Nightforce 3.5-15x50mm F1 NXS Review

[@sherrybrock71]

I'm 68 years of age and for the first time in my live purchases a Begara b-14 BPF, 6.5 Creedmoor and a NightForce NXS 5.5-22x56. I wanted to learn all I can about the products before pulling the trigger first time. Your video was very easy to follow and understand what you were referring to. You did a great job explaining the scope and features as to where a beginner can get it, so thank you very much. GOD BLESS, Samuel Brock

[@shutthegate8232]

Thanks John. Grew up about 50 miles from the farm where the founder/owner of NF lived/started out, and came up with his Nightforce/Lightforce products. Soft spot for them, and the way he went about getting something made, that was better than what was available for him at the time, with his varminting on his farm. Great to see the effective quality remains.

[@NUNU37]

Props to admitting when you screwed up during the reticle reading not many people on you tube would admit that. Keep up the great work I have learned a lot from you.

[@PreparingForSHTF]

This is one of the best most cogent and comprehensive scope reviews I have ever seen. Thank you. I learned a lot. I, too, am sold on the NightForce NXS line. I use the NP-1RR reticle.

[@pottakuula]

I have an older NXS 5,5-22x50 and just love the turrets. They stay in zero when i haul my rifle through the woods or pull it out of my pack. Thanks for the great review.

[@johnstanley7442]

Good insights. I like the humility and "full disclosure," allowing us other "mere mortals" to see what the scope can do, a little bit more about how to understand just what can go right, or go awry, when you have a skilled, but not "infallible" operator running the rig. Thank you for keeping both the scope, and the review "on the level."

[@cheesheil]

Just came across your channel by accident, and I like how professional you are with your reviews, so you just got a new subscriber!

[@tommcdaniel2208]

Well organized ,logical ,and easily understood. I lot of people know what they are talking about but, can't teach it....Good Job!

[@rolandharrison2654]

As above, came across by accident when looking for reviews on Nightforce Scopes. Very Informative Review. Best review I have seen for a scope covered all the bases. (UK)

[@seanewing3284]

This scope looks like it’s going to have a new home on my suppressed 16.5” .308, thanks for the great review!

[@Ryansrangereport]

I've had this scope before, along w/ many other NFs. I loved it, MD2 reticle could use a lil more, but for quick shooting it's perfect. I shot clays out to 1000 yards w/ it, and shot 3 matches w/ it. IMO you NEVER have to worry about it going down. They are rock solid, and have an awesome warranty. When I was shooting at Rifles Only the Army Rangers were getting them in w/ the H-58 They were very excited about it.

[@jamesdonovan5021]

Thorough review, John - thanks. After debating for a couple of months on which scope to get, I picked up an NF F1 a few months ago - in part due to your review and the feature set I was looking for in a scope. The F1 is an excellent product with durability, quality nice features. Thanks for your service to your community and the country.

[@kertef]

Really enjoy the longer format videos

[@marvinneal8803]

This is one of the best scope reviews I have seen

[@Michael-A]

I enjoyed your review of the F1 because in my opinion it is the only Nightforce built to withstand "battlefield" like conditions and maintain integrity. Others include the Schmidt & Bender (too long for my S), US Optics, and only a few others. Thanks for all you do for avid Marksmen!

[@usriflecal30m1garand]

Great review I did an AR build and was looking for a decent scope to put on it so I went with this. Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 Zero Stop Mildot Mildot Reticle - High Speed .1 Milradian Turrets. I went with the American Defense Quick Detachable mount. You review really helped me make my decision.

[@hoot1141]

Thanks for the video! The NF 3.5-15x50F1 NXS w/H58 is the ONLY long range rifle scope I own. It's a great all around scope for tactical shooting. I just wish NF would start getting into more FFP scoped!

