Scope for elk rifles

[hoytxl2009]

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 for a couple of my rigs.

[trophyhunt]

Wouldn't touch a vortex, top brands are obvious, but I am very happy with my Huskemaw!  dial and shoot!

[b23]

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 for a couple of my rigs.

That's a scope you can just never go wrong with.  Never had a NF NXS 3-15 or 5.5-22 I didn't like.  Have other NF scopes and they're great too but the NF's NXS line of scopes are a workhorse optic that'll never let you down.

[hoytxl2009]

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 for a couple of my rigs.

That's a scope you can just never go wrong with.  Never had a NF NXS 3-15 or 5.5-22 I didn't like.  Have other NF scopes and they're great too but the NF's NXS line of scopes are a workhorse optic that'll never let you down.

100% agree. I've never had a issue with zero or tracking in any one I've used. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Yep NF NX8 is only 28 oz and a work horse 4-32 power.  Prefer it over heavier Leupold MKV.

[thinkingman]

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 for a couple of my rigs.

Minimum power 5.5 would be way too tight for my liking.
I would want a 2 or 3X bottom end for the type of hunting the OP is talking about.
3-15 seems like the sweet spot.

[b23]

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 for a couple of my rigs.

Minimum power 5.5 would be way too tight for my liking.
I would want a 2 or 3X bottom end for the type of hunting the OP is talking about.
3-15 seems like the sweet spot.

Maybe take a look at the NF NX8 2.5-20x50.  I have one on a my 6.5PRC and though the eyebox isn't quite as forgiving as it is on my NXS 3.5-15's it's certainly not a deal breaker and to my eyes, optical quality, of my NX8 is slightly better then my NXS scopes but day in day out all conditions, for the money, I still think the NXS line of NF scopes is hard to beat.

[Sakko300wsm]

NightForce NXS 5.5-22x50 with MOAR reticle is my go to -  hard to beat in my opinion

[pianoman9701]

I haven't rifle hunted for about 30 years. Headed to CO to hunt with my brother for late season elk. Took the Rem 700 .30-06 out and the ancient Redfield scope is kaput. Instead, I'll be using a model 74 .30-30 this year. This discussion is giving me some good ideas for the future outfitting my 700. Carry on.

[MeepDog]

I'm more budget minded than you folks. I run an Athlon Talos 4-16x40mm with side parallax and illuminated BDC reticle on my .308. I think it was as round $200 but has served me well and rung moa steel at 400 countless times in a row using the drop reticle. It just took some math to figure out it works on 14 power for the 150 gr 308 instead of full 16 power.

I've also had good consistent experience with my Burris fullfield 4.5-14x42mm with an moa reticle and side parallax. The reticle is crisp and works better than a BDC for faster cartridges like the 270wsm it's mounted on. Both of these scopes have consistently held zero and tracked true during rezeroing with new ammunition.

I cannot recommend BSA scopes from experience with failure of turret adjustment, or CV life scopes due to being absolute garbage.