Are you searching for the best Nightforce scope for elk hunting? You are in the right place. We will share the pros and cons of the top options to help you make an informed purchase.
Big game hunting can sometimes be difficult. While it is an exciting activity for many hunters, the hunter must keep a distance for safety, and the chances of hitting a target that far can come close to zero. Some animals, like the Elks, are always on the move hence the need for accuracy and precision.
Although you might have a powerful scope that will allow you to make shots up to long distances, having a good scope attached to your rifle is always a plus. Hence you will be more likely to make that perfect shot at a distance.
NightForce scopes feature well-built and quality designs that perform well for any hunter or shooter. They are top-rated internationally for elk hunting with modern and high-quality features that make them highly versatile for many applications.
What Makes a Good Elk Hunting Scope?
A good elk hunting scope should have several key features that will help you accurately spot, track, and take down your target. Here are some things to consider when choosing a scope for elk hunting:
Magnification
Elk are large animals, and you’ll need a scope with a magnification that will allow you to see them clearly at a distance. A magnification of at least 3-9x is recommended, although some hunters prefer higher magnifications.
Objective lens diameter
The objective lens is the lens at the front of the scope. A larger diameter will allow more light to enter the scope, providing a brighter and clearer image. A diameter of 40mm or greater is recommended for elk hunting.
Reticle
The reticle is the crosshairs or other markings in the scope that you use to aim at your target. A simple crosshair reticle is usually sufficient for elk hunting, although some hunters prefer more advanced reticles with range-finding features.
Durability
Elk hunting can be tough on equipment, so you’ll want a scope that can withstand the elements and rough handling. Look for scopes with rugged construction, waterproofing, and fog-proofing features.
Eye relief
Eye relief is the distance between the scope and your eye when you’re aiming. Longer eye relief is better for hunting, as it allows you to maintain a comfortable shooting position and avoid getting hit by the scope’s recoil.
Best Nightforce Scopes for Elk Hunting
1) NightForce SHV 3-10x42mm .250 MOA Rifle Scope
When looking for a rifle scope, you do not just need a tool but a powerful set that will upgrade your shooting in any condition. The NightForce SHV 3-10x42mm Rifle Scope comes in a small, lightweight size that offers great value, regardless of size. This is the perfect option for any target shooter, big game, and varmint hunter.
The rifle scope offers a 3-10x magnification range and a 42mm objective lens, allowing you to enjoy a wide field of view from a single spot. It was specially designed to offer a practical solution to various applications.
The riflescope allows easy adjustments, with features like the capped .25 MOA adjustments and a side parallax adjustment ranging from 25 yards to infinity. This and the included fast-focus eyepiece combine to offer one incredible shooting experience.
Highlights
- It features a 30mm body tube
- It has capped .25 MOA adjustments
- Fully Multi-Coated optics
- 25 yds to infinity parallax
- It features side parallax adjustment (25 yards to infinity)
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece
- Wide range of applications
2) NightForce 8-32x56mm NXS Riflescope
This riflescope, made by the best professionals at NightForce, is the ultimate choice for bench rest competitions. The NightForce 8-32x56mm NXS Rifle Scope features a wide magnification range, from 8x to a powerful 32x. This allows you to view and acquire targets that are far away. This is especially convenient for elk hunting, as you must maintain distance from the animals.
Combining performance and innovation, the riflescope meets the demands of shooters without sacrificing ruggedness, dependability, and craftsmanship. It is made with 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum that is two to three times thicker than other scopes, making it highly durable and ideal for extreme weather conditions.
For the best image quality and optical integrity, the rifle scope has a great objective lens that allows the right amount of light into the rifle scope for brightness and clarity.
Highlights
- It is made of strong Aluminum material for durability
- It is rigorously tested for perfection
- The scope is completely waterproof and weather resistant
- It features a proprietary titanium beta erector spring that delivers three to four times the spring pressure of other scopes
- It is recoil and impact tested at 1,250 Gs for both positive and negative forces
- Weighs 34 oz
- 50 yds to infinity Parallax
- Ring attachment
3) NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Rifle Scope
In a small package, the NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm First Focal Plane Rifle Scope is ideal for hunters or competitive shooters. It is made with a magnification range from 4x to 14x, which provides resolving power and a wider field of view even at higher magnification.
The NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm FFP Rifle Scope is designed with controls that allow for intuitive and precise adjustments, ideal for when you need to make a hurried shot after retreating prey or during a competition.
The scope also comes with a ZeroSet function, thus allowing you to return to your zero settings quickly, even after multiple changes.
Highlights
- It features a First Focal Plane
- It has a Zero Set Elevation for easy, rapid return to zero in any condition from any distance
- It is parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity
- It comes with a power zoom ring
- It has a fast-focus eyepiece for easy target acquisition
- It features illuminated reticles for low-light use
- The 12 brightness settings allow illumination in poorly lit conditions
4) Nightforce 2.5-10x42mm NXS Riflescope
The NightForce 2.5-10×42 NXS Compact Rifle Scope is an improvement of its predecessor. The scope is improved with many features and better technology; for example, it is made with a larger objective lens that creates the perfect image by allowing more light to pass through it for more effective low-light performance.
The scope is light, compact, powerful and versatile, making it the perfect choice for varying applications. It is among the few 10x Rifle Scopes on the market with adjustable parallax, ranging from 25 yards to infinity.
