Riflescope Help

[Blackdog317]

After talking to a few people directly I think I am going to go with the NXS in MOA. I just dont see myself needing the extended magnification, especially for what I hunt. Too many people who have killed a bunch say its an outstanding scope and incredibly reliable, which is what I want. I love the idea of 2.5 on the bottom end and I'm fine with 10 on the top end. In reality, I just don't think I'll be shooting far enough out there to need more than 10.

Did any of the folks that you talked to with experience using the NXS 2.5-10x42 mention the maximum distance they would feel comfortable shooting mule deer/elk sized game at 10X? Did any of them have situations where the uncapped windage turret created problems (movement in a scabbard or strapped to a pack, or busting brush that caused the turret to turn away from zero)?

The 10X magnification and uncapped windage turret are my only hang-ups with that scope. If those are not a big deal, then I may save up the extra coin and go with the NF.

 

[805Bowhunter]

Did any of the folks that you talked to with experience using the NXS 2.5-10x42 mention the maximum distance they would feel comfortable shooting mule deer/elk sized game at 10X? Did any of them have situations where the uncapped windage turret created problems (movement in a scabbard or strapped to a pack, or busting brush that caused the turret to turn away from zero)?

The 10X magnification and uncapped windage turret are my only hang-ups with that scope. If those are not a big deal, then I may save up the extra coin and go with the NF.

I think your hang ups are legitimate but I am ok with them. I have friend who has the scope and talked to him about it a bit after I realized it was what he was running. In speaking with him he said he has taken several antelope out to 500 yds with it. Being a bowhunter, I just feel like if I can't get to within 400 for a "good shot," then I will get closer. I am ok with that and, with my shooting ability, taking a shot out past 400 is just not going to happen.

The uncapped windage is a good point too, but something I will just make sure to take note that it hasn't moved when getting set up.

 

[805Bowhunter]

@Blackdog317 what do you feel like is ideal magnification for western hunting? One of the other scopes that stood out to me was the Leupold VX6 3-18x50. There would obviously be no holdover with this reticle so you could utilize all magnifications and just dial with a custom turret.

For anyone who has looked through the firedot...how is longer range shooting on max power through it? Does it cover too much of the target at say...18x?

 

[805Bowhunter]

In my opinion and other shooters much more experienced than me a ratio of 1.5x per 100 yards is sufficient. I’m perfectly happy at 10x with a rough 500 yard limit. Some episodes of The Hunt Backcountry Podcast have gotten into this recently and Steve has settled onto the 2.5-10x42 NXS for all around use. Makes me want to upgrade from my 3-10 SHV but it works great as well.

Do you know what episode of the hunt backcountry podcast this was by chance? Looking back through I cannot find it

 

[Oregonmuley]

Did any of the folks that you talked to with experience using the NXS 2.5-10x42 mention the maximum distance they would feel comfortable shooting mule deer/elk sized game at 10X? Did any of them have situations where the uncapped windage turret created problems (movement in a scabbard or strapped to a pack, or busting brush that caused the turret to turn away from zero)?

The 10X magnification and uncapped windage turret are my only hang-ups with that scope. If those are not a big deal, then I may save up the extra coin and go with the NF.

Here's my experience - its only 2 seasons worth of hunting with that scope for what its worth - deer/elk/antelope.

So far in all the days in the field the windage hasn't moved once that I can recall, you can zero it once you have your rifle zeroed and at a quick glance see its at zero in the field. I only hunt on foot and have had it strapped to my pack plenty of times, no movement for me.

Max distance - so far I've only killed stuff out to 160 yards with it so nothing impressive. I did glass a buck 2 seasons ago at 479 yards - he was just on the wrong side of the fence though so no shot If he'd of stepped across I would have had no problem shooting that buck, I could see exactly what I was aiming at - and it was early morning in poor light so 500 yards IMHO would be fine - even for my 59 year old eyes

 

[Dirtriding4life]

Do you know what episode of the hunt backcountry podcast this was by chance? Looking back through I cannot find it

Episode 321- The best gear we used in 2021

 

[805Bowhunter]

Episode 321- The best gear we used in 2021

great thank you!

 

[Blackdog317]

@Blackdog317 what do you feel like is ideal magnification for western hunting?

I have been hunting with a 2-12x42 over the last 5-6 years. I really like that power range and objective size for the way I hunt.

I missed an opportunity on a bull at close range in thick cover using a 4.5-14 several years ago. Ever since then, I have used scopes with lower power and a much wider field of view on the bottom end. I have not missed the higher magnification, except at the range. The 6x power magnification range seems to cover everything I want to do... which includes tight, dark timber to open country and cross canyon shots at moderate distance (by today's standards... 600 yds max).

