{"id":51195,"date":"2024-02-28T13:44:11","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T20:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/backwoodspursuit.com\/?p=51195"},"modified":"2024-04-19T17:55:58","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T23:55:58","slug":"nightforce-nx8-4-32x50-scope-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backwoodspursuit.com\/nightforce-nx8-4-32x50-scope-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Nightforce NX8 4-32×50 Scope Review | Crazy Durable, But Worth The Money?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20-plus years, you have heard of Nightforce Optics. The Nightforce NX8 riflescope is one of their more popular models, boasting some impressive specs and one that can easily be used for hunting or match shooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nightforce established a reputation for rugged and reliable optics in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and since then Nightforce has become one of the leading names in rifle optics that you can count on to work when you absolutely need them to. I have had the pleasure of using\/owning an older Nightforce NXS 3.5-15×56 (MIL\/MOA). That scope served me well and has been bulletproof, so I had high hopes for the newer Nightforce NX8 scope<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to check out our other gear reviews<\/mark><\/a> and the Backwoods Pursuit YouTube Channel<\/mark><\/a> to help you decide what gear will help you stay out in the field longer!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My older NXS is a second focal plane scope and has a MIL Dot reticle and MOA turrets (10 MOA per revolution). That scope is far from perfect but has never let me down, so I was excited when Nightforce said they were going to be sending one of their newer scopes to review. For full disclosure, I did not purchase this Nightforce NX8 scope; it was a loaner from Nightforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had the choice of which Nightforce NX8 scope to test and initially selected the 2.5-20×50 F1 (first focal plane) model. That magnification range is just about perfect for what I am looking for in a hunting scope. When I mounted the optic, however, I was very disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For my style of shooting, I run my scopes as far rearward as possible to get my eye relief right. I do a lot of shooting squared up behind a tripod, and for that style you have to mount your scope rearward to get a stress-free natural point of aim. If you are bladed on a tripod, the recoil will throw you off target, making spotting your own hits and misses almost impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n The Nightforce NX8 2.5-20×50 <\/a><\/strong>has a very steep angle going from the scope tube to the objective bell, and because of this I knew mounting the scope as far back as I prefer might be an issue, so I used a set of higher 1.125-inch rings to help compensate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, this was still not enough to provide adequate clearance between the objective and my scope rail with the scope as far back as I needed it. This setup probably would have been usable on my short action rifles but I wanted to use this scope on my long action hunting rifle. I could have gone even higher with the rings to completely clear the rail but that would have mounted the scope too high for my liking. As a result, I chose to exchange that scope for the Nightforce NX8 4-32x model which fit better in my preferred mounting position. <\/p>\n\n\n The 4-32x model, which is the subject of this review, is longer and has a more gradual taper from the main tube to the objective lens. Consequently, I was able to use the lower 1.0-inch rings and still achieve sufficient clearance (see photos above). Once mounted, this scope lived on my long action Remington 700 custom build chambered in 300 WSM. With this combination, my friends and I collectively harvested four animals this fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With most of the scopes I review, I like to have it for at least a year. This allows me to put the optic on multiple guns and get at least 1,000 rounds behind the glass. However, that was not possible for this review because the scope was only available for a six month loan, so we cannot speak to the long term performance of the scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like everything Nightforce does, the packaging was high quality. It came in a good-looking box without all the flashy marketing gimmicks, and the optic was well protected with foam. In the box, you get a lens cleaning cloth, owner\u2019s manual, screw-in throw lever, and a three-way wrench. Pre-installed on the scope are front and rear scope caps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These caps are quality components but I eventually took them off because the rear cap protrudes rearward a fair amount and gives you the perception that there is less eye relief than there actually is. Not removing them initially was almost a costly mistake on my part but I will explain that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTHE TESTING: Nightforce NX8 Scope Review<\/h3>\n\n\n
WHAT IS IN THE BOX: Nightforce NX8 Scope Review<\/h3>\n\n\n
THE SPECS: Nightforce NX8 Scope Review<\/h3>\n\n\n