Nightforce NX8

[CoryShap09]

Has anyone used or are currently using an NX8 for hunting? 100-500 yard shots on big game. Really would like to know how low light clarity is. Currently im using a VX5HD 4-20x52 but have been thinking about making the switch.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

You’ll have no issue in low light. Just keep the mag range reasonable.

 

[waspocrew]

I have several of them. But with confidence.

 

[HuntHarder]

Send it!

 

[SDHNTR]

Great scopes, but understand what they are. They aren’t perfect. The little one has a tighter eye box and won’t be as easy to get behind. Especially coming from your VX5. The big one is better, but that last 15-18x of the erector is worthless in the field. And the SFP model is near worthless altogether unless you like math under duress.

Glass (which isn’t even worth discussing) is more than adequate.

 

[HuntHarder]

Fwiw, after my last kill @ 645 yards, using a 2.5-20 Ffp Nx8, I noticed I shot on 18x. I had plenty of time to shoot and that ended up being the power I liked for the shot. I did not think above 15x was worthless. My 4-32 Nx8 has a magically better eye box. Nothing drastic, imo, like some guys make it out to be.

The Vx5 will have better glass and be lighter weight. Trade offs with everything tho. The glass on the NX8's is adequate, especially knowing guys use SWFA scopes and kill lots of shit. Those are like putting seran wrap over the end of a paper towel roll to me.

 

[Matt5266]

I currently do with the 4-32. No complaints. They are great scopes.

 

[rileybassman]

I use the 4-32 as well and it is a great scope. It is overkill for 500 yards, but it will do amazing and give you the ability to really reach out if you want. I seldom use mine over 20-24x as it does get a little less usable in poor conditions, but it's also just not needed for game. Glass is great.

 

[2rsquared]

4-32x FFP here. At dusk and dawn, I try to keep the exit pupil 5mm or larger for the most brightness...so I set it at 10x or less.

The illuminated reticle helps at last light and anything below 6x.

In low light, I can tell a noticeable difference above 20x.

Most of my shots are at 10-16x anyway...bright sun or otherwise. It's easier to spot shots and plenty of magnification.

I only use 32x for load development or target identification. No need to hike a spotting scope up the mountain.

Eyebox if not a factor to me on the 4-32. I've never looked through the 2.5-20x version.

 

[Dmoua]

Filled all my tags this year using NX8 scopes. I own both FFP and SFP in Mil and Moa. Great scope imo.

 

[journeyman713]

Not a fan of Night- force scopes for hunting, due to the reticle options.
In the heat of the moment, I prefer quick target acquisition, over counting hash marks.
The Night-force Christmas tree reticle, is night and day difference from the Leopold CDS scope.

 

[HGL]

I've got an NX8 4-32x50 and a Swarovski Z6i 3-18x50, both are used a bunch for hunting. The NX8 does surprisingly well in lowlight (in the lower/middle of the power range, say 6-12x) compared to the Swaro. The Swaro is most definitely better in low light, but the NF holds it's own.

The NF illumination for hunting is kind of "meh", imo. I tend not to use it at all, as it washes out the sight picture in true low light situations (too bright even on its lowest setting for my eyes). The Swaro illumination is the best I've ever seen for true low light hunting situations.



TLDR version:

Two different tools for two different applications, in my particular styles of hunting, but I don't feel handicapped with the NX8 in "legal" lowlight applications one bit.

 

[SDHNTR]

Fwiw, after my last kill @ 645 yards, using a 2.5-20 Ffp Nx8, I noticed I shot on 18x. I had plenty of time to shoot and that ended up being the power I liked for the shot. I did not think above 15x was worthless. My 4-32 Nx8 has a magically better eye box. Nothing drastic, imo, like some guys make it out to be.

The Vx5 will have better glass and be lighter weight. Trade offs with everything tho. The glass on the NX8's is adequate, especially knowing guys use SWFA scopes and kill lots of shit. Those are like putting seran wrap over the end of a paper towel roll to me.

Unless zeroing, mag above 12-15x does more harm than good. FOV matters. Seeing hits matters. Wind holds matter. FFP only for these scopes.

 

[HuntHarder]

Unless zeroing, mag above 12-15x does more harm than good. FOV matters. Seeing hits matters. Wind holds matter. FFP only for these scopes.

Your magnification preference isn't mine. I don't have a power range I like, per say. I would say typically walk around 6x and can shoot decently with that power. If I have time to adjust, I adjust until I find my happy compromise to FOV, resolution and light.

Not sure what you mean on the FFP, but I prefer it over SFP for wind holds

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

I have the 4-32 and the 2.5-20. Awesome optics that will get you past legal hunting light.

I used to have several VX5 and VX6 HDs. I have transitioned everything to nightforce over the last several years. No regrets. The glass in the leupolds are amazing - the NXS/NX8 won’t have the same contrast/clarity and color as the leupolds. The ATACRs I have will get you close. For me, that matters less with a scope and more with binos and spotters. I need my scope to hold zero and track and there a none better than nightforce at that.

 

[SDHNTR]

Your magnification preference isn't mine. I don't have a power range I like, per say. I would say typically walk around 6x and can shoot decently with that power. If I have time to adjust, I adjust until I find my happy compromise to FOV, resolution and light.

Not sure what you mean on the FFP, but I prefer it over SFP for wind holds

SFP doesn’t work with high mag when you need windholds because you’ll need to be on high power. You’ll never spot hits.

 

[eightyeight mag]

Love my nx8 scopes. Call me a fudd, but the moa sfp reticle is one of my favorites for hunting. Love the center dot. Have both the 2.5-20 and the 4-32. As everyone says the 2.5–20 does not have as much eye relief as the 4–32 but is very usable.
Tracking is spot on. Return to zero no problem.
All the Elk I’ve taken in years past have been 100 yards or less, but I always practice for those long shots that just never happened until this year.
748 yards dialed, fired, elk down.
Love my nx8 scopes.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

Love my nx8 scopes. Call me a fudd, but the moa sfp reticle is one of my favorites for hunting. Love the center dot. Have both the 2.5-20 and the 4-32. As everyone says the 2.5–20 does not have as much eye relief as the 4–32 but is very usable.
Tracking is spot on. Return to zero no problem.
All the Elk I’ve taken in years past have been 100 yards or less, but I always practice for those long shots that just never happened until this year.
748 yards dialed, fired, elk down.
Love my nx8 scopes.

All my nightforces are SFP with the exception of the ATACRs. Love the SFP for hunting and have never had a problem killing animals at long distance.

 

[Pronghunter]

I’ve lost track, but I would imagine I have somewhere between seven or eight 4-32’s. Swapped all my FFP‘s for SFP‘s. They are surprisingly good in low light. Like I’ve compared all of my high-end optics and these are extremely good. Most people don’t realize if you take the ocular lens cover off it opens the eye box way up and gives you a bigger site picture as well. I still think it’s the best all-around hunting optic there is. Repeatability, durability, glass, adjustment, and pretty good reticle options.

 

[KCviper]

I've got the NX8 2.5-20 SFP and love it! I'm not a hunter....