Night force. NX8 vs Leupold

[salmonchaser]

I’ve been a fan Of Leupold for my entire shooting life. I bought a 2-7 vx 11 in 1967 I still own. There are a number of vx111 either in my safe or scattered among my family that I “upgraded” from to CDX both in 3 and vx5. I have noticed a lack of repeatability in a couple of the scopes but argued the problem away with my thought on a hunting trip, If I dial the range it’ll be one and done kind of thing. In the last couple of years I’ve had to send two of the four VX 5s I own back. Not only would they not track reliably, both developed shifting zero. Essentially I could shoot two groups.
I’ve been looking at the NX8 series, 2FP as I have very little experience with F1 scopes. The very faint cross hairs at low power with F1 scopes cause me concern. I do however like the profile of the Night Force 1x8, I think it would look good on my 300HH #1. It is an F1 scope.
Will the Mark 4 or 5 series scopes from Leupold match the Night Force NX8 for repeatability?
I’ve pretty well convinced myself I’m going to sell the Leupolds, the NX8 2.5x20 would also be a likely pick.
Thoughts?

 

[JD338]

I love the glass on the VX-5HD and VX-6HD series scopes and they outperform NF however the turrets on NF are excellent in design, feel and repeatability. Leupold redesigned the turret system in the HD scopes. They are much better but still no contest when compared to NF.

JD338

 

[longrangehunter]

Yes, I see lots of Leupold scopes at Shooting Events, and I know even more Top shooters that swear by them….. So much that I bought one too a little over a year ago and it works flawlessly! I have a Mark 5 3-18 with the PR2 reticle and love it!

That said it is a 1st FP scope and YES, the reticle is too fine below 8-10x for me to use. I’m pretty sure they make them in a 2nd focal plane that would fit your needs if you look through the very long SKU list they have.

 

[IdahoCTD]

The NX8's arent as clear as the VX6's, and are heavier but the turrets are way better. The Mark5's are built more like Nightforce scopes but only available in FFP. Honestly if Leupold made the VX6 with more than 10moa in the TMOA reticle I may not of bought any NX8's. It seems silly to not use the available space for more reticle. I'll probably part with all of my 4x24 VX6's and get more NX8's. The down side to the 2.5x20 and 4x32 NX8's is the fairly tight eye box compared to the VX6's.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Just to clarify.....the difference in clarity is not huge or I wouldnt own a NX8, and I have 11 of them.

 

[Blkram]

I have been happy with my VX-5HDs and VX6-HD so far. I too have been a longtime fan of Leupold!
But I have only shot the VX-5HDs 3-15x44's at the range so far, but have hunted with the VX-5HD 2-10x42 FireDot VX-6HD 2-12x42 Ilum. B&C on my LH Sako 85 in 338 Federal and taken 4 animals with that rifle and the 2 different scopes to date (moose, caribou and stones sheep) at ranges of 25-150 yards. (I bought the VX-6HD used). I hope that they do not develop any issues over time.

I have not yet owned a NF, and it has been over 15 years since I shot a rifle equipped with one, so have no side by side comparisons to provide feedback on. At that time, I bought two VX-L scopes (3.5-10x50 amd 4.5-14x50) for the price of one NF for a couple of rifles, as I found no difference in the quality of the glass at the time, under various lighting conditions, for clarity and definition, and the cost didn't justify it.

With my limited experience with FFP scopes, I can say that at this time, I will continue to equip my hunting rifles with SFP scopes. (Same experience as Don in this regard). If I were to get a NF for a hunting rifle, it would likely be a NXS Compact 2.5-10x42 0.250 MOA.
Although I may upgrade my Burris Veracity FFP scope to a NF NXS 3.5-15x50 with a MOA XT reticle for my long range 22LR set up for target shooting.

Today, the new scope that is intriguing is the new VX-6HD Gen 2 in 3-18x44 Illum FireDot B&C.

