Maven, Leupold, Trijicon, NF

[JohnJohnson]

Something I have read in a few spots, hard to tell if its true like anything else. Some say that higher magnification scopes say a 5-25 will be better at say 12-15 then a 3-15 scope will be a 15,

That's just a fact for both image quality and eyebox. Scopes tend to have "sweet spots" in their magnification range where image quality, field of view, minimal mirage, depth of field in regards to parallax, etc is the best. As an example, the sweet spot on a NF ATACR 7-35 is around 12-18 power or so, whereas the sweet spot on a 5-25 ATACR is more like 8-9 power. As far eyebox it's going to be more forgiving on the lower powers if it has higher top-end magnification. I'll paste an excerpt from a recent review of "alpha" high magnification PRS type scopes that goes over it a bit. I'll also link the review since it goes over just general concepts of what "glass" even is in detail. And keep in mind the higher max magnification normally indicates more weight so it has its practical limits.

Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review » OpticsThoughts

"Question for you, do you think the NF ATACR 7-35 became so popular in PRS because all the top shooters were now able to hit more steel using their scope at 35x throughout the course? Certainly not, where the 7-35 excelled was in the sweet spot for long range shooting, what I will call the Goldilocks zone of 12-18x give or take 2x on top or bottom, this magic magnification zone yields excellent FOV and depth of field (DOF) while also having magnification low enough to render the mirage dancing to a minimum, and the ATACR 7-35 offers outstanding IQ within this range."

 

[Nards444]

That's just a fact for both image quality and eyebox. Scopes tend to have "sweet spots" in their magnification range where image quality, field of view, minimal mirage, depth of field in regards to parallax, etc is the best. As an example, the sweet spot on a NF ATACR 7-35 is around 12-18 power or so, whereas the sweet spot on a 5-25 ATACR is more like 8-9 power. As far eyebox it's going to be more forgiving on the lower powers if it has higher top-end magnification. I'll paste an excerpt from a recent review of "alpha" high magnification PRS type scopes that goes over it a bit. I'll also link the review since it goes over just general concepts of what "glass" even is in detail. And keep in mind the higher max magnification normally indicates more weight so it has its practical limits.

Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review » OpticsThoughts

"Question for you, do you think the NF ATACR 7-35 became so popular in PRS because all the top shooters were now able to hit more steel using their scope at 35x throughout the course? Certainly not, where the 7-35 excelled was in the sweet spot for long range shooting, what I will call the Goldilocks zone of 12-18x give or take 2x on top or bottom, this magic magnification zone yields excellent FOV and depth of field (DOF) while also having magnification low enough to render the mirage dancing to a minimum, and the ATACR 7-35 offers outstanding IQ within this range."

Thanks. Is there a spec/metric or something to look for to give you that sweet spot. Really Id hate to buy a 2.5-15 and its swee spot be 5-6 power. To me for what I do something in the 9-15 range would be better.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’ve never had any issues with higher magnification scopes on hunting rifles, as far as finding game. The only time a high power will cause issues is in low light.

I find anything below about 6x to be worthless with a ffp scope. Sfp scopes are much better at lower powers than the ffp.

 

[satchamo]

Can’t speak for nightforce but I have a trijicon credo SFP/moa on my 243 and an Rs 1.2 on my 7prc and the trij is a great scope for the price but the RS1.2 is as perfect as a hunting scope as exists between the smaller 40 mil objective, the lower mag range, FFP and a very clean, hunting centric reticle. Add that to the fact that it’s passed the drop test with flying colors. I know it’s not on your list but I’d add it….

I’ll probably be outfitting my 243 with the rs1.2 in the near future for consistency across platforms.

 

[SloppyJ]

I really love my NX8 4x32 and I would pick that or the trijicon out of your list.

 

[Strider]

Throw a wrench in things. How about a Vortex Razor HD LHT.

No. From first hand experience they will fail you.

