Nikon black x1000 or vortex viper hst

Anyone with some insight on either optic would be appreciated. This will go on a 6.5 creedmoor or 7mm Rem Mag and will be used exclusively for 600+ yard target shooting. I prefer MIL/MIL scope because that is what I am used to. I have a 12x42 SWFA SS on a .308 which has served me well. I mention that because I know people will say just to get a SWFA lol, I want to try something different that has variable power. Probably hard to go wrong with either one of these, but I dont have any experience with either.

I just mounted a Nikon black x1000 scope on a customers Tikka T3 in 270 Win. It's not bad. The scope turrets are a little soft, meaning they will spin easily. You can lift the turret caps and reset your zero very easily and quickly. I only worry about this since it's for a youth hunter and will be used as a hunting rifle. When on your shoulder, in the vehicle, and the normal use of the rifle, I could see the turrets being spun or adjusted without you knowing.

Nikon

Nikon

Y do u say Nikon

Of those two o would get the Nikon. I think the glass is better. Your next step is pst 2

First off, I do some freelance work for Nikon, just to get that out of the way. Second, If Nikon makes something that isn't going to work for you I will be the first to say so. Is the BLACK X1000 the best scope choice for a hunting rifle, I don't think so. will it work, absolutely. The return to zero is a great feature and the positive click adjustment makes it easy to dial in your distance. I have not had any issues with the turrets on my X1000 turning inadvertently . Having used exposed turret scopes for many years I am also in the habit of checking to make sure turrets are at zero before taking a shot. The BLACK X1000 scope has many great features found on much more expensive scopes. The glass is excellent, the 30 mm tube provides lots of adjustment and the turrets are excellent with repeatable accuracy and return to zero. I have been using 3 of the MRAD version's for 5 months now and have put 400+ rounds under 2 6.5 CM's and 1 .308. I have lot numerous guy's at my range look down the tubes adn send a few rounds and notihng but positive comment's including that is my next scope by some of the guys. There are numerous reviews available on line if you google Nikon BLACK X1000 reviews. I don't think there are any negative ones out there that I know about. You can still use this scope with Spot On and get distances for hash on the scope if dialing the distance isn't your thing.

Here's a pic of one of my Bergara's in 6.5 CM.

Bart tell Nikon to put some numbers in that reticle for a quick reference.
I use several scopes and it helps wether it's Mil or MOA to see a 2-4-6 or something to let you know what each hash represents. I looked at the Nikon and quickly handed it back to the sales person.
I now won't buy one unless it gives me reference.

Another negative of the Nikon... On the windage turret, the number markings go from 0 to whatever in one direction. Most scopes have a zero, and then 1, 2, , 3 etc in both directions from zero. Nikon just rolls the numbers from 0 to whatever in one direction. So if you are dialing wind, you are going like 15 or 14, which is backwards.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. I think optics makers don't have any, or very many employees that actually shoot. R&D department could save themselves lots of times if they'd ask some shooters what works.

So are y'all saying the Vortex is a better scope?

Thank you for suggestion's, I certainly will pass them along to Nikon. I appreciate getting info like that from you guy's. Anything that makes the optic better is very much appreciated.

I think the vortex is a better scope. I've looked through the x1000 and it is nice piece of glass but I think the vortex is a slightly bit better. The turrets on the vortex is also better. Vortex tracks well not sure about the Nikon tracking. Vortex also has slightly more travel

No they don't.
The Vortex Viper HS-T has a maximum elevation of 75 MOA.
The Nikon Black X 1000 has a maximum elevation of 90 MOA.

Now the turrets on Nikon's Black X 1000 are not as tactile as Vortex's HS-T. But they both track well.
Optically? I would have to say that the Nikon is slightly better, at least to my eyes.

NIKON

Recent'y one of my buddies had the opportunity to shoot the Desert tech .338 LM at steel 1600 yards downrange using Nikon's BLACK X1000 scope. This is a video showing off some of the shooting the guys did. If you are looking for this scope and it can be hard to find, check with Skylar and hopefully he can help you out.

Nikon/Desert Tech

We have them and we also offer THF member's discounts. Please give me a call.

