NF NX8 1-8x24 for hunting or grab an NXS 2.5-10x42?

[lawdogx]

I’m putting together an east coast hunting rifle, T3X lite in .308 or 6.5 CM. Range will usually be under 100, with the occasional 300-350 shot. I’d like to keep scope weight at or under 20 oz-ish. I have an NX8 1-8 in hand originally bought for a different role. So, I could repurpose it to hunting duty, or, I could sell it and grab an NXS 2.5-10x42. Does anyone have experience with both of these that could advise as to how they compare and which is preferable for hunting?

 

[Marbles]

I was not impressed with the NX8 1-8 for hunting. It is a nice scope, but in overcast rain I could not pick out antlered bucks from does at 200 yards. Not had any other NFs, but for hunting I would take an S&B 3-12 Klassik, Macen RS1.2, or SWFA 3-9 over the NX8 (being scope I have/do use).

 

[Samson7x]

For strictly hunting, I’d grab the 2-10. I have both to compare.

 

[justinspicher]

I have used both for hunting and would take the 2.5-10x every time. The reticle in the 1-8x isn’t designed for hunting, but it can if you want it to………I’ve shot several deer and boat load of Pdogs with mine. However, my 2.5-10x work much better, especially for follow-up shots.

 

[The Harbor Master]

I really like my 2.5-10x42 but I wouldn't be opposed to the 1-8... if it's a dedicated hunting gun and it's all the same to you, you might as well use the 2.5-10. At 2.5 it's low enough to be easy to use well inside 100, and you get the larger objective. I've taken elk at 130yds and 85yds with mine at very last shooting light. Dark but do-able. Not sure I'd have been able to with the 1-8.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I use both. I like both. There are pro/con with both.

I spent time comparing the 1-8 with several scopes, one of which is a NXS 2.5-10x42, in low light. The 1-8 is well behind the NXS x42 in low light at 6x power setting on both. The illumination of the 1-8 is also to bright in low light on it's lowest setting. The NXS 2.5-10x42 can be adjusted much lower so it has less washout. That said, the current reticle offerings of the NXS illuminate much more of the reticle than is desired in low light.

If lowlight isn't a factor, then it's much closer. If it were for still hunting in anything but low light, the 1-8 would be a good fit. In busy backgrounds/brush, the 1-8's reticle is quicker and more visible to me than the current reticle offerings of the NXS. The current NXS reticles suffer in busy backgrounds for me (the IHR and Velocity 600 stand out more than the current reticle offerings).

In my experience, the NXS generally requires a touch of parallax adjustment to get the best resolution on target. It usually isn't much but it's another thing to do. As a pro, I do think the NXS 2.5-10x42 has some of the best on target resolution of any scopes I use...but that touch of adjustment is often needed when distance or power are changed.

In my experience with the 1-8x, I need to adjust focus when I move the power above 6x...I rarely use it higher than 6x so it's not a major issue for me but it's a consideration.

My conclusion....I have NXS 2.5-10's on hunting rifles. I have NX8's on AR's.

 

[onlybrowning]

I’d say make your decision based around what you’ll have the scope set to most. If you’re a tracker, or for whatever reason will be shooting at moving deer in fast paced scenarios, 1X is great. If you don’t need 1X, and will be mostly encountering closer shots at a slower pace, the 2 or 2.5X is more appropriate.


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[Weldor]

I really like the 2.5 x 10. Been a great scope for around hunting close and long range. It would be great if NF would make fixed 4x and 6x mils and moa

 

[lawdogx]

Thanks fellas, great info, exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Marbles]

On 2.5x and being close, I slaughtered 3 pigs today, normally just use a 22, but these pigs had all seen me slaughter other pigs and as soon as I showed up they ran away from me.

So, the 223 came out, roughly shot distances were 5 feet at the closest and 20 feet at the furthest. 2.5 x worked well, could see enough of the head to identify landmarks and head position.

I've used a fixed 6x for the same thing, and it sucked.

I was taking my time, wouldn't be as good as 1x for close and fast, but I think it would work.

 

[lawdogx]

On 2.5x and being close, I slaughtered 3 pigs today, normally just use a 22, but these pigs had all seen me slaughter other pigs and as soon as I showed up they ran away from me.

So, the 223 came out, roughly shot distance were 5 feet at the closest and 20 feet at the furthest. 2.5 x worked well, could see enough of the head to identify landmarks and head position.

I've used a fixed 6x for they same thing, and it sucked.

I was talking my time, wouldn't be as good as 1x for close and fast, but I think it would work.

I’ve hunted pigs before, and had to account for several different variables, like wind and distance, but never offset, lol

 

[Andreyl15]

Does the nxs have better glass than nx8

 

[tt280AI]

I have used both for hunting and would take the 2.5-10x every time. The reticle in the 1-8x isn’t designed for hunting, but it can if you want it to………I’ve shot several deer and boat load of Pdogs with mine. However, my 2.5-10x work much better, especially for follow-up shots.

Which reticle in the 1-8? I recently got both scopes, with milR and DMx. I don't like Christmas tree reticles, but really do like the DMx in the 1-8. Wouldn't have bought it with any other in it.

 

[justinspicher]

Mine has the FC-MOA reticle. I’m not a Christmas tree reticle fan either.

 

[rookieforever33]

Not a nx8 but I have hunted with an lpvo. It was ok, not great. At the legal hunting time either morning or night I could not quickly ID ahooters vs non shooters. Any decent 42 mm objective scope can see at least 10 minutes before or after shooting light.