Today’s post digs into the best Nightforce scopes for hunting. Every hunt is a challenge and having the right tools in your arsenal is paramount for an extraordinary hunting experience.
If you are searching for the best hunting scope for the upcoming hunting season you have come to the right place. Walk with us and find the best hunting scope.
Nightforce is one of the leading optics manufacturers. It makes high-end optical devices among them scopes for hunting. Nightforce scopes for hunting speak for themselves. They are compatible with a wide range of firearms and are ideal for hunting various games.
These scopes make the perfect companion for every modern hunter looking to take their hunting skills a notch higher.
What Makes a Great Hunting Scope?
Hunting rifle scopes are the most common in the shooting arena. Not all riflescopes are created equal and several attributes set apart a good hunting rifle scope from an ordinary riflescope.
Excellent hunting scopes should have a premium optical system. They should have a high light transmission rate, high degree of color fidelity and outstanding resolution.
The above specs will only be achieved if the lenses are made of high-quality glass coated with anti-reflective and glare-reducing coatings. Lens coating enhances light transmission resulting in bright images at any time of day.
Hunting rifle scopes should use hunting-oriented reticles. In most cases, the reticle should have a crosshair with thicker lines at the sides and thinner lines at the center. Hunting reticles shouldn’t have hash marks making them easier to use.
The best scope for hunting should have low-profile capped turrets. Elevation and windage adjustments are essential when zeroing in your scope to enhance the shooting accuracy. The caps on the turrets are important as they prevent unwanted rotation after zeroing in the rifle scope.
The other facet that defines a great hunting scope is rugged construction.A hunter’s scope should also be shockproof to withstand shocks and vibrations from recoiling rifles.
In the field weather elements are inevitable. Waterproofing is achieved through dry gas purging and having the tubes completely sealed ensure reliable performance across various weather conditions.
8 Best Nightforce Scopes for Hunting
Quality riflescopes have a higher price tag and when deciding which scope to get you may find yourself doubtful of whether the investment is worth it.
Rest assured that Nightforce scopes for hunting are in a class of their own and unrivaled performance and durability is their trademark. Here are some of the best Nightforce scopes for hunting worthy of your consideration:
1) Nightforce 2.5-10x42mm NXS Riflescope w/ illuminated Reticle
At the top of our list is the Nightforce 2.5-10x42mm NXS Riflescope. When hunting, this scope offers exceptional low light performance thanks to the large 42mm objective lens. It also has a red and green illuminated reticle for easy aiming in low-light settings.
Nightforce made this scope with ease of use in mind. It is ultralight and compact for easy carrying in the hunting field. It also has a power throw lever for instant magnification adjustment without changing your shooting position and a side parallax knob for easy parallax adjustment.
With the variable 2.5-10x zoom power, this scope is suitable for hunting games at both close and long ranges. It offers a massive field of view at close ranges for swift target scanning and high target acquisition at long ranges.
Moreover, this scope offers a long eye relief which is what every hunter needs especially those who put on eyeglasses. Overall, the NXS 2.5-10x42mm is one of the best Nightforce scopes for hunting. It makes a great scope for hog and predator hunting.
Features
- Compact and lightweight
- Variable 2.5-10x magnification
- Generous eye relief
- 50mm objective lens
- Side parallax adjustment
- Night vision-compatible settings
- An illuminated second focal plane reticle
2) Nightforce SHV 4-14×56 .250 MOA Rifle Scope
To have a successful hunting trip, you require a high-quality optic like the SHV 4-14×56 .250 MOA Rifle Scope. It offers exceptional optical performance even in low light settings and it is ideal for hunting different types of games at both close and long distances.
This 30mm rifle scope offers unprecedented durability. It is made with rugged housing, impact-resistant electronics and robust mechanics to take the beating and still perform even in rough outdoor environments. Even better, it is fully waterproof and fogproof for all-weather performance.
The scope is built and ready for hunting. In addition to the durable housing, it features fully multi-coated glass which offers brilliant images with superior edge-to-edge clarity and exceptional color contrast.
Moreover, it has a fast-focus eyepiece which enhances easy reticle focusing and a side parallax adjustment knob for parallax correction when hunting at long distances.
Features
- Second focal plane reticle with center-only illumination
- Fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Variable 4-16x magnification
- Fully multi-coated glass
- Side parallax adjustment knob
- Rugged all-metal housing
- 30mm main tube
- .25 MOA finger click adjustments
3) Nightforce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope
If you are looking for a high-end Nightforce scope to take your hunting skills to the next high level, look no further than the SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope. It has virtually every feature you require to pursue small, medium and big games.
