VX6HD, NX8, or MK5?

[huntfish365]

Need help deciding. Vx6HD in 4-24x52, Mark 5 in either 3.6-18 or 5-25, or nightforce nx8 2.5-20?? They all seem like great choices but I want to hear your thoughts. Will be a long range hunting rifle in 28 nosler and shoot to 1000yds on occasion. I prefer more magnification but is the mark five in 5-25x56 too large and be too high to get a good cheek weld? Let me know you’re thoughts!

[Crunchy]

I have the VX6 in 3-18x44mm and wish I had gone 4-24.  Personal preference but I would probably never go over a 50-52mm objective. 

[hogslayer]

It’s personal preference with 56mm.  I feel like it’s to big.  I just sold my last one and replaced it with 50mm.  I have owned VX6 3-18 and NX8 4-32.   I have not personally had issues with vx series and tracking, but to many people have reported them for me to take the chance.  I have owned and shot behind quite a few different high end scopes and really like the NX8 4-32.  It’s ffp so there is always the people who don’t like it for close shots.  But the illumination would overcome tiny cross hairs.  Just the reputation NF has in there tracking, toughness, and repeatability, I have gone with NX8 and NXS.  I would have had a really hard time deciding between the NX8 and Mark5 if the Mark 5 was 50 mm

[huntfish365]

It’s personal preference with 56mm.  I feel like it’s to big.  I just sold my last one and replaced it with 50mm.  I have owned VX6 3-18 and NX8 4-32.   I have not personally had issues with vx series and tracking, but to many people have reported them for me to take the chance.  I have owned and shot behind quite a few different high end scopes and really like the NX8 4-32.  It’s ffp so there is always the people who don’t like it for close shots.  But the illumination would overcome tiny cross hairs.  Just the reputation NF has in there tracking, toughness, and repeatability, I have gone with NX8 and NXS.  I would have had a really hard time deciding between the NX8 and Mark5 if the Mark 5 was 50 mm

That’s kinda where I’m at. I’d much rather have a 50-52 over the 56 but I love the reticle on the mark 5 and that it’s ffp so the hashes match up if I need to compensate for wind

[Ironhead]

I have two VX 6 HD one 3-18 x 44 and a 4x24x52, I bought the VX 6's to keep the weight down for some lighter rifles. I also have a NXS 5.5x22x50 and the Leopold's aren't in the same ball park in my opinion. I don't think the Leo glass is nearly as clear as the NF.

[buckfvr]

Depends on the stock but my guess is youd need an adjustable stock or a Karsten cheek pad for 50-56.  I use Karsten on both.

[huntfish365]

Depends on the stock but my guess is youd need an adjustable stock or a Karsten cheek pad for 50-56.  I use Karsten on both.

McMillan Game Warden

[BULLBLASTER]

I think you’ll have trouble with any scope on a game warden. The back end of those stocks is so small and low. I’d look into an adjustable cheek rest of some type.

I started messing with a mk5 yesterday. They are super easy to zero and set. The windage dual is pretty cool too, it limits to 5 mils each direction and is easy to see where you are. Not sure if the vx6 or vx5 is the same.

[Magnum_Willys]

I like the wide eyebox of the VX6.   How does the NX8 compare?  I have tried Marches and Athlon and their eye boxes are so narrow you can’t spot your shots - ie you have to be perfectly lined up behind them to see through them.   I think the new March wide angle is interesting but price is double others.   Just sent in a Vortex 15-60 that wouldn’t hold zero - they said its fine and rings were the problem but rings worked with Athlon.  Vortex may be thinner tube ?  Fyi Vx6 7-42 and EH1 stock no check riser needed. 

[Karl Blanchard]

I like the wide eyebox of the VX6.   How does the NX8 compare?  I have tried Marches and Athlon and their eye boxes are so narrow you can’t spot your shots - ie you have to be perfectly lined up behind them to see through them.   I think the new March wide angle is interesting but price is double others.   Just sent in a Vortex 15-60 that wouldn’t hold zero - they said its fine and rings were the problem but rings worked with Athlon.  Vortex may be thinner tube ?  Fyi Vx6 7-42 and EH1 stock no check riser needed.

were they Warne Maxima vertical split rings by chance?

[Magnum_Willys]

I like the wide eyebox of the VX6.   How does the NX8 compare?  I have tried Marches and Athlon and their eye boxes are so narrow you can’t spot your shots - ie you have to be perfectly lined up behind them to see through them.   I think the new March wide angle is interesting but price is double others.   Just sent in a Vortex 15-60 that wouldn’t hold zero - they said its fine and rings were the problem but rings worked with Athlon.  Vortex may be thinner tube ?  Fyi Vx6 7-42 and EH1 stock no check riser needed.

were they Warne Maxima vertical split rings by chance?

  Rifle is  using Leupold DD rings with caps with one bolt per side.  They worked fine on Athlon and Leupold scopes.  This is with 300 grainers on 338-378 so a lil push but big brake.  Buddies rifle and scope.  Will put Vortex on with their provided 2 bolt rings and see if that fixes it. 

As for vertical split rings - they just look wrong to me......

