Christensen arms mesa 7mm mag order, set up help!

[FURMAN]

You don't have to tell me about time and money invested in hunts. I've hunted everything in NA and several species international. There was a time when everyone of my rifles carried either a VX6 or a Swaro Z5. I had one issue with a Leupold and two with Swaros. Mind you this was after hundreds of rounds through the scopes but none the less an issue. I had one Leupold that would not return to zero after dialing, one Swaro do the same and another Swaro's turret flew to pieces when I went to dial. The Swaro not returning to zero was on a Bighorn Sheep hunt. Scope worked perfect when I left, but wouldn't return to zero during the hunt. It cost me a Bighorn. Now, keep in mind, I've fired hundreds if not Thousands of rounds through the Swaros and Leupolds with only these three incidents. After the latest, I sold every Swaro I had and kept only a couple V6's. Replaced them all with Nightforce and have not looked back. (I currently own 2 ATACR's, 2 NXS and 2 SHV's.)

I've never used a Swaro X5 but do know it did not track perfectly in Luke's tracking test here a few months ago. If it is "not worth the risk" to you, stick with reliability. I'm a HUGE Swaro fan, but think their spinners could be better. There are other brands other than NF, but NF has worked for me. I was in your boat awhile ago...Convinced I needed to find a reliable lightweight scope for a lightweight mountain rifle build. What I learned is that "reliable and lightweight" just don't go together when it comes to scopes. For now my two 5.75 lb. mountain rifles carry a 2.0 lb. ATACR.

My main rifle wears a NXS. I Have several other scopes I am testing on other rifles currently. I will be putting an X5 through the paces.

 

[Kotaman]

My main rifle wears a NXS. I Have several other scopes I am testing on other rifles currently. I will be putting an X5 through the paces.

I probably would've tried an X5 by now too, but the "profile" is not real conducive to horseback hunting. (the turret is pretty large to fit in a scabbard) For me the ultimate mountain scope is the 4x16x42 NF ATACR. The low profile fits in all scabbards, the scope is a tank, the windage turret is covered and optically, its pretty darn sweet. Not to mention the reliability. If NF would find a way to knock a few oz. off the ATACR, they would have the PERFECT hunting scope. Let us know how the X5 testing goes. Optically, it is an awesome scope.

 

[FURMAN]

I probably would've tried an X5 by now too, but the "profile" is not real conducive to horseback hunting. (the turret is pretty large to fit in a scabbard) For me the ultimate mountain scope is the 4x16x42 NF ATACR. The low profile fits in all scabbards, the scope is a tank, the windage turret is covered and optically, its pretty darn sweet. Not to mention the reliability. If NF would find a way to knock a few oz. off the ATACR, they would have the PERFECT hunting scope. Let us know how the X5 testing goes. Optically, it is an awesome scope.

Ya the X5 is not very conducive to riding in a scabbard.


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[thinhorn_AK]

I probably would've tried an X5 by now too, but the "profile" is not real conducive to horseback hunting. (the turret is pretty large to fit in a scabbard) For me the ultimate mountain scope is the 4x16x42 NF ATACR. The low profile fits in all scabbards, the scope is a tank, the windage turret is covered and optically, its pretty darn sweet. Not to mention the reliability. If NF would find a way to knock a few oz. off the ATACR, they would have the PERFECT hunting scope. Let us know how the X5 testing goes. Optically, it is an awesome scope.

What’s your preferred way to mount your NF scopes? I’m very new to the nice scope game with my shv 3-10 and I keep going back and forth on the best way to mount it so I’m just curious what other people are doing.

Right now it’s on a t3x with a warne mountain tactical rail with the NF ultra light rings.

 

[Brightwhite]

I probably would've tried an X5 by now too, but the "profile" is not real conducive to horseback hunting. (the turret is pretty large to fit in a scabbard) For me the ultimate mountain scope is the 4x16x42 NF ATACR. The low profile fits in all scabbards, the scope is a tank, the windage turret is covered and optically, its pretty darn sweet. Not to mention the reliability. If NF would find a way to knock a few oz. off the ATACR, they would have the PERFECT hunting scope. Let us know how the X5 testing goes. Optically, it is an awesome scope.

Yep, I really wish they would make that 4-16 F1 atacr in a 30mm tube and get it to 20-22oz, something like that. I am so close to pulling the trigger on one, they look and sound sweet!

