Zeiss vs Nightforce vs Swarovski

[Copperwood]

Hey All, I wanted some opinions on what higher end rifle scope you guys prefer or have experience with. I am building a custom rifle and am starting to look for a scope. i'll be hunting with the rifle but I also plan on doing long distance target shooting for fun. I have been looking at the NF NTARC 5x25 but I am not sure it is worth the extra $$$. I am also interested in Customer service experiences with either companies.

Thanks in advance

For the record. I cannot afford a Schmidt and Bender

[frazierw]

I'm in the same boat,trying to decide between those three, but specifically the Zeiss and Nightforce.  My brother got a deal on a NXS 5-25 and that thing is crisp.  Really like it, but i would like to compare it side by side to a zeiss to see if the quality is that much different.

[KFhunter]

I've got a nice ziess 4.5-14x50 AO MC  scope and like it well enough but under certain conditions the scope will black out, the coating will turn dark and difficult to see through almost as if the scope has fogged up.  But it's a lot harder to "rub the fog off" with a scope cloth because it's not condensation, it's the coating itself that turned black. 

After the scope acclimates to the cold it goes away.  If the gun's in the house and I see a yote outside and take the gun from hot to very cold is when I experience this.

[DJ_Mack]

I just picked up a zeiss hd5 3-15.  I like it.  What helped me choose between the different brands was based off of the best deal that I could find.  I believe most scopes of that caliber to be closely comparable.  So I chose to go with a demo model from Eurooptic.com.  They said their demos are just scopes that were on display at shows.  I hope this helps.

[snowshoes22]

Is your custom rifle for long range? If so the Zeiss and Swarovski won't get you very far. Not enough internal adjustment. For hunting purposes all 3 are fine.

[DJ_Mack]

Let us know what you decide on and why.

[JLR]

Lots of good options out there for LR scopes.  For SFP scopes, the NF ATACR and Swarovski X5 both have nearly 120moa of available adjustment and some of the best glass out there.  If you're looking for FFP options, the Kahles K624i is my favorite, with the NF ATACR F1 coming in 2nd.  Another option would be the new Vortex AMG, but good luck getting one any time soon.

[stew pidasso]

I know you don't have it listed, but huskemaws are nice.

[elkslayer069]

NF

[Copperwood]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the info. I ended up going with the NF atacr. I'm excited to get my build back soon. Thank you!

[Pathfinder101]

Is your custom rifle for long range? If so the Zeiss and Swarovski won't get you very far. Not enough internal adjustment. For hunting purposes all 3 are fine.

 

Nightforce for rifle scopes, Swaro for spotters and binos. 

[coachcw]

How far is long range for you and what caliber ? the Ziess is a fine piece of glass for a grand . there hd scope with zero stop should get you close to 1000yards with most magnums . id stay away from a 20mm rail if your gonna hunt with it 

[Branden]

A guy I know that routinely shoots 1500 yards uses a Z5. Says its like having a 25 power spotter on his rifle to shoot through. Uses it instead of his NF scopes now.  Zero tracking problems from zero to any yardage and back.

Coach curious why you wouldn't use a 20 moa rail for hunting?

Regards, Branden

[coachcw]

only because Ive seen so many guns three plus inches high at a hundred . I like to know that with the turret I can set dead on at 100 . if your only shooting 400 plus then a20 my be for you.

[slm9s]

only because Ive seen so many guns three plus inches high at a hundred . I like to know that with the turret I can set dead on at 100 . if your only shooting 400 plus then a20 my be for you.

If you can't zero at 100 with a 20moa rail, something is seriously wrong, or you have a scope with less than 40 moa of vertical.