Nightforce NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Field Eval Q&A

[EcoastDG]

I just ordered one of these scopes pretty much based on your testing. Thank you for taking the time to test all these scopes.

 

[MONARCH_578]

Form, can you elaborate more on the eye box differences between 2.5-20 and 4-32?

I don’t need 32x magnification which is why I went with the 2.5-20x (I don’t need 20x for that matter). I haven’t looked through the 4-32 to compare.

4-32 is more forgiving, I have both, really only comes into play for me at higher magnification.

 

[2-Stix]

The evaluation here

Questions and answers.

Would you feel that the NXS line would preform the same? All Nightforce lines for that matter?

 

[Formidilosus]

Would you feel that the NXS line would preform the same? All Nightforce lines for that matter?

The NXS are if anything, more reliable. All the “tactical” and SHV’s that I’ve used and seen are durable and reliable, with very low rate of issues.

 

[Ice-kub]

I purchased an nx8 2.5-20x50 moar f1 last week to replace a vortex strike eagle 4-24x50.

This is possibly anecdotal but, 5 shot group size shrunk considerably. Last time I was out with the strike eagle the rifle shot 2.5-3inch groups at 100. With the nx8, 5 shots hovered around an inch or less.

Only gripes are price tag lol and the reticle, if only NF would add a hunting friendly reticle for the lower magnification. Still was able to print a 1 inch group at 100 on 2.5mag.

 

[pharmfisher]

Form, do you think the 3-10 shv will hold zero similar to an nx8? I'm trying to decide between an shv and a trijicon accupoint for a rough use close range deer rifle.

 

[Formidilosus]

Form, do you think the 3-10 shv will hold zero similar to an nx8? I'm trying to decide between an shv and a trijicon accupoint for a rough use close range deer rifle.

Yes they do. They are good scopes. I saw your thread, for that use I would personally choose the SHV.

 

[MONARCH_578]

Form, do you think the 3-10 shv will hold zero similar to an nx8? I'm trying to decide between an shv and a trijicon accupoint for a rough use close range deer rifle.

I only have NX8’s no shv’s but I do have a accupoint tr-26 2.5-12.5 and absolutely love it. Glass quality is great, illumination is awesome, very durable and light imo.

 

[pharmfisher]

Yes they do. They are good scopes. I saw your thread, for that use I would personally choose the SHV.

I only have NX8’s no shv’s but I do have a accupoint tr-26 2.5-12.5 and absolutely love it. Glass quality is great, illumination is awesome, very durable and light imo.

Thank you both for your help. This forum has been such a great resource.

 

[walk2112]

I only have NX8’s no shv’s but I do have a accupoint tr-26 2.5-12.5 and absolutely love it. Glass quality is great, illumination is awesome, very durable and light imo.

I would second that praise for the accupoint, not saying the nightforce options are bested by them, but my 2.5-12.5 and 1-6 accupoint have been exceptionally good to me for hunting in thick/brushy terrain in rainy crap weather on hard kicking guns.
If you don't mind SFP reticle for your application (I generally prefer FFP) they are my go to, especially on rifles intended for bear hunting in the brushy stuff.
Also I try to minimize the need for batteries in my kit as much as possible so that be subconsciously swaying me towards them.
Time and future drop testing will tell if they hold zero like a nightforce,swfa,tenmile, though... but so far so good

 

[tibo]

Bailed hard on last hunt and the NX8 took a solid hit. Luckily it was clay and not rocks, no apparent damage or shift.

Checked zero and had a 4mil shift right at 100m, elevation ok.
NX8 4-32 in a Spuhr ISMS base torqued as per manual 25in/lb on rings, 45in/lb on base clamp.

Re zeroed and function ok, would you still send it to get checked?

 

[Bluumoon]

Bailed hard on last hunt and the NX8 took a solid hit. Luckily it was clay and not rocks, no apparent damage or shift.

