Mil/Mil SFP Nightforce Scopes?

Looking for opinions/advice on scoping my 30 Nosler for an upcoming trip to South Africa for plains game. Shots could be 50-500 yards. Most of my scopes are FFP mil/mil (SWFA SS HD 5-20, Bushy Elite XRS 4.5-30, Tangent Theta 5-25) and I am concerned about not being able to see reticle on close up shots, but want to have ability to dial for elevation/windage for longer shots.

Would i be crazy to go to a SFP mil/mil scope for this application?

I've been looking at...

• NF NXS 2.5-10 -- I like the compact size and weight, but am I limiting myself on the high end of magnification range?
• NF NXS 3.5-15 -- like the magnification range but uncertain of size and weight
• NF ATACR 4-16 -- is the ED glass that much better?

or should i just use my trijicon accupoint 2.5-10 with mil dot reticle/moa turrets ( ) and be limited to holds?

Those three NF you listed are all good choices.

Sell that Mil/MOA abomination.

I’m tempted to get rid of it. Those moa turrets are idiotic. Although today confirmed zero with one shot and then center punched 800 yd gong with the next shot with 5 mil elev hold.

I got rid of an MK4 because they cannot get right.

Can you elaborate on not being able to see the reticle on close shots? Not following what you mean

If he went FFP, the reticle gets really small when you go to the minimum zoom level, and it becomes hard to see. So he's considering going SFP, where the reticle stays the same size at all magnification levels and doesn't become hard to see if he has to zoom out to get more light or more FOV for closer shots.

You'll find on snipers hide that the NXS sell for pretty affordable prices in the classified area, while ATACR scopes still cost a small fortune even used. The main reason for that, at least from what I understand, is the significant upgrade in optical quality.

This is why I think SFP makes more sense for hunting. If you want to shoot something far enough away to justify using the reticle for elevation compensation, then maximum zoom shouldn't hamper you.

I don't think 10X would limit you out 500 yards on plains game.

I prefer the NF SFP scopes. I can use either, but prefer the SFP one's. I like the finer reticle of the SFP scopes. When I need to truly use the reticle on lower power, I'll dial down to 11x, and double the reticle increments, and it works fine. Sure, a FFP is a better application, but the SFP can work fine doing this.

You're not wrong.

However, one must look at the thickness of each manufacturers' reticle. Is it .02 Mil thick, or .05 Mil thick, and on FFP that will be the thickness no matter what magnification. One of the best FFP hunting scopes is the SS 5-20X. Because even at 5X, one can still see the reticle, all of it. In December I was not in the dark, but early morning, under trees. I had a hog at 200 yards, and was using the SS 5-20X. I kept the scope at 5X, held .5 Mil, with the rifle rested on the door and a-post of the truck, peew, dead hog. Scope works.

It won't. Few weeks ago, I was shooting a 10" plate at 500 yards with a 6X scope. 10X can get lots of work done, if the user has practiced with it a bit.

The 2:10 is one of their most popular due to weight at 20-22 oz. Everything else jumps up to 30oz

Not sure if you're coming out to Jason's for the match in July, but if you are I'd love to see a Tangent Theta in person!

I was thinking he was talking about other issues but can understand that.

Too me the issue is less the reticle plane and more of magnification. If you had a ffp with a Lower mag range the problem would be less of an issue

Yep. My concerns with using one of my FFP scopes is that at lowest magnification that reticle is so fine that I’d be hampering myself for the close up shots in close cover. I would like the ability to dial for elev and hold for wind at extended ranges if the opportunity arises so I don’t want a scope with duplex reticle. Also size and weight is a concern as this 30 Nos even with cf stock and proof barrel weighs 14.5 pounds with the Tangent theta.

My opinion is since you're spending the money on a lifetime hunt , you can't chance any fails and I believe NF has the best chance holding zero and less chance at failing. The 2x10 would do fine and if you have to crank to 10 it would be at the max power if you are measuring your holds etc. There is not much else in the 20 oz range to be trusted from the last couple years I've been trying to make up my mind. The Atacr glass is better but you jump up in weight. I thought the 4x16x50 Sfp would be my scope but it's 31 plus oz.
I'm not a fan of hunting with ffp when the animals come out. Opinions

I'm having the dilemma between the 2x10 and 3x15 myself for a do it all scope with my main emphasis on hunting and reticles that are hunting friendly.

You may have just made my mind up for me.

Whatever you choose, just make sure you pick one with the best reticle for your application. It is very brushy over there, much more so than I imagined. You're much more likely to get shots in the 100 yard range than anywhere close to 500, at least in my experience.

The atacr 1-8 may be a good choice.

I have several of the 2.5-10x NF and personally the IHR reticle is great for hunting. I have shot coyotes /deer/ and numerous hogs in the 400-500 yard range with no issues.

LHRS 3-12 is a great scope and they hold up

I had the NF 2.5-10x42 for a year, great scope but the Mil-R reticle is too fine in my experience, well, finer that I would like.. and definitely not a "fast on target" scope for out walking around.

The LHRS has a good, "fast" reticle at low power...

I love NF and just got an ACTAR 5-25 F1 with the Mil-C reticle (LOVE!) for my 6.5 Creedmoor..

Just need to look hard at the reticles, the 2.5-10 would be a great scope for you that will hold up.

I have a 4-16 F1 ATACR, and it's just about the finest scope I've ever owned. Zero issues with FFP reticle at 4x for me, but I can only afford to have one really nice scope to do all things. I will say that for a hunting scope, I think the ATACR capped windage and locking elevation turret setup is the way to go.

For what you're describing, I think a 2.5-10x42 would be pretty dang nice.