[@BigBUSN]

Great video. Ive had my NF F1 for a little over a year now and it's performing great. I would def buy another. I use to use leupolds but the Nightforce blew it away and now I wil

[@thiscouldntblowmore]

as far as i can recall, this is a first video ive watched from this channel, anyways, i see what i like to the extend to subscribing. Thanks for the video!

[@serc3992]

Great channel, I've watched many of your videos and learned a lot. BTW your inspection sticker rant was pretty funny.

[@paulgutiereziii4792]

Good stuff, Thinking of going a higher magnification than my NF 3.5-15x50 to the Vortex 4.5-27x56 Razor HD Gen II. Was wondering if you will be reviewing the most talked about Gen II Vortex and compare it to the NF. Thanks for the review again.

[@ung427]

That's why I like the Butler Creek cover on my Weaver, it acts as a fast focus adjuster lock. After I adjust the FF it won't move as long as the BC cap is on the eyepiece.

[@AussieDreamChaser]

Thanks for the review John, I own the same here in Australia on my 700P. I love it but unfortunately mine came out of the box with a blur/mark below the reticle when at 3.5x. As soon as I zoom to 5x or more the mark moves from the field of view, but for the price I was disappointed. That said Nightforce have a lifetime warranty and will repair but I have to ship it to the USA and it could be gone for a couple months. I will send it one day, shame I have to. Apart from that it's great : ) Cheers

[@ar1368]

Nightforce is always worth every penny for the advanced shooters.

[@yukikazewayne]

John, since NF and Steiner both just released their new scopes, is there a chance you can do a side by side review of the new scopes in the future? I just purchased a Steiner T5xi 5-25x56mm, even though I don't have much experience on high end scopes, it meets a lot of criteria you mentioned in this video. I compared it with NF 8-32x, the image is better in the Steiner one IMO. I'd like to know your opinions on the SCR reticle and the image quality of Steiner.

[@tundraotto]

Well done - another great informative review! thanks! Keep them coming!

[@wulfieluff]

I liked your little sticker rant. A Nightforce isn't in my budget but I liked the review anyways

[@D0cJekyll]

I just know the H58 is an option for this scope in particular. It's the one I'm planning on mounting on my rifle.

[@Michael-A]

The left hand cocking handle limits the scope selection to less than 13", or a very high scope mount (which defeats the purpose of a highly accurate 1200 yard scope). So I'm looking at a trijicon acag 308 BDC for close range rapid fire and a US Optics FFP 10X (12") for distance shots. Of course both with quick detach mounts.

[@krylon128]

Great review, picked up the 4-14x50 F1 SHV version and its a killer scope. Very happy with the purchase. Seems the SHV series didn't give up a whole lot of quality points if not improved from the NSX.

[@89tonstar]

I might add that NF scopes are extremely durable, i spoke to some SF guys that told me during an engagement with iraqi insurgents, their Designated Marksmen took a 5.45mm round directly through the ocular housing ruining the variable magnification but the scope functioned perfectly. relatively maintained its zero didnt ruin the optical clearity nor did it mess up the elevation adjustment nor the windage adjustments. They simply adjusted for the lack of magnification and continued engaging. By the way i believe night force buys their glass from the same places leupold and other manufactures buy their glass.

[@johnstanley7442]

Yeah, take a look around on the NF site, and they have the scope to which I think you're referring, complete with the bullet hole on the right side of the tube, forward of the magnification adjustment, which was stuck, once the scope was shot, but it still functioned at the magnification on which it had become stuck. What more could you ask? Think about how very close that strike was from the soldier who was on the scope.......I'd say things were dicey, at that juncture.

[@Patriot-fn7pt]

Loved the video. Very informative. Would you recommend the night force f1 for a Barrett 99?

[@ausmade]

Excellent review John

[@sg4682]

John, as always an excellent review. However, I may have missed it but I'm sure you did not mention if its a FFP or 2nd FP unit.

[@JohnMcQuay]

Nightforce uses "F1" to designate that the scope is a first focal plane model.

