Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 FFP - initial thoughts on opening

[ocurtis]

So I shoot a 30-06 that I have pretty dialed in. I am shooting a hand load Barnes TTSX 168 grain at 2950 fps. I have had this gun for 18 years and really built it nice in the past 5 (although on a budget.) however, got it shooting 1/2 MOA and easily stretched to 600 yards. Even killed antelope out to 450. However I feel like I am always sacrificing. To start, I dont like this Barnes bullet although copper lovers swear by them. It isnt a problem on bigger animals but I have had a problem when shooting for the heart on antelope and deer that I just punch holes in them.

well fast forward to today and I am no longer on a budget and have been thinking about spending some serious coin on a 300 win mag build but nostalgia loves this old 30-06. Instead i decided to update it! Starting with the Vortex Viper 4-16...

After lots of contemplation and even calls to nightforce I decided to make the switch to FFP with concerns about reticle size at lower powers. My concern is that if I am hunting trees and need a quick shot i cant see the reticle.

Well on initial unboxing, my concerns were justified! At low power I literally couldnt even see the reticle! Like any red blooded American Man, at this point I decided to go listen to the massive sticker on the exterior of the box.. READ INSTRUCTIONS FIRST.... started messing with the eye relief and got it so it was crystal clear but still so damn small it would be tough to see on a quick shot.... THEN... I found the illuminated reticle and my mind was blown! At 2.5 power, with the reticle illuminated I can see it perfectly! This is a game changer! My concerns have been put to rest!

I searched the ole interwebs high and low for input and nobody mentioned this little detail so I thought I would share. For those of you that are considering a switch, an illuminated reticle makes all the difference on a FFP scope.

I will post more info after I mount it and put some rounds through it.

Next? Get rid of those hole punchers and load up some 185 grain berger hybrid target loads!

 

[Wideback]

You bought a great scope, glad you like it. First focal isn't for everyone but if you shoot long and need to hold wind it makes it a lot easier. I tend to keep my first focal scopes on about 6x so i can see the reticle.

 

[failwagon]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been debating between going for another 4-32 nx8 or the 2.5-20 for my next rifle. I think I’ll try the 2.5

 

[ocurtis]

I dont think you can go wrong with either. Being on a 30-06, My maximum effective range is 500-600 yards and 20x is more than sufficient In hunting situations. for bench shooting or if you are really trying to stretch out furthreally I could see the 32x being useful. More than anything, the issue i see with the 4x32, is the reticle size at 4-6x is going to be tiny. Mine is tiny at 2.5x but by 4-5x is very usable.

 

[wapitibob]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been debating between going for another 4-32 nx8 or the 2.5-20 for my next rifle. I think I’ll try the 2.5

A decent discussion on both

NX8 2.5-20 vs 4-32

This has probably been argued before but I'm trying to decide on a scope for my 300prc. I'll be looking for a scope form my 300prc for use as a hunting rifle but will probably mostly see long range shooting. I'm concidering the NX8 line or the Mk5 5-25, possibly Vortex Razor LHT 4.5-22...

www.longrangeonly.com