Thread: Scope Brand Recommendations For Upgrade

Hey everyone,

I hope you're doing well. I'm currently on the hunt to upgrade my scope on my Tikka 308, and I could really use some recommendations. I've been eyeing Nightforce scopes lately, but I'm open to exploring other options as well.

If you've had any experience with Nightforce scopes, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them. And of course, if you have any other brands or models in mind that you swear by I'm all ears!

Thank you and I look forward to hearing your thoughts

upgrading from what????
PERSONALLY I am a bottom end leupold man.... the fanclub of nightforce will be sure to tell you all you require LOL

I’m running a Nightforce SHV 5-20 on my 7mm rem mag and have very been very impressed with it for their “entry level” scope. It’s taken a few bangs and fell off the yet and still shoots true.

I haven’t been able to have a good play with the nx8 or the ATACR but I hear they are very impressive.

On another note I have a vx6 2-12 on the 308 and that’s really nice with the firedot reticle.



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What type of shooting or hunting will you use it for? A scope for the bush is a lot different to a scope for long range shooting/targets.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

upgrading from what????
PERSONALLY I am a bottom end leupold man.... the fanclub of nightforce will be sure to tell you all you require LOL

Ive currently got a Burris fullfield 4 2.5-10

Originally Posted by Bobba

What type of shooting or hunting will you use it for? A scope for the bush is a lot different to a scope for long range shooting/targets.

I will be hunting. The areas I hunt are either bush or private land down south so still deciding on magnification range

Nightforce are generally speaking the same sort of weight bracket as a suburban delivery truck, tough as they come and utterly reliable but you can get just as reliable with better glass and lighter weight in the same price bracket.

I would not get rid of my NSX scopes but I also would not fit them to a hunting carry rifle.

Edit, for a general purpose hunting optic I wouldn't feel seen off with a 2-10x42 or thereabouts - its what I have on my carry rifle now as its just about perfect really.

have a look thru a Kahles and you will be hooked

Buying scopes is all about working out what you are happy to compromise on. Things you need to work out:

1. Level of reliability (basically weight)
2. Magnification level. (1-1.5x per 100yds will do most)
3. Focal plane. Most seem to like second focal plane, I’m moving to first these days
4. Price

For my use (bush to open tops - 600yds) I’ve just ordered a Maven 2.5-15x44 FFP. It’s supposedly very robust but a touch heavy (26oz). Magnification range is perfect, and I may not even need the 15x. But that’s the beauty of FFP- the reticle will remain true at any magnification.
It would be great if it was a touch lighter, but I value reliability above weight. Only you can decide what’s most important in your situation

That’s a broad question. All of the top brands offer good glass. I have Swarovski ( Z5’s, Z6 and Z3), S&B, Kahles, Nightforce, March, Leupold, Nikon etc. it comes down to what scope ticks the boxes. In a Centre fire I can’t fault Swarovski Z5 with BT. (3.5 to 18). I like the 1” tube as well on these. But it’s truly a personal decision. ( and budget)

I’m not trying to sidetrack this thread with a Cartridge debate, but you mentioned you are shooting a 308 .
The 308 in a hunting scenario does put some limitations on distance compared to some other Cartridge choice’s.
So magnification , reach out and touch them bells and whistles etc doesn’t need to be high in my humble uneducated opinion.
I’m old so simplicity and optical clarity is at the top of my requirements.
Warranty/ Service from the manufacturer is also a high priority in my view when talking about Scopes that actually get used / abused / dropped / wet / frozen / bounced in vehicles / dust / Kea attacks ( don’t ask me how I know ) compared to Gun Club / Range/ Competition Scopes that are never further than 100m from a car and are shot from covered benches 95% of their lives .
I’m not going to give an opinion or recommendation on an exact model of brand , but you need to be honest with yourself on what job you require the scope to do and not get caught up in hype and excitement ( don’t ask me how I know ) of a new optic purchase.

We all get caught up with Magnification but quality Glass trumps Magnification.
Better glass gives you better resolution, think of it as being able to see the bullet holes on paper at 100 mtr.
Yes you need some magnification but for game sized animals out to ??? you said 308 so is that 500 mtr??? then 15x is plenty.
I've shot deer at 230 mtr with 4 power no problem. You can get by with 10 or 12x for shooting to 500 mtr.
Z

The new burris scopes are supposed to be good, unsure of the knock rating.. I have a leupold vx3i and have dropped it off the table and onto the river bed scope down, bouncing around and the zero didn’t budge. I want to upgrade too but I can’t bring myself to swap this scope out..

I have a VX5 that has had the same abuse and stood up to it 5 stars.

Good points from GroundControl/ZQ. Also good to know why you are upgrading, i.e. what you're looking for? E.g. a CDS/dial-up could be a good upgrade, but you may not use any magnification beyond 12x. I used a mate's VX-something with CDS during the weekend, but yeah, na, missed at 465m - turns out expensive kit doesn't make me a better shooter/hunter...

Your 2.5-10x sounds bloody perfect to me. If you do upgrade, I could be keen on taking that off your hands!