Questions about Nightforce NXS NP-R2

[Evergreen]

I am leaning towards purchasing a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15 with an NP-R2 illuminated reticle. After seeing the scope in the store I was very impressed with the construction of the scope compared with Zeiss Conquest and Leupold Vx3 and Mark 4, as well as the glass. Despite the bad reputation NF gets about glass, it did appear to be every bit as crisp and bright as the Zeiss at 75 yards in the store. Of course, I have not seen it in low light or outdoors, so I cannot jump to any conclusion. The construction of the scope and the controls, such as turrets and adjustments seem to be heavy duty and well made. I was a bit disappointed with how flimsy the body and knobs of the Zeiss felt as compared to Nightforce.

I am planning on doing target shooting up to 500 yards, sometimes more, usually less. I would say on average 100, 200,300 will be most commonplace. I will attempt to mount the scope on an AR-10 semi, 300 Win Mag bolt rifle and AR-15 semi. The main gun used with be AR-10 and I am not entirely sure when and if I will place it on other guns, but it is something I may do. Some will say this is overkill for me, but it will be the first variable mag optic I have, since I am use to only using fixed length. I think I am willing to fork out an extra 5 franklins, for something that will last me two or three lifetimes.

I am always open to hearing people's opinions, but this is where my heart is set now. I have found someone who will sell me the scope brand new at $1350.00, which is the best deal I found.

There are a few pressing questions I have about this scope:
1. When looking through the NP-R2 reticle I notice it appears faint, whereas other scopes have solid reticle that is always visible. Is this the way the reticle is suppose to be or is there some sort of adjustment to darken the reticle that I am not seeing? I cannot imagine the out ot focus or faintness of the reticle is normal.

2. Are Nightforce's suppose to have the reticle illuminated all the time? Will illuminating the reticle make it easier to see at any time of day?

3. WHat is best mount to use for mounting the scope on a pictanny rail for AR-10 and AR-15? I have seen a few options which. Several people have had different opinons of which mount/ring set would be best. Which one would people here suggest:
1. LaRue Tactical SPR-S QD Mount LT-158 ($195)
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=42

2. Nightforce Unimount ($260) , someone offered me for $220
https://store.forestandfield.com/images/nightforce_products/mountsUnimountL.jpg

3. Nightforce 1.3" Ring set ($160 from NF)
http://www.nightforceoptics.com/RINGS__BASES___MOUNTS/mountsUltralightringsL.jpg


4. What is best mount to use for mounting on Remington 700? Will any set of rings work for this gun? This gun is of lesser concern compared to the semis I listed above.

 

[Maverick223]

1. By design...if it were bright it would cause glare and reduce battery life.
2. No, use as needed (generally in low light or darker backgrounds)
3. I would use a 1pc. base/ring (I would lean towards the NF, but both are excellent bases).
4. Same as above...a 1pc. base/ring (again leaning towards NF)
__a. Use this with the same rings as the ARs... http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=21233/Product/REMINGTON_700_NIGHTFORCE_SCOPE_BASE
__b. Or this as a different system altogether (a little more stable IMO)... http://www.adorama.com/NF1125LA120D.html

As I said earlier (in the other thread) just keep in mind moving one scope from gun to gun will be a PITA as you will have to recalibrate the zero for each. Good choice for a new scope and best of luck with the new rig.

 

[taliv]

1. next time you look through the scope, look at the reticle while adjusting the magnification. if it's FFP, the reticle will get bigger/smaller as you do. on one end, it may be somewhat faint.

2. i can't see my illumination much at all during the day. it's way too faint. reticle just looks black in moderate sunlight

 

[Evergreen]

Taliv, the scope was a SFP., not FFP. The faintness I am talking about is that the reticle would appear washed out or faded. I noticed the reticle was easy to see when I had the light cover attached to it. The whatchamacallit.. Don't know the exact name of the item, but it is attached to the object lens. However, when it is removed and the scope is viewed normally, I have hard time seeing the reticle. I magnified and focused an object at 75 yards away and the object was crisp and clear and I did the same thing with a few other scopes. However, with the Nightforce, even though the image was perfectly focused, the reticle appeared washed out. Can anyone tell me why this happens with only the Nightforce NP-R2 reticle and not any other scope I tried? I tried Leupold VX3, Mark 4, Zeiss Conquest, and Swarvoski AV and none of them had this issue.

