Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Experience with Nightforce SHV? Especially IHR?

I'm looking to replace the scope on my Tikka 30-06. I've had some recent major frustrations with 2 scopes that wouldn't track, so I'm interested in the NF reputation for reliability. My budget is about $1k. I've been particularly interested in the 3-10 NF SHV. Had the opportunity to check one out in a store with the MOAR reticle and was generally impressed. Unfortunately, I have not been able to shoot a rifle with any NF scope.

In terms of reticles I like the simplicity of the IHR, and forceplex but the MOAR is interesting too. Does anyone have any experiences or recommendations? I use this rifle for much of my hunting which runs from open country mule deer to coastal blacktails and elk anywhere from sage and juniper, to in thick timber.

Any other scope recommendations at or under $1k?

Not what you are looking for, but my experience.

I have a SHV F1 with MIL-r reticle on a 6.5 creedmoor. I’ve shot targets out to 1300 yds. And in between. So It tracks.

Shot a buck yesterday eve at 300 yds. Dialed 1.2 mils and tucked it behind the shoulder.
That reticle is too busy for me for a hunting scope though. IMO.

I have a couple with the MOAR reticle; great scope in pretty much all respects, reticle can be a bit hard to see in low light & dark shadow areas.

Might want to consider the Forceplex reticle; it was not available when I bought mine.

MM

I went with the NXS 2.5-10 w/ IHR reticle and zero stop. It's awesome.

I have a SWFA 3-9 on my tikka 30-06. Gun is sitting in a Bell and Carlson stock with bedding block...
It is a absolute tack driver. Last weekend I was dialing back and forth from 100 to 500 and it worked perfectly...
Also I don't think you need more than 9X for shooting out to 600 yards.

BTW: I have the latest version of the Nightforce SHV in 5-20 with the Forceplex reticle... and it's great but way to big for the tikka.
I have it on a 300WM in a AI stock with a 26 inch Sendero weight barrel and it is a perfect match.



Regards,
Dan

I have the SHV 3-10 with Forceplex on a Tikka and really like it. I really didn’t like any of the other reticles, I’m not into Xmas tree ultra fine reticles on a hunting rig. I also know from many years of hunting that I haven’t had to make very many shots in excess of 300 yards. I do like the fact that I have reliable turrets should that 400-500 yard shot present itself but that they are capped and I’m not going to bump anything only to realize I did so when it’s too late. Simple rock solid set up.

Watching the replys here as well. I'm looking to scope my 30-06 with an SHV 3-10x42. Probably go with the Forceplex reticle for that rifle and application.

are the turrets on the shv the same as on a nsx , dont own a shv never seen the shv turret?

I had the 3-10 SHV and sold it, mine had the MOAR reticle, which is great in the higher powered models. but just a touch difficult to see in certain conditions.

No, completely different. The SHV knobs are capped but still are marked in MOA, have positive and accurate adjustments, and able to zero them out. The SHV F1 has an exposed elevation turret but still different than a NXS.

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/first-look/nightforce-shv-3-10x42-riflescope/

Up close look at the little SHV, I’d post pics of mine but it’s such a pain in the ass anymore. I’ll add that clicks on the turrets are are precise and crisp, not mushy at all.

Great info, thanks so much to everyone for the replies. I especially appreciate the feedback on the MOAR reticle... I was worried about it being somewhat difficult to see in low light/darker backgrounds. 30338, thanks for the link on the midway scope. I'm going to give midway a call and get some more info. might just have to jump on that deal!

I have a SHV 4-14x56 ill IHR on my Gunwerks rifle, I love it. Center punched a Colorado bull elk at 489 yards this year. I also own a 2.5-10-x42 NXS with the IHR and like it a lot. I had a 3-10x42 SHV IHR NIB and stupidly sold it. I have a 3-15x50 NXS MOAR and it's a very busy scope. I don't think you will be disappointed in the SHV.

I think the SHV is going to take a serious bite out of Leupold's market share in the $800-1,000 price range.


Okie John

One of my favorite hunting scopes was always the 3.5-10x40 from Leupold. I literally compared the SHV 3-10 with Forceplex and the VX3 3.5-10x40 side by side prior to selling the Leupie. I can go back on the forum over the years where I commented more than once that I just wish a company like NF would put out a hunting reticle in a compact package with repeatable and reliable turrets that weren’t Uber tactical and I would be all over it. Once I discovered the Forceplex reticle in the SHV I was sold. If you look at the new price in most stores for a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 vs the new price on the SHV with deals that are out there it’s well worth the up charge for a rock solid scope that I don’t have to stand on one leg while tapping the rings every time I make a sight adjustment on my Leupolds. You make 3 clicks at 200yards and the scope adjusts 3 clicks. No more having to make clicks with shots and waiting for the scope to settle and all that guessing BS Leupolds have always made me do. The additional 6 oz is also worth it! Holding both scopes in your hands the comparison in build and durability is beyond obvious. It feels like you could use the night force to beat the crap out of the Leupold tube and then remount it on the rifle with no ill affect.

Tikka 06 SHV

I've never bought anything from these guys, but I'd make an effort to take them at their word & make them an offer of list price ($873) minus 20%, or $700 and see it they bite.

MM

ScopeList NF SHV

Alaska Cub, I like the looks of your 30-06, I'm wanting to do the same thing with a LH 300 WSM. What base and rings are you using and how much does your rig weigh? I'm going to save up for next year and see if I can snag a 3-10 SHV Forceplex in the November Black Friday sales. Like you I think this is the scope I have been waiting for..............

They won't take it, I tried. They did call me though and negotiated a better price than I've seen anywhere else.

gerry,

It’s the Tikka mountain tactical rail with Warne Mountain Tech low rings. I compared the Warnes with the Nightforce Ultralights side by side and the Warnes felt lighter and had more surface area and thickness yet were more streamlined than the NF Ultralights so I went with the Warnes. Haven’t weighed the package, wasn’t looking to go Uberlight so I wasn’t concerned. It handles and balances great. I got mine from Optics Planet with a 10% off coupon and free shipping. Cost was $785 to my door.