Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Nightforce on a hunting rifle?

I want to use a Nightforce 5.5x22x56 on a GAP 300WM for a LR deer and hog rifle. Rifle is rested frt. and rear on sandbags in an elevated box stand.
I need the high magnification to study the rack on bucks across long fields. I use binos to glass the fields then the scope to size up the antlers.
Is the 56 better than the 50?
Is the 56 worth the extra $$?
Will the 56 cause a problem by being mounted too high?

Thanks
Coach

1) Scopes are to aim - binos and spotters for identification

2) high X benefit from bigger obj.

3) Head positioning is crucial for offhand, quick shots

The difference in mounting hight is 3 millimeters - to little to worry about, unless these force you to use a disproportionally higher mount.

Go with the 50mm objective!!

What is "long range" for you ?

The 2.5-10x32 NF will mount lower, is plenty bright enough to shoot in any legal light and with the illuminated HV reticle is a "point and shoot" setup to 600 yards.

The money you save will buy you an excellent spotting scope.

Great scope as long as weight is not an issue.

Although I personally like the Swarovski glass for definition of target. I believe you will get better definition clarity with the Swaro. Even the lesser AV or Z seeries I believe has better glass than the NF. They are just not built like a tank the way the NF is built. Tom.

Old Coach,

When I compared my 12-42X56 Nightforce with my Swarovski z5 5-25X52 the Nightforce was considerably better in low light and day light. An example of the difference between the two was dramatically displayed in the magnification necessary to see the lines on my line chart. I put it at different distances until the Nightforce needed some adjustment to clearly see the lines and spaces. The distance was 521 yards. The Nightforce needed 12X while the Swarovski needed 16 1/2X. I have been accused of haveing a rifle mounted spoting scope. Why spend money on something I don't need.

I am not saying my stuff is better than someone elses' stuff. I am saying that something I purchased with my own money is better than something else I bought with my own money.

When Cliff saw my Nightforce he said, "I can see no reason that that should not be on an elk rifle."

Besides weighing well over two pounds?

Great glass but they remind me of desert eagles when it comes to weight.

Boat anchors from hell.

Coach,

I'm running a Hensoldt 6-24x72 on the only centerfire rifle I have left. The scope weighs 39 oz, or, 2.44 lbs.

I had a Nightforce 5.5-22X on my Encore 25/06 for awhile. Yes, it works fine but unless you intend to cap your deer at well over 500 yards, it isn't necessary. I finally sold the scope.

Get a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 and you will not be disapointed. It will do what you want and not weigh nearly as much as the Nightforce.The zeiss also has better glass.I have 2 on long range hunting rifles and am I am very pleased with them.Under a grand.

Unless he already knows your rifle, he might think it's a "normal" hunting rig. Put up a pic for context.

OK

Have fun hoofing that around in the elk mountains. E

I don't believe carrying my rifle will be as difficult for me as you seem to hope it to be.

Magnumdood,

Nice rifle - who built it for you??

Eremicus,

It may suprise you, but dispite being only 5' 7 1/2" and weighing about 160 I used to carry a heavy barrel Kleinguenther K 14 with a 28" barrel up and down lots of steep and not so steep hills. Perhaps Magnum Dood is 6 1/2 feet tall and weighs 260 pounds of solid muscle and sinew. Or maybe he is just in good shape.

You see when someone is in great shape, they can do what most hunters can't.

+1......glad he's not hunting on my place.

Gordy Gritters

Ringman, I spend my summers walking the mountains near my home in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mtn. Range. One of my favorite day hikes is a little walk up to the top of Pyramid Pk., which tops out at 9987 ft. It's only about 4.5 miles from Hwy 50, but the trail climbs about 4100 ft. I've done it in 3 hrs. Got any idea what that is like ?
I've got a 10.5 lb. rifle that I've humped my local mountains with.
I'm just having a little fun with Magnum Dood. Used in the right place, that rifle, BTW, can be a real asset. Might be a little of a strain getting to that right place, but, heck, that's why we have out special toys, right ? E