NRL Hunter Optic

[Remington92]

After having the parallax dial give out on my 4.5-18 LRHS I'm now on somewhat of a time crunch to find a replacement scope for my first NRL match in mid may. The S2H scope and the NX6 would be my top pick but they wont be available in time. So I'm currently down to 3 options that I can see
1) another used LRHS/LRTS 4.15-18 or LRHS2 from ga (preference to finding one without doughnut of death)
2) NXS 2.5-20 haven't looked through one in years but I remember them being eyebox finnicky and either fine or fat crosshairs at either end of mag
3) MK5 3.5-18 I've killed many different VX Leopold's but never had a mk, according to drop tests doesn't appear they're much better

Given the time restraints and needing something sub 30oz what would you all recommend in the 2-20ish mag range. Once this is over it will most likely move to my main hunting rifle if I end up liking it and possibly replace a 3-12 lrhs.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

I've ran a Mark 5 HD (5-25) for 4 years of NRL hunter, and hunting. The scope is beat to hell. I've had zero issues with it.

Flew to phoenix with it, then drove to Clovis, New Mexico with the Wilderness Athlete crew to shoot a match. I checked my zero and I didn't have to make a change.

Meanwhile a buddy I shoot NRL with has an ATACR that had issues, just sent it in, and got it back and still is shifting all over the place on him. And its definitely not his gun because he swapped to his NX8 and won last weekend.

It's manufacturing, there's lemons out there...

 

[6.5x284]

I'd grab a used NX8 but in 4-32 (sub 30oz) and get to blasting.

 

[wind gypsy]

NX8 4-32.

for less $ a guy could find a 4-18 mk4.

 

[Remington92]

Is the 4-32 a better optic overall compared to the 2.5-20 or is it recommended solely for the higher magnification range?

 

[id_jon]

I'd look at a Mark4HD 4.5-18 or 6-24 before a Mark5 3.5-18.

 

[ID_Matt]

The mark 4's are hard to beat for a match scope at the price they can be picked up for.

 

[6.5x284]

Is the 4-32 a better optic overall compared to the 2.5-20 or is it recommended solely for the higher magnification range?

I think so. I think the NX6 will be better still, but the 4-32 seems easier to get behind and seems to have more forgiving depth of field. Top end isn't very usable. This last hunter match I shot the entire match between 12-15x. I rarely go higher than 18x in a match.

 

[jjordan355]

I recently got a smoking deal on a Leupold 4.5-18x52 Mark 4 and have only had it out to the range a handful of times, but so far I enjoy it a lot. I was between a MK4 or an NX8 and ended up getting the Mark 4 for a very good price. Weight is great too at 27 oz.

 

[4th_point]

1) another used LRHS/LRTS 4.15-18 or LRHS2 from ga (preference to finding one without doughnut of death)

Given the time restraints and needing something sub 30oz what would you all recommend in the 2-20ish mag range. Once this is over it will most likely move to my main hunting rifle if I end up liking it and possibly replace a 3-12 lrhs.

The 3-12x LRHS/LRTS seems to have a better track record than the 4.5-18x. Don't recall many of the 12x failing, but several 18x over the years. The 12x doesn't meet your 20x requirement though. The old DMR and HDMR have a solid reputation.

 

[Remington92]

Oh I did not realize the 4.5-18 lrhs/lrts had a spotty reputation. I guess that's partially what has put me in this situation as well is Bushnell doesn't repair anything just replaces with something from their current line which is now all heavy boat anchors.

 

[hand skills]

Of the mark 5's, the 5-25 is a nicer scope. I'd look to that over the 3.6-18 for better FOV and MUCH better Depth of Field.

Side by side the 5-25 is optically superior in general.

I'm still running a 4.5-18 LRTS myself...

 

[cq0302]

NX8 4-32.

for less $ a guy could find a 4-18 mk4.

This is what I’m using, around 1000 rounds since zero, bouncing around all over in my truck (just tossed on the back floor to run down the road lol) or wheeler when shooting, haven’t touched zero. I will say, the eye box can make spotting impacts difficult on some odd positions, but not the norm. Good enough for a 2nd in Sparta though

 

[cq0302]

Is the 4-32 a better optic overall compared to the 2.5-20 or is it recommended solely for the higher magnification range?

I can’t speak to the 2.5-20, but the 4-32 has god glass quality, tracks reliably and holds zero extremely well. As far as mag, I only shoot my 4-32 on the high end when I’m zeroing. At the last match I shot 960yds on 16 or 17x, for hunter there is no need for more than 20x. PRS, in my limited experience there can be some tiny targets that justify higher mag ranges