 

[xphunter]

I’ve been a fan Of Leupold for my entire shooting life. I bought a 2-7 vx 11 in 1967 I still own. There are a number of vx111 either in my safe or scattered among my family that I “upgraded” from to CDX both in 3 and vx5. I have noticed a lack of repeatability in a couple of the scopes but argued the problem away with my thought on a hunting trip, If I dial the range it’ll be one and done kind of thing. In the last couple of years I’ve had to send two of the four VX 5s I own back. Not only would they not track reliably, both developed shifting zero. Essentially I could shoot two groups.
I’ve been looking at the NX8 series, 2FP as I have very little experience with F1 scopes. The very faint cross hairs at low power with F1 scopes cause me concern. I do however like the profile of the Night Force 1x8, I think it would look good on my 300HH #1. It is an F1 scope.
Will the Mark 4 or 5 series scopes from Leupold match the Night Force NX8 for repeatability?
I’ve pretty well convinced myself I’m going to sell the Leupolds, the NX8 2.5x20 would also be a likely pick.
Thoughts?

I have several Mark 5HD's and they have served me well.
Of the Mark 5 HD's, the 3.6-18 is probably my favorite for hunting and dual use at distance.
They do make illuminated reticles for these as well.
I have several NF scopes as well.

"Will the Mark 4 or 5 series scopes from Leupold, match the Night Force NX8 for repeatability?"
I do not know the answer to this question.
All I can say, is I use my Mark 5's more than the NF, and I have not h ad problems with either of them.
Have I sent back scopes to both companies over the years? Yes, and Leupold has been much easier to work with.

 

[FOTIS]

I trust the NF's

 

[IdahoCTD]

I've had good luck with Leica scopes over the years and bought a couple of these for my kids rifles. The reticles are a little busy but they make one more like the MOAR-T from NF too. I just wish they made them in 50mm.

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[bkordon]

Just a heads up that Leica just posted to their website that they are adjusting prices May 1st, due to tariffs. A 25% increase will not be doing anyone any favors.

 

[grry10]

When I retired my son gave me a Cooper model 22 6.5x284 Norma that was equipped with a Nightforce Competition model scope. The glass was clear, but found the reticle to be too fine for my eyes. It came with a lighted dot in the center of the reticle, but it was so weak you couldn't see it in daylight. I took the Nightforce off and replaced it with a high end Vortex. I'm sure their hunting models are different but just have not had the desire to look at one. Mainly I'm shooting Leupold, Vortex, and Zeiss today

 

[RL338]

I would pass on a Mark4 from my experience. Can’t comment on the other 2 choices.
For hunting a SFP is a better choice for me. FFP starts out too small on low power and hog up the field of view on high power.

 

[salmonchaser]

I would pass on a Mark4 from my experience. Can’t comment on the other 2 choices.
For hunting a SFP is a better choice for me. FFP starts out too small on low power and hog up the field of view on high power.

The resolution of the crosshairs is steering me away from ffp.

 

[longrangehunter]

I will add depending on how you use your scope, make certain that you are familiar with using the reticle, and enjoy using it for your needs.

There are some scopes that depending on the reticle options, that have brought me to purchasing their product!

I’ve spent a lot of time behind different reticle types which has allowed me to pinpoint what I like from a reticle.

Good glass is always a good thing, the reticle maybe more so, power range is set to field/hunting use….. Does little good to have a lack of field of view when you’re hunting the Timber, and/or the type of game animal that dictates what you should be using.

 

[gerry]

I have several Mark 5HD's and they have served me well.
Of the Mark 5 HD's, the 3.6-18 is probably my favorite for hunting and dual use at distance.
They do make illuminated reticles for these as well.
I have several NF scopes as well.

"Will the Mark 4 or 5 series scopes from Leupold, match the Night Force NX8 for repeatability?"
I do not know the answer to this question.
All I can say, is I use my Mark 5's more than the NF, and I have not h ad problems with either of them.
Have I sent back scopes to both companies over the years? Yes, and Leupold has been much easier to work with.

You have lots of experience so what would be your choices for durable scopes that work as they should and hold zero? On the Rokslide forum they pretty much claim that SWFA, Nightforce and Trijicon are the only ones worth looking at and the rest are junk. There might be a few others they seem to like but those are the ones I remember.

 

[xphunter]

SWFA, Nightforce, and Trijicon are all good scopes.
Just because a forum culture says they are "The Ones" does not make it so.
Sightron's S-III and S-III PRL scopes are awesome.
This S-III PRL has a reticle in the second focal plane

SIII Precision Long Range6-24x50 Zero Stop

Built for precision long range target shooting up to and exceeding 1000 yards. Sightron's SIII PLR 6-24x50 Long Range rifle scope with Zero-stop delivers superior optics and accuracy when it counts.

sightron.com

The PRL glass is a step above the older S-III's
I have an older S-III on my 375 Chey-Tac Pistol.

