Comparing the 2 for an upgrade on my CTR hunting rifle. I don’t shoot paper or steel much at all. I know I want SFP, tried FFP and it’s not for me. I want a simple duplex illuminated reticle. And I want locking elevation and wind age turrets which both have.

I’ve narrowed it down to the SHV 5-20x56 with illuminated Forceplex reticle.

And the VX-6HD 3-18x50 with Firedot duplex.

I’m most interested in glass quality between the two as the specs are pretty similar.

Leupy will likely have better glass.

I have not had the SHV but did have the exact VX-6HD with the firedot duplex. If someone makes better glass I haven’t sat behind it. The turrets are easy to use and were accurate on mine. Pig hunting at night with no light is doable with this scope if you have a decent moon. The firedot turns down low enough to not hurt your night vision. I can’t say enough good things about this scope and shouldn’t have gotten rid of it but it’s what I do.

Of those two the leupold will have better glass. SHV glass isn’t that special

This is not what I thought I’d get from this forum. Thanks guys

I can only tell you that I have a high opinion of my VX6, and my VX5HD. THe VX5HD is on my CTR and, the VX6 is on my 5R Milspec.

Built like tanks, they holds zero very well, light gathering is outstanding. The clarity and ability to pull detail and colors from brush is great. They both hold zero very well, I have CDS dials on both and dial them often. I have killed a lot of stuff 350-400 yards. These are great hunting scopes.

Never thought I’d hear anyone say the VX6 glass is as good as the NF. I’m fond of my VX5 and love the fire dot.

For the cost of the Leup vx-6HD, you really ought to look at the S&B Polar T96 line of scopes. Exceptional glass, SFP or FFP, locking turrets, good choice of simple hunting style reticles.

I’m sure those are great but the VX6 is $1800 vs $3000

I have two VX-6HD and one VX-5HD...love those scopes. I sold my Swaro and bought the second VX-6HD, the glass is clearer in the Leupy. Another big advantage to the VX is the weight...it's about 10 oz lighter than the NF.

I have to disagree. The VX6HD is not built like a tank compared to my NF, Gen 2 Razor, and Bushnell LRHSi. The Leupold feels like an airsoft toy scope compared to those. And yes, I own all of them. It does have nice glass and excellent light transmission though.

Come on man.........Airsoft toy??

I paid $600.00 for my VX6, it was less than a year old with the box and receipt. (guy was out of work, in a bind). It's not marked "HD" as my VX5 HD is. No doubt about it Nightforce has to be more durable, heavier, better built. I can't compare the two, which is why I didn't.

Mostly hunting scope, with not a lot of dialing? I'd pick VX6 too, and I'm a die hard NF guy. You're buying bombproof mechanical integrity with NF. In the SHV line, you give up compactness to get it. That 5-20x56 is an absolute hubble telescope, waaaay too big to tote around on a hunting rifle. Plus, if you ask me 5x is too much low end zoom for a hunting optic.

I don't do a lot of dialing. I do like what I have for my hunting set ups. I think on my VX5HD, I spun the dial three times this season, and killed everything. These were pre-ranged spots at 320-350 yards. Most of the time where I'm hunting It's not necessary. I did post a hunt a few years ago, three coyotes from the same set over about two hours from about 190 all the way to close to 400. Dialed all of them with my VX6.

I’m sure everyone knows but the VX-6 and the VX-6HD are totally different scopes with different, glass, erectors, zero stop, and electronics. Both good scopes but I don’t want the OP to get confused and purchase one if he wants the other.

I've been curious about this. Leupold doesn't actually offer the VX6 that I have any longer. It was bought new 6 years ago, and at that time for around $1300.00. It has a pile of optical features, such as what they call the Quantam system?
The VX5HD I have, I bought new two years ago. Optically I can't tell them apart. When did Leupold start offering "HD"?
It's this, if the pic helps at all.

Yes i'm aware of that. I never bought a VX6 because i just couldn't justify the difference in $$$ between my VX3s. The VX6HD has everything I want though.

The only outward appearance differences I see turrets and zero lock, and all HD are illuminated. The internals are different as is the glass. The HD also has a built in anti cant that I hate. It’s there though, I just turned mine off.

My elevation turret knob is identical to yours, I got the free CDS dial.

The zero lock as well?

I think so, I'll look at it. I know my others do..

Look at the new Trijicon Tenmile series. I don’t have one but they sure are nice and I think fits your want

No zero lock.

So I called Nightforce. SHV and NXS have the same glass. I had read on forums that was not the case but it is indeed.

I have 6 of the VX6 HD 3x18x50 firedot duplex on different rifles and they are fantastic scopes. Excellent light gathering, CDS dial is dead on if you supply the right data to Leupold. Best hunting scope I've ever owned and I've owned most of them. You won't be sorry. Good luck with your choice.