[@Operation40]

I have these 3.5-15X scopes on my DARPA XM-3 Rifles...they are awesome scopes.

[@scb3270]

With my McMillan A4 I have never had an issue using the Butler Creek caps...

[@snteevveetns]

Great vid. Try next time to back light the target somehow so we can see the holes on the target so we can see what you are talking about. :-)

[@D0cJekyll]

That H58-H59 option would have the Christmas tree pattern you were talking about.

[@rollinmckim4719]

My primary goal is to be tactically prepared for SHTF.....but in prepping for that unlikely circumstance, I enjoy a LOT of target shooting in 6.5 Creedmoor. Work mostly in 300-500, and occasional 1000+, wanting to get proficient out to 1000-1350, and then further with my 338 Lapua. Will this scope be adequate to this task? My only Nightforce is the SHV and it's done me well, but I'm looking for better glass and greater distance. Thanks your help!

[@golfbike]

:Thanks for the review. Magnification difference aside how would you compare the F1 to the SS 5-20? I noticed you have reviewed both. I am looking for a quality FFP scooe. Thanks in advance John!

[@C_Squared]

Have you tried the Velocity 1000 or a H58? Great vid. I love NF anything. Was the F1 1FFP or 2FFP?

[@Rhyno430]

Got a question for you, do you always dial up to your correction? What I mean is if you overshoot, or have to dial down, do you go past where you want to be and then dial up to the correction.

[@jermbarnett1]

Thanks a lot for the video. I found it very help.

[@ThemanWhitTwoGuns]

no I use a hammer to pound in my tent pegs... :D but I will be using it for target and long range hunting, have you got any experience with USO gear, I got there OPS2 30mm titanium rings and the scope doesn't even lay flat all the way along the ring. not happy about that especially paying $350 for them

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

thumbs up... Can you tell us what the make and model of your rifle is that is shown in this video? What cartridge is it chambered in?

[@charlesludwig9173]

I have this do-it-all scope. I find only two things that prevent best results in some scenarios: first, adjustment of parallax is tedious and shooting at 100 yards to appraise rifle or load accuracy, the error can be several inches unless parallax adjustment is exacting. Second, a 100 yard placeholder zero is also tedious since the reticle sub-tension is too fine and congested for an understanding for where the rifle is exactly pointed. My other complaint is this scope ideally would be offered with a mil scaled reticle and MOA adjustment but instead requires buyers to match reticle with adjustments. I thus selected MOA, the only downside is the math for ranging is not as quick as mil ranging.

[@davebuck2494]

What do you think of the SHV series from Nightfirce? Is it a junior grade Nightfirce, or some very much leßer creature ?

[@rayg3074]

good review.. it was a plus factual test at the range.. thumbs up

[@Turk10mm]

Do you think the F1 is worth the extra cash on the standard NXS? I own an NXS 3.5x15 already and just wanted your opinion.

[@jdmussa]

How useable is the reticle at 3.5x vs 15x? I can't decide if I should go with the first focal plane version or the second focal plane version. Do you have any recommendations on which version is best for hunting and occasional long range target shooting?

[@ohiogunner95]

I wish this scope were still available

[@gregscott2563]

Took me a while but I actually found a used one with the inspection sticker still on it.

[@johnstanley7442]

BTW, I saw one of these NF 3.5-15 x 50mm rigs that came WITH a screw-on/screw-off, elongated lens hood, for avoiding troublesome reflection, which can obviously give-away the shooter's position. This was so well-fitted, that it seemed of-a-piece, with the optic, when mounted. Though NF mentions that their light weight rings are supplied, I didn't recall any mention of this anti-reflection device, but, again, when mounted, it just looked like "more of the scope," just another bit of nice refinement. For matches, I doubt if it would matter, but for a DM not wanting to be giving-off unwanted flashes of light, this looked as though it could be another good feature. This was only on one example I saw, so I don't know whether this is a "standard feature," or not, but at least it's nice to know that they apparently thought about that, and included it as a smart option, or additional feature, on the one example I saw.