Built with variable magnification up to 16x, this scope excels at both close and long-range hunting. It offers a wide field of view with a low 4x magnification and great resolving power at higher magnification.
Moreover, it has a first focal plane reticle that stays true at every magnification setting and a large 50mm which offers brilliantly clear image views at every magnification.
This rifle scope has a 30mm which allows for a maximum adjustment range of 90 minutes or 26 Mil-radians. It has a lightweight design for easy maneuverability as you are looking for a game and a compact design for easy packability and portability.
Above all, the scope has a ZeroStop technology which gives you a simple return to your zero no matter the number of elevation adjustments you have made while on the field.
Features
- Compact and lightweight design
- 30mm main tube
- Variable 4-14x magnification
- ZeroStop technology
- First focal plane reticle
- 50mm objective lens
- Generous eye relief
4) Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50mm Tactical Riflescope
Next on our list is the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50mm Tactical Riflescope. If you are looking for a scope for long-range hunting out to 1000 yards, this scope suits you.
First, it has a wide magnification from 5.5x to 22x. It also provides plenty of elevation adjustment which you require when hunting at long distances.
Moreover, it has a large 50mm objective lens to complement the high magnification and offer clear image views at every magnification and an illuminated reticle for precise aiming in low light settings.
This tactical rifle scope is built to be virtually indestructible. It is built with high-quality materials which provide extreme ruggedness and reliability so the scope will stand anything nature throws at it.
The riflescope also has a long eye relief that allows for comfortable glassing in any shooting position and a slim profile which makes it adaptable to multiple mounting systems.
Features
- Broad magnification
- Illuminated Second focal plane Moar reticle
- 30mm body tube
- ZeroStop elevation turret
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Waterproof and fog proof
5) NIGHTFORCE NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Scope
As one of the best Nightforce scopes for hunting, the NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Scope brings to the table high-end and nice features ideal for all hunting applications. While it sold at a high price, the features this scope offers make it worth every penny.
For starters, it has a vast magnification from 4x to 32x. At 32x, you will be able to zero in the smallest targets even at long ranges. On the other hand, the scope offers a massive field of view for simple target identification at close ranges.
The large 50mm objective lens complements the broad magnification by offering bright and clear images even at 32x magnification. To achieve excellent optical performance, this scope utilized ED glass which provides razor-sharp clarity from dawn to dusk.
In terms of construction, it is machined from solid 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy which makes it ultra-durable, recoil-resistant and shockproof. Other notable features of the scope include the ZeroStop system, Digillum reticle illumination, power throw lever and standard parallax adjustment.
Features
- Vast 4-32x magnification
- First focal plane reticle
- Broadband multi-coating on all air-to-glass surfaces
- High-quality ED glass
- ZeroStop system
- Power throw lever
- Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction
- 30mm main tube
- Lightweight and compact design
- Standard parallax adjustment
6) Nightforce 8-32x56mm NXS Rifle Scope
Another best Nightforce scope for hunting on our list is the NXS 8-32x56mm Rifle Scope. Featuring an 8-32x56mm configuration, this scope is ideal for hunting at intermediate and long ranges as well.
This rifle scope offers fast adjustments for repeatable and precise shot placement. It brings to the table a parallax adjustment from 50 yards to infinity for greater accuracy when engaging game at long distances. The scope also offers a long eye relief which is essential for rapid target acquisition.
Another strength of the scope is the durable housing. It is crafted with r and impact tested to be recoil resistant and to stand rough handling. It is also fully weather-resistant so you can use it even when there is a heavy downpour. Overall, it is an excellent scope for precise target shooting and long-range hunting, especially on large, open plains.
Features
- Outstanding optical integrity
- Great speed and exceptional accuracy
- Recoil and impact-resistant
- Fully waterproof and weather-resistant
- Long eye relief
- Wide and variable magnification
- Rugged and reliable 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- 30mm main tube
- Second focal plane reticle
7) NIGHTFORCE SHV 5-20x56mm ZeroSet .250 MOA Scopes
Next up is the SHV 5-20x56mm ZeroSet .250 MOA Scope. It performs exemplary well at both close and long ranges and is ideal for varmint hunting as well as big game hunting.
