Im trying to put together a rifle I can be proud of without going the custom route, or spending three grand on rifle alone, Ive decided on the stock, a takeoff 700p for my SPS tactical action, the glass I know is going to be the heart of it all . I was going to go falcon menace or super sniper but instead If i buy what I want the first time , I would not be settling with either of these. when reading about great optics these are the names that pop up Night force and Leupold, which would be the better choice Leupold :Mark 4 8.5-25x50mm LR/T M1 or Nightforce 5.5-22 x 50 NXS and the best rings and base to match, purpose of the rifle is simple target shooting for now out to 300 yards would love to get out to 1k, hopefully the gear and the shooter are up to it well fire away with your opinions and advice
my optics for my remington 700 NF or leupold
- Thread starter datruth
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I also recently acquired a sps tactical. I went with a Nightforce 5.5-22x50mm. It is a fantastic scope. In my opionion it is a much better scope than the leupold. Yesterday my 38 year old daughter who has only shot 3 times before was poping milk jugs at 500+ yards off a bipod. I went with the np-r1 reticle, Nightforce 20 moa base and nightforce rings. Everyone that sees it or shoots it is very impressed with it.
Sheepdog1968
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I've got the same exact situation going on. I've finally decided to go w Leupold Mk IV over NF. Mostly based on the reputation of the Leupold name. I think I'm going to go w the 3.5x10 instead of the 8.5x25. Mostly driven by the fact I want to be able to do some hunting and I want the lower 3.5 power for hunting. My guess is that you will be happy with either and it will be unlikely that any of the posts will have definitive proof of one being better than the other. I have subscribed to the thread as well to check but in all the threads I've seen on scopes I don't think I've ever seen one that has something that would steer me one way or the other. I think both will be great choices and you will be happy with either.
One thing to consider is weight. NF weighs 2x a Leupold. That's why you don't see NF's on bencrest guns that follow weight classes. Especially the grandaddy of them all "light varmint" class.
They're both great scopes with good reputation and resale. I've been happy with all the big Leupolds from 30mmLong Range models to the Competition series.
They're both great scopes with good reputation and resale. I've been happy with all the big Leupolds from 30mmLong Range models to the Competition series.
Maverick223
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Between the two I like the NF better, it is heavier but that should not be a big factor for a target rifle. Also look into a Premier Reticles, which has better glass and features IMO, I purchased mine for about what a NF retails for (PM for details). 
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Did you mean Premier Heritage or Premier Reticles?
i'm happy with my leupolds and NF (two of each)
i don't think you can go wrong either way
if you plan on doing strictly target shooting off a bench, i'd go leupold. if you plan to do any sort of timed competition (practical marksmanship) I'd go NF (given the choice of those two models)
i don't think you can go wrong either way
if you plan on doing strictly target shooting off a bench, i'd go leupold. if you plan to do any sort of timed competition (practical marksmanship) I'd go NF (given the choice of those two models)
Maverick223
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A little of both...it is the Premier Reticles Heritage.
Maverick223
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Personally I would swap optics for hunting and long range target shooting...you really need target knobs for target shooting at range and that is a PITA in the field.
Any of the Mk. IV series in your choice of magnification is probably best for target use.
Any of the Mk. IV series in your choice of magnification is probably best for target use.
P.B.Walsh
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How are taget knobs bad for hunting??
Maverick223
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As I mentioned to you before, they tend to get hung up and turned and they are simply unnecessary for nearly all forms of hunting. Whatever floats your boat, but 99% of other folks will find them detrimental to hunting.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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I like *target knobs* which are UNDERNEATH some screw-on covers for hunting scopes - still very easy to finger-adjust at the range without tools or cussing. But UN-covered target knobs, and side focuses, and AOs are all PITAs in the field - you got that straight!
Maverick223
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I agree Doc, the IOR style that are essentially target style (finger adjustable) knobs that are beneath covers are great, is that the ones you are referring to? I have never attempted hunting with an side focus but imagine that that would be even worse than an AO (have used without incident, but only for squirrel hunting).
P.B.Walsh
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Wow, ya'll must really go through some thick brush then..
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