 

[MCMXI]

Maybe the Nightforce reticle was out of focus. Most decent scopes have a "fast focus" eyepiece to focus the reticle so did you try that? An illuminated reticle can be helpful against a dark background even during the day. You'll most likely leave it off most of the time.

I think the Nightforce scope is a good choice too ... perhaps it won't be your last.

Despite the bad reputation NF gets about glass

From whom ... 14 year old mall ninjas planning their next airsoft assault?!

 

[Afy]

I havent noticed the reticle being faint on mine.
Nor did I know NF suppsedly had bad glass...

 

[Evergreen]

From whom ... 14 year old mall ninjas planning their next airsoft assault?!

From armed chair admirals and other internet commandoes.. Well , internet is my mega source for info. So let me grab some salt and take a grain or two. Take the Good with the bad. Yeah I am not impervious to the fact there is a lot of garbage written on the net.

Yeah, after seeing that glass, I don't know why one of the mods/scope reviewers at SWFA forum out Nightforce glass ranked under Swarvoski, Conquest, Bushnell Elite. As far as I can tell from viewing that Nightforce in the store it was every bit as bright and even more sharp than the Zeiss and Leupys.

1858, if you can go into how to focus the eyepiece to focus the reticle. I will be on the phone with Nightforce tomorrow about this, but wouldn't my a heads up or any additional info anyone else here might have. All I know is,I focused in on an object far away and the object itself was perfectly crisp and cleared. However, the reticle was washed out or only partially visible. I was told a NF reticle is etched onto the glass as opposed to other reticles. When looking at the Zeiss, it did not matter if the optic was focused or not, the reticle was always viewable. However, with the NF the reticle seem to become more faint or more viewable and it didn't matter how focused the lens was. IS there some setting I am not getting or are NF reticles faint on purpose? There was time I couldn't see the reticle at all. I will be chattign wtih NF about this. I cannot believe a scope used by champion shooters has a reticle like this. I am missing something I know.

 

[Uncle Mike]

As 1858 said...probably the ocular lens.. the one closest to your eye while viewing through the scope was simply out of focus.

Try turning the rubber circular piece that makes up the end of the ocular end of the scope, by doing this, you are focusing the reticle to your eye... this has nothing to do with the side focus knob.

I apologize for sounding elementary concerning this subject... I do not know your prowess in regards to optics and there use.

Also, the NF NXS w/ the NP-R2 is an excellent scope, I have used one for some time and have been nothing but pleased with its quality and performance. A bit overpriced, but otherwise a darn good piece of glass that will serve you well.

 

[gunnie]

..."2. Are Nightforce's suppose to have the reticle illuminated all the time? Will illuminating the reticle make it easier to see at any time of day?"...

the knob on the left is a push-pull type on/off switch. in bright conditions, you won't even be able to detect same being turned on, why waste the battery?

..."As I said earlier (in the other thread) just keep in mind moving one scope from gun to gun will be a PITA as you will have to recalibrate the zero for each."...

another thought on scope swapping. if you plan to use the vertical stadia as a hold over bracket for extended ranges, it must be ABSOLUTELY in line with the bore centerline. if it is not, the bullet path will go left or right as you use different MOA increments on the stadia. if rezeroing a scope after putting it on other iron doesn't worry you, THIS SHOULD!!!

very tedious to accomplish this trick:

1 first off, you will have to have a good bore sighting device. it must be one with a grid (checkerboard as such) to align the vertical stadia bar with.

2 by switching back and forth from right/left, slightly tighten the ring screws
checking between each pair of tightenings to assure the scope hasn't pulled out of alignment with the grid.

3 repeat for seemingly an eternity until correct torque is acquired, and stadia is still straight up and down with grid, and therefore centerline of bore.


if unfamiliar with bore sighter, pls see:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/optics/ST_collimator_200904/


gunnie

 

[Maverick223]

the scope was a SFP., not FFP.