This powerful scope by NightForce comes with multiple reticles that are all illuminated. It features an adjustable brightness setting that allows the scope to range from dim to bright for use in various settings, also allowing you to switch between green and red reticle illumination. Multiple intensities of reticle illumination are invisible to the naked eye. These are designed specifically for use with night vision devices.
Due to the included Power Throw Lever, the rifle scope is ideal for hunters or tactical users who need to change settings while wearing gloves. The feature allows instant magnification changes in a quick, easy way.
Highlights
- It comes with a Power Throw Lever (PTL), which allows easy magnification changes
- It has a flush insert that can easily be replaced with the threaded PTL knob
- It has a larger 42mm objective for low-light performance
- It features a side parallax adjustment
- The scope is lightweight
- It has night vision-compatible settings
5) NightForce NXS 5.5-22x50mm Tactical Riflescope
NightForce NXS Tactical 5.5-22×50 Rifle Scope is designed to offer a broad magnification and range that ensures an enhanced field of view at all magnification levels. It offers four inches of eye relief and 100 M.O.A. elevation travel. The riflescope’s range of magnification and internal adjustment allow most .50 BMGs to achieve the 2,000-yard mark with accuracy.
This scope is among the market’s most advanced field tactical scopes, perfect for battlefield and hunting. It can be zeroed in, not only for safety but also for any once-in-a-lifetime shot.
The rifle scope features a MOAR reticle with a floating centre crosshair, two MOA wide and two MOA tall. The MOAR reticle offers a precise aiming point and has one-MOA elevation and windage spacing, with a 20 MOA scale below centre. The NightForce 5.5-22x 50mm NXS Tactical Scope featured the Zero Stop technology, which was meant to meet the needs of Tier One U.S. Military Forces, withstanding even in the most rigorous conditions.
Highlights
- It is made of 6061-T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum
- It comes with 100 M.O.A. of internal adjustment
- It is completely waterproof and weather resistant
- It has a proprietary titanium beta erector spring that delivers three to four times the spring pressure of other scopes.
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Choosing the Best NightForce Scope for Elk Hunting
Magnification
In deciding on any kind of scope, and especially for elk hunting, it is important to consider the level of magnification you need. With elk hunting, high magnification levels are recommended, as they help you make accurate shots.
Durability
Elk hunting is an outdoor activity; many external factors are inevitable. Dust, moisture and rough surfaces are some of the things that can ruin your scope. It is good to check the construction of your scope to ensure durability. The materials used should keep all elements to prevent them from destroying your scope.
Lens protection
Lens coatings are some of the most important parts of the scope. The lenses help determine the image’s quality and the scope’s durability. There are different kinds of lens coatings, with the most commonly used anti-reflective and anti-scratch protection coatings. They allow adequate light transmission and protect the lenses, respectively. Coatings protect the lens from dirt and debris and also ensure clear images.
Weight
When hunting, you are bound to move around a lot, hence the need to look for a lightweight scope that is easy to carry. Lightweight scopes allow you to move around easily without spooking your targets, even though the heavier ones could have more inbuilt and durable features.
Weatherproofing
A waterproof and fog proof scope can be immersed in water for a short period without getting destroyed. This means you are not worried about dropping your scope in water or during the rain.
Eye relief
Powerful rifles used in hunting tend to have heavy recoil. Having adequate eye relief helps to protect your eyes and eyebrows from recoil during shooting. It is advisable to have a scope with an eye relief that measures a minimum of 3 inches.
Image quality
The level of magnification and the type of lenses used determine how clear the images produced by the scope will be. Because elks are big animals, you may not need a scope with a very high magnification range to avoid blurry images.
FAQs on the Best Nightforce Scope for Elk Hunting
1) What is Nightforce and why is it a good choice for elk hunting?
Nightforce is a manufacturer of high-quality riflescopes that are known for their rugged construction, reliability, and exceptional optics. They are a good choice for elk hunting because they are designed to perform in the harshest conditions, with shockproof and waterproof construction and crystal-clear optics that allow for precise shot placement.
2) What magnification should I look for in a Nightforce scope for elk hunting?
The magnification you need will depend on the type of hunting you are doing and your personal preferences. For most elk hunting situations, a scope with a magnification range of 3-15x or 4-16x is ideal, as it allows you to have a wide field of view for scanning and tracking but can also be zoomed in for precise shots at longer ranges.
3) What is the difference between first focal plane and second focal plane reticles?
In a first focal plane reticle, the reticle markings change size relative to the target as the magnification is adjusted. In a second focal plane reticle, the reticle stays the same size regardless of the magnification setting. For elk hunting, either type of reticle can work, but some hunters prefer a first focal plane reticle for its versatility at different magnification settings.
4) Why do Nightforce scopes say made in Japan?
Nightforce scopes are primarily made in the United States. however, like any other manufacturer, it is the norm to outsource certain components, and in this case, parts like the glass, certain parts of the turret mechanism are outsourced from Japan
Conclusion
A hunter feels assured when hunting elk if they have the best scopes with them; in this case, the Nightforce has proven beneficial most of the time. NightForce offers you the best experiences in the field, providing the best technology and advanced features for seamlessly perfect shots.
Some scopes require moving close to the animal to get a perfect shot. Such scopes are dangerous when dealing with wild animals and therefore are not so much used by elk hunters.
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