[@RLtW88]

I believe you're referring to the sun shade? Typically for an anti-flash device you'd use a honeycomb cover that screws over the objective lens. Does the same thing without adding to the length of the scope.

[@BigBUSN]

Lonewolf. Try to talk Nightforce into making a FFP 2.5-10x32 or even 40mm. I love their 2-10 but don't want a second focal plane.

[@golfbike]

Hence the 3400 banana skins for it... So you don't compare the F1 to the SS 5-20 glass wise?

[@drmaudio]

This is way out of my price range, but while I am dreaming, how would you compare this to a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T? Is it worth the extra money?

[@davidbuck5864]

Great review. Next time though, can you zoom in on the target so we can actually see the holes, rather than just have you describe them? Otherwise, spot-on.

[@jakeMTSU]

if you happen to live around TN area I would more than happy to let you try a vortex...

[@jakeMTSU]

True, and I think that the HD vortex and nightforce use the same glass. as in both made by then shipped to the respective companies. (glass part) I have also seen and used the HD, its great, but side by side not a 1000$ increase in value to me.

[@dvcavall]

Did you notice that towards the end of the video when you are explaining the range target and show a close up of dialing elevation and firing, that the windage turret spun quite a bit under recoil? That can't be good.... can it?

[@JohnMcQuay]

David Cavallero, you have a keen eye. However, the turret didn't spin. That is a "continuity error" caused by editing the video. I cut the frames where I turned the turret. Unfortunately it makes it look like the turret spun on its own.

[@luisvega903]

Missed MCM this week but this Thorough Thursday made up for it :-)

[@DFOOSKING]

I noticed immediately cuz of the HUGE NF logo on the windage turret when you took your first shot that windage actually adjusted on its own during recoil. Not the idiot driving was the problem I suspect. LOL Do like their scopes tho!

[@RodFitzpatrick]

There's actually an edit after he adjusts elevation. If you pay attention, you'll notice the windage changes just before the shot is taken.

[@Romanlove11]

Hey lonewolf, do you recommend the 30mm 18MOA AI scope mount or the NF Unimount for AIAE? I have a MKIII. Thanks

[@bong9130]

Still a solid scope compared to what is currently out on the market today??? Thanks from California!

[@8541tactical]

+VinnyLand the market at this price point has become a bit more crowded, but this is still an excellent optic.

[@bong9130]

Thanks for the reply! Trying to stay under $1500 and came across the NXS F1 on the used market. Initially considered the NF SHV F1 and the Burris XTRII. Any experience with those two?

[@C_Squared]

LIke many things, its all about preference and what you like. Thanks John.

[@tylerriddle2876]

Would you recomend this or the Vortex Razor HD

[@paulie120284]

Illuminated numbers prolly would have pushed the price point past 2200. Nightforce are sick scopes, not to many companies can come close to the clarity either.

[@ThemanWhitTwoGuns]

I thought so ;) also it come with the rings already fitted BUT wen you sith them on a bench not all 4 corners of the 2 rings touch. do you think remove them and then fit them to my rail and then start again? thanks

[@GetMeThere1]

"Like looking through a toilet paper tube" But...since a toilet paper roll is true 1X, and is a wider tube than almost any scope, it would have a wider field of view than any scope...

[@henrymontoya4918]

So say you want your zero at 100 yards, and you set the zero stop to that. when you are going back down it will stop at your 100 yard zero?

[@8541tactical]

You can. However I will normally set the zero stop 0.5 to 1.0 mRad below zero. This way it is quicker to re zero in the field if something goes wrong in the field or at a match.

[@radzz1]

Is this a first focal plane scope? It doesn't specify on night force web site?

