NightForce ATACR 4-16x42 F1 Mil-R - Something Special - First Person RePew

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There is something to be said about something that is as finely finished as this ATACR. It feels like a cohesive product. Something that was well thought out by NF when they designed it. Its wonderful.
00:00 - Prelude
00:33 - Physical Overview
11:20 - Reticle Overview - Mil-R
13:37 - Turret Twistin'
14:22 - Tracking Test
15:27 - Rooftop Day
19:08 - Eyebox
22:03 - 1k y
24:10 - Lowlight Performance
26:06 - Comparison; Meopta Optika6 3-18x50
28:27 - Comparison; NightForce NX8 2.5-20x50
30:39 - Comparison; Leupold Mk5HD 3.6-18x44
33:38 - Comparison; ZCO 4-20x50
36:41 - Final Thoughts
#nightforce #fpr #mpvo #repew
Just some things I use:
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[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Man alive. This is so good that (as a seasoned viewer of your vids) I could see that the image quality is immaculate even as viewed on my little iPhone screen

[@calebh2642]

Cheers to whoever shared their scopes for us all to enjoy

[@travisj9307]

Agreed, I’ve owned the 4-16x50 F2 for about 6 years and and use it to shoot from anywhere from 100 to 1000 yards. Ive done a lot of trading and selling so I’ve had the chance to look through a lot of nice scopes and have just ended up sticking with NF. There’s just something about the feel and quality of NF that gives you the feeling that you’ve gotten your money’s worth.

[@CDOES]

👌 they have use that special sauce

[@hannibalbarca2939]

Simply stellar review.

[@frederickgolebiowski1634]

I agree with you. I have two of these on precision AR-15s. A Nightforce ATACR - 4-16x42mm F1, MIL-XT™ Reticle and a Nightforce ATACR - 4-16x42mm F1, Horus TREMOR3™ - Illuminated Reticle. Keep up the great reviews! 👊

[@JackManiacky]

How is the illumination on the tremor 3? When you are at 4 power is the illumination good enough to use as an aiming point? I want the wind holds of the tremor 3, but I'm worried the horizontal stadia not getting thicker towards the outside leaves nothing to see at lower magnification.

[@frederickgolebiowski1634]

@@JackManiacky The illumination, either red or green, illuminates the center floating dot and the even numbered mil dots down the vertical stadia line. It is not very bright at any power but is usable at higher powers in dim light. I have a Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 Weapon Light, Full-Size on my AR-15 to illuminate the target and allow the black reticle to be usably visible. The vertical and horizontal stadia lines extend completely across the field of view throughout the power range and look like a fine cross hair which is usable at the lower powers.

[@JackManiacky]

@@frederickgolebiowski1634 thanks for the info.

[@Wammywammsters2024]

What are your thoughts on using the ATACR 4-16x42mm F1, MIL-XT on a 14.5” AR? My idea for the application of the rifle would be to “lean” in to being an SPR but not a fully dedicated SPR. Would like to be able to accurately identify and hit targets at distance (which is why i like the 4-16), but then would run a top mounted dot for closer range targets. I feel that a lot of people think that is too much magnification for a 14.5” but I’m a believer that you should have 2x magnification for every 100 yards.

[@user-jv4ic8rh4d]

You said NF makes the perfect scope (NXS 2.5-10) but it's unattainable? For sale on Euro optics now. Have it on a scar 17...it's great for that guns capabilities IMHO. A scope most sleep on for the price. This scopes little brother. NF 2.5-10x42 NXS. For $1600 it's a great value for what you get. When you research why use NF scopes, the materials used and how they make them near bomb proof; you will understand why the thick scope frame on the sight pic. The QA/QC on every individual scope in specific scope lines is insane. Worth the research. Honestly for what NF does above Leupold and others I don't understand how it isn't more $

[@hdub6527]

Picked up one not too long ago, demo model from europtic, with mil XT. Saw someone else score one on GAFS for $1700! Happy for them ha. It’s been great so far, really impressed with it.

[@Shooter7point62]

NF 2.5-10 is an awesome scope.

[@Quality_Guru]

What is interesting is that while NF makes absolutely fantastic scopes they are stagnant in regards to newer developments. On the other hand I see companies like Athlon, Delta, Manen, PA, and even Arken that are ever increasing the quality of their scopes while keeping prices within reason. The performance gap between expensive and affordable scopes keeps getting smaller with each new year.

[@randomidiot8142]

They're also looking at what other companies have done in the past, like peeking at homework. They can catch up faster. Whether or not they overtake remains to be seen.

[@Quality_Guru]

@@randomidiot8142 Fast follower is always a good strategy especially for companies that don’t have brand recognition.

[@Gardner33]

What NF has over all of those is the ability to hold zero under use and abuse. Facts

[@DZ4295DBW]

I'd rather have durability and a known track record rather than another "new reticle."

