Nightforce nx8 4-32x50

Elkman17

FNG
Joined
Aug 11, 2020
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I’ve been scope shopping off and on for over a year now, and I think I’ve settled on the nx8. I’m just wondering if anyone who has one or has used one would share their opinion on it with me? I haven’t ever got to physically hold one or look through it, but I have looked through other nightforce scopes and was impressed with the clarity.
I like the nx8 because of its smaller and lighter frame compared to some of the other higher magnification scopes. I also like being able to go clear down to just 4 power for closer shots, although the rifle would primary be used for longer ranges. It’s going on a hunting rifle.
 
I own 3, all are 4-32 models. I picked it for the reasons you stated and obviously liked it as I’ve added two more. I haven’t had any issues with any of them. However, I am not a fan of the covers provided and have switched all of mine over to Aadland covers.

I find for longer range hunting scenarios I only need 20-25 power. The 32 power is handy for spotting paper at the range or judging trophy quality without having to grab the spotting scope.
 
I second Arrowhunters5, they track. Eye box is solid in the 4-32, clarity is great, the extra power is good when zeroing. Also a used scope holds near full retail value even after years.
 
I own 3, all are 4-32 models. I picked it for the reasons you stated and obviously liked it as I’ve added two more. I haven’t had any issues with any of them. However, I am not a fan of the covers provided and have switched all of mine over to Aadland covers.

I find for longer range hunting scenarios I only need 20-25 power. The 32 power is handy for spotting paper at the range or judging trophy quality without having to grab the spotting scope.
Thank you, that’s just the type of info I was hoping to get. Are your scopes first or second focal plane? If they are first, have you ever had trouble seeing the crosshairs on low power when hunting? I should have included that question in my initial post but that is another thing I’ve been thinking about. With that big of a magnification range would the crosshairs be really faint all the way down on 4 power.
 
I second Arrowhunters5, they track. Eye box is solid in the 4-32, clarity is great, the extra power is good when zeroing. Also a used scope holds near full retail value even after years.
Thank you, I hadn’t thought about resale value. Hard to beat the feeling when you’ve got the white face of a mature blacktail in any scope.
 
Thank you, that’s just the type of info I was hoping to get. Are your scopes first or second focal plane? If they are first, have you ever had trouble seeing the crosshairs on low power when hunting? I should have included that question in my initial post but that is another thing I’ve been thinking about. With that big of a magnification range would the crosshairs be really faint all the way down on 4 power.
I’m old school and just use them for hunting. No competition or tactical use. I prefer the second focal plane scopes. I’ve never looked through the FFP version and can’t comment on that.

I will add, I almost went with the the 2.5-20 model, but it the 4-32 only weighs .3 ounces more and is 1.4 inches longer. Also the distance from the turret to the front bell, is very short on the 2.5-25 and I was worried it would limit, or at least complicate mounting it.

For context, I have an original Leupold VX6, 4-24 with M1 exposed turrets and several PST Gen 2, 5-25’s. I prefer the NX8’s.
 
I have a NX8 4-32 ffp. Love the scope, but I really wish I would have gotten the second focal plane. At lower powers the first focal plane is basically worthless as far as I’m concerned. Especially for a hunting application. The reticle basically disappears.
 
That scope in SFP is a non starter unless you want to math up double subtensions and use it at 16x, which is still a bit too much power for SFP, imo. Makes zero sense for hunting at 32x. That said, in FFP, I consider it a long range specialty scope only as the low range sucks too. The reticle only becomes visible at 6-8X with the light on. There are far better overall hunting scopes.

The little NX8 is even worse imo. Eyebox is tough to get behind.
 
That scope in SFP is a non starter unless you want to math up double subtensions and use it at 16x, which is still a bit too much power for SFP, imo. Makes zero sense for hunting at 32x. That said, in FFP, I consider it a long range specialty scope only as the low range sucks too. The reticle only becomes visible at 6-8X with the light on. There are far better overall hunting scopes.

The little NX8 is even worse imo. Eyebox is tough to get behind.

I think scopes are like boots. What works for one person doesn’t for another. I much prefer the nx8 over the RS 1.2. No issues at low range, I haven’t hunted with it but have used it at dusk a couple of times already. Maybe someone with ailing eye sight would think differently.

I agree on FFP. Not sure why anybody would buy a 4-32x in sfp.
 
