope a mile if you use the 500 yd aim point on the reticle and adjust from there. I like to think of it as combining precision kentucky windage with more precise scope usage to get the utmost from your shooting system.

Grizz · 12-20-2011, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the input, I'm going to get the savage 110 ba .338 lapua in the spring. I think they already come with a 20 MOA base. Looks like the Millet should handle fine.

JLA · 12-20-2011, 09:57 PM

Id think so. Millett makes good optics. I like the Buck gold fine hair reticle for target work, but its a mosnter scope. nearly a foot and a half long and 30mm tube.

cpttango30 · 12-25-2011, 06:39 PM

I have heard from a few police sniper course instructors that the millet offerings are tracking just as good as nightforce and Leopoldo mk 4.

silvertip44 · 01-22-2012, 01:33 PM

I am sure there are plenty of good and or serviceable scopes available. However, I have become addicted to Nightforce and have just ordered my fourth one.
I have other scopes Burris and Leupold, but none of them, absolutely none compare to the optic quality and positive tracking of the Nightforce.
Probably in my 67 years I have finally learned that when it comes to optics you get exactly what you pay for.

Nolaphoto1 · 02-03-2012, 05:12 PM

To add to LDBennett's comment...
The reason the scope was returned with Bushnell packaging is because Bushnell owns several other sporting optic/equipment brands....

1) Simmons
2) Millett
3) Blackwater Gear
4) Bolle' (sports eyewear)
5) Browning Optics
6) Butler Creek
7) Hoppe's (solvents by the way are made by Tri-Pac, Inc and sold through Bushnell)
8) Serengeti (sports eyewear)
9) Stoney Point (shooting monopods and sticks)
10) Tasco
11) Uncle Mike's
12) Licensing agreement with Bausch & Lomb

Bushnell itself is owned by a private equity firm called MidOcean Partners. NO ONE is who they say they are. It bothers me to a certain point. As a consumer I want to know WHO I am buying from. In a day of global economies, equity firms, recapitalization, and restructuring it's hard to know for sure who you're actually sending your hard earned money to.

Thunderchild · 02-10-2012, 09:51 PM

i have one of these on a AICS AW .308. ive had nightforce too and this one is just as good and not as $$$

http://www.valdada.com/scopes/tactic...-illum-reticle

cpttango30 · 02-11-2012, 02:06 PM

I have know a few that got one of them valdada scopes and they just love them.

Bigr Bang Thry · 02-20-2012, 09:26 PM

I have a Nightforce NXS 12-42x56 mounted on my .50BMG. I couldn't be happier with it. As for finding a scope to see bullet holes with, might I suggest that you get a good spotting scope and tripod. Borrow one, maybe and use it for a while. Then, you'll get an idea of how much magnification you're looking for.

12-17-2011, 04:26 PM	#1
gun runner Former Guest Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Texas Contributor Posts: 1,871	NightForce Rifle Scopes The Nightforce 12-42x56 NXS Long Distance scope is what I was looking at. Its pretty expensive but instead I will settle with a cheaper scope possibly with the same magnification if one is available. Is it possible to view a 3 inch target at about 300 yards or to make this a simple question how far can this scope help you see right up to your bullet holes on paper. I been trying to find one for atleast a True football field lenght(100 yards) so I can see where the holes on paper can be viewable at this distance and I cant find an answer. Thanks for any help -->

12-17-2011, 05:48 PM	#2
bamajoey Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pensacola Contributor Posts: 1,257	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I don't know if it helps, but I have an 8-32 that I can read the date on my watch at 50 yds. Surely you could see bullet holes at 100.

12-17-2011, 05:53 PM	#3
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I have an elite 4200 bushnell 6x24x i dont recall the objective but i can see my bullet holes at 100 yrds clear as day. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

12-17-2011, 08:06 PM	#4
rcairflr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wichita, Ks Posts: 1,317	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes My 6-24 Sightron has no trouble seeing .223 bullet holes at 100 yards set to x18 power.

12-19-2011, 04:34 PM	#6
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near a brook & pond in Ma Posts: 734	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I agree with reynolds 357

12-19-2011, 09:13 PM	#7
Grizz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 651	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I've heard good things about the millet lrs 1 6.5-25x56. for the price it might be worth a try before getting the night force.

12-19-2011, 09:20 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes Night Force optics are for serious shooters. If you are going to shoot 1000 yds regularly then by all means grab one, the couple Gs youll drop on it will be worth it, but if you never really venture out past 200 yds and maybe a couple times a year shoot at 300 or 400 youd be much better served by a 300 dollar Nikon. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-19-2011, 09:37 PM	#9
Grizz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 651	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I was hoping to do 1 mile shots with the millet with its 100 MOA adjustment, I've heard good things from other long distance shooters about this scope. I'd only be using it till i could actually afford a night force.

12-20-2011, 05:51 AM	#11
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes 25MOA bases with the millet will get you to 1 mile if you have the right cartridge and load. I know a guy taking P dogs at 1200 y with a 20br custom shop savage 12 benchrest.