Also if you find yourself using your rifle scope often as a high magnification observation tool I would suggest a spotting scope. I get it's the west and there is wide open spaces with less people but it makes my skin crawl when guys are pointing guns at unknown objects. Not trying to throw shade just be safe out there and good luck.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Is turret work the dialing of your DOPE instead of holdover? Ensure you have some sort of ability to 'lock' in your zero or have a return to zero if the windage/elevation are not capped. If you are in the price range of the NX8, then I would highly consider going with the 2.5-20. As @MThuntr mentioned, starting at a higher magnification does limit your ability to maintain sight picture through recoil when shooting off of less than ideal supports. Additionally, you my find it harder to locate your target with the immediate 4x, especially with a busy background of trees, etc.

I like your overall premise and advice.

However, 4x on a hunting scope as the low end, with a properly designed FFP MIL reticle, is 100% not leading to anything being “lost” when compared to 2x on the low end.

 

[AlwaysChasinTailNHorns]

Looking for my first high end scope. Want to keep it to these 4 brands, been down a ton of rabbit holes already but have it narrowed down. I would consider myself a mid range shooter in the 300-500 range, with longest take on a deer being 700. So 7-800 yards is important. This is an out west gun where I have never shot anything under 300yds. Light properties are important, along with clarity and durability. We do a lot of turret work so that important.

These are all the same price relatively, with the Maven on the low end and the NF on the higher end.

Maven RS.5 maybe RS.3, 4-24x50
Trijicon Tenmile HX 5-25x50
Leupold VX5HD 4-20x52
NF NX8 4-32x50

Maven and Trijicon both have a 56mm reticle that looks attractive as well.

Sort of hesitant on boutique brands like Maven, only been around 10 years, long term warranty claims. NF almost falls into that, as well as being heavier and people not liking the reticle. Ive read some of the zero issues with Leupold, but dont know how much stock to put into it. The one brand I have not any rumor mill stuff from is trijicon

I’m sure I’ll get tarred and feathered for this but Sig has been doing some great stuff with their optics I’ve got one of their Whiskey scopes in 4-16x44 with the ffp reticle and the things bullet proof IMO and brings in a ton of light in early mornings and evenings with a very visible reticle (at certain magnifications). Holds zero and has plenty of movement for adjustments if you’re planning on running a 10 or 20moa rail. Not sure if you’re dead set on those brands you posted but figured I’d give you a little insight on my experience. Hope you find the best scope for your set up.

 

[gearguywb]

I have ran the NF NX8 4-32 for a few years. The high magnification is just about never used, but it's there if you want it.

I will not use a 56mm obj on a hunting scope. I think they are overly large, add weight, etc., to theoretically gain another 5 minutes of shooting time.

The NX8 has put 4 nice bulls on the ground in 4 years. Its one thing that I just don't worry about on a hunt.

 

[gearguywb]

Yeah, that's not it at all. I have every power optic available to me at a moments notice. From my experience in the field and at rifle matches, I tell you that having a lower starting power variable optic is preferred when hunting out west. The only time I have ever used the maximum magnification on my optics while in the field, is when I want to check something out that is quite a distance away, that my binoculars cannot quite pick up adequately enough.

Please don't use a scope to check out objects that you aren't sure about. They can very well be people and/or other things you shouldn't be pointing a rifle at. This is what high power binos or a spotting scope is for.

 

[stayzeroed]

Please don't use a scope to check out objects that you aren't sure about. They can very well be people and/or other things you shouldn't be pointing a rifle at. This is what high power binos or a spotting scope is for.

"Something" being the animal that is being hunted. Is it a cub? Is it old enough? Etc. That should have went without saying. But thanks for requesting the clarification because it could be lost on some.

 

[stayzeroed]

I like your overall premise and advice.

However, 4x on a hunting scope as the low end, with a properly designed FFP MIL reticle, is 100% not leading to anything being “lost” when compared to 2x on the low end.

When I mentioned "lost", I did not mean to imply because of the busy reticle.

 

[grizz19]

I have a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18 and highly recommend. That or a NF and you’ll be set. Far as mag range goes, use what works for you. There’s at of guys in here who like less magnification, I like a little higher/mid range magnification. That’s all personal preference. But can’t go wrong with NF or Trijicon

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

When I mentioned "lost", I did not mean to imply because of the busy reticle.

I understand what you meant, forget I mentioned reticle, sorry...

What scope and in what hunting scenario are you "losing" animals because of 2x versus 4x. Be honest with a real world situation.