Ok gentlemen, Nikon listened and at SHOT Show 2018 released a new scope line for those of you who want to shoot longrange using a FFP,30mm scope that has a zero stop. A lot more features that you have been asking for between $649-$799. Price depends on illumination and magnification. I thimnk Nikon hit it out of the park with this scope and I hope you guys will be able to get a hands on look at it in about a month. From the buzz I have heard so far, they will sell quickly.

Holy cow. A big company that listens to customer feedback. Well done.

Let us know if the turrets are better and not as mushy.

Yes sir. Always liked the Nikon glass but hated there scope options with most of them having the stupid BDC reticle

I specifically looked for a duplex reticle for my Prostaff 7. It took a little searching to find in stock at Cabela’s.

You will ove this scope, positive clicks on the turrets with reliable repeatability. What's not to like, add the price in and it's win win.

I don't understand why the 4-16 has 25 mrad internal adj. and the 6-24 only has 17 mrad

Limitations of the way that erector mechanisms work with higher magnification optics. The inverse relationship between magnification and erector travel is more or less guaranteed unless you change another design parameter. This is the same even in $3k riflescopes. For instance the 7-35 NF ATACR has less usable travel than the 5-25.

Need to look at one of these, I looked at a PST II and thought it’s turrets were mushy.

Of those two, I'd go with the Nikon as well.

The new Nikon FFP illuminated FX1000 models might be worth a look, but they're starting to approach the price of a PST 2 and it's tough to imagine they'll be as good or better than those.

BartonH and I exchanged a few e-mails last night. He is going to try and get a demo scope for me to review. Nikon has always had pretty dang good glass, now they've added some features that gives this scope some real capabilities.

Cool, I'll be very interested to hear a review. I got a $100 Prostaff at Academy on black Friday and the glass was stupid good for the money. I returned it only because it was going on my 10/22 and I didn't realize it had the parallax fixed at 100 yards.

MSRP on the 4-16x50 FX1000 illuminated model is $749. If you're able to buy it in the $650 range, I think it could be a big winner.

Lookin forward to the review. This has some potential for the price range.

The adjustment range is sort of a negative though isn't it?

How so?

4-16X 25 Mils

6-24X 17 Mils

So on a 0 MOA base the 4-16X would theoretically give 12.5 Mils of vertical travel. And the 6-24X would give 8.5 Mils of vertical travel.

Mounted on a 20 MOA base, 5.8 Mils of travel is gained (20 MOA ÷ 3.43 = 5.8 Mil)

Therefore the 4-16X will be in the neighborhood of 18.3 Mils vertical travel, from a 100 yard zero. The 6-24X will be in the neighborhood of 14.3 Mils vertical travel from a 100 yard zero.

Lets look at the .308 Win, loaded with a 178 gr bullet. Depending on temp and DA, it needs between 9.5 and 10.5 Mils to reach 1000 yards. The 6.5 Creedmoor, 8.0 to 9.0 Mils to reach 1000 yards. The 7mm-08, 8.5 to 10.0 Mils to reach 1000 yards.

Having 18.3 and 14.3 Mils available, will get many cartridges beyond long range, and into extreme range (beyond 1000 yards).

Forgot to factor in those MOA bases. Looks like it will be mandatory with this scope. Do you get more than one revolution with these, or does the zero stop limit it?

Zero stop limits downward travel when set. It does not limit "impact up" travel.

Agreed, patiently waiting....

I've exchanged a couple of e-mails with a Nikon PR rep today. He does not have Mil versions in hand, but expects to in about a week. It looks like we are moving forward. I asked if I could keep the scope for two weeks, and he was perfectly fine with that.

in for the review!

Also patiently waiting. Looking for a new scope on my list is
This one
Vortex Gen II 5-25
Buris xtr 4-20
Maybe Bushnell ELRH

With a Leupold CDS it does. One revolution, period with the exception of the new CDS w/zero lock.

I think you mean 4-20 on the XTR. If you looking at the gen 2 PST 5-25 why wouldn't you look at the XTR 5-25 as well?

Well, this is a Mil scope. And I know none that limit impact up travel.

I have a couple of nikons that I like. One is a prostaff7 with side focus. It was on a deer rifle, now it’s on a custom 10/22. And an m-223 that I haven’t shot much, but seems pretty solid.