Printable View
Hey everyone,
I hope you're doing well. I've recently been considering upgrading my scope for my Tikka 308 and came across this model. Has anyone used it before? What are your thoughts on it?
Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 (https://www.nightforceoptics.com/rif...8-25-20x50-f1/)
I'll mainly be doing a mix of bush stalking and open tops, hence the need for larger magnification.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Recent discussion about this here https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-50-f2-105004/
I'm not sure the F1 would be that good with a low mag of 2.5.
I had the 4-32 in F1/ffp and it was hard to use in alot of situations at 4 power.
I far prefer the 2.5 -20 F2. It's a great scope
I'm not sure I understand what you wrote there - why would a F2 2.5-20 be better than a F1 2.5-20 due to the low magnification when they are both the same?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gkp
It is amazing though, years ago we thought a 3x magnification factor was huge and it wasn't that long ago that 5x mag factor was cutting edge - now you have these with 8x mag factor and that's mind blowing really. The NXS series were mostly 4x mag factor for reference, and most people raved over those when they came out. If they can make them resilient enough to go on a rifle and not have distortion and the other downsides of high optical magnification specs what's not to like? Weight maybe.
My main hunting scope is a 2-10 and it's awesome in the bush on 2 power, huge light gathering and really forgiving eye box with good magnification if you need it - and for most game animal hunting 10 power is ample. Hanging onto a scoped rifle at 20x can be a bit of a head game, as every little heartbeat and twitch shows in the scope on anything other than a rock-solid rest and you start going all over the place trying to prevent the movement if you aren't careful...
F1 > first focal plane
F2 > second focal plane
F1 the reticle changes size through the magnification range. On low mag they are hard to see as very small
F2 Stays the same throughout the range.
Plenty on the world wide web on this subject if that doesn't make sense
Ya ha roger got that now. Wasn't up with the play on the F1/F2... That makes sense, low light FFP with a fineish reticle can be a bit of a bear. Illuminated reticle helps though. SFP/F2 is most useful with a BDC reticle when you don't dial for drop - mine is accurate on 6x I think.
20x is pretty massive magnification for a hunting scope although you haven't mentioned what range you intend to shoot to. Something like a 2-12 or 3-15 should cover everything. I don't do long range though so I have been using the same old VX1 3-9x40 for the last 20 years. Hasn't been off the rifle from the day it was fitted.
I looked at them but decided on a leupold purely because i like the alumina caps
I'm not going to say don't get the NX8, but don't feel like you need 20x for tops hunting.
12x is more than enough magnification for longer range shooting, 400-500m isn't out of reach for a lower magnification scopes.
Especially if you are looking at FFP scopes, I feel as though FFP reticles (typically) are thinner than SFP ones, which helps obscure the target less at distance.
Usually the issue with FFP reticles these days is finding one that isn't too thin on minimum magnification.
I can't comment on the 2.5-20 NX8 as I haven't used one.
But you can considering other scopes in the 2.5-15, 3-15, 3-18 range if you are need/looking for more options.
Would go for the NXS 2.5-10X42 much sooner than the NX8 2.5-20
Looked through the latter, not impressed as the 8x erector does the image quality and depth of field no favours.
Also seen 2x broken ones (one would dial elevation, one broken side focus) so they are not as reliable.
However, the NXS is an over-priced optic with a 10+ year old design and crappy reticles.
Look at element. Less that half the price of NF and just as much scope!
Another one to look at would be the Leupold Mk5 2-10 or Mk4HD 2.5-10
Plus 1 on the Element. I have the Helix HDLR 2-16 X 50. Great mag range if you're looking for an all rounder.
My 2 cents
Def don't go "First focal" for an alround huntin scope, yes they have their place & fans but are such a cunt in the real world if using it for an everything ( the reticle is either to small to see or so big it covers ya targets good bits ) I did look at a NF 1 -8 NX8 in ffp as an alround 1 - 400y hunting scope, the idea was on low power to have the illumination on full so it was basically a "red dot scope' but on full eight power reticle was so fat would of been a proper pain n de arse.
As for the "Second focal" 2.5 - 20 NX8, yeah it's a nice scope, great useable zoom range, illuminated multi dot reticle ( so also useable ), glass is very good - can have a bit of a central sweet spot - but fuk it's still a top notch unit ( as with everything - glass quality is very subjective ) & they're tough n work well.
Down side for me is they are heavy ( probs not an issue if ya a mussel man like Big Ben who I sold my last one too ) short n stubby to mount & we are getting ripped on price in NZ, but then everything is expensive when ya live on the bum of the world, remember when Leupy VX6's were under 1500 hahahaha
There's probably better options but still think it's a cool alround scope & fuk ( yes this is my life ) if the NX8 gets ya juiced up & that's what ya want go for it bro. Fuk everyone else, you're the one that's paying & using it, just dont go ffp & at the end of the day if you decide it's not for you, a NF will always have a buyer n resale value
There are FFP scopes that have reticles that are sized correctly for use at low and high power but unfortunately they are fairly rare.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philipo
It seems like most manufactures have been influenced by the target shooting crowd that only want super fine ones.
