scope dilemma

twin27

Right folks ,
need advice as im almost ready to purchase my first .223.
nf 5.5x22x56 or s&b 3x12x50
for foxing and bunnies:D

kay 9

I'd have the NF. Extra mag can come in handy at times. What .223 you chose?

dev110

I have only looked through the nightforce during the day and dusk/night and they are very clear and very easy to make things out in low light.
Few lads here have them and I'm sure they will give their opinions.

twin27

most likely tikka t3 tac
nf has better mag and most likely better light , s&b a bit more expensive , like both but im only a novice:p

Cass

Nightforce.

Higher mag for longer shots, larger objective lense to allow more light in, illuminated reticle (not sure if the S&B has this), large choice of reticles. There is some discussion about the S&B having better clarity under low light than the NF, but under a lamp i can't tell the difference. (My mate has a S&B).

zeissman

Nightforce will have more mag and better reticule for small targets at distance. S/B will be better in low light.
You should also take a look at the zeiss conquest 6.5x20x50.
You can import them from the USA and will cost around 900 euro in total after paying vat etc. Great scope for foxes and rabbits day or night.

twin27

zeissman wrote: »

Nightforce will have more mag and better reticule for small targets at distance. S/B will be better in low light.
You should also take a look at the zeiss conquest 6.5x20x50.
You can import them from the USA and will cost around 900 euro in total after paying vat etc. Great scope for foxes and rabbits day or night.

thanks for the info , i will look them up anyway zeissman

Tackleberrywho

I like NF over S&B as I prefer the higher mag.

Under a good lamp you can zoom all the way to 22x and get a nice headshot if the situation allows.

Also makes it more useful during the day

I use a 5.5-22x56 on my Stalking rifle NPR-2 reticle.
I think the NPR2 reticle is is great for sizing up a fox/rabbit and the illum makes it very useful as light is fading.

reticle choice I believe is very important .

Many use heavy reticles which are in my belief fine for deer sized animals, but on Varmints you want a fine reticle that has illum

endasmail

twin27 wrote: »

Right folks ,
need advice as im almost ready to purchase my first .223.
nf 5.5x22x56 or s&b 3x12x50
for foxing and bunnies:D

no dilemma there horse
s&b all the way
nightforce for target
s&b for hunting

landkeeper

had both ;)simple ! daytime shooting long range stuff nf brilliant scope crystal clear
dusk nightime dawn s&b without a doubt you can see better through it than with your naked eye

bunny shooter

I'll add that S&B tend to be heavier than NF form what I've seen but as stated NF for target & S&B for hunting

sikastag

S&B would be way to go IMO.

Never used an NF to say different about them.

Reckon the smaller objective of the S&B (50), as opposed to the NF (56) would give you a nicer overall rig. Put the S&B on with good quality LOW mounts and you'll have a nice tidy rig for hunting. Saves messing with cheek pieces/comb raisers etc. Light gathering wont be a problem with the S&B.

You could also opt for S&B 4-16 x 50 if you wanted extra mag. Have one of these myself. Very happy with it. But TBH 12x is buckets of magnification for what you going after.

Might also be worth considering a nice fixed power like a 10x42, 12x50 allthough the variable would probably give you versatility for future use.

bunny shooter

sikastag wrote: »

.............You could also opt for S&B 4-16 x 50 if you wanted extra mag.......

My brother has one of these on his 204 Ruger which is mainly used for fox shooting and he loves it

sikastag

bunny shooter wrote: »

My brother has one of these on his 204 Ruger which is mainly used for fox shooting and he loves it

Yep! have a varmint (fine - No. 6) reticle in mine. Use it for charlie and long range bunnies. Thought the fine ret was unsuitable for night shooting at first but then bought a LF170 and it literally 'shed some light on the problem'! Cant fault it really.

ssl

Any ideas for new and secondhand prices for both the scopes the o/p asked about?

ormondprop

+1 for the S&B i have a 4-16x50 that i bought 2nd hand for 800 and i love it, if your going to do long range varminting or target get a nf or if your loaded a S&B 5-25x56 but for hunting the simplicity of the schmidt makes it perfect, very clear and bright at night, my old scope had an illuminated reticle which i always had to use and my schmidt doesnt but i have never needed it so far as i can always see the reticle perfectly when light is fading pr at night under the lamp