Leupold VX3 8.5-25x50 vs Nightforce NXS

[Quinny]

I currently have a Leupold VX3 8.5-25x50, and considering that I am looking to upgrade the rifle to a Savage F/TR, would it worthwhile in upgrading the scope to a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 or 8-32x56?

The Nightforce is nearly twice the price, but is it worth it? I have never used one, but everyone always raves about them, but I know a few people use the Leupold 8.5-25 as well.

[bully_eye]

I don't have an NXS but rather the BR model and have also used the Leupold but the Mk4 and not VX3. Only swapped to the Nightforce for the extra magnification- x42 v x25. Was very happy with the Leupold and couldn't fault it. For a purely target shooting application the BR model may suit your needs and is certainly cheaper than the NXS. I don't think the NXS is a $700 better scope than the BR model but you won't really go wrong with either.

Michael

[Quinny]

I did look at the BR models, but the range of adjustment is really limited - only 50 MOA on the 8-32x model versus 65 MOA for the NXS. I guess that with a 20MOA rail it might be ok depending on how much adjustment is needed for the zero.

The other thing is that I am not really a fan of the adjustable objective on the front of the lens, I prefer the side focus.

One good thing is that the BR models have 1/8th MOA clicks though don't they, rather than the 1/4 MOA clicks for the NXS models?

How do you find the Nightforce copes with mirage and glare? The Leupold seems to be affected by mirage quite badly at 25x which is annoying. I don't really want to have to crank the magnification back because I didn't buy a 25x scope just to have to use it at 20x.

[bully_eye]

Adjustable objective is only a minor inconvenience-takes me less than 30 seconds to set it although the range markings on it are useless. I rarely shoot at magnifications above x30 because of mirage but this is really going to affect most scopes. It's nice to have more for those times when mirage isn't too severe, but there are others who shoot at the highest magnification all the time regardless of mirage.
Lack of MOA for elevation is a handicap of the BR model but with 20MOA offset rings or a tapered rail you'll be fine- you'll more likely run out of downward elevation at 100m for load development then you will at 1000m. I'm certainly not rubbishing the NXS I just don't necessarily see them as being worth the extra cash for a strictly target shooting application- really just my opoinion I have no cart to push.
Yes the BR models do have 1/8 MOA adjustments which is nice but I believe some of the NXS models do now as well. NXS scopes certainly look better than the BR if that's important but a 12-42 or 8-32BR at around $1500, when compared to a NXS at $2200+ for the equivalent scope may be better value for money in my opinion. If you've got your heart set on an NXS I'd look at the higher magnification ones ie x32 or x42 just for the versatility.
There are other scope options out there which have great reports like Weavers, Sightron just to name two but I have no experience and will leave opinions on them to others with 1st hand experience.
I was really happy with my Leupold- I ONLY got rid of it because of the lack of a higher magnification range. I had to sell it to fund the NF.

Michael

[Quinny]

Thanks for that. The BR model (althought ugly) may be a better option.

For curiousity's sake, how would the Sightron 8-32x56 compare? I have heard good things about them, but never used one. It seems to have a good list of features - 70MOA adjustments, 1/8th MOA clicks, side focus, good choice of reticles etc, and around $1250.

[GM]

I used to own three nf nxs scopes.I sold them and now own 5 nf br scopes.
I prefer the br by a long shot.
There is no problem getting back beyond 1000 meters with the 20 moa rail.A 308 will get to 1200 yards without any dramas.
I also own the same model leupold as yours,this is my third one after lots of warranty work I use it as a back up hunting scope.
The sightron scopes are very good. A viable alternative if you are working to a budget. They seem durable and repeatable in their internals. F class shooting soon sorts out scopes that have problems and that is the reason there are so many night force scopes on the line they are very durable.
I own a march as well and it is an excellent scope with an excellent price tag but so far it has lived up to its hype.
As far as adjusting the objective on the front it is not a major issue at the range or when I hunt I honestly don't find the side adjustment to be that much better in the field or at the range,
cheers

[BATattack]

i have both a NXS 5.5-22x56 and a BR 8-32x56. the NXS is a fantastic scope in every respect other than the 1/4 MOA adjustments. i personally run my 8-32 on 32 all the time regardless and find it a very usefull magnification.

i THINK the NXS has been released in the US with 1/8 MOA clicks so i would stick with your leupold untill they land over here if you still want an NXS.

[Quinny]

I noticed on the Nightforce website that the NXS 8-32 is available with 1/8th MOA clicks. That would be a good thing. I might see if they are available here yet.

[Quinny]

Apparently the NXS 8-32 and 12-42 are available now with the 1/8 clicks in Australia. Makes it very tempting.

[BATattack]

if you dont mind spending the extra money they are a very nice scope

what are they worth with the 1/8 clicks?

[Quinny]

I have got prices between $2100 and $2500 so far. I guess the question now is which reticle to use.

[Quinny]

I would still be interested to hear how the Nightforce compares to the VX3 8.5-25x50 in terms of clarity and suitability for 1000yd shooting. I am finding it hard to justify the extra cash - is the Nightforce worth the extra cash or will the VX3 that I already have be up to the job?

[Barry Davies]

Quinny,
Your VX3 will do the job. My wife and I use VX3 but the 1" tube 6.5/20x with absolutely no problems.
Optics are as good as NF, the only thing you lose is some magnification. Sure 32x is better than 20 or 25 no question.
We have both NF and Leupold and use both with equal success.
Barry

[Quinny]

Thanks, that is interesting to know. I have never used the Nightforce, but I hear so much raving about them.

I nearly bought the Sightron 8-32x56 when i bought the Leupold, now I kind of wish that I did...

So I guess I need to consider whether the extra 7x is worth $1000 extra....

[Tman]

Another difference between the NXS and BR is that the NXS has the zero stop, which you can set for 200m or in the case of FClass 300m as that is the shortest range, and wind up from there accordingly.

A trick for young players is knowing where their zero and not having the zero stop facility, one way is wind all the way to the bottom and wind back up.

Having the zero stop set at 300m and going from there up is easier. I know from my NF that 300m is 18.5moa in elevation from the bottom, 400 is 21.5 ( 18.5 + 3.0) etc.

With the NP-R2 reticle in the BR and set to 20x, it gives you a ranging facility with 2 moa hash marks in windage and 5moa elevation.You can probably do this with the NXS, I am just basing this on my own experience of the 8-32x56 BR NF that I have. The NXS would have been nice, but at 2200AD as compared to 1400-1600AD for the BR, I went for the BR and bought it here. Originally I was going to buy an NXS when I was in the US, but things did not work out with that so I bought it here through Pro-Cal, great service through these guys.