I have a NX8 4-32 ffp. Love the scope, but I really wish I would have gotten the second focal plane. At lower powers the first focal plane is basically worthless as far as I’m concerned. Especially for a hunting application. The reticle basically disappears.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer, I thought that might happen with such a wide magnification range.
 
That scope in SFP is a non starter unless you want to math up double subtensions and use it at 16x, which is still a bit too much power for SFP, imo. Makes zero sense for hunting at 32x. That said, in FFP, I consider it a long range specialty scope only as the low range sucks too. The reticle only becomes visible at 6-8X with the light on. There are far better overall hunting scopes.

The little NX8 is even worse imo. Eyebox is tough to get behind.
I appreciate the info, do you have one in mind that I should look at?
 
I think scopes are like boots. What works for one person doesn’t for another. I much prefer the nx8 over the RS 1.2. No issues at low range, I haven’t hunted with it but have used it at dusk a couple of times already. Maybe someone with ailing eye sight would think differently.

I agree on FFP. Not sure why anybody would buy a 4-32x in sfp.
Thanks for taking the time to share your info with me. You haven’t had a problem seeing the reticle on 4 power?
 
I appreciate the info, do you have one in mind that I should look at?
I think my favorite all around NF scope is the compact NXS. I don’t mind the 3-15 either, but that’s the max I’d want in a SFP.

A lot of folks here like the Maven RS 1.2. They were close with that one IMO, but I don’t like the floating dot (too small) and the illumination is nearly worthless.

The SWFA 3-9 or 3-15 are worth a look too.
 
Thanks for taking the time to share your info with me. You haven’t had a problem seeing the reticle on 4 power?

The only time I had an issue with at dusk with tree canopy coverage.

Out on the plains I didn’t have an issue.

I’m not a big illumination guy but the nx8 has a good illumination system.
 
NX8 is a great scope. I own 3 of them. Great clarity for how compact it is, tracks true, and holds zero.
 
I have the 2-20 and 4-32. They are both great scopes. Also have a Trijicon 5-25 and a Sig Whiskey 5 5-25. They are all great scopes and they are all SFP. I recently bought a FFP scope to see what all the fuss was about and I learned I am not a FFP person, To hard to see the crosshairs in the lower powers. For hunting applications my "personal" opinion is a SFP works better. Some people get pretty twisted about using the sub tensions for aiming. If I was trying to stack hole on hole in paper at some distance, I would agree, instead I am aiming at an animal at a distance that requires me to be able to visualize were I need to aim to make a killing shot. Not saying there are not different opinions, everybody has got two or three on every subject and that is ok until they try and pass their opinion on to you as the "only way to do something". Again these are my opinions and hold about as much water as a kitchen strainer. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
I have the 2-20 and 4-32. They are both great scopes. Also have a Trijicon 5-25 and an Sig Whiskey 5 5-25. They are all great scopes and they are all SFP. I recently bought a FFP scope to see what all the fuss was about and I learned I am not a FFP person, To hard to see the crosshairs in the lower powers. For hunting applications my "personal" opinion is a SFP works better. Some people get pretty twisted about using the sub tensions for aiming. If I was trying to stack hole on hole in paper at some distance, I would agree, instead I am aiming at an animal at a distance that requires me to be able to visualize were I need to aim to make a killing shot. Not saying there are not different opinions, everybody has got two or three on every subject and that is ok until they try and pass their opinion on to you as the "only way to do something". Again these are my opinions and hold about as much water as a kitchen strainer. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
How do you hold for wind?
 
Nope. Once Sighted in I never touch the dials again. That is what the hash marks are for. I use them for aiming marks, I don't care if they are MIL or MOA, they are just a reference point to use for aiming and repeatability "IF" I need to take a second shot. When I started hunting 57 years ago there were no such things as hash marks or electronic range finders. You made a WAG with a steady rest and visualized where you wanted to aim knowing where your PB range was while using your crosshairs as reference points and you fired. In the early days sometimes it would take the third shot to kill something, as the years progressed I got it down to two shots, and now with better scopes, 95% of the time I do it in one shot. What helped more than anything was shooting coyotes year around for about 25 years for extra money. The less you missed, the less you had to reload. Still wore out several varmint rifles though. I am an old dog who see's no reason to learn new tricks when the old ones still work.
 
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