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New scope for 280AI
#7580703
08/15/19 03:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 693
JTS
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OP
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Posts: 693 |
I just picked up a new 280AI that I had built at Alamo Precision. I have an upcoming elk hunt in Colorado and an audad hunt in New Mexico I am wanting to use this rifle for.
I'm shopping for a new scope and was planning on putting a Nightforce ATACR 5-25 x 56 F1 on it but then started looking at the NX8 2.5-20x50 F1 its a little lighter and smaller. I would also consider one of the bushnell elite XRS II or DMRII scopes.
I have an 800 yard range where I'll be doing my shooting prior to the hunt. The rifle has a carbon fiber stock and carbon fiber wrapped barrel but isn't super light weight, it weighs around 7lbs without scope.
Do you guys have a strong opinion on which you would prefer?
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580713
08/15/19 04:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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Think either would do you fine. If weight is a concern I would probably go with the lighter NF.
I do wish I was in your predicament though!
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580717
08/15/19 04:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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All great choices. For a hunter/shooter scope the NX8 is tough to beat. I've got the desire to get one for myself.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580730
08/15/19 04:24 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506 |
I like the power range of the NX8 for a hunting scope. I have a couple 2.5-15 scopes that are on m main hunting rifles. With elk ou never know ou might be in the timber or a long shot. In the timber the 2.5 on the low end can be a real benefit. There is another scope in the safe that is a 2.5-10 that I had on 2.5 hunting in a usually short range stand when a Coyote showed up in my one longer shooting land at 237 yards, dropped it on the spot with scope still set at 2.5
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580806
08/15/19 06:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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While I have never doubted the quality of NF scopes the NX8 is new to the market while the ATACR is tried and true. That would be only reason I would consider the ATACR for what you’re wanting to do. I personally don’t recall NF bringing a scope to market that needed much refinement though.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: J.G.]
#7580847
08/15/19 07:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,420
ZK-315
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All great choices. For a hunter/shooter scope the NX8 is tough to beat. I've got the desire to get one for myself. I'm in the same boat.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580854
08/15/19 07:22 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,645
QuitShootinYoungBucks
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10oz on 10lb rig won't really be noticeable. That said, any of those would be fantastic. Don't undersell the DMR, they're an excellent value.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580862
08/15/19 07:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
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how far of shots do you anticipate taking? lots of walking?
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: ccoker]
#7580903
08/15/19 08:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 693
JTS
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OP
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how far of shots do you anticipate taking? lots of walking? Yes, lots of walking. If the conditions are right I wouldn't hesitate shooting at 600 yards on either animal.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580912
08/15/19 08:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,579
Son of a Blitch
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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I'm a huge ATACR fan. Let's see pics of the rifle! Good luck on the hunts!
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580945
08/15/19 09:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
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I love my ACTAR 5-25 but wouldn’t want to be in the mountains with it. I would run my 3-12 LRHS
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580982
08/15/19 09:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,038
TXBoss
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I just picked up a NF SHV in the 4-14 x 50 FFP. Hoping to get some rounds on it pretty soon. I know that Buzz's brother (or brother in law) has an SHV in the 4-14 x 56.
So far pretty impressed.
"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment..." - W. Rogers
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7580986
08/15/19 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,979
Buzzsaw
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I got your rifle's twin in .22 Creed. I'm no optical expert and I have owned a few NXS and SHV's. I've no experience with the ATACR. I do LOVE my NX8 but whats NOT to like? Glass is great, illumination is great, Zero Stop is rock solid. It comes withe the ATACR's Tennebrake scope covers. In your price range, the Swarovski's with their BDC are great, LIGHTWEIGHT, hunting scopes as are the Leupolds
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581049
08/15/19 10:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Swarovski are not great for dialing.
I shot one four weeks ago that has the rings you can set for three more distances past zero. I got it zeroed at 100, set a ring for 200, set a ring for 300, set a ring for 400, and was going to give the customer some extra effort and go to 500 yards. The turret ran out of travel just past the 400 yard setting. So it was dialed up only 6-ish MOA and it petered out. Maybe not all models of Swaro are that way. But my take on Swaro rifle scopes are terrific glass, and that's it.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: J.G.]
#7581124
08/16/19 12:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Swarovski are not great for dialing.
I shot one four weeks ago that has the rings you can set for three more distances past zero. I got it zeroed at 100, set a ring for 200, set a ring for 300, set a ring for 400, and was going to give the customer some extra effort and go to 500 yards. The turret ran out of travel just past the 400 yard setting. So it was dialed up only 6-ish MOA and it petered out. Maybe not all models of Swaro are that way. But my take on Swaro rifle scopes are terrific glass, and that's it. hunting line with swaro would be hard pressed to get him to 800 X5i is their true long range scope, other line would be kahles
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#7581176
08/16/19 02:02 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,638
DStroud
Extreme Tracker
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Swarovski are not great for dialing.
