Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leica ER 2.5-10x42 vs NF 2.5-10x32

Please weigh in and help me decide. This is for 8ish lb (all up) hunting rifle.

Leica ER 2.5-10x42 with ASV elevation turret

NF 2.5-10x32 with zero stops

Shots up to 600 yards.

90% of hunting is late afternoon, low light, south Alabama forest. Balance would be full light shots out to 600 yards.

Order of Priorities:
1 - durability
2 - light gathering
3 - weight

Hold your horses - if your looking for better light and at NF - consider - something new is slated around the corner - thinking 40-42mm

I hear you. Holding my horses (Leups) for another season to see what NF is offering may be the answer.

As a side note, I talked to Mark at Schmidt & Bender today. It sounds like he was instrumental in the creation of the Summit. The Summit was built to the same durability and optic standards as the S&B PM's, but in a 1" version (which I like!). He lobbied for more elevation adjustment (it currently only has 18") and an elevation turret but came up short. Mark said to his disappointment and despite his efforts, it aint happening.

The 2.5-10 Nightforce is a great scope i have one a a rifle i will be taking to SE Alaska for mountain goats come september. Also have one on my indiana deer rifle. With that being said I wish it was a 40 or 42 mm. I'd hold off a few more months.

Have you considered a VX3 CDS or a Zeiss Conquest - I think they have a turret option or retrofit. A thought.

Both light, durable, great glass - those 2 are very close to my eyes.

If Bushnell had turrets on the 4200 Elite it would be a great option also for you.

Durability and holding zero in my opinion would be NF.

I want a scope that is more durable than a Leup. Thats the sole reason for swapping from my current stable of 2.5-10x40 VX III's.

leica witout doubt is better optically

If low light performance is important I wouldn't even consider the NF compact.

Terry

I hear ya. I almost decided on the small NF but read others with the same opinion as you. Some guys say its fine, but I need better than fine, and where there's smoke, there's fire.

Yeah, I owned one for awhile. I loved it at the range but hated it in the woods. I'm a huge fan of thier full size stuff.

Terry

Regarding the Leica, I could do without the huge eyepiece, but if durable I'm all in. So the question is will it take a lickin and keep on ticken? I'm afraid there has not been enough hard use on the few that are out there to know.

Do tell. Is there a rumor of something new coming?

CT - just curious what problems you had w/your Leupolds?

BangPop - concensus on those 'in the know' say perhaps something like a 3-12x42, nothing pinned down for sure, other than a 40-42 obj.....but it's almost a sure bet, just not released to the public yet....

I've had both on the same 270. Much prefer the optical quality of the Leica. In fact I prefer the Leica to any scope I have used S&B, Swarovski or Zeiss included.

I've always been a Leup fan. I've read about their shifting of zero in hardcore use and abuse (not breaking and not in need of repair, just a zero shift from a hard knock). I've never pampered a scope but neither have I abused one (not intentionally anyway, but sometimes I may err to tool mentality). I've had small shifts of zero (inch or two) but nothing catastrophic. Several have broke on me at the range (none in a while, I went through a run of bad luck 10 years ago, sent them back to Leup for repair) which has led to concern in the back of my mind. A few weeks ago I had a major shift. I was shooting perfect POI at 300 yards, moved a mile or two to another range, scope to lick/vibration in the process, and zero moved significantly. It would have cost me an animal. To be clear, the scope did not break, it is holding and tracking perfectly. So to the point, its not one instance, but several issues over the last ten years that have me convinced that I want a more durable mousetrap.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm confident in the quality of the Leica glass, its the durability that worries me. I recon I'll give one a go and see how she fares.

Interesting, well - I never had such problems, IIRC there was a change in scope design, I wonder if the 'twin erector springs' was to correct what you experienced? I don't know.

I often used fixed power Leupolds, and never had a problem.

No doubt the alpha glass you are looking at are great scopes, some just not so light as others, but its a trade off and judgement call.

Look fwd to hearing what you get next.

I often get a laugh out of this. I don't doubt one bit that the fixed powers are more durable & reliable. Several years ago I decided to give the Leup 6x a try. Its the first and only fixed power scope I've owned. It took a crap on me right away. It was so bad that most of the parts were rattling around loose inside the scope. The scope never even made it to the field. It all happened at the range. First impressions are hard to shake.