Leupold vs Nightforce

[CThomson80]

Looking for qualified opinions. Trying to decide on a scope for a Christensen 300 Win. Thoughts are Leupold VX5 HD or VX 6 HD or NF SHV or NXS.

Please let me know if you've owned combinations or shot side by side.

[mtnhunter]

With a lightweight rifle like Christensen, I personally would look at a lighter scope than a Nightforce. You can get good glass which isn't too pricey like a Swarovski Z3 and add in a wicked scope mount like the alpha mount by Near.

[jayquiver]

I own/have owed both the VX6HD 2-12x42 and NXS Compact 2.5-10x42

NXS is about 20 ounces. VX6 is about 16 ounces.

Glass is about the same, i think I didn't own them at the same time. So I am going off of memory.

Dials on the Nightforce are much butter if you dial in. Better feel. I like their zerostop better.

illumination on the NXS was better.

Magnification range is better on the vx6.

Nightforce has way better reticle options if you are shooting longer rangers. I found the rectile of the VX6 (wide duplex) better for hunting then the Mill Dot reticle I had on the Nightforce, but Nightforce has more reticle options

NOTE: if you go with Nightforce, make sure your dials match your retcile MOA or Mill. Don't mix

you really can't go wrong with either the VX6 or NXS Compact. It may come down to what reticle you like best. I would only consider the compact models the regular NXS are much heavier.

[YoteStopper]

What sort of magnification are you looking for? I bought a 3-15 Vortex Razor HD LH and it is a very nice scope, super light and I love the G4 type reticle. To my eyes it was better than Swaro Z3 and comparable to Zeiss Conquest HD5.

[Smokinyotes]

I haven’t owned any vx5 or vx6’s, just vx1, vx2 and vx3’s. They do not even come close to my nightforces.

[Headdamage]

I've seen two nightforce scopes fail during competition, I've never seen a leupold fail at the same competitions.

[CThomson80]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

I haven’t owned any vx5 or vx6’s, just vx1, vx2 and vx3’s. They do not even come close to my nightforces.

They wont. Not the same league.

[CThomson80]

Originally Posted by YoteStopper

What sort of magnification are you looking for? I bought a 3-15 Vortex Razor HD LH and it is a very nice scope, super light and I love the G4 type reticle. To my eyes it was better than Swaro Z3 and comparable to Zeiss Conquest HD5.

I am likely.building this to be a valley gun that I stretch out a bit on the range. So higher magnification. Light rifle Yes, defeats purpose woth heavy scope, sure. But its not a sheep package. I have a Viper PST 4-16x50 and Zeiss HD 5 3-15x50 on different rifles. Likely going higher magnification than 15.

[schreyer]

I'd go with nightforce. I haven't seen the HD's in the leupold line out in the field, but have dealt with numerous NXS models in the nightforce line. Even looked through an ATACR.

You won't be disappointed in going with the NXS line.

[Salavee]

Have a look at the Sightron S III series . I replaced my Nightforce NXS with one and sure don't regret it .

[SlightlyDistracting]

I just bought a Leupold vx3i LRP 8.5-25x50 in ffp in mrad
I chose it over vortex. Glass was just as nice if not better. Turrets clicks are solid.
I got it for a smoking deal, which is weird because they are extremely hard to find in canada
Highly recommended