Looking into my first long range (for me) bolt gun. I only shoot to 500 yards because thats the longest range I have nearby. I’m settled on NightForce as a brand, but not sure which model I should go with. I was looking at an NXS 3.5-15x50 with .25 MOA adjustment and Mil-Dot recticle. Is that enough magnification for 500 yards? The FOV at 15x is 7.3 ft. Is this enough or should I look for a scope with a wider FOV? When it comes to long range shooting, I don’t know my ass from my face, so please help me with recommendations. I am willing to spend $$$ for quality, but don’t want to go crazy ($3000+ is out of the question.) Also, would first focal plane be better? Like the ATACR 5-25x56? Where is the best place to buy?
500 yards is really not that far, and if you have a quality scope like a NF you would be fine with 10x.
However, everything you asked depends what kind of shooting you are doing. FFP for 500 yard paper punching is a little unnecessary. Mixing MOA adjustments and mil reticles is usually a bad idea. Not that it’s “wrong”, but it’s kind of like driving a car on KPH roads with a MPH speedo. You can do it, but you’ll be doing a lot of math either in your head or with a calculator.
my .308 is really set up more as a hunting rifle than a tactical rifle. Used the mcmillian edge stock, had the 700 action trued and a bartlein #3 contour barrel installed. Gun weighs only 6#11oz without the scope. I used a leupold VX6-2X12. only weighs 17 oz. 500 yds is no problem.
The 3.5-15 NXS would be perfect. That is EXACTLY the scope I am looking into for my 700 .308 my local range is 600m I have had the chance to shoot a rifle with that very scope and it is more than enough. Crystal clear quality and I am sold on it. Likewise mine is going to be a deer/elk rifle along with range shooting and to me that scope will be perfect. Check out euro optic and optics planet. Also advice I was given in a thread is to keep an eye out on used scopes as people are getting the latest and greatest.
3.5-15 is fine and I think they are selling their new ACTAR in 4-16. That would be my choice, but you can’t go wrong with tried and true NXS 3.5-15 FFP or 2nd FP. Either will be fine to 500. I like their MLR reticles, or any of the new reticles that give half mil marks for windage.
Sport optics is very competitive. Ask for Jay. No tax , no shipping and fair prices.
I have a 3.5-15 X50 F1 Nightforce on my Remington 700 (McMillan A-3 and Timney Trigger) and my LMT MWS - both 308. My use is multi-purpose and the FFP has its uses. Nightforce has discontinued the F1. If funds permit, you may want to look at the Nightforce ATACR F1, 4-16 X42. Supposed to have exceptional glass. Their 3.5-15 X50 second focal plane are excellent also. For paper punching you might also consider the ATACR 5-25 Second focal plane.
General rule of thumb for magnification is 1X for each 100 yards; however, some say better to have more power and dial back then to need higher magnification and not have it.
CSTactical (Mike Cecil 916-670-1103), Sport Optics, Euro Optics and Mile High Shooting are all good about dealing with you.
Great suggestions, but have you said to yourself, "man my car has too much horse power! "
So don’t just get hooked on 500, if you one day decide to take it out long distance then you won’t need a new scope. Go big or go home. 5.5x22x56 will be plenty and very versatile
No different then your profile pic, isn’t that much more fun getting to work sooner and home that much quicker to give you more time on the range? I do. So if you don’t need the drag car, just limit the throttle… keep it on 15 power and when that day comes when you are on the line at the red light and a damn Prius, with an Obama sticker and Coexist stickers, and maybe the old librarian you hated in high school is behind the wheel you will have that extra juice to be at her off the line and get in front of her to get where you need to go. Or she was holding up traffic thinking her acid filled car was saving the environment.
So get the drag car and FOV will be the same if you leave it on 15 power. versus a 56mm 3.5x15 scope…
I agree with what you are saying don’t get me wrong, it just sounds like OP is looking for a dependable “hunting scope” for 500 and in and that’s about it. So there is an overkill factor in my opinion. If he would have stated he wants to eventually get into 1000 yard shooting or competition then we’re talking a different story.
my .308 is really set up more as a hunting rifle than a tactical rifle. Used the mcmillian edge stock, had the 700 action trued and a bartlein #3 contour barrel installed. Gun weighs only 6#11oz without the scope. I used a leupold VX6-2X12. only weighs 17 oz. 500 yds is no problem.
Sorry to high jack from the OP but I took my buddy’s SLR to about 160, fun trip. I had to show him how to put it in launch control. He’s nice enough to loan it out once in awhile. #168 I think. Go SHV!
Sorry, I’m a little late back to the party. I few things I neglected to mention. 1. This will be going on a 16" 308 shooting suppressed 100% of the time. 2. It will be used for paper punching and occasional deer/hog hunting.
I will field all suggestions and try to make an educated decision. Keep them coming.
I’m shooting to 700 (limit of range distance) with a 10x SWFA Super Sniper. I’d go with 3.5-15x as a minimum.
As someone mentioned, mixing MOA and Mil in a single scope gets to be a pain. Highly suggest matching the turrets and the reticle. Mine is mixed and it gets to be a pain to do the mental gymnastics. Next scope will match regardless of anything else.
