Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased a Tikka CTR 260 and would like to hear what everyone recommends for magnification and objective diameter for long range target shooting. We can safely shoot out to 1200 yards at our deer lease so I guess that is the max distance I would be shooting for the time being. I am considering the ATACR F1 4-16x42 which should be a great scope for hunting as well. Any concerns with a scope like this for shooting targets/steel at 1200 yards? Once I get the scope purchased and a load worked up for the rifle I will probably take a class at Precision Rifle Hunters to learn the basics. My current experience begins and ends with shooting deer/pigs at distances under 250 yards with a 3-9x40mm scope!

Thanks!
Brandon

The 4-16 atacr will be all the scope you will ever need. Get the mil adjustments, and save yourself some trouble.

After that, get training and about 3-4000 rounds of ammo. You will be set.

Don't forget a quality set of rings.

Seekins or arc m10's.

Thanks! I have been debating with myself for awhile now and was hoping that the 16x magnification was appropriate. I don't want the larger 25x scopes on my hunting rifles and was reluctant to buy one just for target shooting.

I have read many great things about the Nightforce scopes and can't resist trying one out!

Brandon

Very good scope to do what you want to do. I like 20X shooting that far, but 16X will most definately work, especially with high quality glass.

Go with Mil/Mil.

MOA should go away forever.

got the exact same scope in the brown truck headed to Horizon Firearms to get mounted on my new hunting rifle. I ended up coming to the same conclusion you did.... 16x with good quality glass ought to be plenty good enough for a hunting gun. Not that I'm an expert on the subject, but subscribed to read other comments.

I recently made the same choice you are contemplating. the 4-16 F1 atacr, it is an excellent optic. the reticle is one of the best designs I've used and 4-16 is plenty of juice at any distance. It will certainly fill the bill. The design of the NF ocular end of the scope can be an a$$ whip when changing the magnification power in combination with the total pieces of CHIT Tenebraex scope covers. I can not cycle the bolt while on 4-5.5x because of the of the locking screw clamp on the Tenebraex stops the bolt. If I re-position it will only result with a different positional problem, no way around it. Also the quick though lever, ditch it on a bolt gun. it caused the same problem on 10x. With all its bells and whistles the scope is best suited for an AR platform, but I don't think i'll be taking it off my 300wsm anytime soon.......

You could also look at the leupold and vortex 3-18


16 can work at 1200, but can get difficult. I would try to get closer to 20x

Why are you constantly adjusting the ocular?
Spozed to be a set and forget adjustment.

pick up any NF and you'll see........ their design is a bit funky, doesn't have any thing to do with focus, as i locked the diopter setting crisp and clear

The Leuopld mk6 3-18 is having quality control issues in the tracking department.

I'm still not following you.

the entire ocular end moves with the magnification ring, unlike most every optic

Well that is just horrible!

I would expect that out of a Tasco, or Simmons, not NF.

Pretty much all nxs scopes are made this way. The only exception being the compacts.

I had a love/hate relationship with mine. It sucks that flip caps couldn't be used but then again it was nice in the winter with gloves on.

I am not a big fan of flip caps so that issue isn't a deal breaker for me. I am mostly caught up with balancing size/weight and max magnification which is why the ATACR F1 4-16x42 is appealing to me. I have spent an embarrassing amount of time reading "long range scope" articles and finally stumbled onto this field test Precision Rifle Blog which helped me decide on a Nightforce scope. It is amazing how much effort we can put into a decision like this considering 10 years ago I would have walked into a store, asked the sales guy a couple of questions and walked out the door with a new scope!

Thanks for all the advice and comments!

Brandon

I'm sure there is some technical rational for the design but who knows, I guess thats while all previous NF models came w/ a rubber bikini strap cover.... I called to get one of those and burn the flip caps but i was told there isn't a bikini cover for the atacr series.....

SS85 get one of the neoprene scope covers, takes care of the lenses and protects the scope better anyway.

Surprised Fireman hasn't brought up the Bushnell Tactical 3.5-21 as an alternative. Know it is not a Night Force or SB but is a good scope in very useful magnification range for hunting and target. That said 16X on the top end is plenty magnification IMO.

Seems as though I hurt feelings when making a suggestion of an alternative scope in anything other than a PM.

You probably can without any backlash though. The Bushy 3.5-21 ERS is a bad machine! The first time I ran the range 300 yards to 800 yards every hundred it only took 60 seconds and I did not have a single miss. That G2 reticle is very useful!

You won't hurt my feelings! I looked at the Bushnell DMR and ERS but didn't see an illuminated reticle option which is something I want for night hunting. Everything I have read about the Bushnell scopes has been positive. The Nightforce scope (specifically the 4-16x42) was appealing to me because of the compact size and the glowing reviews regarding optical clarity and mechanical calibration.

I am happy to hear the 16x scope will handle the long range shooting. Time will tell if I am capable!

Brandon

the only reason for not going bushy, as I've got one of those as well, on my "hunting" rig is the exta .5lb over the NF....... just not worth the extra mag power for me that is..... although the ATACR was bigger than i thought it would be..... The MilR reticle in the ATAC is extremely useful and very well laid out....

Be aware of something on "tactical" scopes..
A lot of them will have the whole reticle light up and even at it's dimmest setting can be overwhelming hunting in very low light.

Best thing I have found it is to work with them in a dark room. Set them to the lowest possible setting and leave it there.

Out in the field, especially for the black colored feral pigs at dusk, the illumination is very helpful, but it has to be on the lowest possible setting otherwise the pupil closes up allowing less light into the eye.

Its supposed to, thats how its designed. Set the focus with the power at max looking at the sky or a greyish back ground at a distance of at least 100yds, lock the ring and done it will focus as you adjust power, of course the parallax will have to be adjusted at different distances.