You may want to look at FFP in a NF scope, it has some distinct advantages...especially (and really exclusively) with a ranging/ballistic type reticle.

 

[Evergreen]

Just purchased the Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 scope and got a smokin deal for it. I bought the SFP, there is now way I can afford the FFP and I am told its not as desirable for target work. So, I guess the scope part is a done deal. I am hoping I don't regret forkin out the extra money for this, but somehow a year down the road, I think I won't. I appreciate all the informative advice all the people here gave about different scopes. I am thinking I may get a Vortex scope as a cheaper second scope for my other ARs in the future.

Right now I am really fighting about mounts. I have AR-10 with raised pictanny rail and the guys at LaRue told me in order to use their LT-104 mount I would need to buy a Magpul SPR AR10/SR25 buttstock for my gun that has the cheek weld adjustment. THis item runs for around $255.00 in addition to the $200.00 mount. Iam a bit frantic about this and like to find some cheaper alternatives. Should I just go with the Nightforce mount, which is about 1 1/8 or 1 3/8 inches high and probably will work as well as LaRue. It is about $230-260. The other option is buying LT-123 ring set which are a bit lower, but the guy at LaRue said he doesn't suggest it as I won't get the stability and accuracy from the complete mount as with a ring set.

 

[otrman]

1. The NP-1 and -2 reticles are by design very light and thin. Supposed to give the advantage of being able to kinda see thru reticle for small targets at distance. I have trouble seeing anything gray, so I got the MLR.

2. There is a adjustment for the brightness but if you turn it up enough to be able to see it in daylight it will be useless in low light conditions.

3. Check out A.R.M.S. mounts. That is what I used to mount mine on my AR-15. Look at the #35 QD Track Mount rail, it has 3 different height rings that can be used. It is rock solid and holds zero when removed and re-installed, atleast on same rifle.

I know the Magpul stock is kinda pricey, have one on my AR, but it is really nice, adjustments are easy and it is built like a tank.

You got a great scope IMO. It was a little difficult to drop the cash but I love it every time I go to the range.

 

[Maverick223]

Good choice and good luck. See my post at the top for what I would use for mounts (Badger also makes a [strike]good[/strike] bulletproof Rem. 700 picatinny rail mount).

 

[Coopersrcool]

Man ...In my opinion NF blows the competition away when it comes to clarity. I have 5.5x22x50 NP-R2 and a 8x32x56 NP-2DD. I have Leupolds, Zeiss, Sightron, Weaver and Nikon.
S&B and Swaro may have a slight edge...but NF is right there to my eyes !!!

Go with Larue.....


Or on one of my Coopers a rail built by US Optics and NF rings..

 

[Evergreen]

I am considering the Magpul PRS AR10 stock, although I cannot find any available and its not cheap if it is available. The LaRue mount I think would be my preference, but I worry about the height of the rings and mount on the already elevated pictanny rail of my AR-10.

Someone suggested the Burris Z-rings for this scope. They told me it is the only ring with polymer inserts that will prevent the rings from putting ring marks on the scope, so that if I ever wanted to sell it, it would be closer to new condition. I am not sure if what this guy said was right, but for the $50.00 or so the rings cost I thought I throw it out there as an option. I rather spend as little as possible for right now, since I went over on the amount I wanted to spend for the scope. I know I will hear some say don't go cheap on anything if you buy a good rifle and good scope. Does anyone have any feelings about the Burris Z-Rings? Would these work as efficiently as Nightforce rings or LaRue mount at a lower cost? Since the scope will mainly be on this gun, quick detach is not a critical feature, although I rather have it. If I can save money and have a set of rings that will always keep the scope holding zero while on the mount, then I would be happy with that for now.

 

[Maverick223]

Does anyone have any feelings about the Burris Z-Rings? Would these work as efficiently as Nightforce rings or LaRue mount at a lower cost

I would stick to one piece rings (like the Larue). They are a bit more solid IMO. A good [cheaper] alternative would be Armalite rings (made specifically for your gun), they are pretty solid and cost about $90.00USD, but do not have the QD feature (that you don't need). Cheap enough?

P.S.: They look a lot better in person...dreadful photo on most of the sites that I looked at.

