The AR-15 is a very customizable rifle that fits into different shooting disciplines including tactical, competition, and hunting. Although it is a very powerful rifle, the AR15 can be paired with the best attachments and optics in the market for you to get the best out of it.
One of the things you should pair with your AR15 to get the best of its performance is a good riflescope. Most newbies have trouble with their rifles because they do not know what to look for in a scope and some don’t take time to find out what they should look for when hunting for one. This way, most end up with a scope with either too low or too high magnification.
See: 6 Best Rifle Scopes for Beginners
With an Ar15, you can shoot comfortably at 3 ranges. For close range (<150 yards), you need a scope with a magnification of within 1-4x. For the medium range (between 150 – 400 yards), your scope should offer a magnification of 5-9x while at the long-range (400+ yards), you require 9x and above for the perfect shots.
Choosing the Best Nightforce Scope for AR15
Light
It is assumed that a larger objective lens facing forward will automatically provide a higher magnification of the scope. This is usually not true and can be misleading. A front-facing lens determines the amount of light the scope can handle and consequently the brightness and quality of the sight picture. A small objective lens results in not-so-clear images in the woods and dim areas.
Range
It is good to have this in mind when choosing a rifle scope. Your shooting range will determine what magnification you will need your scope to have. As mentioned earlier, your shooting range can be either close, mid-range, or long-range. The magnification for your scope will depend on your needs.
Magnification
We tend to think that a larger magnification is the best thing but when hunting, having a very high magnification might hinder you from acquiring moving targets quickly or even planning for incoming obstacles. A high magnification results in a much smaller field of view but with further view.
Eye Relief
This is usually measured as the distance your eye can be positioned away from the edge of the ocular lens. A generous eye relief ensures safety for your eyes especially when using a powerful rifle as the AR15 which can tend to have high recoil.
Parallax
Parallax is the change in sights depending on the angle of your eyeball. Sometimes this can be described as the movement of the crosshairs when observed from different angles.
Best Nightforce Scope for AR15 Reviews
1) NightForce NX8 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope, 30mm Tube, First Focal Plane (FFP)
This riflescope belongs to the NX8 riflescope line. These are the newest class of riflescopes by NightForce, which have been proven for over two decades and used by the U.S. Military, hunters, and competitive shooters under the most demanding conditions.
The NXS riflescopes are made with new technology and a remarkable 8x zoom range which provides razor-sharp images at every setting. NightForce NX8 1-8x24mm F1 Rifle Scope is ideal for short to mid-range shooting, offering a small size and weight.
The riflescope is designed with a revolutionary center dot that is visible in the daylight. This allows for swift target acquisition and engagement. The scope also comes with a built-in power throw lever for fast and convenient magnification changes.
The construction consists of top-quality materials, with a 30mm body tube that is the perfect platform for superior strength and durability. This scope is easy to mount on the ar15s with the Nightforce mounts.
Key features
- It has capped windage adjustment
- It features ZeroStop elevation adjustments
- It has an integrated power throw lever
- It comes with a two-piece locking diopter
- It has off settings between brightness settings
Pros
- It is strong and durable
- It is affordable
Cons
- It has a relatively small objective diameter
2) NightForce ATACR 1-8×24 F1 Rifle Scope C653
This riflescope is part of the ATACR riflescopes that are made for the military, law enforcement, and anyone else who needs to shoot like a professional. The riflescope offers a combination of quality materials, engineering expertise, mechanical reliability, and excellent optics.
The Nightforce ATACR 1-8×24 Rifle Scope is a low-power variable riflescope that offers great features including pristine ED glass, bright daylight illumination, intelligent reticle, very low-profile adjustments, and bomb-proof reliability.
The riflescope has a field of view at 1x equivalent to open sights. It is 10 inches long and weighs just 21 ounces hence very easy to handle and even carry around when in the field. The scope features a daylight visible, center red dot that makes rapid engagements a breeze.
It has a 1-8x magnification which provides up to 8x zoom that makes it easy to locate, identify, and engage targets at the maximum effective range of most rifles. Also included is an intelligent FC-DM first focal plane reticle that offers precise hold and hold-off points.
Included are low-profile turrets that are capped to prevent accidental adjustment and offer true 1 Mil-Radian adjustment.
Key features
- It offers a variable 1-8x magnification range
- It has an integrated Power Throw Lever (PTL) for easy adjustments
- It has bright daylight illumination
- It has very low-profile adjustments
- It features an intelligent reticle
- Objective lens diameter: 24mm
Pros
- It is affordable
- It has bomb-proof reliability
Cons
- It has a low magnification power
Best Nightforce Scope for AR15 FAQs
- Are Nightforce SHV scopes any good?
The NightForce scopes are made for professionals who require the most in the field. The SHV scopes offer the best choices for medium to long-range shooting.
- What is the difference between Nightforce SHV and NXS?
The Nightforce NXS has better glass and zero-stop turrets. This scope is more durable and has a lighter weight compared to its counterpart. Although the two scopes use the same glass, the SHV is cheaper.
Final Thoughts
The best scopes do not necessarily have to be what you first find in your nearest shop. They are made by great professionals who have done their research to offer the best they can to millions of shooters and hunters around the world.
Nightforce scopes are some of the best in the world and offer great long-time performance, with great features to make your shooting easy and unforgettable. The two scopes discussed in this article offer the best choices for what you want to match with your AR15 rifle.
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