Leupold Vs Nightforce which one to pick?

NightForce %. I was a die hard Leupold advocate up until a few years ago, and they just aren't on par with where they used to be. The glass is decent, but everything else seems to have issues. 


All NF scopes are built to last, regardless of scope "family" (from SHV through ATACR). You can't go wrong with one

I've never owned any Leupold.

I do currently own 3 NightForce scopes -- SHV and the NX8 (x2). And there are other NF scopes on the market, e.g. ATACR. 

I like the NF NX8 4-32x50 better than my SHV 4-14x50. The NX8 has better glass and parallax to 10 yards, where the SHV has parallax to ~25 yards.

be careful,I find when it comes to optics it's best to put it the same category as great "singers".

Some of the European glass is just as good as the best,I also think Nightforce is heavy...the TOP Athlon glass is another good one,I think with due research either brand you mention can fulfill your needs.

I think you'd be doing yourself a service if you could find an Athlon Ares ETR or Athlon Cronus to look through. I absolutly love the ETR, and it's an amazing value.

NightForce

%. I was a die hard Leupold advocate up until a few years ago, and they just aren't on par with where they used to be.

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Really??? I assumed since they make scopes for the armed forces.... their glass quality would be par excellence. Seen some excellent reviews for the mark5 HD online but no comparison between Leupold and Nightforce.

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You quoted me before I was finished editing my reply (sucks editing from this phone). I had their (mass produced, heavily marketed) 5-25 last year for a couple days before I returned it. I agree with anyone that ranks the glass quality along the lines of a PST II, good - but I expected more from 35mm. It's akin to glass made in the Philippines. 

My 34mm 7-35 ATACR blows the 5HD out of the water without question. That ATACR is better than my 4-32 NX8 in low light conditions, and it has an edge on seeing POI holes created on Splatterbust targets out to around 325m. The NX8 seems to top out for seeing the POI clearly around 290m.

As far as defense contracts go, it's not about the higher quality SKU winning bids. There's plenty of junk in the GSA schedules. 

I'm not affiliated with NF, so I don't really care what others buy. Anytime someone asks for feedback on Leupold scopes, I have to point out that the value isn't what it used to be. I also can't cheap out when it comes to my eyes, and I will always choose products that are more reliable over those that are less reliable with "no questions asked" warranties.

March F 3-24x52 FFP FML-1 Illuminated. AKA (by me) ‘The Truth’. What you see at 200 is exactly what you’ll see if you walk up there, not better, not worse. 

I'm in the same boat myself right now trying to add to my collection. My favorite mid to long range is my Delta Stryker 4.5 - 30 x 56. I'd like to match how impressed I am with the Delta and have it 30oz or less to be more field friendly. Not going to spend 3-4K just yet. Been looking at the NX8 4-32 since they came out but the other one that really intrigues me is the Vortex Razor AMG. Hey Ghost,ever spent much time looking through the AMG ?

Cheers,Scott

I'm in the same boat myself right now trying to add to my collection. My favorite mid to long range is my Delta Stryker 4.5 - 30 x 56. I'd like to match how impressed I am with the Delta and have it 30oz or less to be more field friendly. Not going to spend 3-4K just yet. Been looking at the NX8 4-32 since they came out but the other one that really intrigues me is the Vortex Razor AMG. Hey Ghost,ever spent much time looking through the AMG ?

Cheers,Scott

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Yeah the AMGs have real nice glass. I'd say they're somewhere between an ATACR and March for clarity (to my eyes at least). The weight of them turned me off though. When I say that, I mean the awkwardness of balance. Depending on what you're mounting them on, it might not be real comfortable to shoot with. For example, it seemed alright on my 300WM and my RAW HM1000X, but not my R5. Something with the center of gravity I guess.

On the subject of the March 3-24x52 and the 4-32 NX8, they're compact true "8 power" scope, but the compact nature does bring some compromises. The eye box was real unforgiving with the Mach I ran. It was real hard to adapt to and kind of frustrating to use over 16x. The clarity is amazing though when everything is dialed in. The issues are not as apparent with the 4-32 until you cross 20x, but the eye relief position is around the same distance as every other NF that I've had, so if you're used to running NF scopes - it's a non issue (somehow they're able to get all of the eye reliefs positioned about the same distance across the SHV / NXS / NX8 / ATACR lines).

Without doubt as above the ATACR 7-35 FFP is the best OVERALL optic NF make, the downside with Leupold IMO is the eye relief is very critical, not so with NF.