12-20-2011, 07:22 AM	#12
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes We have the Millett 6-25x56 on a 50BMG bolt gun. It survives the recoil fine once we got the scope to stay put from recoil. It took four rings, grinding the rings to be concentric and gluing the scope to the rings. Before we got the scope stabilized on the gun, the scope moved its turret against a scope mount and broke the reticule inside the scope loose (OUR FAULT!). Millet replaced the scope no questions asked. But be aware that only rings available for it are the ones Millett provides with the scope as they are 35mm I believe (not the same as the huge Leopold rings, either). When the scope was returned by us for repair, it was handled by the Bushnell Service Center(?). Maybe Bushnell owns Millett (??). Anyway, the scope is excellent and has a clear sharp image even at ranges in excess of 1000 yds. It is priced in the $400 price range. We recommend it. LDBennett

12-20-2011, 07:29 AM	#13
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes Yep. 25MOA cant will do it for just about any rig thats actually capable of shooting a mile with precision. Itll put your 200 yd zero at the bottom of the elevation adjustment and give you all the zero for cranking up the elevation to dope long ranges. Dont sweat using all the adjustment in your scope, thats what its there for. Just make sure if those knobs start getting tight not to force them. If they begin to tighten up they have run out of adjustment and you will actually be crushing the springs in your scope if you over tighten the knobs. and that WILL mess thing up when you return to zero. I do tend to stay a half rev off max adjustment just to prevent this from happening. Which brings me to another personal preference id like to point out. I favor BDC reticles. If you have a scope with BDC reticle built in then you can zero your scope at 500 yds with its aiming point in the reticle and not only will it be accurate at all the other aiming points for the closer distances, but when coupled with the 20 or 25 MOA canted base you wont need but maybe half the scopes adjustment to dope a mile if you use the 500 yd aim point on the reticle and adjust from there. I like to think of it as combining precision kentucky windage with more precise scope usage to get the utmost from your shooting system. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-20-2011, 09:22 PM	#14
Grizz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 651	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes Thanks for the input, I'm going to get the savage 110 ba .338 lapua in the spring. I think they already come with a 20 MOA base. Looks like the Millet should handle fine.

12-20-2011, 09:57 PM	#15
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes Id think so. Millett makes good optics. I like the Buck gold fine hair reticle for target work, but its a mosnter scope. nearly a foot and a half long and 30mm tube. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-25-2011, 06:39 PM	#16
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I have heard from a few police sniper course instructors that the millet offerings are tracking just as good as nightforce and Leopoldo mk 4.

01-22-2012, 01:33 PM	#17
silvertip44 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Acworth, Georgia Northwest of Atlanta in the edge of the mountains. Posts: 19	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I am sure there are plenty of good and or serviceable scopes available. However, I have become addicted to Nightforce and have just ordered my fourth one. I have other scopes Burris and Leupold, but none of them, absolutely none compare to the optic quality and positive tracking of the Nightforce. Probably in my 67 years I have finally learned that when it comes to optics you get exactly what you pay for.

02-03-2012, 05:12 PM	#18
Nolaphoto1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 109	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes To add to LDBennett's comment... The reason the scope was returned with Bushnell packaging is because Bushnell owns several other sporting optic/equipment brands.... 1) Simmons 2) Millett 3) Blackwater Gear 4) Bolle' (sports eyewear) 5) Browning Optics 6) Butler Creek 7) Hoppe's (solvents by the way are made by Tri-Pac, Inc and sold through Bushnell) 8) Serengeti (sports eyewear) 9) Stoney Point (shooting monopods and sticks) 10) Tasco 11) Uncle Mike's 12) Licensing agreement with Bausch & Lomb Bushnell itself is owned by a private equity firm called MidOcean Partners. NO ONE is who they say they are. It bothers me to a certain point. As a consumer I want to know WHO I am buying from. In a day of global economies, equity firms, recapitalization, and restructuring it's hard to know for sure who you're actually sending your hard earned money to. __________________ Jeff Gun List: Beretta A300 12ga., Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1, Savage 10FP heavy barrel .308 w/ 4-12x 50mm Ballistic range finding scope and Harris bipod, Bushmaster AR-15 M4-A2, Springfield Armory XD Tactical 9mm, Marlin Model 60 .22, Browning Buck Mark .22, and Springfield Armory 1911-A1 Stainless Steel "Loaded," Browning BL-22. I also "shoot" with Canon cameras. Does that count? Wish list: H&K USP, Beretta 92-FS, CZ-75B, Anschutz 64MPR, FN-FAL,& an M-1 Garand

02-10-2012, 09:51 PM	#19
Thunderchild Former Guest Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes i have one of these on a AICS AW .308. ive had nightforce too and this one is just as good and not as $$$ http://www.valdada.com/scopes/tactic...-illum-reticle

02-11-2012, 02:06 PM	#20
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I have know a few that got one of them valdada scopes and they just love them.

02-20-2012, 09:26 PM	#21
Bigr Bang Thry V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Western New York Posts: 186	Re: NightForce Rifle Scopes I have a Nightforce NXS 12-42x56 mounted on my .50BMG. I couldn't be happier with it. As for finding a scope to see bullet holes with, might I suggest that you get a good spotting scope and tripod. Borrow one, maybe and use it for a while. Then, you'll get an idea of how much magnification you're looking for.