Torn on optic choices for a new rifle

[Adamc55]

I'm totally switching up my "Western" hunting rifle. I'm downsizing from 300wm to a Seekins element hunter in 6.5 PRC. I've been working with Eurooptics and have a decent quote from them on multiple items, I am struggling with a decision on the optic though. Originally I was looking into the Trijicon tenmile HX 5-25x50. I have a couple Trijicon optics and I've been happy with them, but I've always wanted to dip my toes into Nightforce. I was heavily considering the NX8 2.5-20 but there are so many conflicting opinions on it, especially the eye box. The NX8 4-32 is also an option, although it is at the top of the list price-wise and this whole set up isn't exactly a cheap date to begin with... Then this morning I discovered the new NX6 line, specifically the 5-30x56. I noticed it's a little heavier and larger than the NX8's but they are saying it has a more forgiving eye box, and with the larger tube and objective lens I would assume it's brighter. If you had to choose between those 4 optics, what would you do? All of the nightforces are within a few hundred dollars of each other. The trijicon is $450 less than the cheapest nightforce which is the NX6. All optics are FFP MOA.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I’d wait for next months pre order of the S2H and grab one of those.

ZeroTech TRACE ADV 3-18×44 FFP Shoot2Hunt
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...oot2Hunt.440916/&share_type=t&link_source=app

While you’re waiting for one to arrive, I’d get a good deal on an RS1.2 or SWFA 3-9 that are about to be flooding the classifieds.


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[Chris in TN]

I’d wait for next months pre order of the S2H and grab one of those.

ZeroTech TRACE ADV 3-18×44 FFP Shoot2Hunt
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=45046&share_tid=440916&url=https://www.rokslide.com/forums/index.php?threads/ZeroTech-TRACE-ADV-3-18×44-FFP-Shoot2Hunt.440916/&share_type=t&link_source=app

While you’re waiting for one to arrive, I’d get a good deal on an RS1.2 or SWFA 3-9 that are about to be flooding the classifieds.


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Believe it or not.....same here.

I have one NF. I will probably buy a non-dialing Trijicon this year for a non-dialing use.

But for western hunting where dialing is a factor, pretty much all of the NF and Trij reticles suck for actual field use. Great optics, terrible reticles that simply weren't designed for actual hunting.

 

[Jake Larsen]

There’s a big thread on the NX-6s. I’d definitely read through it before I purchase one.

I own and use NF optics. They’re great in many ways, but the reticles really do leave a lot to be desired for western hunting. Now there’s other options on the market that solve the problems.


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[Adamc55]

@Jake Larsen I hadn't seen that Zerotech, I'll look it up. Although I think I'd go tenmile for $450 more to gain the extra magnification and larger objective. I'll definitely read through the NX6 thread before deciding on anything.

@Jake Larsen @Chris in TN It looks like the zerotech RMG-H reticle is very similar to the reticles I had chosen in the Trijicon and NF. It would be my choice even with the zerotech

 

[Jake Larsen]

@Jake Larsen I hadn't seen that Zerotech, I'll look it up. Although I think I'd go tenmile for $450 more to gain the extra magnification and larger objective. I'll definitely read through the NX6 thread before deciding on anything.

@Jake Larsen @Chris in TN It looks like the zerotech RMG-H reticle is very similar to the reticles I had chosen in the Trijicon and NF. It would be my choice even with the zerotech

Do yourself a favor and read through the Minox ZP5 with THLR thread and try to wrap your head around that reticle. At first I didn’t understand it, but I’ve spent some time behind one now. It’s a genius design, by far the most usable hunting reticle I’ve ever seen. The stripped back version will be even better. Also FWIW, most guys who get into western/LR shooting are never using anything beyond 12-18x. I personally prefer to shoot out to 600 yards with 8-10x. The problem with most of the super high mag range FFP scopes is that you end up with an unusable reticle at low power/low light, which is a very realistic possibility in the field.


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[BluMtn]

I have both NF's you mention and several Tenmile 5x25's, all in SFP. In all honesty I can't really tell a difference in any of them, but I notice the Trijicon's are a little more forgiving in the eyebox.

 

[Thinkingman]

I've said this a dozen times...I have no use for a hunting scope that doesn't dial down to 3X.
I won't give up the FOV for when things happen sooner and closer than you expected.
Furthermore, I'm seeing more posts agreeing with my point about FFP having serious limitations when it comes to the reticle at lower power.
I think 3-18 in SFP is the sweet spot.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I've said this a dozen times...I have no use for a hunting scope that doesn't dial down to 3X.
I won't give up the FOV for when things happen sooner and closer than you expected.
Furthermore, I'm seeing more posts agreeing with my point about FFP having serious limitations when it comes to the reticle at lower power.
I think 3-18 in SFP is the sweet spot.