The scope features a full 80 MOA of elevation adjustment and a reticle that is created with hunters in mind. The reticle has a center illumination for precise shooting at a low light setting and a 20 MOA scale below the center. It is simple to use and doesn’t obstruct the target at any point.
Furthermore, the scope provides outstanding image clarity and color contrast at every magnification setting thanks to the large 56mm objective lens. It also brings to the table aside parallax adjustment and ZeroSet technology which allows for a quick and simple return to the initial zero setting regardless of the number of elevation adjustments made.
Features
- Wide 5x to 25x magnification
- ZeroSet technology
- Forceplex reticle with center-only illumination
- Full 80 MOA of elevation
- Side parallax adjustment
- Large 56mm objective lens
8) Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 Rifle Scope w/Zerostop
Last but not least, we have the ATACR 5-25×56 Rifle Scope. It has a large 34mm main tube which offers plenty of room for reticle movement as well as windage and elevation adjustment. It is also built with ZeroStop and Hi-Speed technologies that let you easily adjust your settings to suit your personal preference.
Featuring a wide 5x to 25x magnification, this advanced tactical advanced riflescope is ideal for engaging targets at any range. With the 5x magnification, the scope provides a massive field of view and better target acquisition with the high 25x magnification.
It also has fully multi-coated ED optics which work together with the large 56mm objective lens to provide a clear field of view at every magnification setting. Other impressive features found in the scope include an SFP illuminated reticle, integrated power throw lever and XtremeSpeed diopter adjustments.
Features
- Hi-Speed adjustments
- Enhanced engraving
- Built-in power throw lever
- Versatile 5:1 zoom range
- Second focal plane reticle
- Capped windage adjustments
- Digillum reticle illumination
- ZeroStop elevation adjustments
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How to Choose the Best Nightforce Scopes for Hunting
When shopping for the best Nightforce scope for hunting, here are a few important factors you should take into consideration.
Magnification
The first thing you should consider is magnification. If you are going to be hunting a game at long ranges, you should consider getting a scope with a high magnification of at least 10x. On the other hand, if you will be hunting at close and mid ranges, go for a medium power scope with not more than 10x magnification.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is an important factor to consider especially if you wear eyeglasses. Eye relief refers to the maximum distance that your eye has to be from the scope to see a clear image.
Generally, the longer the eye relief the better for all users. It will keep your eyes safe from heavy recoiling rifles and also help you shoot at any position that is most comfortable for you. A tip is to choose a scope with an eye relief of not less than 3 inches.
Reticle Options
Different Nightforce scopes for hunting have different reticle designs. Whether you are a beginner or a professional hunter, it is best to get a scope that has a reticle that is easy to use.
Luckily, Nightforce scopes for hunting are available in different reticle designs so you can choose a model that will be most ideal for your hunting purposes.
It is also wise to get an illuminated reticle so you will be able to hunt with ease in low-light settings.
Weight
Another thing you should consider is the weight of the scope. When hunting, you will be moving from one location to the other looking for a game.
Therefore, you must get a scope that has a manageable weight for easy portability. Lightweight scopes are not just easy to carry around, but also more accurate.
Read: Best Scopes for 7mm Rem Mag
What is the Best Magnification for Hunting?
There is no ideal magnification for a hunter. The best magnification for hunting depends on where you hunt and the type of animals you hunt. If you will be shooting targets at closer ranges and mid-range distances scopes with 3-9x will suffice. Low power will also be ideal if you hunt in thick timber.
If you take your hunting in the wild country where it’s hard to get easy shots at 200 yards away, you will need long-range scopes. Powerful scopes help you cover long distances with utmost precision. They also have a large field of view that helps you see even the smallest targets from far.
Best Nightforce Scopes for Hunting FAQs
Q: Is Nightforce Worth the Money?
Absolutely. Nightforce optical instruments speak for themselves when it comes to quality and value for money. Nightforce also offers a wide array of high-quality scopes to suit the needs of different users all over.
Q: Are Nightforce Scopes Good for Hunting?
Yes. Nightforce scopes are made for versatility. This makes them ideal for multiple hunting applications in different environments as well as other shooting applications. These scopes are also ideal for use by all hunters, beginners and professionals alike.
Conclusion
We hope that this comprehensive article has given you some insight into the best Nightforce scopes for hunting. All of these scopes have been built with virtually every essential feature you require as a hunter. They are quality, simple to use and ideal for other shooting applications not just hunting.