Help me pick — NX6 2‑12 vs 3‑18 vs NX8 2.5‑20 vs 4‑32 (all F1) for a lightweight .300 WM

[cq4444]

Hey everyone,

I am building a lightweight Model 70 .300 Win Mag and I'm torn between four Nightforce F1 scopes. Would love input from guys who've actually run these.


The rifle specs:

• Winchester M70 long action, .300 Win Mag
• Proof 22" carbon barrel, 1:9 twist
• Stocky's VG carbon stock
• Timney trigger, Dead Air KeyMo brake + Sandman‑S (wont be hunting suppressed)
• Should land around 9.5–10 lb scoped
• 215 berger hybrids

What it's for: Backpack hunting first and foremost. Annual backcountry elk in Colorado, whitetail in GA/TN (planted fields mostly), open western country, and I'd like to do moose/bear in Canada or AK down the road. Realistically my shots are inside 400, occasionally to 500. I don't have much regular range access past 500. So it's a primarily a hunting rig but I like the idea of being able to shoot 1000yds when I get the chance.

My criteria: FFP, MOA, under 30 oz, nightforce. Long action, so fitment matters.


The four, and my hang‑up with each:


2‑12x42 (FC‑MRx): Lightest at 23 oz, true 2x for timber, mounts clean. Only comes in FC‑MRx though — worried the grid's too busy and the center too large for groups.


3‑18x50 (MOAR / MOA‑C): The reticle I want, plus a little more reach — but ~4 oz heavier and probably more scope than I need inside 500.


NX8 2.5‑20x50 (MOAR): Love the MOAR and the magnification range, but everything I read says it's a pain to mount on a long action (bell/rail clearance, eye relief).


NX8 4‑32x50 (MOAR): Mounts fine and I love MOAR, but it's the heaviest and that 4x floor seems to high for timber and close work. Too much scope for a hunting rifle?


If it were your build, which one would you choose and why? Thanks in advance. I am 25 and in good shape for context.

 

[Geewhiz]

I bought the 2.5-20 Nx8 and mounted it on a rail. No fitment issues on a tikka action.

 

[Dawg In Montana]

Why is the 3-18 probably more scope than you need while you love the mag range of the 2.5-20? There is very little difference between 2, 2.5, and 3 on the low end.

You are overthinking it. Look through them and make a decision.

 

[Blake C]

Id pick 2.5-20

 

[cq4444]

Why is the 3-18 probably more scope than you need while you love the mag range of the 2.5-20? There is very little difference between 2, 2.5, and 3 on the low end.

You are overthinking it. Look through them and make a decision.

Im just overthinking it. I like the mag range on the 2.5-20. I realize its pretty much the same as the 3-18.

 

[Blake C]

Im just overthinking it. I like the mag range on the 2.5-20. I realize its pretty much the same as the 3-18.

I just realized the 20x is an nx8. The mounting can be an issue. Not as adjustable. Although a rail and rings would give more adjustment than direct rings

 

[Tdonat]

I own both a NX8 2.5-20 and NX6 3-18.
The 3-18 I like more than the 2.5-20. The glass is much crisper than the 2.5-20, not that it really matters. the reticle seems slightly larger at minimum mag in the 3-18 vs the 2.5-20.
The 2.5-20 can be hard to get proper eye relief on a long action, being as the mounting surfaces are so narrow.
They’re both great scopes, eye box is a little tight in the 2.5-20 but has never posed an issue for me personally.
My 2.5-20 has been hammered on and it’s never let me down, jury is still out on the 3-18. So far so good though.

 

[cq4444]

I just realized the 20x is an nx8. The mounting can be an issue. Not as adjustable. Although a rail and rings would give more adjustment than direct rings

Ya I plan on using a rail regardless