 

[Evergreen]

Cannot find those Armalite mounts anywhere. My pictanny rail is raised from the base so any high mount will require a a stock with elevated cheek rest. Know anybody who has a used Magpul PRS stock? I suppose if I go for the full mount deal, the Armalite may suffice. Although, maybe I would just fork out the extra for the LaRue or Unimount then.

 

[Maverick223]

Cannot find those Armalite mounts anywhere.

Ask and ye shall receive... http://www.thegunsource.com/item/163_Armalite_Scope_Mounts_ARML_EX0022_30MM_ONE_PIEC.aspx

 

[Evergreen]

Wonderful I appreciate that.. I will have to think it over.. Now, can you find me a reasonbly price black colored Magpul PRS AR10 stock under $250.00? Sorry, I think I am pushing my luck.. Some have told me since I have the raised pictanny rail I would be best just buying a set of medium rings to avoid having to get the Magpul buttstock and the more expensive mount. You have any opinion on the Burris Z-rings? Would I be hurting myself if I saved lot of cash and got the Burris Z-rings instead of the complete mounts? The problem with these complete mount ring sets is that they sit real high on an already high rail.

 

[Maverick223]

First, E-bay has a few on the cheap but I personally wouldn't trust them. I do however think that you will find the stock to be a bit more comfortable, so it would be a smart purchase IMO. As far as the rings I also would not want them mainly due to the plastic inserts. Additionally I would stick with a 1 pc. ring set for the added strength and stability. Although I had difficulty finding the actual height of the Armalite rings it appears to be fairly low to the bore (it says up to 50mm objective), so it should be about as low as you can possibly go.

 

[Evergreen]

I just purchased the Magpul PRS AR-10 stock on Gun broker. I paid the retail price, I know I could have saved money if I waited a couple months, but I guess it was worth paying extra to get it now.. All the Magpul stocks I saw for cheaper where the brown color and it would make my rifle look kinda funky, so I finally found one black stock. The guy I bought it from seems to be a magpul dealer and has wonderful feedback. I paid $255 + $12 shipping. I have seen it retailing for as low as $220 at online stores, but they are all backordered.

Well, now that I haver this Magpul PRS stock, I will look into getting the LaRue or other high mount set. Maybe I will take another look at that Armalite. Would you say the Armalite is as rock solid as the LaRUe or Nightforce Unimount? Will it help keep the scope holding zero as well as a LaRue would?

 

[Will Fennell]

ADM mount

There is another company making a mount that would satisfy your needs, similar in overall design to the LaRue. American Defense Manufacturing....

http://www.americandefensemfg.com/

I've owned the LaRue mounts, and while they were wonderfully made, II like the ADM system a bit better. They are easier to adjust to fit your individual picatinny rails[ no tools needed]. With the ADM mounts, I have one that has 2 levers, and one that has 1 lever. I can see no performance difference between the 2. If I buy another one, it will be the single lever, as it is a bit less expensive. They are all less $$$ than the LaRue.

 

[Maverick223]

Would you say the Armalite is as rock solid as the LaRUe or Nightforce Unimount?

I think the only performance difference you will see will be in your wallet. It is a good solid mount, and the ADM mount looks good too, but I haven't any experience with it.

 

[Evergreen]

I just purchased the LaRue QD LR-104 mount that I will be putting on my AR-10 with raised pictanny rail. I bought the PRS stock so that I would be able to have the appropriate cheek weld for this high mount on the high rail. THe mount sits around 1.5". I will be using this for my Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 scope. I hope that I made the right choice. The guys at LaRue claim that even throwing the gun on the ground won't result inthe scope losing zero as a result of the mount. I know some say lever mounts are not good to use, but I have heard from enough people that these mounts work as well as most screw or bolt type mounts.

 

[beerengineer]

Nightforce! always a good decision.

The boss lady won't allow me to purchase items like this on plastic, so I'm having to save my pennies. By the end of July I'll have enough for a nightforce 12-42x56 benchrest. I'll be using it out past 1000 yards with my remington sendero .300 ultra mag. I've been looking for months while saving up and I haven't found anything that compares to the "NF'. Good luck with your purchase, you won't be dissapointed.