Give me NF Ultralights with at least 2 bolts per side and I'm happy. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Gotcha. Was curious because I just set up a rifle for a guy with a vortex viper and had the same issue. Vortex blamed those rings but they sent me a set of their rings and it did solve the issue. I've used that set of Warne's on countless scopes and never an issue but they definitely bound up that viper. I could back it off to a mere 12 in lb and it would still do it.  It was funny because their CS guy on the phone said "I'll bet money you were probably mounting those rings wrong as most people do. What's your process?"  I told him how I did it and his response was silence followed by "well that's the correct procedure." 

[Magnum_Willys]

Gotcha. Was curious because I just set up a rifle for a guy with a vortex viper and had the same issue. Vortex blamed those rings but they sent me a set of their rings and it did solve the issue. I've used that set of Warne's on countless scopes and never an issue but they definitely bound up that viper. I could back it off to a mere 12 in lb and it would still do it.  It was funny because their CS guy on the phone said "I'll bet money you were probably mounting those rings wrong as most people do. What's your process?"  I told him how I did it and his response was silence followed by "well that's the correct procedure." 

I got the same story.  I did a light lapping tho and I don’t think they recommend it. I’m guessing thinner tube needs rings to bite into scope to hold vs crush fit.  ?

[Sakko300wsm]

Just ordered a NF. NXS 5.5-22x50 to replace my VX5. Sure hope it is as good as everyone says

[elkh8me]

Just ordered a NF. NXS 5.5-22x50 to replace my VX5. Sure hope it is as good as everyone says

What reticle did you get?  I have the MOAR.  You will not be disappointed.   I was worried about the 5.5 minimum zoom.  This has proved to not be an issue.

[Magnum_Willys]

Just sent my VX-6 into Leupold to repair stiff
Jammed turret.   7 weeks!   Argh.

[Sakko300wsm]

Just ordered a NF. NXS 5.5-22x50 to replace my VX5. Sure hope it is as good as everyone says

What reticle did you get?  I have the MOAR.  You will not be disappointed.   I was worried about the 5.5 minimum zoom.  This has proved to not be an issue.

I got the MOAR as well - this thing is amazing 👍

[b23]

There may be scopes out there with a little better optics than the NF but when it comes to durability, tracking, holding zero, returning to zero, or anything along those lines, the NF NXS is second to none.  I don't think a NF NXS is ever a bad choice.

[Sakko300wsm]

Yep I agree! Pretty happy with this set up

[dmoua]

Honestly I can't tell much difference in glass clarity between the VX5 HD and my NXS.

[Sakko300wsm]

Honestly I can't tell much difference in glass clarity between the VX5 HD and my NXS.

Man I sure can!

[dmoua]

Honestly I can't tell much difference in glass clarity between the VX5 HD and my NXS.

Man I sure can!

Either I have horrible eye sight or really good vision. Last I checked I still had 20/20 vision. But at least you can tell the difference. That's all that matters. I went with a VX6 for my new 300wsm build in hopes of keeping it under or around 9lbs total.

[BULLBLASTER]

I personally dont think an nxs is ever a bad idea.
Ive also got a mk5hd that is growing on my. I still prefer sfp for a hunting rifle though.

[dmoua]

I personally dont think an nxs is ever a bad idea.
Ive also got a mk5hd that is growing on my. I still prefer sfp for a hunting rifle though.

Only reason I didn't go with an NX8. If it was offered in SFP I would have bought one over the VX6 HD and dealth with the weight difference.

[Magnum_Willys]

Heard the NX8 had a very narrow eyebox ?  Need to get hands on one.  One thing I don't like about ffp is overly fat reticles that cover the bull at 100,  wish they all had the old weaver style- regular cross hairs except very thin in the very middle. 

[yorketransport]

I personally dont think an nxs is ever a bad idea.
Ive also got a mk5hd that is growing on my. I still prefer sfp for a hunting rifle though.

That's funny, I have an NXS that just gets used as a place holder on guns until I decide which scope I really want. Maybe it's just mine, but the CA on it is terrible.

I've been looking at both the Mk5hd and NX8 for a gun I just picked up but I keep getting hung up on the FFP thing. If there were a SFP version of either the NX8 or mk5hd I'd go for it. My issue is that I'm partial to MIL adjustments which really narrows down the options.

[BULLBLASTER]

I personally dont think an nxs is ever a bad idea.
Ive also got a mk5hd that is growing on my. I still prefer sfp for a hunting rifle though.

That's funny, I have an NXS that just gets used as a place holder on guns until I decide which scope I really want. Maybe it's just mine, but the CA on it is terrible.

I've been looking at both the Mk5hd and NX8 for a gun I just picked up but I keep getting hung up on the FFP thing. If there were a SFP version of either the NX8 or mk5hd I'd go for it. My issue is that I'm partial to MIL adjustments which really narrows down the options.

We all know you arent right upstairs! 
In reality the part that sold me on nxs is their durability. I actually took my nxs off and replaced with a mk4 for a year of hunting because i thought the glass and reticle were just a bit better. Now im back to the nxs tho.

I thought i heard they were gonna start making some sfp mk5hd but cant remember where i heard it. Maybe a podcast?

[BULLBLASTER]

Heard the NX8 had a very narrow eyebox ?  Need to get hands on one.  One thing I don't like about ffp is overly fat reticles that cover the bull at 100,  wish they all had the old weaver style- regular cross hairs except very thin in the very middle.

i can only speak for a 5-25 mk5 with CCH reticle but at 100 yards i can still see a 6mm bullet hole in paper around the center aiming dot. I think it is .05 mil or something. Sure not overly thick.