Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Come on Nightforce....

John, you thinking of throwing down and trying a NF SHV? Love to hear what you think should you go for it...Especially, since you and I seem to like the Leupold VX6’s we own...I have a few LRHSi coming this month, which will be a new experience. I can see my way to a NF SHV...But, after you dip your toe first...😂😎 Mark

I started shooting a 3-10 SHV this spring and I think the Forceplex is much better than the IHR. I've only got a couple hundred rounds through it so I can't speak much on the bulletproofness, but it seems to be built like a tank. Footprint wise, it's basically the same as the 2.5-10x42 NXS....but it's slightly heavier, even without illumination, so it's a solid little chunk. If the Forceplex had thicker outer duplex bars I'd probably have a couple more of them.

never understood the clamoring for the #4 reticle, other than it typically has german with the name. I think that is the only reason people claim it prefer it. I can't see how the duplex reticle isn't better in low light than a #4. frankly I wish they would just offer a plain old mil dot. but that would be too boring.

There are big differences in #4's. One like Meopta has in the 6x42 is very thick with the main bars coming close to center. It makes it easy to find in low light and thick brush. The main bars being so close allow the user to shoot even if they can't see the finer crosshair intersection. The intersection is fine enough that it won't interfere with group shooting or fine targets:




Very different from how finely subtensioned and widely spaced NF's #4 is:




I think you are correct that a (heavy) duplex with the same subtensions as a given #4 will be easier to use in low light as the top bar provides another reference. A little while back I did some testing on a dark horse at night with several different reticles and the heavy duplex was faster to align than a #4. Could be done fine with either but the 4th post helped. I think most like the #4's open top for the view during daylight more than at last light.

There is no comparison between a Leupold Duplex or Nightforce Forceplex (Duplex) and a Meopta #4 or Vortex G4 BDC when in the eastern dark timber in low light. Have had them all and compared extensively. Maybe stating "no comparison" is a bit strong, but the #4 in each case is clearly superior, with no loss of fidelity for bench shooting.

Try both of them in very lowlight and get back to me.

Yep, that's a #4 that can do something for you.

It’s no surprise that you don’t understand the German #4