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Thoughts on Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 F1 (Mil-R C557)

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Marine24 View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/01/2016 at 16:17
Came across a demo version of this scope for sale and curious on opinions.  I've used Nightforce's NXS scope once before, but prefer March.

Intent for this scope is to mount on a 22-250 with shots ranging from 100 out to 500 yards.  I've been bouncing around the idea of a Leupold VX-6 (3-18x), but reticle options and SFP configuration are a compromise.  Prefer a mil based reticle.

Reviews I've seen talk about Nightforce rolling this out as competition for Vortex's PST line, but not sure if I should take that as the optical quality of the Nightforce is comparable with that in the PST line.

I know this is a step down from a March or Razor HD Gen II, but this will be a daylight shooting scope at short to medium ranges.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/01/2016 at 16:21
Never used one, interested to know how they compare with the NXS line.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 09:44
Hard to get a read on the differences.  NXS has the zero stop and SHV the zero set.  Also appears the SHV is not as rugged as the NXS, given NXS's tactical/combat ops bent compared to the shooting, hunting, varmint application of the SHV.

One comment attributed to Nightforce was the same lenses are used in both scopes but used differently.  Not sure how to take that.

Given the tenor of the reviews I've read, the SHV is not on par with the NXS, which shouldn't be a surprise given the price differences.  Terms used with the SHV include entry level for those interested in getting in to Precision Rifle matches or long range hunting/shooting
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 09:57
If it is same glass but not as rugged, that means all of the weaknesses and none of the strengths - or close.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 10:19
I'll have to see if I can get behind one.  I've never been wowed by NF glass, it was good but always found the Swarovski Z5 and Razor HD was better than the NXS line.  Clarity and contrast was on par, but color always seemed muted.

Quote from Ernie Bishop on a similar thread from a year ago provides some insight:

"I have not been happy with the Nightforce SHV series, the glass quality on the one sample I looked over was not up to the quality I have seen in the BR or NSX series and I feel that it falls behind the quality of both the Sightron and XTR II. I would compare the SHV directly with the Vortex PST series and in that end up buying the PST due to the value of the scope. Now this was a early production sample SHV that I looked at so it may have been improved, but I will stand behind my statement until I see another sample."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 10:46
Nightforce has always been an under achiever for glass, unless you really look at resolution. And that is usually the least focused on part of any glass review, because it doesn't stand out like contrast or color rendition
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 12:53
Originally posted by billyburl2 billyburl2 wrote:

Nightforce has always been an under achiever for glass, unless you really look at resolution. And that is usually the least focused on part of any glass review, because it doesn't stand out like contrast or color rendition

The latest stuff from Nightforce has much better glass.  I was very impressed with the optical quality of the ATACR F1.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2016 at 13:01
I ended up passing on this.  I looked through the SHV.  Well built scope and turrets seemed solid, but for the glass quality, there are better options for the $1000 asking price.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote saltydog235 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2016 at 07:18
I'm sitting in a stand with one mounted on my 700 in 7mm08. Last year it had the 5X22X50 NXS w/ MOAR-T mounted on it. Light gathering is good, reticle is bold enough as the MOAR-T is a bit thin for my hunting applications. Center illumination with a rheostat control not a set and forget like the NXS. Optically there is little to no difference in the two. The construction is not as rugged as the NXS but, it's for hunting, not bludgeoning someone to death then putting it back on to shoot in battle. The ZeroSet is pretty much the same as the ZeroStop. Scope tracks just as well too.   I've heard you can get better glass at that price and it may be true but, you won't get much better and keep all the features it has for that same budget.

I just cranked it up watching a doe eat at about 300, I could clearly make out feed dropping from her mouth and the moisture glistening on her nose. The texture and tufts of hair were clearly defined as well. I'm not sure how much more resolution you need in a hunting optic that serves as a medium duty range scope than that. I'll buy another one for my next build if I set that as a budget.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marine24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/03/2016 at 11:25
Ended up going with a demo Burris XTR II F1 3-15x50.  Price was good and since this will only be daylight shooting, should work just fine.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verminator Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/30/2016 at 13:43
i had the one with the  56mill objective sfp..thought that was very good optically. equal to a mates NSX
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