I broke a Gen 1 and a Gen 2 Razor with that rig, in less than 20 shots each time

Tract Scopes is another brand that has a great reputation. I don't have any Yet!
Check out James at Barbour Creek-He is legit!

Budget?
How far will you be hunting at?
I typically use the upper tier of a scope companies optics...If, they have tiers.
I use a number of VX5 HD's with no problems to date.
I have a older VX6, that I actually hate it's turrets...They feel like mush, but it tracks good.
I trust the Mark 5 HD's that I have

 

[Thebear_78]

I have been let down by leupold, My buddy teaches a long range class here in Ak and has had more issues with leupold than any other brand.

For my rifles if it has a turret it’s a nightforce, vortex razor, or Swarovski. Swarovski if weight is a concern.

 

[gerry]

SWFA, Nightforce, and Trijicon are all good scopes.
Just because a forum culture says they are "The Ones" does not make it so.
Sightron's S-III and S-III PRL scopes are awesome.
This S-III PRL has a reticle in the second focal plane

SIII Precision Long Range6-24x50 Zero Stop

Built for precision long range target shooting up to and exceeding 1000 yards. Sightron's SIII PLR 6-24x50 Long Range rifle scope with Zero-stop delivers superior optics and accuracy when it counts.

sightron.com

The PRL glass is a step above the older S-III's
I have an older S-III on my 375 Chey-Tac Pistol.

I broke a Gen 1 and a Gen 2 Razor with that rig, in less than 20 shots each time

Tract Scopes is another brand that has a great reputation. I don't have any Yet!
Check out James at Barbour Creek-He is legit!

Budget?
How far will you be hunting at?
I typically use the upper tier of a scope companies optics...If, they have tiers.
I use a number of VX5 HD's with no problems to date.
I have a older VX6, that I actually hate it's turrets...They feel like mush, but it tracks good.
I trust the Mark 5 HD's that I have

I appreciate your input and your good natured demeanor as well. I've seen on that other forum how pig headed they can be on things I know they are wrong so don't trust them necessary on something I don't have as much experience on like scopes for longer range shooting.

I've watched the Barbour Creek videos and he sure does seem to know what he's doing.

I don't see myself hunting much beyond 500 yards personally but intend to practice farther out to gain the skill. Most my experience is in the coastal rainforest which is close range typically but last spring we moved to the Southern interior of BC which is more open.

I'm considering the Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 with the Force Plex reticle not sure if the MOAR reticle would gain me much. The Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 would be another one but their reticle seems a bit fine for hunting.

 

[salmonchaser]

500 yards is pretty much my max on game and just don't do a lot of long range shooting further then that. SFP and duplex cross hairs work pretty well for me. I don’t mind windplex reticle anything else is just too much for me.
About half of every hunting day is working heavy cover. I'd bet a pretty fair portion of my 46 elk have come nearer 30 than 300 but being able to dial four hundred yards is sure convenient. Really the only reason I use more than 8x is the horn restrictions we have to evaluate.
What really has me concerned is Africa next year as I might need to adjust for distance multiple times, not just one and done.

 

[jmad_81]

I have ran several VX5 on hunting rifles (they have always treated me well), a Mark 5 on heavy hunting/range toy, and 2 NX8 on two different hunting rifles.

In my opinion, the Mark 5 and the NX8 are a fairly big step up from the VX5. Optical quality is better, the turrets are better, and I like the reticle choices and 1st ffp options. They Mark 5 and NX8 do weigh a bit more, but I'll take a bit more meat in my scope to help protect against my lack of mountain stability causing the inevitable yard sale crash down the mountain. I absolutely like the Leupold turret system better. The Leupolds lock at zero where the NX8 has a zero stop but doesn't lock. The Leupold turrets are just much simpler to set the zero on a swell. I like the magnification range better on the NX8 (Mine are both 2.5-20) than the Leupold, I feel they just offer a bit more situational flexibility.

Bottom line, I don't think you can go wrong with either. pick the one that you thinks fits your needs best and have confidence that it will be a great scope.