Nightforce or Vortex on Rifle

[luke5678]

I need a scope for a medium sized remington 700 bdl .30-06 with 24 inch barrel. Centershot rifles recently tricked it out and shoots great out to 200 yards but my 10x leupold isn't working well at extended ranges. Just can't see that well and I am pretty sure the reticle in the leupold is canted as well.

I am stuck between getting a nightforce 5.5-22 x 50 or a Vortex PST 6-24 x50 or 4-16 power. I love the nightforce but those paralax adjustment knobs are huge and it's such a big scope no matter what magnification you get from nightforce (except for the little guy to 10x)!

I hate dealing with rifle problems and need complete repeatability of return to zero but I'm afraid the nightforce will look massive on my medium sized rifle.

My question is:

1. Are the two scopes comparable or is the nightforce in another league?

2. Will the rifle look stupid that a big nightforce on it or does anyone else have a nightforce on a medium sized rifle?

 

[WildRose]

I need a scope for a medium sized remington 700 bdl .30-06 with 24 inch barrel. Centershot rifles recently tricked it out and shoots great out to 200 yards but my 10x leupold isn't working well at extended ranges. Just can't see that well and I am pretty sure the reticle in the leupold is canted as well.

I am stuck between getting a nightforce 5.5-22 x 50 or a Vortex PST 6-24 x50 or 4-16 power. I love the nightforce but those paralax adjustment knobs are huge and it's such a big scope no matter what magnification you get from nightforce (except for the little guy to 10x)!

I hate dealing with rifle problems and need complete repeatability of return to zero but I'm afraid the nightforce will look massive on my medium sized rifle.

My question is:

1. Are the two scopes comparable or is the nightforce in another league?

2. Will the rifle look stupid that a big nightforce on it or does anyone else have a nightforce on a medium sized rifle?

My bet is you need to have your scope remounted. If there's a cant to it, normally that's not a problem with the scope it's a problem with the mounting.

Also my bet is you need to properly focus the scope.

Mount the rifle with your eyes closed. When you open them focus only on the reticle. If it is not perfectly crips and clear you need to adjust the focus which is done by loosening the retaining ring at the back in front of the ocular and then twist the ocular right and left a few turns until you zero in on exactly where you need to get it properly focused.

If it's not properly focused that would explain your problem. Spending a thousand or more on a scope is not going to solve a mounting and focus issue.

Now if you just want to buy a new scope then in that price range I'd definitely go with the NF over the Vortex.

I just have a thing about spending that kind of money on a scope made by a company that isn't at least as old as I am.

I'll let other people gamble on what's new and cool when it comes to expensive optics. I want to know that for my investment there's decades of history behind that scope and a company likely to be there decades from now to service their lifetime transerrable warranty.

 

[trueblue]

I am not sure how far you are shooting that 30-06, but the 2.5-10x32mm NXS that I have has no problem getting me to 700 yards.
Might want to check the focus on the eye piece.

 

[luke5678]

I doubled check my focus and it's perfect. The scope is also mounted perfect. I use the wheeler scope level kit and have checked it several times. I have a level on the gun as well to avoid canting the rifle. It all lines up. The level in the bore, bsquare level on the rail, and the level on top of the scope. All in the center.

 

[brentc]

It would probably be best for you to try something with adjustable side focus to provide the most down range focus. For example, the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 is not overly obtrusive, nor are the LR Leupolds. They are both lighter weight than the NF and the Vortex and they are fine for LR hunting on a medium sized rifle.

 

[Boom]

I think everyone is correct in advising that you check existing equipment first.

But given that your original post asked the question on Vortex vs. NF, I will tell you I shoot a Vortex PST 4-14 and a NF 5.5-20, both 50mm, and, in my opinion, there is a substantial difference. I have on numerous occasions recommended the Vortex scopes as an outstanding scope for a tighter budget. I have MOA reticles on both and I may even like the Vortex reticle a little better. That being said, IMHO the NF has much better glass and is clearly much more of heavy duty scope. Given the difference in performance and price, I'm not sure it really is a fair comparison. The good news is you will be very happy with either and either will look great on your rig!! Good luck

 

[liltank]

I think everyone is correct in advising that you check existing equipment first.

But given that your original post asked the question on Vortex vs. NF, I will tell you I shoot a Vortex PST 4-14 and a NF 5.5-20, both 50mm, and, in my opinion, there is a substantial difference. I have on numerous occasions recommended the Vortex scopes as an outstanding scope for a tighter budget. I have MOA reticles on both and I may even like the Vortex reticle a little better. That being said, IMHO the NF has much better glass and is clearly much more of heavy duty scope. Given the difference in performance and price, I'm not sure it really is a fair comparison. The good news is you will be very happy with either and either will look great on your rig!! Good luck

Nice... I'd listen to this guys advice. Take it for what it is and make your choice. He is using both and offers a very good unbiased opinion.

Tank