Nightforce Doubts?

LIFFY FISHING

First world problem...looking for imput please.
I have a Nightforce 5 20 56 SHV (unboxed yet) which I longed for mounting on my Remington 700 .223.
The thing is I have a S&B 8 x 56 on my 6.5 55 , & I am worried about the light quality under a lamp at night...opinions?
What is the S&B equiv to the Nightforce I have?
Tks for any imput.

Vegeta

I've lamped foxes with the NXS 12-42 and while being far from the ideal scope for the job I think you'll be fine on lower mag with the reticle very lightly illuminated.

Realistically it will be extremely tough to get a variable power scope to match the optical performance of a high end fixed power.

S&B scopes that go to 20 times magnification are expensive. I'm not certain but the only ones I can think of off the top of my head are some the PM models. If you'll accept lower magnification, like 16, then that opens up more of the S&B scopes to you.

Cass

The light transmission level between S&B variable and Nightforce variable is 1% or less. IOW so low that the human eye would not be able to differentiate. Some will say they can see it, but i always liken it to when you service your car and drive it for the first time and it feels like a completely new car. It's a mix of a slight improvement but mostly the perceived difference you were expecting.

Same with scopes. You hear how much better S&B are so you expect it to be much better. I've used Nightforce in the past. As Vegeta said they are not ideally suited to hunting as they are marketed and sold a s target scope, but when on low power they serve their purpose. Also when under a lamp any high end glass should be well able to perform. No glass/scope no matter the brand can see in the dark (obviously non NV models).

The Nightforce you have is the 5.5-22x56? The only other scopes, again as said above, in that range in S&B are the PM models. They start at the €2,400+ mark. Over €600+ more than Nightforce.

To get the best performance from any scope you would ideally want a hunting orientated or dedicated scope. Something that was built for the sole purpose of giving the best performance at night, during the day, under a lamp, for light transmission, etc. The Nightforce and PM models of S&B are really target orientated with the S&B being a more police/military type (hence the PM in the name).

If you're looking at such high end hunting scopes you have better options with better glass (even better than the S&B) for the same or even slightly less money than a new PM model S&B. Of course there are also other options that go way beyond the price of the S&B. Such as Swarovski in 5-30, Kahles in 6-24, etc. All start at €2,900+ but are second to non in terms of light transmission & clarity.

What exactly are you using it for? The scope. Night hunting only, day and night hunting, occasional plinking, etc?