"long range" scope challenge. What do you use

[Horsemen]

I'm building my first "true" long range gun. 338 edge. I do not have a true long range scope. My objectave is, to get some recommendations, based on real life experiences. So tell me, what "WOULD" you use. And what "DO" you use. The difference between the two are what you could afford and what you wanted. Money spent is not what I'm wanting to know. I will have spent enough on this build and I'm not wanting to spend money on several scopes, before I find the wright one. So whats your opinion? 1 Best for the money and 2 The best.

Regards all Mike.

 

[davewilson]

best for the money would be a Super Sniper and best would be a Nightforce.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I use Nightforce with NP-R1 reticle. Having a good reticle that can be used as a backup rangefinder is important to me. I use the reticle for holdover's, but the clicks are perfect and I use them on occasion when I have enough time or when shooting at rocks/targets.

In my opinion, other scopes have good enough glass for long range (no doubt), but I fell in love with the NP-R1 reticle and now have the best "all around" scope for long distance. Nightforce scopes are heavy and can be too heavy for some applications.

AJ

 

[Jingles]

I'm building my first "true" long range gun. 338 edge. I do not have a true long range scope. My objectave is, to get some recommendations, based on real life experiences. So tell me, what "WOULD" you use. And what "DO" you use. The difference between the two are what you could afford and what you wanted. Money spent is not what I'm wanting to know. I will have spent enough on this build and I'm not wanting to spend money on several scopes, before I find the wright one. So whats your opinion? 1 Best for the money and 2 The best.

Regards all Mike.

I would use and DO use a Benchrest Nightforce on my hunting rifles (2). I prefer the 5.5-22X56 with the np1-rr reticle. My hunting rifles are long range rifles; they are both Weatherby Mark Vs.
The first one is a .270 Weatherby mag that was accurized many years ago by Robert Kleingunther. It shoots a 3/16 group at 100 yds. My second rifle is a homemade custom 7mm STW. It started life was a Weatherby Accumark in 7mm Remington. A friend cut the chamber to 7mm STW. At 50 yds. it will shoot a non-perfect 1 hole group. I have a 3.5-15X56 on my 45-70 primitive weapon. I prefer the benchrest models to the NXS. You can adjust the brightness of the illuminated reticle of the benchrest by turning a knob. On the benchrest, you must use the blade of a knife or a super fine bladed screwdriver. Why they made the change I will never know. And they discontinued the 5.5-22 in the benchrest model. I guess this was done to make people buy the more expensive and less desired NXS. If anybody out there has some
55-22 benchrest models for sale please let me know. ( [email protected] )

 

[davewilson]

Jingles; I have a 3.5-15X56 on my 45-70 primitive weapon.

interesting...what would you put on it if you wanted to "modernize" it a little? LOL

 

[300rum]

Hi Mike,

I use Nightforce NSX 8.5-32x56 NP-R1 reticle for my 338EDGE rifle.
I love to use holdover instead of clicks for shooting game animals and rocks at up to 1200 yrds.
I got lots of scopes, Sightron, IOR, Nightforce, Leupold, and from my experience I noticed on all this scopes, at maximum power the transmission of light is slightly lower, and the image is darker 10%.
Because I hunt specially in the morning and in the evening, I need a scope with better glasses.
I love the Nightforce 5.5-24x56 NP-R1, but because of low light transmission at maximum power(5-10% lower) I choose 8.5-32x56NP-R1 and USING THE 22X power for all my shooting at long distances.
Please do not get me wrong, and I do not want to start another topic with light transmission, But FOR MY EYES, AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE this is how it works.

Best way is get how much info can collect from a lot of people, and then go personally to a store at evening time as close to the dark (5-15min) and try different scopes, at minimum and maximum power outside. Then pick the brightest scope what you can afford. This is the right way to pick a scope for your anatomic eyes structure.

 

[nolo263]

The best is not Nightforce.. I own Hensoldt, U.S. Optics and Nightforce the best hands down is Hensoldt.


The glass on the Hensoldt is amazing to say the least, you really have to look through one of these scopes to see the difference.


Tasco does not even belong on the list unless you absolutely cant wait to save the money for a better scope.

I work at a gunstore partime and we have all the big name scopes there and I have used all of them extensively. I would make the list like so....


Hensoldt
U.S. optics
Schmidt & Bender
Premier
Nightforce
I.O.R.
Leupold Mark 4

and from there it doesnt matter..

 

[300rum]

The best is not Nightforce.. I own Hensoldt, U.S. Optics and Nightforce the best hands down is Hensoldt.


The glass on the Hensoldt is amazing to say the least, you really have to look through one of these scopes to see the difference.


Tasco does not even belong on the list unless you absolutely cant wait to save the money for a better scope.

I work at a gunstore partime and we have all the big name scopes there and I have used all of them extensively. I would make the list like so....


Hensoldt
U.S. optics
Schmidt & Bender
Premier
Nightforce
I.O.R.
Leupold Mark 4
and from there it doesnt matter..

Hi Nolo263,

Yes you are right, I was talking about Nightforce Scopes, not about other brands(I just put them on the list, because I worked with them). Nightforce is a brand affordable, with a good Reticle Options, and a very good scope for field endurance.

What I would love to see to nightforce is the MP8 Reticle in MOA or MILDOT with 1/2 increment lines. The NP-R1 is good, but I love the MP8. It is so EASY to shoot with and also very good bkup for Ranging option in case if you rangefinder didn't work.

 

[nolo263]

Hi Nolo263,

Yes you are right, I was talking about Nightforce Scopes, not about other brands(I just put them on the list, because I worked with them). Nightforce is a brand affordable, with a good Reticle Options, and a very good scope for field endurance.

What I would love to see to nightforce is the MP8 Reticle in MOA or MILDOT with 1/2 increment lines. The NP-R1 is good, but I love the MP8. It is so EASY to shoot with and also very good bkup for Ranging option in case if you rangefinder didn't work.

Hello back Sir, I did not mean in any way to offend you or anyone else. I was just stating my opinion.. I own a Nightforce it is on my .338 lapua the scope is a tank while not adding much weight. You are completely right about the MP8 reticle that would be very nice. The best groups I have ever shot, was with my I.O.R. with MP8 reticle. This is by far also my favorite reticle!!

NOLO

 

[300rum]

Hi Nolo,

No offense, this is an open site, were everybody can express their opinions and experience.

 

[Pigeon]

1.) if You pay twice because You have bought a not-so-well item You pay double, so the best money to quality ratio is to go straight to number 2.

2.) Swarovski Z6i 3-18x50 or Z6i 5-30x50 both in any case with the Ballistic Turrent

That would be my choice for anything serious...

Klaus

 

[MachV]

Back when I started upgradeing scopes IOR's where priced better than NF and have better glass, kind of important if your scopeing numerous guns. These days the price difference is a lot closer. Like others have said though the MP-8 reticle is very user friendly so I'd give the edge to IOR.

 

[FEENIX]

You might want to consider the new March scope Hunting Scope

Do a search and you'll find prior threads on this scope.

Good luck.

Ed

 

[silvernm]

If its image clarity and quality I would have to say Hensoldt (actually Zeiss, in their military division), specialy the 6-24x70. Its amazing specially in low light! I confess that I do not own a SB and being so I cannot compare but from those I've tried I'd say it is probably the only one that may be even better!
I do agree that they're all far more pricey that Nightforce (+50%) but if you really want the best....