I think the compact NXS is probably the best option for what I want to do. The feedback from people with experience using that scope for similar types of hunting is very positive.

 

[805Bowhunter]

I have been hunting with a 2-12x42 over the last 5-6 years. I really like that power range and objective size for the way I hunt.

I missed an opportunity on a bull at close range in thick cover using a 4.5-14 several years ago. Ever since then, I have used scopes with lower power and a much wider field of view on the bottom end. I have not missed the higher magnification, except at the range. The 6x power magnification range seems to cover everything I want to do... which includes tight, dark timber to open country and cross canyon shots at moderate distance (by today's standards... 600 yds max).

I think the compact NXS is probably the best option for what I want to do. The feedback from people with experience using that scope for similar types of hunting is very positive.

This is the feedback I really appreciate. Thank you all for this thread. It’s been very helpful.

I’ve seen on some threads that the NXS can be really tight mounting because it’s compact. I’m gonna take mine to a gunsmith for mounting but do you guys have any mounting recommendations for the NXS? Specific rings for this scope? Again apologies for the basic questions but I’ve hunted far too much with a bow. It will be going on a Christensen Ridgeline 30-06.

 

[keystone112]

You might need a pic rail to get rings where you want them for a longer action. If you are good with that, you’ll be solid.

I don’t think you will regret an NXS.

 

[805Bowhunter]

You might need a pic rail to get rings where you want them for a longer action. If you are good with that, you’ll be solid.

I don’t think you will regret an NXS.

Do you have any pic rails you recommend? Ones to stay away from?

 

[sndmn11]

Do you have any pic rails you recommend? Ones to stay away from?

20moa Talley, warne mountain tech, nightforce.
For rings @HawkinsPrecision , seekins, TPS, nightforce, warne mountain tech, arc, apa, Talley modern sporting, contessa.

Your scope choice is solid, you can shoot just fine well past what you have talked about with that magnification range. You can also lock the windage with some electrical tape. That's a lifetime scope.

 

[805Bowhunter]

20moa Talley, warne mountain tech, nightforce.
For rings @HawkinsPrecision , seekins, TPS, nightforce, warne mountain tech, arc, apa, Talley modern sporting, contessa.

Your scope choice is solid, you can shoot just fine well past what you have talked about with that magnification range. You can also lock the windage with some electrical tape. That's a lifetime scope.

@sndmn11 Thanks a bunch for this. Talley makes a custom rail for Christensen which is awesome. Is there any negative to going with a 20 moa rail?

I will likely also go with the Talley modern sporting rings just to keep it simple. Any downside to this setup? Do the sporting rings need bases or do they connect directly to the rail?

Lastly running the nxs off of the above rail, what height rings do you think I should go with? Sorry for the super beginner questions but appreciate you guys helping me out

 

[sndmn11]

@sndmn11 Thanks a bunch for this. Talley makes a custom rail for Christensen which is awesome. Is there any negative to going with a 20 moa rail?

I will likely also go with the Talley modern sporting rings just to keep it simple. Any downside to this setup? Do the sporting rings need bases or do they connect directly to the rail?

Lastly running the nxs off of the above rail, what height rings do you think I should go with? Sorry for the super beginner questions but appreciate you guys helping me out

No negative to a 20moa rail, they might have one with a level in the back.

No negative to that rail or the modern sporting rings for your described use.
The modern sporting rings mount only on a picatinny rail.

30mm low.

Here's part numbers and links to clarify.

Christensen Arms

Made in America, Talley Manufacturing’s Christensen Arms Picatinny Rails are machined entirely from high grade 7000 series alloy and protect

www.talleymanufacturing.com

PLM700ACI

Talley Modern Sporting Rings

The Talley Modern Sporting (TMS) Scope Ring is a new solution for your Picatinny rail system , available in 1", 30mm, 34 and now 35mmm

www.talleymanufacturing.com

TMS30L

 

[roosiebull]

In all reality I’m not quite sure. I’d love to be proficient with both. Maybe it’s being a bowhunter for so long but the idea of using the reticle for holdover makes a lot of sense right now. Maybe this will change as comfort behind the scope increases but dialing under pressure right now seems overwhelming.