[@ThemanWhitTwoGuns]

yes sir, this is going on my APRS 338 edge for hunting out to 1000m

[@ThemanWhitTwoGuns]

I just got one of these FINALY now waiting on the rifle. how well dose the NF F1 keep its zero. after a long day

[@NK-ne9uf]

I’m sure you saw it held zero for a very long time

[@snafu250]

At 23:17 your windage jumps 1.5 Mils on the shot,Has this been addressed?

[@petestephens7707]

What was the max elevation adjustment in mils please?

[@mandyb9239]

you forgot to talk about the first focal plane reticle

[@nordwhal-S550]

So almost 4 years later is this scope still available? And if so is the price point still 2300?

[@8541tactical]

Yes, they are still available and the price is still around that point.

[@shadow2155]

nightforce is Australian owned, parts made in japans and assembled in America

[@fagan900able]

What type of warranty does it come with

[@trpool77]

Would this scope be a good match on a Larue Predator OBR 556 with a 16 1/2 inch barrel? Thanks in advance.

[@8541tactical]

Should work fine on that rifle.

[@trpool77]

Thank you sir

[@samionblanc9896]

too true, I simply can't afford it right now. maybe when I win the lottery or something. I'll wait and see how the new bushnell scopes are priced. otherwise probably get a viper

[@BigBUSN]

Never use a Leupold again. The Nightforce was a dramatic difference in clarity, brightness and color. Not to mention tough as nails

[@andrewspence4314]

Is the unimount the extended length

[@monniegolden8056]

will the f1 handel the recoil of a 416mag

[@sierrastyf-shook5436]

McQuay at 23:15 the windage knob jumps when the rifle is fired, didn't know if anyone caught that.

[@8541tactical]

The knob didn't jump in real life. I edited out the part where I turned it and to make the video flow without a transition I cut it on the recoil impulse.

[@Danielshorsemanship]

That's cool I was just kinding. Great video.

[@Michael-A]

Thanks LoneWolfUSMC from USMC8652 1970, looking for best scope for H&K/PTR91 SuperSniper 308.

[@platvis379]

Thanx. Nice review.

[@demonicwolf69]

what would you say the min and max range on this is ?

[@Tlane117]

what does the F1 mean? first focal plane?

[@johnstanley7442]

That's correct. It tends to be more expensive, but, as the magnification goes up or down, the the hash marks, etc., retain the same size, as opposed to varying, as the magnification varies. Otherwise, you'd typically have to go to full-power magnification, in order to have the "steadying" of the hash mark scale, and that's just not as good. Ideally, it's best to have the scale of these indicators remaining the same, regardless of magnification changes, so look for F1, if that is of importance to you.

[@Gangster88232]

23:16 23:17 wind turret moved, when discharge. wtf?

[@ricklee258]

Just poor editing. Would have had to move windage from zero to hit second dot. Before discharge its zero, after discharge its at the necessary adjustment. Video cuts in/out at discharge. They cut out the windage adjustment.

[@SuperSig123]

Nice video

[@C_Squared]

I figured as much, but I try not to assume anything and since I am being lazy and didn't go to their website, I thought I would just ask. Thanks.

[@ThemanWhitTwoGuns]

I finally got my self one :D A NF F1 mil mil should be good

[@Abeene]

save up - I did and it was completely worth it

[@joshanddrake]

looks like a great scope but its about 2000 bucks above my price range lol

[@jakeMTSU]

vortex, 6-24, FFP... 1000 bucks... ONLY way to go, I have placed them side by side... you pay for the NF! just my thoughts, both rigs hit 1000 yard targets, both track great, both are just as bright...

[@golfbike]

Thank you sir. Eyes on optics for sale.

[@damonraimondi193]

8541 old USMC sniper MOS

[@samionblanc9896]

if I was going to spend a couple thousand dollars on an optic I'd probably get an S&B

[@cox380]

Hundreds of NF owners will now peel of their stickers and feel ok about it. lol