[@krisrhebergen]

@@Gardner33while Nightforce has that military pedigree. Most of those other options show no signs of having such problems.

[@kellym3531]

Thank you!

[@pilotincommand85]

Glad someone finally called out to Mark5 HD..while it is a great scope people lose their minds over this thing I don’t believe it is worth the price..the ATACR is superior in so many ways..I prefer it 10 out of 10 times over the Mark 5..great video

[@eagleputter64]

Thanks for all these videos, getting a SPR PRS rifle setup and was back and forth on scopes and a few videos later I got my answer.

[@chaddawg1084]

What did you go with? I'm looking at similar stuff for an 18 inch WOA build.

[@eagleputter64]

@@chaddawg1084 I got the ATACR in 4-16x42 and would gladly buy another one right now ! its on my 18" 6 ARC gas gun, gets me out to 1k no issue. I can not say enough good things about the scope really, even at 16x at top I would say having the glass being so good makes up for it. if you have the means to get the ATACR I dont think you would be disappointed at all.

[@chaddawg1084]

@@eagleputter64 Hell yeah, I think I'm gonna go ahead and order one. Buy once and not look back. Going for the Mil XT reticle, hopefully it's visible at 4x for some closer DMR stuff in matches.

[@eagleputter64]

@@chaddawg1084 I have the MIL XT, and would say its useable... but def getting close on the 4x range. I have a PRS style range where I am between 50-700 yards often and never had too much of a complaint

[@murph8857]

I was so impressed with your video I bought the Atacr 4-16 scope. Thank You for your post.

[@CDOES]

How has it served you?

[@pshhyeahh]

As an owner of the Mark5 3.6-18 (PR1) and the 5-25 (PR2), these reviews have been great. I was between both those Nightforces and the Mark5 but I got the 3.6-18 for $1500 and the 5-25 for $1700. So that was the main deciding factor. I believe the ATACR was over $2500 at the time and the NX8 was about $2200+.

[@northman77]

"Just do it" not cool man, not cool... How am I suppose to ever recover financialy with all your awesome reviews!

[@TacticalBro]

Bought one a month ago for 1800 on eBay for my sig cross stx 308 love it so far

[@The_Sound_of_Steel]

My heart is breaking this seems to be the perfect MPVO ive been searching for.😢

[@jf7393]

You must not have been searching very long lol the 4-16 atacr is ubiquitous

[@pooshNchums]

This is my new dream scope! Perfect size, amazing build and the clarity is shocking. Thanks for your amazing reviews! Do you still have a euro optic dealer pricing hookup via patrion?

[@jacobjohnson6766]

It's one if my favorite babies 😂 Riding on my 6mm arc

[@bghiggy]

There's something really nice about a well made 4-16

[@CDOES]

They are perhaps the best general purpose scope out there

[@mobilegamersunite]

I love my Monstrum 3-18 FFP 😂

[@BobParrIncr]

I have two Schmidt bender 4-16 polar t96 p4l. Very bright and light, love them

[@davidj3348]

GREAT content C_DOES! Thank you! Question: NF 4-16 F1 ATACR or... V Razor HD LHT 4.5-22X50? *on a minimalist SPR 14.5 5.56 build w/12o clock RDS...

[@user-lb4kr2mq8s]

I think there might be an issue with the illumination on that scope. My 4-16 seems to be much brighter. Thanks for another great review!

[@chinesemassproduction]

I would use it on an SPR or a battle rifle. Nightforce doesn’t disappoint.

[@davidricci3101]

Greetings. Despite watching your excellent videos on the NX8 2.5-20 and the ATACR 4-16x42 several times each-yes, I lie not-I don’t recall if you mentioned how you rank them next to each other for overall image quality. I appreciate any comments you have here. (I did catch your helpful comments on the potential liabilities of a higher magnification range during minute 19.) Thank you. Edit: I just caught your comments comparing IQ of these two scopes. You seem to surely but slightly prefer the ATACR, which is no surprise. If you have something to add, by all means please do so.

[@urmanesthesiadoc]

I would love to see your review on the Steiner T6XI 3-18. Looks to be a great competitor to this and the mk5 3-18, but don’t know where it stands in relation to these.

[@ZachAttack2U]

C_DOES Dream Scope @38:30 🔥

[@CDOES]

Wouldn't that be something

[@prestonwalsh4293]

I keep bothering them about a NXS 2.5-10x32 FFP DMX Reticle.