Here's a couple from me... I'm hunting whitetails in the thick swamps and hard woods of far Northern Minnesota starting Saturday. My Maven RS1.2 will be left on 6-8x like it always is, for shots at 20 yards and in, or if I catch one in the farm fields in between the wood lots and swamps at 800 yards. I shoot and kill with this scope in real world hunting terrain minimum 3 days a week, and it almost never leaves 6-8x. I have not missed a coyote, rabbit, big game animal, or metal/paper target because this scope was wasn't turned down to 2.5x or cranked up to 15X. I missed because of me.

My SWFA fixed 6 scopes have killed multiple big game animals as close as 30 yards in thick woods, never once would a 2x have been "better" for those kills. I'd prefer iron sights for those kills obviously, but a 2x scope versus a 6x scope for hunting animals, not detrimental in any fashion.

Variable power scopes are not needed for nearly all hunting situations/shots, folks just think they need it.

 

[Nards444]

I’m sure I’ll get tarred and feathered for this but Sig has been doing some great stuff with their optics I’ve got one of their Whiskey scopes in 4-16x44 with the ffp reticle and the things bullet proof IMO and brings in a ton of light in early mornings and evenings with a very visible reticle (at certain magnifications). Holds zero and has plenty of movement for adjustments if you’re planning on running a 10 or 20moa rail. Not sure if you’re dead set on those brands you posted but figured I’d give you a little insight on my experience. Hope you find the best scope for your set up.

Have a whiskey and for its price point I like them. However I had one before they had a zero stop and lost a deer that way. Moved up to a tango and wasn’t thrilled with it. So while I’d go back to a whiskey for a mid grade scope, looking for higher end and don’t think sig fits that bill

 

[jhoff04]

Throw a wrench in things. How about a Vortex Razor HD LHT.

I've had the LHT 3-15 and recently bought a Mark 4HD 4.5x18. The Mark 4HD is hands down a better scope. Might want to check it out and throw that into the mix.

 

[huntnful]

Of the options you listed, I’d do the 5-25X50 trijicon HX FFP

 

[stayzeroed]

I understand what you meant, forget I mentioned reticle, sorry...

What scope and in what hunting scenario are you "losing" animals because of 2x versus 4x. Be honest with a real world situation.

Here's a couple from me... I'm hunting whitetails in the thick swamps and hard woods of far Northern Minnesota starting Saturday. My Maven RS1.2 will be left on 6-8x like it always is, for shots at 20 yards and in, or if I catch one in the farm fields in between the wood lots and swamps at 800 yards. I shoot and kill with this scope in real world hunting terrain minimum 3 days a week, and it almost never leaves 6-8x. I have not missed a coyote, rabbit, big game animal, or metal/paper target because this scope was wasn't turned down to 2.5x or cranked up to 15X. I missed because of me.

My SWFA fixed 6 scopes have killed multiple big game animals as close as 30 yards in thick woods, never once would a 2x have been "better" for those kills. I'd prefer iron sights for those kills obviously, but a 2x scope versus a 6x scope for hunting animals, not detrimental in any fashion.

Sounds like you're a heck of a shooter. I think what you have said is reasonable. I have never used a fixed power optic that was not a red dot or holograph. In my experience while deer hunting, when I used a shotgun that had a 3-9x optic, I found that having it on 6 was too much if a deer jumps within 70 yards. That is my whole argument; have the option for close range encounters.

 

[stayzeroed]

No. From first hand experience they will fail you.

Also if you find yourself using your rifle scope often as a high magnification observation tool I would suggest a spotting scope. I get it's the west and there is wide open spaces with less people but it makes my skin crawl when guys are pointing guns at unknown objects. Not trying to throw shade just be safe out there and good luck.

No shade caught, but please understand the clarification that I made. I have not owned an LHT before, what failed in your optic? Does it seem to be widespread?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

In my experience while deer hunting, when I used a shotgun that had a 3-9x optic, I found that having it on 6 was too much if a deer jumps within 70 yards. That is my whole argument; have the option for close range encounters.

Here's a horse at 9X zoom with a 42mm objective at 43 yards. I think you're overestimating the "difficulty" of killing on 6x at 70 yards.