First of all I'm a Noobie on the site and with rifles and hunting.

I just purchased my first rifle, LH Sako 85 hunter .300 Winmag. I'm now looking to buy a scope for it.
I'm partial to the Nightforce 5.5x22x56 NXS 1000 Velocity. I see there are lots that like them, but also there are many that say they are to big, weigh to much, you won't be able to use it at 100 yards, its not a hunting rifle, it will make your rifle top heavy.

They are pretty expensive, so I want to make sure its the right scope for my application. I will be at the range lots with my son, as he is the one that convinced me to get started, now its like a passion for me and I haven't even shot it yet. I will also be hunting elk, and moose.

Any thoughts out there?

Excellent optic. Personally way too much power IMO.

I would go for the 2-10x42mm or MAX the 3.5x15

Way too much scope for a hunting rifle, objective to big and too much weight @ 2 pounds, like has been mentioned the 3.5x15 would be somewhat of a better choice but still 30 oz's, not sure I could like one on a hunting rifle but still better than your first choice...

Welcome to the 'fire. I have a friend (6'4" 230 lb) who has that exact scope on his .300 Short Mag. I compared it with my Swarovski z5 5-26X52. It smoked the z5 in normal and low light. If you're still good 'n strong and it's not too heavy for you I'd go for it.

I will second the 2x10x42 for the hunting you mentioned. Maybe a 3x15x50 if you want to bang some steel plates also. While the Nightforce mentioned is an excellent scope its just to much of a good thing for your needs. And this is just my honest opinion.

I have the 5.5-22x50mm NSX w/MOAR and it's an excellent scope. However, it's on my dedicated long range rifle... a job for which it's one of the best.

It would be, in my opinion, a poor choice for a general purpose hunting rifle. Within the NF family of scopes, as others have said the 3.5-15 would be better; however that's still a scope that is made for long-range turret twisting. If you aren't doing that it's burning a bunch of money and adding a bunch of weight for no real gain. And if you are just getting started, you've got a lot of work to do- as in thousands of rounds downrange- before you'll really be ready to utilize what such a scope offers.

Again echoing what others have said, the 2.5-10x42 NSX would be an excellent choice. Trust us, you'll be well equipped for shots at the types of ranges you'll have any business taking in the first several years. To pin a number on it, that's a legit, what, 900-yard elk scope? I say that not to encourage you to take such a shot or even set it as a goal; I'm
simply putting that out there so you can see that this scope will NOT hold you back even if your intent is to become proficient at some seriously long hunting ranges.

Whereas, and this is the real point, the 5.5-22 WILL hold you back at being proficient at the majority of elk shots you'd encounter. Most game shots happen at relatively close ranges and under time pressure. The 5.5x lowest power and accompanying smaller FOV is far from ideal for that.

I have that scope with that objective and reticle. You have to know what speed your bullet is traveling for the right reticle to coincide. I wouldn't buy another one, the reticle is too cluttered up for me. Personally I would put a swfa fixed six on the rifle and the extra $1700 in your pocket .

Yep. The 2.5-10x42 or 3.5-15x50 might serve your needs better. The big hubbles = more weight, higher mounting, potential cheek weld difficulties on your Sako rifle, etc.

I'm also not a fan of velocity reticles and would stick with a MIL or MOAR reticle.

SWFA's make a lot of sense here, too. You can apply the difference in price to some ammo or reloading components.