I’m with you, I’ve been very critical of most FFP reticles on the market. Had several, and moved away from them after having several incidents on animals in low power/low light. That being said,
Check out the modified THLR on the S2H scope. And the full THLR on the ZP5. It’s got a German #1 style center post which makes it perfectly usable on low power. More useable than most 2nd focal plane duplex in low power/low light. Solves all the problems! And for longer range/dialing work, FFP is definitely much superior. You truly get the best of both worlds. Excellent evaluation below, complete with photos and explanations of how to use some of the reticle features.

Minox ZP5 5-25x56mm THLR Field Evaluation
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...aluation.253283/&share_type=t&link_source=app

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[Huntsalot]

I was heavily considering the NX8 2.5-20 but there are so many conflicting opinions on it,

I have a 2.5-20 and I'm very happy with it. The eyebox isn't an issue for me but opinions may vary. I will say I like my Credo HX 2.5-15 just as much or more.

 

[Adamc55]

Do yourself a favor and read through the Minox ZP5 with THLR thread and try to wrap your head around that reticle. At first I didn’t understand it, but I’ve spent some time behind one now. It’s a genius design, by far the most usable hunting reticle I’ve ever seen. The stripped back version will be even better. Also FWIW, most guys who get into western/LR shooting are never using anything beyond 12-18x. I personally prefer to shoot out to 600 yards with 8-10x. The problem with most of the super high mag range FFP scopes is that you end up with an unusable reticle at low power/low light, which is a very realistic possibility in the field.


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I just finished reading through every page of the NX6 post, it seemed to rapidly turn into a reticle debate and had very little actual info on the optics, though that's understandable since they aren't in the full publics possession yet. That being said, I appreciated some of the images shown of animals at lower magnifications. Where I hunt locally I use an LPVO. I shot the buck in my profile pic at 27 yards, that's an average distance for my hunting areas. This new rifle will probably never be fired at a deer locally. When distances open up I'd appreciate the ability to both make a close range spur of the moment shot, but also be able to fully gauge an animal with the scope if necessary. That doesn't mean I need to make my shot at full magnification. With all of that in mind, I'm leaning towards the mid powered options a little more now. I'm not sold on Zerotech as a brand at the moment.

I need to look up more examples of the MOAR reticle at low power.

 

[armiller1991]

When I bought my 7 PRC, I bought a used Mark 5hd 3.6-18x44 and a NX8 2.5-20x50 (both off Rokslide classifieds) to compare side by side.

I found the eye box on the Nx8 to be pretty rough, especially at higher magnification and ended up keeping the mark 5hd and selling the NX8. Not to mention, the glass way much clearer and I liked the locking turrets. I wasn't aware of the potential reliability issues of the Leupold.

Now.. My Mark 5hd has held up great but I'm looking for a little more magnification (plus I get bored and like to switch things up). I'm actually looking for an NX8 4-32x50. The eye relief isn't as bad as the 2.5-20 and I'd be living in the first 2/3 of the magnification range anyway.

The combo of FFP, simple Mil reticle (Mil-C) weight and Bomb proof reputation is pretty ideal hard to find elsewhere.

The NX6 5-30x56 is definitely intriguing though.. If I don't find a deal on an NX8 by the time those ship and start getting solid reviews, I could go that route.

If you want a mark 5hd 3.6-18x44 Illuminated TMR I, it'll probably be for sale soon. Lol

 

[Jake Larsen]

I just finished reading through every page of the NX6 post, it seemed to rapidly turn into a reticle debate and had very little actual info on the optics, though that's understandable since they aren't in the full publics possession yet. That being said, I appreciated some of the images shown of animals at lower magnifications. Where I hunt locally I use an LPVO. I shot the buck in my profile pic at 27 yards, that's an average distance for my hunting areas. This new rifle will probably never be fired at a deer locally. When distances open up I'd appreciate the ability to both make a close range spur of the moment shot, but also be able to fully gauge an animal with the scope if necessary. That doesn't mean I need to make my shot at full magnification. With all of that in mind, I'm leaning towards the mid powered options a little more now. I'm not sold on Zerotech as a brand at the moment.

I need to look up more examples of the MOAR reticle at low power.

I know it’s a lot to slog through, but there’s tons of info on the S2H/ZT scope buried in the threads. They’re being made by LOW, the same company who makes tons of different optics, Nightforce stuff included. Most companies are just speccing something from LOW to meet their own criteria. So while this scope is a “ZT” it doesn’t resemble other ZT scopes in any other way. Having made many scopes that are durable, LOW already knew exactly how to build this one to the S2H parameters. Components and glass on par with the ATACRs by all accounts.

I have a NF with the Mil-R reticle which is the same thing as the MOAR just in mrad. It’s OK, but definitely not “good” by any stretch. Much better than any of their new offerings. Still sucks to the point of being unusable in low light/low power. You’re going to be forced to illuminate in those scenarios.

There are unfortunately almost no FFP reticles that are actually good for hunting on the market, especially not in a durable package. SWFA 3-9s, the RS1.2s, S&B Klassic PL-3s. Thus the big push for the S2H scope.

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