Beating a dead horse

[TC338]

I'm certain this has been hashed out multiple times but I'm looking for first hand experience between two scopes. Looking at the VX-6HD 3-18, and the NX8-F2. This will be on a hunting rifle in 6.5 creed. This is a do all rifle so shots will range from 15 yards in heavy river bottom timber to 800 yards over the bean fields. Looking for personal experience with both scopes. Mainly interested in glass quality comparisons and low light performance. I know the Nightforce will be more durable, but I take care of my gear, and my hunts are not in the back country so I'm not really worried about the scope falling down a mountain.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Glass will be better in the VX-6HD.
FOV will be better in the NX8.
Mounting on a SA is a bit limited with the NX8, and pretty much a no-go on a LA.
Reticle choice might help your decision.
I would trust the NX8 far more than a Leupold for tracking and RTZ though. For 15 to 800, the tracking would mean far more to me than minor clarity improvements.

I watched yet another Leupold (VX5HD) go down last weekend and not track at all. I have personally witnessed 8-10 Leupolds go down for tracking and RTZ.
It had been zeroed and shot at 100 for it's entire life. The guy took it to 1000 for the first time ever and hit 3 for 3, and it did great. Then went back to 350 and dialed back down for elevation, and hit about 3' high. Tried going down 10MOA, and hit his zero stop....3' high. He tried going back up 5MOA....3' high. Back to zero.....3' high. I dialed as he watched on a steady rest.....no movement in the reticle. Clicks were audible and tactile. Bummer.

 

[TC338]

Glass will be better in the VX-6HD.
FOV will be better in the NX8.
Mounting on a SA is a bit limited with the NX8, and pretty much a no-go on a LA.
Reticle choice might help your decision.
I would trust the NX8 far more than a Leupold for tracking and RTZ though. For 15 to 800, the tracking would mean far more to me than minor clarity improvements.

I watched yet another Leupold (VX5HD) go down last weekend and not track at all. I have personally witnessed 8-10 Leupolds go down for tracking and RTZ.
It had been zeroed and shot at 100 for it's entire life. The guy took it to 1000 for the first time ever and hit 3 for 3, and it did great. Then went back to 350 and dialed back down for elevation, and hit about 3' high. Tried going down 10MOA, and hit his zero stop....3' high. He tried going back up 5MOA....3' high. Back to zero.....3' high. I dialed as he watched on a steady rest.....no movement in the reticle. Clicks were audible and tactile. Bummer.

Thank you. That is exactly the type of first hand experience I was looking for. Do you have any other recommendations for scopes in that same general price range?

 

[Mark37082]

Lance has shown as much if not more experience with scopes than anyone on this forum. His collection obviously is beyond what most people would acquire and use in a lifetime.
So with this said, I am trying to wrap my head around a few characteristics of the Nightforce and similar level scopes. Eye relief for the NF as well as the March and Ziess seems to be a little tighter than others I have been looking at. A quarter inch less may not be a big deal, but I don't want to creep too close and have greater chance of scope eye.
The mounting issue is a big deal. Especially if you are dealing with LA and an action with an integrated rails.

 

[ECHOLS28]

Its never been hashed out. 10 people with 10 opinions. I own 5 NX8. I go down in backcountry I need to know my scope is tough and will track.

 

[JungleShooter]

Subscribed!

TC338,
with 15 yard shots anticipated, what is the minimum parallax you're looking for?

Matthias

 

[TC338]

Subscribed!

TC338,
with 15 yard shots anticipated, what is the minimum parallax you're looking for?

Matthias

With shots in the timber I really don't worry about parallax. I usually just set it to where my shooting lanes look clear and don't worry after that. None of my shots in the timber are over 100 yards and most are inside 50. The long shots come on the walks in and out. If I was skilled enough I could take shots out to 1200 or so on this property, but I'm not good enough for that yet.

 

[Earnhardt]

Glass will be better in the VX-6HD.
FOV will be better in the NX8.
Mounting on a SA is a bit limited with the NX8, and pretty much a no-go on a LA.
Reticle choice might help your decision.
I would trust the NX8 far more than a Leupold for tracking and RTZ though. For 15 to 800, the tracking would mean far more to me than minor clarity improvements.

I watched yet another Leupold (VX5HD) go down last weekend and not track at all. I have personally witnessed 8-10 Leupolds go down for tracking and RTZ.
It had been zeroed and shot at 100 for it's entire life. The guy took it to 1000 for the first time ever and hit 3 for 3, and it did great. Then went back to 350 and dialed back down for elevation, and hit about 3' high. Tried going down 10MOA, and hit his zero stop....3' high. He tried going back up 5MOA....3' high. Back to zero.....3' high. I dialed as he watched on a steady rest.....no movement in the reticle. Clicks were audible and tactile. Bummer.

Can you explain the ...Mounting the NX8 being a no-go on a long action?
The NX8 is probably my next scope...Thanks

 

[ECHOLS28]

You'll need a full rail. Won't work on split rail. Not enough mounting space on scope. It's short.

 

[ECHOLS28]

Feel examples, long action split rail , short action full rail.

 

[Earnhardt]

Gotcha!
I've got full rails on my long actions.
Thanks man!

 

[Earnhardt]

For you guys that own the NX8
How finicky is the eye-box?
Is the F1 reticle usable for hunting purposes at low power? (2.5 or 4x)
How's the mirage at high power in the 4-32X?
Thanks

 

[ECHOLS28]

Mine are all F2

 

[ECHOLS28]

Id say not finicky at all with eye box but thats my opinion. Low power F1 will be hard to see hunting. Illumination will help if you use F1.