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Post by aldeerhunter on Mar 30, 2017 11:24:09 GMT -5
I know that several of you guys either own, or have owned both scopes. I have not been able to find much in the way of heads on comparison between the two. I am sure they both have their plusses and minuses, other than the price differential.
I would love to hear your thoughts and comparisons as they relate to using both scopes in benchrest target and hunting situations. Richard, I know that you have and shoot both scopes regularly. I hope that you will share your well regarded thoughts and opinions.
Thanks
Charles
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Post by Richard on Mar 30, 2017 12:52:19 GMT -5
It is hard to say for sure? I have had the NF 8x32 for several years now and it is as solid as ever with MANY thousand ML shots thru it. On the other hand, I have had the Sightron 8x32x56 for about six months now and it first went back for a "floating" particle inside. Then it went back again for what in my opinion, was an erector tube not keeping the cross hairs in the same spot each shot? Sightron said there was no problem and they tested it on a .308 and determined it was good? (Of course my ML probably has twice the recoil factor as a .308) When I got it back, it appeared to work fine (not so when I sent it away?) So, did they fix a problem and declare the scope was OK? I cannot say for certain. I just know what I felt was a problem when a known bughole load would not shoot under 1.5" at 100 yards but when it came back, the exact same load/bullet did?  ?? The glass itself is great and the click adjustments are very audible and positive. Side focus worked fine. The price point was more in my ballpark than the NF so I went with it. We are talking about twice as much for the NF vs. the Sightron. Hillbill has one and he has not complained about it? Don't think he has as many shots on his as mine? Their service department was good as far as their paying shipping both ways on both occasions. Turn around was about one month both times. On the other hand, I have a Leupold MK 4 straight 16X which also has several thousand ML shots on it and POI has held up perfectly.......recently it started getting some loose floaters and I sent it back to have it fixed. Not only did they clear up the problem but told me they replaced the mechanism that controls the side focus but they also replaced the ocular lens. Neither problem did I know existed? That is quality service and at no charge. I am sure others will chime in but that is my story! Money being no object? NF! |
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Post by deadeye on Mar 30, 2017 13:31:45 GMT -5
Couple of years ago benched a nsx,sIII & burris xtrII in the last few minutes of light 2 people viewing back & forth out to 1,000yds.
We both thought it was a draw on glass between the 3,all 3 track very well also.
reticle selections differ slightly but to each his own in that dept.
If money is not an object go NF ATACR
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Post by doug136 on Mar 31, 2017 13:45:07 GMT -5
I have both scopes and like them both . I have never had any fail yet but I trust the Nightforce NXS more but on the other hand I like the Sightron III reticle a lot better . Personal preference I guess ?
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Post by aldeerhunter on Mar 31, 2017 14:46:00 GMT -5
I have both scopes and like them both . I have never had any fail yet but I trust the Nightforce NXS more but on the other hand I like the Sightron III reticle a lot better . Personal preference I guess ? Which reticles do you have? Why do you like the SIII reticle better? |
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Post by doug136 on Apr 3, 2017 15:44:01 GMT -5
It has a center dot that illuminates if needed .I just like the crosshairs with the center dot better than Nightforce reticle . But that's just me . I trust the Nightforce more on durability
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Post by hillbill on Apr 4, 2017 13:26:25 GMT -5
I doubt the NF will be beat all around, does a scope costing almost half as much come close? I really like the ones I have so far, optically I they they are on par, mechanically? the jury is still out.
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Post by aldeerhunter on Apr 4, 2017 14:06:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the well reasoned replies. Seems like the consensus is that the glass is close if not on par and that nightforce has the edge on reliabity.
For me personally, visibility is most important. I really did not want to buy glass that was not up to par for low light conditions. Considering that the Siii is about one half the cost and has a solid warranty and customer service, I will be going with Sightron.
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Post by deadeye on Apr 4, 2017 23:21:48 GMT -5
aldeerhunter- I think you are making a wise choice & if for some reason it is not exactly what you wanted used re-sale is not a huge hit. just recently I have purchased 3 SIII's 6x24x50(used) for a grand total of $2k.
2 of the SIII"s have been put on a very accurate 6br for tracking/both passed almost perfect or as good as it gets imo. dialing did exactly what it should off the tall test. really like the positive click's but parallax tuning is very stiff on the knob(older models)-takes a plumber's grip to turn but it is a true adjustment at least on 2 of the SIII's
1 of the SIII's is on a 300rum which so far is holding up//possibly mounting one on a 50bmg maybe later. I am gaining confidence in toughness for the SIII as it will take more time on the range for me to call this scope-very tough good which I do expect it to hold up. I am so far very impressed w/ sightron SIII's
I do have a nsx since 2006 & it has always held up even with 50bmg & many other rifles always doing its job.
atacr going on 1 yr now very exceptional glass & mechanic's-dedicated now on a ky challenge bench mz with a occasional pull for cf long range duty.
my scope criteria hunting
#1-it must track or its off the gun period,long range work a scope must do what its suppose to do. #2- must hold poi & handle hard recoiling #3-must have a reticle I can deal with as a back-up to dialing if the need arises #4-glass must be decent #5-reticle & dialing adjustments are the same plane,example-mil ret//mil dialing........moa ret/moa dialing
criteria target #1-glass & a reticle that is impressive, I don't favor center dot's here but favor a fine cross hair for this,the moar-t is .0625 vs. .140 in crosshair thickness,each has its place imo #2-must track & hold poi & a good parallax adjustment.
another possible concern in SIII//6x24 has 100moa el & w/8x32 has 70moa-here I elect less mag power for more moa dialing but I rarely like more power than 18-20 anyway//just some thoughts
good luck with your selection! |
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Post by hillbill on Apr 5, 2017 9:47:23 GMT -5
right now I have in my posession three Sightrons, all with different reticles
SIII 8x32 with MOA-H illuminated: this is a Horus type with christmas tree style dots tapering down from the moa type reticle, kind of busy but the dots are very small and not that obtrusive, the illumination lights the whole reticle but works very well, I actually had to use it on the last deer i killed in Illinois last season, even at dusk it can be adjusted where its barely visible. I really like the scope and the reticle.
S-TAC 2.5x17.5x56 with MOA 3: this is a very good reticle for both field and target use, the reticle is fairly fine with a fine center dot which illuminates, (only the dot). this is far and away my favorie reticle ever. this scope has great glass (HD) for the money, very bright and clear to the edges.
S-TAC 4x20 with the same reticle: this scope is non HD glass and non illuminated but so far has been spot on
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