Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Nightforce SHV 3-10x42?

I’m thinking about picking up different Hunting scope for my Winchester Featherweight. Right now I’ve got a Leupold vx3i 3.5-10x40 on it, I’m wondering if the glass on the SHV is better, worse or about the same as the vx3i?

IMO the NF is superior in every way. Optically, dependability, all around

Not on a Winchester, but I like mine. I have VX-3 and VX3i. Agree with Doug.

DF

I’m wondering if I’m going to run into mounting problems with it being compact.

DF, are those medium Talley’s you have on there?

Use a rail and place the rings where you wish.

I have both, and though I can't say which has the better glass, both are very close (I haven't done any measurable tests, just shot deer), but the warm-n-fuzzy factor is much higher with the SHV.

Yes, med.

DF

I have to admit I’m not much of a fan of the VX-3i 3.5X10X40 the NF is a nicer scope but twice the money. If you want to stick with Leupold the VX-3i 4.5X14X40 30mm side focus is a great scope and still less than the NF

You’ll like the glass better.

I’m not worried about the price of the SHV, I have the money for one in my “toy fund”.

I’ve owned several Leupolds vx1, vx2, vxiii, vx3, vx5, and a few vx6’s, I’ve also owned a few Zeiss conquests, MC and HD a few swaro’s haibacht, z3, z5, and x5, but I’ve never owned a Nightforce. I was thinking of maybe getting another Swaro z3 but figured I’d try out a Nightforce this time round. If I like it maybe I’ll swap my x5i out with a Nightforce. The x5i is a nice scope but that turret on top is just a bit too cumbersome for my type of hunting.

Just mounted a VX-5 for a customer today , I know what you are saying about the top turret it’s whopper size!! Great scope though

You must mean the x5, I like the cds dial on my vx5, I wish the dial on the x5 was more like the dial on the Leupolds or the ATACR’s dial.

I think VX-6 glass may be better than SHV glass, but the latter for sure has a better rep for adjustment dependability.

Z-3 glass is pretty good, I’m guessing on par with the SHV.

For a robust scope, maybe a bit heavier than some, the SHV would be hard to beat.

I have those mentioned, so it’s easy to compare. But that’s just my opinion, no fancy testing.

DF

A couple years ago I took out my Zeiss Conquest hd5 and MC, Swarovski Z3, and VX3i and looked across my field after legal shooting light and I couldn’t notice a difference in any of them so if the SHV is on par with them then I’ll be happy.

For me it just comes down to brand trust and confidence. Even if they were equal (and they aren't), I would go for the NF every day. The SHV is just plain trustworthy.

In any event, the NF SHV is superior in every aspect to the vx3i except the parallax adjustment is not needed for most general applications.

I have both.

Get an illuminated SHV and you won’t have adjustable parallax.

DF

SHV glass is on par with VX3 glass. VX5/6 is much better than both. SHV has a more stable and forgiving eye box than the VX3i. The Leupold eye relief tends to shift as you adjust magnification.

If you want some really ridiculous glass for under $1k, Europtic has Leica Magnus 1.5-10x42 starting at $799

Or use extended mounts.

As for the SHV, the glass is plenty good & you won't find more dependability than NF.

Get the ForcePlex illuminated version & rock on.

MM

Well after all this fine advice on the SHV, a trip to the shop changed everything! Once the shop owner heard what I wanted it for he made me a deal on a Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x50 I couldn’t refuse. I ended up spending a few hundred more but I couldn’t say no to the deal.

Thanks for all the replies anyway guys. I’m thinking about buying a Kimber Montana, maybe I’ll throw the SHV on there instead.

Zeiss Victory glass is better than about anything, top end Alpha Euro.

I have one of those and a 1.5-6x42 T.

DF