[@CDOES]

@@prestonwalsh4293 you and me both. A nx8 1.5-12 would do it for me

[@legendsneverdie25]

Atacr F1 4-16 Mil-XT is damn near perfect

[@DatMammut76]

I have three of these. One with the MIL-R and two with the MIL-C. I GREATLY prefer the mil-c. These are the finest scopes I have ever owned and actually made me a value shopper because nothing else feels as good to me, so i may as well spend 600-800 to be disappointed than 1800. lol. My previous fav was the Kahles 6-24, which I still have, and it is amazing, but nothing hits the spot like the ATACR 4-16. I preordered a ZCO and wound up selling it because I couldn't justify the cost and thats when I got the third 4-16 lol.

[@eazybrah]

Did you consider the mil xt? If so, why did you prefer the mil C?

[@DatMammut76]

@@eazybrah when I got the first mil-c the XT wasn’t out. I generally prefer a non tree reticle since my work flow with a rifle is 99% dialing elevation and LOT of scanning so I value unobstructed view. If you like tree reticles the XT is phenomenal. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@eazybrah]

@DatMammut76 thank you. What's the max distance you would say you can comfortably shoot silhouette size steel with the 4-16x?

[@DatMammut76]

@@eazybrah oh man I used this 4-16 model on all my comp guns for years in PRS. A long way I never felt like I needed more until my eyes started to go. I shoot a 6-24 Kahles now and it’s not enough because I’m blind as a bat hahah. But if you’re not damaged like me a 4-16 of this level clarity will do fine for 1k. BUT I was never a mag junky, even 5-25 units were always in the mid range for me. None of that means anything for how it feel to you though. My best suggestion is to go to a range or a class and look through others optics to see what really pops to your eyes and what you’re comfy with at 1k.

[@mahbuddykeith1124]

What magnification range do you think would be best for a gas-operated .308 used in a sort of SASS role?

[@MochiMoose]

100% on the 1.5-12 or a 2-12 with the DMX reticle. Hellllllll yessss that would be perfect for my SPR.

[@eugenrosca283]

Looking to get the atacr 4-16 or the nx8 for the 308 gas gun… what would be your recommendation?

[@contrabonum345]

Nightforce needs to make something like that 1.5-12 NX8 with the DMX reticle would be an incredible scope for hunting and general purpose use. Bonus if it came in around 22-24oz.

[@CDOES]

It would be THE ultimate utility scope.

[@doktorfaustus]

A 1.5-12 sounds like a very useful magnification range, but I doubt you'll hit that weight target with any combination of good optical qualities and ruggedness. I don't want to see NF repeat what they did with the NX8 1-8, in which I believe they sacrificed just a tad too much of the image quality and eyebox on the alter of size and weight.

[@MochiMoose]

If they can get a 4-16 in at around 30 oz, I bet they could get a 2-12 in at 24ish without losing quality. If they could fit it in 11 to 11.5 inches, that’s a double win. Better illumination on a scope like that is a must though… I have multiple Night Force scopes and they all have lack luster illumination. If it’s going in a 2-12 package, that illuminated reticle on 2x needs to be on point.

[@austingash1363]

What’s ur absolute favorite reticle and scope for 16 inch 556

[@Bulking_Smeagol]

Would love to see a review of the ATACR 1-8

[@frozennorth3426]

I would too, very much.

[@rickypickles2219]

are you able to do a review on the stiener 2.5-15?

[@dionysis84]

You mention seeing a lot of the scope body. This also drives me insane and I hate that about my Athlon helos. What mpvo has the least scope/sidewalls showing? Anything have that disappearing bezel like the razor 1-6?

[@rf9078]

Yay 4-16 atacr

[@yetiwarrior]

I have been debating between the NF 4-16x42mm ATACR and the ZCO 420 for a very long time. Building an AR-10 as a do it all SPR/DMR, and wanting to choose an optic I can grow into as well, I have been holding off since I can't find either to look through myself. Thank you for doing these comprehensive reviews! I would rather it be a full review with great insight than a short review with less information. Utilizing your thorough insights as well as comparable side by side comparisons helps a lot. Curious if the reason for wanting the ATACR over the ZCO is purely cost or not? Thanks for all your hard work!

[@CDOES]

Thank you kindly. Cost is the biggest factor. Still over a grand difference. If that wasn't there then that might change that. The zco was a long time ago. But I remember being so blown away by it. The atacr took a bit more time to fully realize how special it is. But once i was there, there was no going back.

[@davidricci3101]

C__Does knows a lot more about scopes than I do. That sincerely stated, from what I have heard, the ZCO is a cut above-if you don’t mind the extra $1,000 or so, as C mentions, in other words.

[@flawseeingeye]

any plans to review the Arken EP-8?

[@SpecOpsGear]

I should get one

[@ThatGuy3714]

You should use an eye reading chart and put it at like 200 yards and see what the smallest letters you can read are. That way you have something comparable. Kind of like the USA made flag on that telephone pole but a more precise of a test. Just be sure to use the same magnification as the standard. Then maybe keep a full list and later put them side by side in a video for people to compare

[@CDOES]

Big moves are coming. If everything happens properly. There will be some more rigid, consistent testing in the future

[@thestacche6898]

the atacr 4-16 is amazing, especially when you consider how small and light it is compared to the zcomp, zcomp better scope in every way but do i want that on a rifle im hiking around with? no not really.