have you looked at the nightforce shv 3-10x42? if not set on dialing, looks like a great holdover reticle with actual values (rather than random aiming points like most bdc type reticles) seems like it would be tough to go wrong there... i was torn between that and the swfa 3-9x, and ended up with the swfa thanks to a member here willing to let one go... the only reason i wanted a dial is for my wife, and lack of confusion in the heat of the moment.... i didn't want to compromise reliability for a dial, which seems to be very common with any sub 1500 dollar scopes with a few exceptions. in real world hunting applications inside 500yds, 10x is PLENTY, and the lower magnification you are comfortable with in any situation, the better off you are... took me a long time to figure that out

just another suggestion after going through a similar dilemma.. picking a good reliable scope is more daunting than picking a good rifle or cartridge.... very hard to gauge by looking at reviews, like many things

good luck in finding that perfect optic for your needs

 

[Quadzilla32]

have you looked at the nightforce shv 3-10x42? if not set on dialing, looks like a great holdover reticle with actual values (rather than random aiming points like most bdc type reticles) seems like it would be tough to go wrong there... i was torn between that and the swfa 3-9x, and ended up with the swfa thanks to a member here willing to let one go... the only reason i wanted a dial is for my wife, and lack of confusion in the heat of the moment.... i didn't want to compromise reliability for a dial, which seems to be very common with any sub 1500 dollar scopes with a few exceptions. in real world hunting applications inside 500yds, 10x is PLENTY, and the lower magnification you are comfortable with in any situation, the better off you are... took me a long time to figure that out

just another suggestion after going through a similar dilemma.. picking a good reliable scope is more daunting than picking a good rifle or cartridge.... very hard to gauge by looking at reviews, like many things

good luck in finding that perfect optic for your needs

I keep reading that x9/10 scopes are more than enough for 500 yard shots. I haven’t been able to look through a scope at that range so don’t know what an elk/deer looks like at that range. Is that enough magnification for antelope too? I know it’s kind of different sceneries with wooded long range shots vs flat open plains shots.

 

[roosiebull]

I keep reading that x9/10 scopes are more than enough for 500 yard shots. I haven’t been able to look through a scope at that range so don’t know what an elk/deer looks like at that range. Is that enough magnification for antelope too? I know it’s kind of different sceneries with wooded long range shots vs flat open plains shots.

in my opinion, plenty. i have shot a lion at 497yds on 7X and it was by choice to not turn it up to 9x because i wanted to see where it went if it went, which it didn't, and be able to get back on target fast if a second shot was required. the scope i used this year was 12X on the top end, killed my buck on 6X because it gave me all of the precision i needed at 315yds with a decent FOV to get back on target if needed... would have been fine on 4X with that buck.

if you are by yourself (or even not) lowest power you are comfortable with is better imo, you can see better, get back on target much faster, and have a better chance of seeing your hit. zoomed way in is a disadvantage imo, especially if getting back on target or seeing your hit is important, which usually is. it's a more relaxed sight picture too, taking out the shake and reticle movement

 

[sndmn11]

I keep reading that x9/10 scopes are more than enough for 500 yard shots. I haven’t been able to look through a scope at that range so don’t know what an elk/deer looks like at that range. Is that enough magnification for antelope too? I know it’s kind of different sceneries with wooded long range shots vs flat open plains shots.

Do you have 8x/10x binoculars, or a friend have any? Look through those and pretend there are crosshairs.

Similar to @roosiebull I shot my pronghorn at 6-7X through my SHV F1. It's was foggy and I was alone in the field. I held a little for wind and a little for elevation after already dialing and the thing died. Below is the family at a few hundred yards to give an idea of how foggy it was and why I wanted to have field of view over magnification.
When he first popped up there was some visibility, pic below, but the fog came pretty quick. This type of scenario is exactly while I like first focal because I could simply zoom out and values didn't change.

 

[Tesoro]

400 yards is a long shot in the field. You say 30-06 so if you shoot a 150gr bullet zero it 4in high at 100. This will put you +3.6 at 200, -4 at 300 and -22 at 400. A big deer is about 24 in thick. Pretty easy math to figure out without looking at your phone and twiddling dials while the deer walks into the brush! Dont need no stinkin dots and hashmarks all over your pretty crosshairs!
If you are shooting in low light chances are you will see better on lower mag, and be able to hold your x-hairs easier on target.
You dont need anything more than a 3x as stated with 2 to 3 on the low end ( ie 2-12 or 3-9) Its hard to have both an ideal lightweight good optics hunting scope and a range scope in one package. That is of course if you dont want to have an extra 3/4pound of metal and glass on top of your receiver. Dosent sound like much but it is on a field rifle. its all a compromise!

 

[Quadzilla32]

Spoke with NF and nxs compact is 8 months backordered. Might not be an option for next season. Looked into the shv and it’s on the heavy side.

Looks like trijicon and ZEISS are still the front runners. Found accupoint that’s 2.5-12 but all the turrets are capped which kind of sucks.