Rifle scope choices??

[Crunchy]

Building a new rifle, have action, trigger, stock on order, and barrel being built soon.  I have always been a Leupold guy and have never had any issues with their rifle scopes.  Binos yes.  Anyway, I like the custom dial with Leupold products.  So it is nice to range a target and dial in the yardage on the scope in yards.  Neither Zeiss or Nightforce offer that option (must be a reason). Clarity, durability, and weight are my main concerns.  It is a hunting rig, and a bit of long range shooting.  Input? 

[Weatherby92]

Ill throw the first vote. I'm partial to the luepold VX6 but ill throw in the disclaimer that i don't have much experience.with the others. I know nightforce has a good reputation.
As for the custom dial, they are useful but alot of factors are not considered when you turn that dial for the load you have picked out. Primarily temp, elevation and pressure differences.
Hope my info helps

[jjhunter]

You can get custom dials for Zeiss and NF.  A few companies that make custom turrets.  I’ve used Kenton several times.

Now that I have a ballistic calculator in my binoculars, I don’t need yardage turrets.

[Duckslayer89]

I have the VX6HD and has been reliable but if I could swap for an NX8 I would. I don’t think that model was out when I was looking for a scope a few years ago.

[jrebel]

NX8 all the way. I love all my nightforce scopes but the NX8 is the best. 

[Sakko300wsm]

Yep NX8! Have a few NXS , just got my first NX8 delivered yesterday and it’s sweet. Putting it on the 6.5 PRC today

[b23]

My top three choices would be #1 Nightforce, #2 Nightforce, and #3 Nightforce. 

I'm far from there yet but some day I'd like to have one on every CF rifle I have.  They may not be the lightest weight choice but their tracking and ability to hold zero is second to none.

[jjhunter]

I got to 100% NF.  I like the NX8….but still prefer the NXS with the MOAR reticle.  I wish you could get it in the 4-32x in F2….it that was the case, it would be the only scope I owned.

The standard, “old school” heavy reticle MOAR.

[pickardjw]

Regarding the custom turrets, I wouldn't want to pigeon hole my rifle scope into a ballistic solution for specific environmental variables. I'd put that money towards a rangefinder with a ballistic solver like the Sig BDX.

The rifle scope drop testing over on rokslide opened my eyes to reliable zero retention within a rifle system. I have a Zeiss v4 in TO84 rings and plan to do some moderate abuse testing of my own before hunting season this year. If it passes I'll stick with it. Otherwise I'll be selling it for a Nightforce or other scope proven to reliably maintain zero through moderate abuse. The amount of $1k+ scopes out there that shift zero from simply riding in a truck is pretty astounding.

[Mtnwalker]

Regarding the custom turrets, I wouldn't want to pigeon hole my rifle scope into a ballistic solution for specific environmental variables. I'd put that money towards a rangefinder with a ballistic solver like the Sig BDX.

The rifle scope drop testing over on rokslide opened my eyes to reliable zero retention within a rifle system. I have a Zeiss v4 in TO84 rings and plan to do some moderate abuse testing of my own before hunting season this year. If it passes I'll stick with it. Otherwise I'll be selling it for a Nightforce or other scope proven to reliably maintain zero through moderate abuse. The amount of $1k+ scopes out there that shift zero from simply riding in a truck is pretty astounding.

Those guys are doing everbody a favor with that testing. They've already got scope mfg's reaching out to them to test products before release now, hopefully some other big names will be forced to step up their reliability as a result

[pickardjw]

Those guys are doing everbody a favor with that testing. They've already got scope mfg's reaching out to them to test products before release now, hopefully some other big names will be forced to step up their reliability as a result

Agreed, the Maven RS1.2 story is a good testament. I do think too many take is as gospel and don't test their own systems, but that seems to be changing. There are other variable within the system beyond just the scope being able to maintain its zero.

I know my system shifts based on having to rezero it a couple times but I haven't seen any major shifts, just an MOA or two. That's why I want to do some more controlled testing to see if it's the scope or rings.

I'll be considering the NF SHV 4-14x50 FFP or Trijicon Tenmile HX 3-18x44 FFP if I do need to replace it. Maybe the Maven RS1.2 if I can convince myself that 10x max power is enough. I need to practice a lot more to get comfortable shooting longer distances at lower power.

[Crunchy]

I got to 100% NF.  I like the NX8….but still prefer the NXS with the MOAR reticle.  I wish you could get it in the 4-32x in F2….it that was the case, it would be the only scope I owned.

The standard, “old school” heavy reticle MOAR.

fairly certain they offer the 4-32 in F2

[Karl Blanchard]

Those guys are doing everbody a favor with that testing. They've already got scope mfg's reaching out to them to test products before release now, hopefully some other big names will be forced to step up their reliability as a result

Agreed, the Maven RS1.2 story is a good testament. I do think too many take is as gospel and don't test their own systems, but that seems to be changing. There are other variable within the system beyond just the scope being able to maintain its zero.

I know my system shifts based on having to rezero it a couple times but I haven't seen any major shifts, just an MOA or two. That's why I want to do some more controlled testing to see if it's the scope or rings.

I'll be considering the NF SHV 4-14x50 FFP or Trijicon Tenmile HX 3-18x44 FFP if I do need to replace it. Maybe the Maven RS1.2 if I can convince myself that 10x max power is enough. I need to practice a lot more to get comfortable shooting longer distances at lower power.

the new maven is quite literally trijicon 10 mile guts with a bit better reticle. My opinion on reticles is just learn the one you have and it's not really a big deal.

I don't think you'll have an issue with 10x personally.  My .223 trainer has a fixed 10x and there's no issue spanking plates out to 805 yards (farthest plate My range has). Too much magnification, especially in a SFP can definitely be a hindrance in hunting applications. Especially when hunting solo where spotting impacts is so important

My vote is always NF first.

[Sakko300wsm]

I got to 100% NF.  I like the NX8….but still prefer the NXS with the MOAR reticle.  I wish you could get it in the 4-32x in F2….it that was the case, it would be the only scope I owned.

The standard, “old school” heavy reticle MOAR.

fairly certain they offer the 4-32 in F2

My NX8 I just got yesterday is a 4-32x50 with MOAR reticle in F2

[Alchase]

I think all three would be very capable, for me it would come down to perceived clearness of glass, and which reticle I prefer. I have really gotten spoiled by my Firedots.
Can't see me going back to a non-illuminated scope for hunting, though I Might reconsider if the build was for a long range paper shooter.