New Nightforce BR Scope - Buy Now, Wait, or Don't Bother?

M

MBrenner

Guest
Greetings all, I am a 15 year benchrest competitor but have taken the last couple years off from NBRSA matches for business and family reasons but still shoot most club matches. I have always shot 6PPC group and 30BR score with two custom Briar Hail built rifles and will probable get back into competition sometime this year.

However, my post here is a question about scopes. Nightforce has just announced a new benchrest scope that is 42 fixed by 44mm "Competition" that weighs only 20.7 ounces. It has superior ED glass and claims to be point-of-aim rugged enough for F-Style matches. It comes in the traditional fine crosshair and the same with a center dot reticle. Street price is $1,795. For all intents and purposes it looks and functions like our old Leupold Competition scopes.

Now, the reason for my question: This is a NEW scope, and gives me pause to pull the purchase trigger. Why? When Leupold first came out with their Competition 45x scope, I bought two...for 6PPC and 30BR. Unfortunately, as the old saying goes...they both came with "frequent flyer miles" because I had to return them to Leupold numerous times over not holding POA, totally frustrating in a match. One was so troublesome that even Leopold had enough and replaced one with a new Comp 45x. At this point, I don't trust either and is why I am even considering the new Nightforce, which has a sterling reputation for holding POA and overall quality. But, it is a new scope and why I ask your good advice. Would you buy a new Nightforce, wait, for simply not bother? Thanks for your responses.
 
Nightforce has been around a long time is known for quality. They also stand behind their work. If you want one I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Another one to consider is the IOR Valdada.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
I was looking for more information on the construction of them myself. I could see it doesn't seem to have a coil spring like other Night force or the Valdada
 
I think you answered your own question.....in a sense. At the least, wait a few days and see what happens.
 
MBrenner said:
When Leupold first came out with their Competition 45x scope, I bought two...for 6PPC and 30BR. Unfortunately, ... I had to return them to Leupold numerous times over not holding POA, totally frustrating in a match.
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How were you able to determine (or suspect) that the scopes were not holding POA? Some of my groups look like they were shot with a shotgun, but I usually attribute those to the wind and/or my sloppy gun handling.
 
Holding POI

I feel the only way you could prove this matter would be to shoot a agg with your Leuy and then switch out the scope on the same rifle and shoot another agg and you would almost have to duplicate the conditions which would be almost impossible. But the bottom line here is confidence if you think it is built into the scope then it would probably be wise to go to another scope. My only reservation on this matter is when I see the equipment lists Leupolds are plentiful and among some of the best shooters! JM2C!
 
Hunter said:
How were you able to determine (or suspect) that the scopes were not holding POA? Some of my groups look like they were shot with a shotgun, but I usually attribute those to the wind and/or my sloppy gun handling.
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Charlie Hood, and maybe others, cooked up a scope checker some years ago. It was a plate that transformed the scope mounts into two mounts such that you could place two scopes on your rifle. The purpose, of course, was to see if both scopes would hold point of impact. It took a most of the day and it seemed that nobody wanted to do it but it worked pretty good...pretty good indeed. Maybe folks still have such an item. I'm sure they'll chime in if they do.
 
It's going to be awhile before the fixed power 42 is available. I'm like you in that I've made the mistake of buying a new scope when it first comes on the market and been burned. I really doubt if it's a problem though with Nightforce as a fixed power should be simpler than a variable. Holding absolute point of aim seems pretty difficult to obtain. I have been very impressed with the optics of the NF 15-55X competition scope. I think optically it's the best scope I have on a benchrest rifle. Haven't shot it enough yet to have complete confidence on how well it holds point of impact. Tough to know that when you shoot in Texas with Texas normal match conditions. I was hoping the new scope would be a little expensive than the $1795 that NF is listing. I'm like Dusty in that I need to sell a bunch of older scopes.
 
The valdada is available now, less money and really does work with no doubts. Im not in the market for a nf but i would be if it wasnt for the valdada. Bart keeps em in stock and has some new floating dot crosshair options
 
Since they have a glass etched reticle they have the aiming dot not connected to the crosshairs. The older ones were the same but had the most complicated tactical crosshair ever in there with a floating dot in the middle. Ive gotten used to it and since the lines all mean something you can roughly measure your group with em. Theres 1/16,1/8,1/4&1/2 moa lines and spaces in there.
 
Dusty Stevens said:
The valdada is available now, less money and really does work with no doubts. Im not in the market for a nf but i would be if it wasnt for the valdada. Bart keeps em in stock and has some new floating dot crosshair options
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Which model? Link to Bart's site?
 
Dusty Stevens said:
Since they have a glass etched reticle they have the aiming dot not connected to the crosshairs. The older ones were the same but had the most complicated tactical crosshair ever in there with a floating dot in the middle. Ive gotten used to it and since the lines all mean something you can roughly measure your group with em. Theres 1/16,1/8,1/4&1/2 moa lines and spaces in there.
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What's the newer reticle called on their site. All the tactical lines were what was kinda holding me back
 
glp said:
30mm tube diameter or the larger 34mm? Tks
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Greg. Their 36x benchrest model is 30MM. MBrenner, my advice to you is that I personally wouldn't buy a first year anything. Let the bugs get worked out and if you want one wait till later. At 1800.00 bucks, you might as well spend another $150.00 and buy yourself a proven scope a fixed power March. With the 15% discount that Shiraz at bulletsdot.com is giving it is a no brainer, and at 20.9 oz it is about the same weight as the new Nightforce. I have 2 Valdada's, and I like them very much but the trouble is I like more magnification at 2&300 yards than a 36X. Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.
 
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I am looking forward to the new Nightforce; although I can't afford one. I will be testing one starting in two or three weeks and I will try to report my findings in several media. As far as the 36X Valdada is concerned, it is a great scope. I have shot one for the last six years and my placement in matches went up after I started using it. I don't know if there is a cause and effect to this, but I do know that the Schott glass in the IOR is top quality and the adjustments are spot on and there is no shifting in POI.
At 36x, however, I cannot see bullet holes at 600 yards (with my 72 year old eyes). I am hoping that the new Nightforce with HD glass and 42X power will allow me to see the holes with ideal conditions. Good shooting...James
 

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Tim Singleton said:
What's the newer reticle called on their site. All the tactical lines were what was kinda holding me back
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Its probably not on the site. Bart had em done. Think of a regular dot crosshair that the crosshairs dont touch the dot- lil gap between em. The tactical crosshairs are not bad and i prefer it now that im used to it.
 
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