Nightforce SHV scope vs other options

[Dave]

I am trying to to do some investigating for a quality scope to put on my .30 bobcat. I have found only a few that have parallax adjust that will go to less than 20 yards. I did find that the Nightforce SHV 5-20 ×56 scope will focus down to 25 yards which is my threshold for minimum range and I really like the Moar reticle. I am also considering a swfa ss 3-15×42, but would like the higher magnification. I was wondering if anyone has tried the Nightforce SHV . I am looking to spend no more than $1500 on a scope and open to other ideas.

Here is link to the SHV.

http://nightforceoptics.com/shv/5-20%C3%9756

Thanks, Dave

 

[Strikey]

I have the Nightforce BR 8-32 with the NP2DD reticule waiting to go on a FX Royale 500, have used this scope on other rifles for 1000yd matches but have since moved on from that. It has been on my Royale 400 with intentions of setting it up for FT as it will focus back to 15yds, shot a personal best at silhouette with this rifle/scope combination, the 400 now has a Sightron SIII 10-50x60 with the LRMOA reticule ( I think this is the scope most FT shooters use ) and it will focus back to 9-10yds, this scope's clarity is on par with the Nightforce, my opinion, someone else may disagree, the only negative I have with the SIII is when above 40x mag. the image can be hard to focus but out here in Central QLD shooting over black soil can be a real test for any scope. I don't have any experience with the SHV line but I think for airgun use you really need a scope with parallax/ focus, whatever you want to call it, that will come back under 25yds and as my eyes are getting older I truly appreciate good optics and higher magnification, if you can't see it, you can't hit it!

 

[azuaro]

Dave:

Strikey's advice is what I would have given you before he posted it...

I went to what you are going through 3 -4 years ago...I initially spent a fortune and bought a Schmidt and Bender 12.5-50 x 56 Field Target that had a side parallax adjustment down to 8-10 yards...This was a real FRAUD as the optics were not even close to S&B optics, the reticle varied much with temperature and the parallax knob was very inconsistent...After 2 trips to Germany at my cost, the factory were not able to do anything and I ended up selling it for a little less than 1/3 of its 3K plus cost....Their Customer Service is terrible and these people at S&B are very arrogant...

I then contacted Nightforce, they are very close to where I live in MT (Nighforce is in Idaho -2 hrs. from here) but the owner (very nice guy) told me that they have no interest in scopes for FT or for airguns (Parallax down to 10 yards) and their scopes can not be re-parallaxed down to 10 yards (The objective screw in-out is limited)...

I then ordered a custom Leupold Comp 40 X with 9 yard parallax...This scope has been used in Benchrest and Field Target, but while 40X is awesome for range finding using the side knob, I can not shoot at high magnification and a fixed 40 X is just too much for FT (in my case)...

I use Zeiss (German made & assembled) Swarovski, Schmidt and Bender and have a few Leupold on my hunting & target center fire/rimfire rifles...After a long wait I relized that none of these companies would offer something that could be re-parallaxed to 10 yards and I ordered a Sightron SIII 10-50 x 60 with MOA 2 Reticle (Illuminated)...

This is a great scope, very rugged, reliable & consistent and it is very clear and sharp...For under $1,500 you can not go wrong...The glass is as good or better than what it is in my Nighforce NXS but not as good as German glass in Zeiss or Swarovski....I would say that Sightron's glass is slightly under a Leupold MARK 4 but as clear and sharp as my Leupold Comp 40X (both scopes at the same power)...

If at all, the only inconvenience is weight...At 30.8 oz it is a little on the heavy weight, but let's be realistic: It is hard to find something lighter that is build that rugged and with a 60 mm Objective...I use it at 40-50X for rangefinding and then shoot at 20X (Field Target)...Then 40 -45 X for Benchrest....EXCELLENT scope in both disciplines.
Above 40-45X it becomes as Strikey says: A little blurred, but you can still shoot fine.

I don't think that you will be able to find anything better at this price range...I compared the Sightron III side to side with a March 8-80 and the optics were similar, I actually liked the Sightron a little better (brighter and sharper) and when you see that March offers their 8-80 for double the price of the S-III, this Sightron by comparison is a BARGAIN! (In reality the March is an overpriced scope)...

To finalize: Nighforce, Leupold, March and Sightron all use JAPANESE GLASS...So they are all very close related in optics...
Regards,

AZ

 

[jps2486]

I was at the range the other day practicing BR with my RAW HM1000 with a inexpensive Mueller 8-32X44 target dot scope. A guy next to me had a custom BR rifle with a Nightforce 12-42X56 scope on it. I asked if I could look through it. To be honest, my Mueller had brighter and clearer optics than the NF. The only thing the NF had was a wider field of view because it has a 56MM objective vs. my 44MM. I just can't see spending that kind of money for something that doesn't live up to its reputation. Just because you spend $1500 and up for a scope doesn't guarantee that it will be good. I'll keep my $250 Mueller thanks. BTW, I shoot mine at 28X.