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

I have an SHV 3-10 in Talley lightweight medium height rings on my Nosler 300wsm. No issues whatsoever thus far, 300 rounds +/- down the tube and I still have enough elevation available to dial out to about 1200 or so (but have not shot that far). Several years ago I had a vortex mounted in Talley's on a Tikka superlight 7mm, no issues with that either and the client I gave the rifle to as a retirement gift in 2015 has had no issues either after several hundred rounds through it.

 

[Jpugs]

Ok sorry should have made some things more clear. I wanted to be able to still shoot targets long range (800+ Yards) and as far as longe range hunting big game every bit of 600 yard shots I would like to take and I practice daily. Seems like the NF nxs seems to be pretty popular choice. Now back to rails, rings, etc is where I lack the knowledge and everyone has there own preferences. So what’s the recommendation 20 moa rail, ring? Completely in need of help as to what y’all think I should go with....?

 

[1shotgear]

Okay so this is really my first higher end rifle, was going to get the 6.5 but decided to go with the 7mm mag since it just seemed like a more better all around hunting/target gun. As far as my long range target gun now its a .338 Lapua Mag and is as heavy as a tank. I never built a lightweight rifle so my hopes of the mesa 7mm is to keep it on the lightest side possible but still have a scope with exposed turrets and enough magnification to shoot out clearly to 800 yards at least. So I am hoping some of you gun guru's can chime in and help me out here. I have allotted myself $1500 for a scope ( give or take a little $) and I simply just can't decide on what to go with and not end up with a scope weighing 2.5 lbs. Also base & ring recommendations. And I am an avid re loader so if anyone has any hunting loads they swear by, I am all ears. Any info to help me kick start this build would be highly appreciated! Barrel is 24" and 1:9 twist.


Thanks in advance roksliders

I am a huge fan of nightforce yes they are a little heavy but if you go with the shv or nxs there not bad. . I have the ATACR on my 300 ultra mag right now and I freakin love it. amazing glass extremely durable as well as the price is not bad for a BAD ASS scope. We are offering discounts on line and in store feel free to give me a shout and can give you a little info to try to set your mind at ease.

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Ok sorry should have made some things more clear. I wanted to be able to still shoot targets long range (800+ Yards) and as far as longe range hunting big game every bit of 600 yard shots I would like to take and I practice daily. Seems like the NF nxs seems to be pretty popular choice. Now back to rails, rings, etc is where I lack the knowledge and everyone has there own preferences. So what’s the recommendation 20 moa rail, ring? Completely in need of help as to what y’all think I should go with....?

Consider also that a 20moa rail may or may not affect your cheek weld to the point you need to add a pad to your stock, added weight. Maybe not a big deal but I find it unwieldy. If for instance you've previously used medium height ring generally speaking, try talley mediums or a 20 moa rail with rings low enough for barrel/scope clearance - so long as you can maintain your proper cheek weld. Most stuff out there from reputable manufacturers is pretty good if properly assembled. But if you're ocd like some of us get a nightforce scope rings and mounts, in fact, get a few different sizes of the various parts and experiment, then return what you don't need. Proper setup sometimes needs a little experimentation.
But if your shooting a 7mm tikka you're only going to need about 22moa or so from your scope to get to 1k. 2.5-10nxs or 3-10shv will have enough elevation to get you there if you were running some low talleys or low seekins or similar setup. Bottom line is pick your preference get it so it fits to your shoulders neck and head and go kill stuff. I prefer talleys simply because they are light weight, easy to setup, look good, work great for me and are fairly inexpensive. Additionally they don't crowd the ejection port like a rail does.

 

[Brightwhite]

Ok sorry should have made some things more clear. I wanted to be able to still shoot targets long range (800+ Yards) and as far as longe range hunting big game every bit of 600 yard shots I would like to take and I practice daily. Seems like the NF nxs seems to be pretty popular choice. Now back to rails, rings, etc is where I lack the knowledge and everyone has there own preferences. So what’s the recommendation 20 moa rail, ring? Completely in need of help as to what y’all think I should go with....?

For what you just said then different NF scopes in 3 different price ranges...the 4-14 SHV F1 (first focal): the 3-15x50 NXS (second focal) or the Atacr 4-16x42 F1 (first focal). I would then decide how big physically I want my scope to be...I think they all weight the same at 30oz.

For rings...look at the Hawkins long range hybrids, one piece like Talley’s but they are night and day different. I have a pair on my 300wsm and like them a lot. If you want a rail, just get a NF aluminum rail with 20 M.O.A. if you want the canted rail and the NF ultralite rings and you’re done. I also mentioned seekins rings and really like those as well.