[@bongthepanda]

I wonder how the Optika6 will hold up to drops. I’d love to see that optic go through some durability testing.

[@bigwill4284]

Lots of people dont like there so good

[@1rstTry]

Genuine question: does anyone actually use bright illumination in broad daylight? I struggle to see the point and open to thoughts.

[@conork6743]

According to the internet, many people say that the reticle is hard to pick up quickly at lower magnifications (FFP). At least in a hunting in the woods context. I just got mine so I can’t verify yet. The illumination is supposed to fix that.

[@bghiggy]

The Reticle in the optica6 would be perfect in the nf 2.5-20

[@CDOES]

I AGREE! I have found that with every movo I've tested recently that non of the reticles, save for the mil-r (which is at least good)are useless under 5-6x

[@CntBckt]

OMG a 1.5-12 sounds epic! I'd just need it to somehow be fairly cheap while not being trash. :(

[@CDOES]

I'd settle for affordable and good

[@CntBckt]

@@CDOES Luckily, We are in an age where multiple companies should be able to pull it off. We just have to find a way of convincing them to.

[@CDOES]

@@CntBckt I've brought it up to several. Some have said "we don't see the market." Idk how the hell that's possible

[@CntBckt]

@CDOES Really? How strange.....I don't see how they could say that, especially with the popularity of LPVOs. Hell, 1-8 optics are even fairly common nowadays. A 1.5-12 might be the nail in the coffin for 3-9s, though.

[@timkorn2102]

Completely disregarding money, what optic would you buy for a precision rifle? Looking at the 5-25/30 or 6-35 kind of optics.

[@dionysis84]

What the heck, NF uses a push button battery? Oh man. It legit the biggest con of my razor LHT and Leupold VX5-hd that I have on my hunting rifles. I’m watching this thinking this may just be the perfect mpvo (aside from the insane price tag) but definitely not a fan of any push button illumination. They are a pain in the ass, especially in cold weather. Hoping vortex makes a razor mpvo or maybe a viper pst gen iii 2-12/3-18

[@conork6743]

Their 1-8 has a dial instead.

[@ThePHNX1135]

There's something new coming out because a bunch of 4-16s flooded the secondary market recently

[@yzwme586]

Damn this video makes me wanna cancel the 1-8x Credo I just ordered and order this instead

[@CDOES]

That's a big move

[@yzwme586]

I know lol it would be like $1.x k more but I was just looking thru your videos and what would be ur best scope for around what the price I paid? $1.3k or even up to $1.5k? Is there something with this kind of clarity or close to that is cheaper?@@CDOES

[@markrobbins1018]

I always wonder what scope this scope reviewer would pick as the best all-around scope if he could only have 1 scope lol

[@7Amps]

I heard this one got discontinued, they replaced it with the 4-20

[@afkirby]

Are you sure it wasn’t the 4-16x50?

[@hannibalbarca2939]

No

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

the tremor reticle is gay, too much junk on the glass

[@KevinWood44]

Man I love your videos, but you and I will forever disagree on locking turrets. THERE IS NO POINT TO A LOCKING TURRET, EVER! lol Locking turrets are like a forward assist on an AR. POINTLESS! It is 2 added steps (unlocking and re-locking) every time you dial....just because some shitty scopes back in the 1980's would actually move if rubbed up against them while stalking. This is NOT the case anymore, even the WORST scopes in today's market do NOT move. ZCo was losing clients and started offering (NLE) non locking turrets bc so many people finally realizing they are pointeless. You'll come around. =)

[@ryaniam22]

I'm already there. I cannot stand the crap put on all these new high end scopes. The new mtc locking levers on the new schmidt benders make me puke. Get rid of mtc and especially those retarded levers, and get rid of locks too. Just make the springs and turrets stronger. So it's more solid all around. Sometimes these scope companies are retarded

[@ATFisGay]

I have a march 1-10 I would like to send you to review

[@davidricci3101]

Are you referring to the regular 1-10 Compact, the older “Shorty,” or the newer Shorty with the Shuriken locks and the mono-dimensional tube? In any event, I hope this is a go!

[@ATFisGay]

@@davidricci3101 the compact one. Very nice optic, better than my atacr

[@davidricci3101]

Interesting. Is C__Does going to review it? @@ATFisGay

[@TheLogitech91]

ZC is launching a 1.7-12

[@user-if2ke9hi6w]

I hope someone can please send you a leica amplus 3-18×44. They look pretty darn well built but also not overly heavy. Pretty good specs