I shot one four weeks ago that has the rings you can set for three more distances past zero. I got it zeroed at 100, set a ring for 200, set a ring for 300, set a ring for 400, and was going to give the customer some extra effort and go to 500 yards. The turret ran out of travel just past the 400 yard setting. So it was dialed up only 6-ish MOA and it petered out. Maybe not all models of Swaro are that way. But my take on Swaro rifle scopes are terrific glass, and that's it. hunting line with swaro would be hard pressed to get him to 800 X5i is their true long range scope, other line would be kahles I would have had same comments as JG until I tried the newer X5 that BOBO mentioned. I have one on my 22 Creedmoor right now it replaced an ATACR that with FFP was not cutting it with all the nighttime shooting I do. On low power I just could not pickup reticle in thick cover at night. I have dialed it out to 650 several times and it seems to be up to it.... the older Swaro's I have played with just weren't reliable on dialing.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: DStroud]
#7581205
08/16/19 02:28 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Swarovski are not great for dialing.
I shot one four weeks ago that has the rings you can set for three more distances past zero. I got it zeroed at 100, set a ring for 200, set a ring for 300, set a ring for 400, and was going to give the customer some extra effort and go to 500 yards. The turret ran out of travel just past the 400 yard setting. So it was dialed up only 6-ish MOA and it petered out. Maybe not all models of Swaro are that way. But my take on Swaro rifle scopes are terrific glass, and that's it. hunting line with swaro would be hard pressed to get him to 800 X5i is their true long range scope, other line would be kahles I would have had same comments as JG until I tried the newer X5 that BOBO mentioned. I have one on my 22 Creedmoor right now it replaced an ATACR that with FFP was not cutting it with all the nighttime shooting I do. On low power I just could not pickup reticle in thick cover at night. I have dialed it out to 650 several times and it seems to be up to it.... the older Swaro's I have played with just weren't reliable on dialing. I personally don’t think you can go wrong with swaro x5i, Mark 5, NX 8, LRHS, kahels k3, etc I wouldn’t kick any of them out of bed for eating Cheetos. I’d go with best deal.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581213
08/16/19 02:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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I've got lots of lust for their STR spotting scope. But I'm too hard on rifle scopes to use any that are a maybe on durability, and aren't known for dialing reliability.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581389
08/16/19 01:33 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,979
Buzzsaw
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truth in the Swaro Z5&6 not being a elr scope. unless you go to the x5, you will run out of come ups. with the 6.5 weatherby below, i lost it after 600 yards at Jason's a few years ago. bdc turrets are cool but limited to "normal" ranges. SO, if you hunting/shooting steel pat 600 and want a "lightweight" scope. get the NX-8, if you got coin and dont mind the weight. the ATACR cant be beat.
Last edited by Buzzsaw; 08/16/19 01:35 PM.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581398
08/16/19 01:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,716
duckhunter175
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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If you really want to keep a trim set up you can save another 7 ounces from the already light NX8 by going with a March Optics scope-- they make a 3-24x42 FFP in MIL and MOA-- comes in at 22oz.
Cutting weight isn't cheap but to save nearly a half pound for a cost difference of $400-500 it doesn't get any cheaper for weight savings.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581610
08/16/19 06:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 693
JTS
OP
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 693 |
I ended up ordering the NX8. It should be here Monday.
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581636
08/16/19 07:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Priddyyy
Congrats!!! Can’t go wrong with them good ol’boys from Idaho
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7581699
08/16/19 08:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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Like it all the way around
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: New scope for 280AI
[Re: JTS]
#7589669
08/26/19 11:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,320
Crews
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Pro Tracker
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I do believe I'd also vote for the new NX8 over the big ATACR. A 5-25 ATACR is a fine scope, but man it's big and heavy. And in practical application that extra weight and size isn't worth it for an extra 5x on the top end magnification. I'm guessing that the FOV on the low end is probably better on the NX8 as well. NX8 is brand new, but Nightforce is probably the only optics company that I'd trust to have a solid product from the get-go. Plus, they are already out in the wild and getting good reviews (no big surprise.)
The only other option you might consider in that ~$2k range is an ATACR 4-16x42 F1. It's a very solid, compact optic. Capped windage, and the locking low profile elevation turret is very nice out in the field. I've used one for years, love it for hunting.
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