Did you look at ZERO COMPROMISE yet? WOW!

Yep, if 25Y minimum focus will work for you then ZCO is at the top for airgun use. Almost Tangent Theta, which is supposed to have a tad better glass, but the minimum focus I think, is 75Y.

A lot of people like the NF 7-35.

And there's still S&B.

I'm in the same boat myself right now trying to add to my collection. My favorite mid to long range is my Delta Stryker 4.5 - 30 x 56. I'd like to match how impressed I am with the Delta and have it 30oz or less to be more field friendly. Not going to spend 3-4K just yet. Been looking at the NX8 4-32 since they came out but the other one that really intrigues me is the Vortex Razor AMG. Hey Ghost,ever spent much time looking through the AMG ?

Cheers,Scott

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Yeah the AMGs have real nice glass. I'd say they're somewhere between an ATACR and March for clarity (to my eyes at least). The weight of them turned me off though. When I say that, I mean the awkwardness of balance. Depending on what you're mounting them on, it might not be real comfortable to shoot with. For example, it seemed alright on my 300WM and my RAW HM1000X, but not my R5. Something with the center of gravity I guess.

On the subject of the March 3-24x52 and the 4-32 NX8, they're compact true "8 power" scope, but the compact nature does bring some compromises. The eye box was real unforgiving with the Mach I ran. It was real hard to adapt to and kind of frustrating to use over 16x. The clarity is amazing though when everything is dialed in. The issues are not as apparent with the 4-32 until you cross 20x, but the eye relief position is around the same distance as every other NF that I've had, so if you're used to running NF scopes - it's a non issue (somehow they're able to get all of the eye reliefs positioned about the same distance across the SHV / NXS / NX8 / ATACR lines).

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Yeah,all the 8x erector/eyebox/etc etc is what makes me wary of the NX8. I never thought that much about CG except I know I don't like weight too far forward. I use bipod and sticks and maybe I never really gave it much thought. I figured the AMG would be about the same as my PST2 on my R5. I am about to tune my Raptor for hunting and of course that's altogether another platform. I've got my PST up for sale here and maybe I should just keep it for now..I know as soon as I buy something somebody will announce a new whatever that I'll want anyhow. I wonder what IWA will add to the mix. I really want a light weight ATACR that will parallax down to 25. Decisions Decisions !

Athlon Ares ETR is amazing. 1/3 the cost of the ATACR or equivalent. It was recommended to me by a diehard NF owner. In side by side comparisons, the ETR was clearer than the NF scopes. Tracking is also perfect.

Yeah Ghost has looked through some good Sh*t. I figured he'd be helpful. My problem is solved for now as I found a deal I could not refuse on the AMG. But Thanks to Mark I looked again at the ZCO. It is now on my radar. Damn you Mark.....It's all good isn't it ??

Cheers,Scott

NIightForce or March! if you want precision and repeatable tracking! I had a NF br.12-42x56br NPR2 Ret. old school and a little heavy but the most precise tracking and finite obj. Focus ever, plus one of the best deals out there for a air rifle right now!

If you are wanting to shoot at far distances you will want a scope with lots of elevation adjustment. The March 3-24 or 2.5-25 both have over 100 MOA of adjustment and have excellent glass and a compact size. The FMA-2 reticle is better for target shooting because of the thinner reticle. The FML and FMA-1 are better hunting reticles.

The March 5-40 FFP is an upgrade to HD glass and can be found with 1/8 MOA or .05 mil click values for really dialing it in. 

The High Master series is as good as glass gets and is another step up from the HD glass. With target dot reticles, and a version that goes 10x60 you will have no trouble seeing clearly at 500 yards. 

Basically, If you can afford it get a March.

MMMMMarch! I have the fx 5-40 and it’s amazing. I’ve got the 1/8 moa with the fma1 reticle . It’s like the Sightron moa2 ret which I really loved. The reticle is designed to be useful throughout the range, at lower, close range shooting, the outside lines are thicker to form a duplex. When you mag up the super thin reticle turns into a readable reticle. Plus it has a center dot for precision at full magnification. I contemplated a lot of scopes when I decided to go to a tier 1 optic. I came across this puppy on the used market and it checked all the boxes for me. 

Oh and the zero stop is the easiest in the industry. Just take a quarter and screw the center of the turret down to your zero distance. No dismantling of the turret or anything.