Checked zero and had a 4mil shift right at 100m, elevation ok.
NX8 4-32 in a Spuhr ISMS base torqued as per manual 25in/lb on rings, 45in/lb on base clamp.

Re zeroed and function ok, would you still send it to get checked?

If you are worried about it, why not try the drop test for yourself? Just use the appropriate drop surface, ie not hard packed dirt or gravel w a pad.

At first I just trusted the process, after testing my own I found kinks in my process, now each hunting rifle gets tested.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Bailed hard on last hunt and the NX8 took a solid hit. Luckily it was clay and not rocks, no apparent damage or shift.

Checked zero and had a 4mil shift right at 100m, elevation ok.
NX8 4-32 in a Spuhr ISMS base torqued as per manual 25in/lb on rings, 45in/lb on base clamp.

Re zeroed and function ok, would you still send it to get checked?

It's probably your mount.

 

[Formidilosus]

Bailed hard on last hunt and the NX8 took a solid hit. Luckily it was clay and not rocks, no apparent damage or shift.

Checked zero and had a 4mil shift right at 100m, elevation ok.
NX8 4-32 in a Spuhr ISMS base torqued as per manual 25in/lb on rings, 45in/lb on base clamp.

Re zeroed and function ok, would you still send it to get checked?

The highest probability is that your mount is the issue- when a NF shifts zero, it is generally hard broke; I.E., does not function at all. Spuhr mounts are less than durable and reliable. Beyond that- actions shift in stocks too- how did you eliminate that?

 

[tibo]

The highest probability is that your mount is the issue- when a NF shifts zero, it is generally hard broke; I.E., does not function at all. Spuhr mounts are less than durable and reliable. Beyond that- actions shift in stocks too- how did you eliminate It’s in a KRG. I took all appart to clean the mess and have to admit didn’t c

The highest probability is that your mount is the issue- when a NF shifts zero, it is generally hard broke; I.E., does not function at all. Spuhr mounts are less than durable and reliable. Beyond that- actions shift in stocks too- how did you eliminate that?

I took everything apart to clean the mess once home. It seat in a krg bravo, I never had a zero shift before taking action out and back in but yes could be a possibility. I guess something would be broken in the scope it wouldn’t be back to normal?
Will double check the Spuhr base. Never heard off issues with them except the clamp breaking back in the day before they updated the design. Where are the weak points?

 

[Formidilosus]

I took everything apart to clean the mess once home. It seat in a krg bravo, I never had a zero shift before taking action out and back in but yes could be a possibility. I guess something would be broken in the scope it wouldn’t be back to normal?
Will double check the Spuhr base. Never heard off issues with them except the clamp breaking back in the day before they updated the design. Where are the weak points?

The Spuhr mounting system is a weak point. Have seen several of every generation break, and none will hold zero consistently when dropped.

 

[JohnJohnson]

It seat in a krg bravo

Unbedded chassis can also have zero shift if there's an impact to the barrel. More and more PRS dudes are bedding them for that reason since they tend to bang their barrels on props. It varies in severity by brand. I'm not sure how relevant it is to KRG but I'm about to send my KRG Bravo to be bedded to eliminate the variable myself.

 

[tibo]

The Spuhr mounting system is a weak point. Have seen several of every generation break, and none will hold zero consistently when dropped.

Ok noted where do they break usually? What base, ring do you recommend, NF?

 

[tibo]

Unbedded chassis can also have zero shift if there's an impact to the barrel. More and more PRS dudes are bedding them for that reason since they tend to bang their barrels on props. It varies in severity by brand. I'm not sure how relevant it is to KRG but I'm about to send my KRG Bravo to be bedded to eliminate the variable myself.

I bedded mine with Devcon, not sure it was needed and made a difference at the time.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I bedded mine with Devcon, not sure it was needed and made a difference at the time.

I'm having mine bedded just so if I have a zero shift I know it's the rings. Scope is an ATACR and the scope base is designed so it can't come loose (plus loctite). That just leaves the chassis and scope rings so may as well check one of those off.