Scope Question (SWARO, NF, ZEISS)

[RogerSanchez]

Hi guys. I'm getting a custom 300 PRC built and I'm having a tough time choosing the rifle scope to top it with. I'd like an 18-20X scope. I'm between the Swarovski Z6 3-18, the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20, The Nightforce SHV 20X and the Zeiss Conquest 6. 3-18X.

I typically like a Plex reticle and I like to dial (don't like the NF MOAR reticle that much, but I'm open to giving it a shot). So the most important thing to me is that the scope tracks well

I've ranked my parameters
1 - Tracking Reliability
2 - Durability
3 - Glass Quality
4 - weight

Any help or additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[HuntInWild88]

I'd go swarovski. I have a z8i and have had zero issues with it. I have a dials. They are clean crisp and return to zero with no problems.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Are you shooting in any competitions? If not, dude, you should! They are fun and a great way to learn your rifle. With that said, I never dial for wind and prefer a covered or locking windage turret. However, I like the MOAR-T reticle for the windage holds.

 

[Knoxp]

All of these are on my list as well. Very hard to narrow down.

 

[Huntsalot]

I have a NX8 2.5-20 on the way. Every person I spoke to that actually owned one, was a big fan. Durability and tracking were my only concerns. Hopefully I'll be able to report back soon.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I’ve got a couple of NF, a NX8 and a NXS and a couple of Swarovski Z5s. I like the wind marks on the NFs and feel like the turrets have better clicks, but the Swarovskis have better glass.
The NFs are on my long range target guns and the Swarovski are on hunting rifles.

I really don’t think you can go wrong with either.

 

[wapitibob]

The shv is nowhere near an nxs or nx8.

 

[Oregonmuley]

Nightforce NXS is never not the right answer

 

[Sadler]

I have the NX8 2-20 F1 and really like it, although I did just order the small 2-10 nxs in order to cut some weight on my hunting rifle.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Hi guys. I'm getting a custom 300 PRC built and I'm having a tough time choosing the rifle scope to top it with. I'd like an 18-20X scope. I'm between the Swarovski Z6 3-18, the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20, The Nightforce SHV 20X and the Zeiss Conquest 6. 3-18X.

I typically like a Plex reticle and I like to dial (don't like the NF MOAR reticle that much, but I'm open to giving it a shot). So the most important thing to me is that the scope tracks well

I've ranked my parameters
1 - Tracking Reliability
2 - Durability
3 - Glass Quality
4 - weight

Any help or additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I've owned quite a few higher end scopes including an NX8 4-32.
There's a few things you should know about it before buying.
Short tube length and 8x zoom causes all kinds of optical issues
The parallax is incredibly sensitive and difficult to get a clear image.
Glass quality is mediocre and distortion is high in low light
The eye box is also one of the tightest I've used, in short I feel like the nx8 is a huge miss.
There are better optics in the $2200 price range including the NXS

 

[WeiserBucks]

I've owned quite a few higher end scopes including an NX8 4-32.
There's a few things you should know about it before buying.
Short tube length and 8x zoom causes all kinds of optical issues
The parallax is incredibly sensitive and difficult to get a clear image.
Glass quality is mediocre and distortion is high in low light
The eye box is also one of the tightest I've used, in short I feel like the nx8 is a huge miss.
There are better optics in the $2200 price range including the NXS

I agree, the NX8 is the worst scope NF makes on a performance vs dollar standpoint. Sure it's reliable and lighter than an ATACR but that's all it has going for it.

I'd bet if you gave 10 people a chance to use the entire NF lineup for a day of real shooting and keep one of their choice, there would be 10 NX8's left on the table at the end of the day.

 

[Fever Buck]

Curious anyone’s thoughts on the ATACR 4-16 vs the NX8 4-32?

 

[WKR]

Curious anyone’s thoughts on the ATACR 4-16 vs the NX8 4-32?

I have both, and prefer the 4-16 for hunting.

 

[Fever Buck]

I have both, and prefer the 4-16 for hunting.

Would you mind explaining your preference?

 

[Luison]

Hi, I would definitely go for one of the European options and make an effort to upgrade and buy a Zeiss V8 or a Swa Z8. I consider that the difference between the Conquest and the V8 is abysmal not to say the same between the Z6 and the Z8.
In both cases you have the magnification options you mention and the extra brightness is always appreciated. I have both and it's a matter of taste, feel comfortable, the Swa's reticle is quite a bit finer and the Zeiss is perhaps heavier.
You will have a scope for life.
Enjoy yor new toy!

 

[mthayr]

Would you mind explaining your preference?

I'm gonna guess he's going to say eyebox/eye relief and that mirage at those higher magnifications makes the NX8 far less "useable" than the ATACR. Also, the glass on the ATACR is great - and yes, I own the 4-16x50 ATACR (and an NXS 2.5-10x42), and I passed on the NX8 for all those reasons.

Also, unless you are picking off ground squirrels at 1000yds with that 300PRC, there are not a lot of other hunting scenarios you need more than 16X. Remember, your want to see your impact and where the animal goes... you're already going to have a hard time doing that with a 300PRC, and more magnification is not going to help.

 

[WKR]

Would you mind explaining your preference?

I have the 4-32 nx8 and the 4-16x42 Atacr both with the mil-c first focal plane reticle.

Yes The atacr is easier to get behind and the parallax is less sensitive but the nx8 is still a great scope.

I prefer the atacr for hunting because
the reticle is more usable at lower zoom ranges than the nx8
The nx8 suffers from low power tunneling from 4x-7x and the atacr doesn't
The atacr has a low profile LOCKING turret
The atacr is more compact
And I prefer a 4x erector vs an 8x

The only cons to the atacr are
Rotating ocular
34mm tube
A few ounces heavier than the nx8


I still use the nx8 alot and it will be going on an upcoming mule deer hunt in November with me. I just don't go over 20x.

 

[Fever Buck]

I have the 4-32 nx8 and the 4-16x42 Atacr both with the mil-c first focal plane reticle.

Yes The atacr is easier to get behind and the parallax is less sensitive but the nx8 is still a great scope.

I prefer the atacr for hunting because
the reticle is more usable at lower zoom ranges than the nx8
The nx8 suffers from low power tunneling from 4x-7x and the atacr doesn't
The atacr has a low profile LOCKING turret
The atacr is more compact
And I prefer a 4x erector vs an 8x

The only cons to the atacr are
Rotating ocular
34mm tube
A few ounces heavier than the nx8


I still use the nx8 alot and it will be going on an upcoming mule deer hunt in November with me. I just don't go over 20x.

Thank you

 

[Airohunter]

Save a couple more bucks and get the ZCO 420 and you will have zero regrets.