I'm not sure any of the NF reticle options in the 2.5-20 NX8 would be any good though, I've only used a 4-32 F1 with the Mil-C and that was very very fine on 4x.
That being said I don't particularly like the the Mil-C or Mil-R reticle in SFP either as it's still too fine.
Tui ad!Quote:
Originally Posted by caberslash
Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk
If you shoot past point blank, you should try an FFP scope for a while to see if it works for you. I think they're a better solution than SFP. Particularly better for holding wind and spotting/correcting for misses at any magnification. I often shoot at 6x or 8x to maintain a wide FOV.
I am a sfp fan but if your wanting another option this have great reviews in the usa
https://themodernhunter.com.au/produ...-2-5-15x44-ffp
ill end up trying the 4-20 at some point me thinks glass will be at least on par with the nx8 its not amazing especially for the price
What's the best FFP hunting reticle you've used (I know you've had a few)?Quote:
Originally Posted by gimp
The March FML-1 looks like it'd be pretty good, not too thick and/or busy but should be usable on 3x still.
All of them. None have been bad to use. All very similar, about .1mil thick and mil based hash marks.
Agree re ffp, I haven’t encountered a downside or a bad reticle yet but I don’t have “old” eyes yet
As of yesterday I have two of these inbound from Aussie, which leaves only one that’s going into the dealers stock. Selling like hotcakes it appears…. I’m planning to do a write-up on it when it gets here as requested by a forum member.Quote:
Originally Posted by 199p
A mate and I are using the 2.5-20x50 F1 NX8 in a mil-c reticle on our 223’s. If your hunting in tight bush a SFP is a better option, the low magnification is a little slow to aquire target for proper shot placement and a clean kill because the reticle is so thin especially in big native on a dark overcast day and or evenings, it’s better with illumination on or set on 4 to 6 magnification but you loose FOV. For medium range 100m-300m and longer range 300-800m it’s a awesome scope when there’s plenty of time to take the shot, setup rig, slow heart rate, adjust parallax, dial elevation etc. One thing past 300m is that the parallax needs adjusting every time the magnification and range has changed, the NXS and ATACR models are not as sensitive. 90% of the time I’m never at max power and that’s when a FFP shines, wind holds are true at any magnification and make life so much easier.
My main bush rifles ware 2.5-10x42 NXS they are a SFP and when shooting long range I’m at max magnification and the reticle matches the wind holds.
Hi Taka,
I think the answer to your question depends a lot on how you hunt, where you hunt and how you do your holds / dial.
I've been using NF and Leupold optics for 19 years and only use NF optics now on hunts. That said, I have been very impressed with a couple Leupold Mk5 HDs and rate their optical clarity in low light conditions.
I currently have two NF 2.5 -20 NX8's, FFP with Mil-XT reticles. I primarily hold when using these scopes as that method works well for how and where I hunt when targeting deer, pigs and Tahr. I have taken one Chamois at 450m with the 6.5CM and the NF 2.5 -20 attached in extremely low light conditions where I could no longer make out on the animal in my Vortex binos or Leupold spotting scope. I have also compared the low light performance of the NF 2.5 -20 NX8 to a NF 5 - 25 ATACR I had and believe the NX8's I tested performed better than the 5 - 25 ATACR. I also have a 7 - 35 ATACR on my 7 PRC long range rig and from the limited comparisons to date, I believe the 7 - 35 ATACR to perform better in low light conditions and have better optical clarity overall compared to the 2.5 -20 NX8.
I sometimes use the 2.5 - 20 FFP NX8 for bush hunting, but like people have pointed out, the reticle is super small when at 2.5x. To mitigate this issue I illuminate the reticle which essentially turns it into a "red dot" optic. However, this could be considered risky because you are relying on battery power for your bush stalks and I have never been a fan of red dot optics for that reason.
Ref FFP vs SFP - if you are used to dialling, I would go SFP and conversely go FFP if you are used to holding.
Lastly, if you are going to invest in something like a NX8 (which are not cheap), I recommend also investing in a bubble level, good rings and get your scope mounted by someone who has torque tools and knows what they are doing.
Hope that helps,
JT
Same been using Nightforce scopes for a long time since 2001 and can’t fault them other than weight and price. Sold alll my big NXS’s for ATACR and NX8. ATACR glass is definitely better than the nxs and NX8. Now that I have Mil FFP scope instead of MOA I’ve been using the Accuracy 1st speed drop system, it’s bloody quick for multiple distance goat culling.
Are you dialing down the value of your and using the mil hash for your eqivalent metre hold?Quote:
Originally Posted by tikka
Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk
Yes I’ve setup the zero stop 2 Mil under the rifles standard zero so I run it in Speed Drop mode depending whatever ammo’s getting used. Now that I’m spoilt with FFP Mil Mil I want to change all of my LR MOA scopes but that’s an expensive exercise I’m not going to do any time soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by andyanimal31
@TakaRat while not exactly what you were after, this could be a good starter? https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....3-10-a-105403/