Are you searching for the best Nightforce scope for your AR 10 rifle? This comprehensive guide will help you make a well-informed purchase.
One of the best long-range rifles you will find on the market today is the AR-10. Its power, versatility, and ability to house many cartridges make it a popular choice for military and civilian shooters.
Today, the AR-10 rifle is extensively used by hunters looking to take down game at extended ranges. Regardless of the activity you use the AR-10 for, a good scope is one of the most valuable accessories you should have.
Having the best scope will help you optimize the potential of this rifle and ensure that you hit targets even at long ranges.
That said, Nightforce scopes are some of the best scopes for AR-10 out there. When you select any scope from this highly-respected brand, you are guaranteed that it will be really good.
What Size Scope to put on an AR-10?
The AR-10 is a versatile rifle used for various applications, including hunting, target shooting, and even long-range precision shooting. The best scope magnification for AR 10 is between 5x-25x. Hunting and Multi-Purpose: 1-6x, 2-10x, or 3-9x can be ideal. Long-Range Precision: 4-16x, 5-25x, or even higher. Tactical or Competition: 1-10x, 3-15x, 4-20x, or similar can be effective.
5 Best Nightforce Scopes for AR-10
If you want to maximize your AR-10’s precision shooting abilities, here are the best Nightforce scopes you can choose from. Let’s take a look.
- Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope
- NightForce ATACR 1-8×24 F1 Rifle Scope
- NIGHTFORCE SHV 4-14x50mm
- NIGHTFORCE SHV 5-20x56mm
- NIGHTFORCE NX8 4-32x50mm
1) Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope
The Nightforce NX8 1-8x24mm scope tops our best Nightforce scope for AR-10 list, the scope is known for pinpoint accuracy and reliable performance for short to medium-range missions. It pairs well with the AR-10 and has a shooter-friendly design, making it very simple to use.
The scope is built ready for rugged and unforgiving outdoor conditions. It has a ruggedized aluminum body that is sturdy enough to take in any abuse you subject it to. Additionally, it has capped windage adjustment to prevent accidental adjustments in the field and a waterproof design that makes it ideal for use even when it rains.
Another impressive thing that sets it apart is its optical clarity. Featuring fully multi-coated lenses, the scope allows for exceptional light transmission, which makes it great for low-light performance. It also boasts an LED-illuminated reticle with 10 brightness settings, making it suitable for shooting in various lighting conditions.
Other essential features include a generous eye relief, matte finish, ZeroStop elevation adjustment, and a built-in power throw lever.
Features
- 1-8x magnification
- First focal plane reticle
- 30mm main tube
- Water-resistant construction
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Capped windage adjustments
- Two-piece locking diopter
- ZeroStop function
Pros
- Comfortable eye relief
- Lightweight design
- Durability
- Reticle illumination
- Crisp, clear optics
Cons
- Not ideal for long range
2) NightForce ATACR 1-8×24 F1 Rifle Scope
The Nightforce ATACR 1-8×24 F1 is the best Nightforce scope for AR 10 if you are looking for an LPVO, it is the ultimate low-power variable scope, Its quality, value, and performance describe the Nightforce brand. With it, you are sure that you will make the most out of your shooting expedition.
The scope offers a variable 1-8x magnification, making it suitable for taking shots at close to medium ranges. The 1x is equivalent to open sights but hugely more precise. It provides a wide field of view to help you identify and engage targets swiftly, and when you ramp up to 8x, you will be able to locate targets at longer ranges swiftly.
Furthermore, the scope has a built-in power throw lever for quick and simple magnification adjustment. It also boasts a large 34mm body tube that provides ample room for reticle movement and ED glass that yields higher resolution and optimal color fidelity.
Best of all, the scope has a ruggedized housing that offers bomb-proof reliability and unmatched durability.
Features
- 8x zoom
- Intelligent first focal plane reticle
- ED glass
- Very low-profile adjustments
- Capped turrets
- 34mm main tube
- Integrated power throw lever
Pros
- Bomb-proof reliability
- Wide field of view
- Compact and lightweight design
- Crisp, clear optics
Cons
- High cost
3) NIGHTFORCE SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Hunting Scope
You need the best optic possible when you are looking to better your aim at extended ranges. You get this from the NIGHTFORCE SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Hunting Scope. It is built with virtually every feature you need for a more competitive and fulfilling hunting expedition.
This award-winning hunting scope boasts a vast magnification from 4x to 14x. It gives you the flexibility to hunt game at varying ranges and different environments. Besides, it comes with a large 50mm objective lens that provides a large viewing angle and excellent light transmission for any time of the day.
The scope has an adjustable parallax from 25 yards to infinity. Additionally, the illuminated reticle has 12 brightness settings suitable for hunting in nearly any lighting condition. For added convenience, this optic boasts a power zoom ring allowing quick and accurate magnification adjustments and a fast focus eyepiece for smooth reticle focusing.
In terms of construction, this SHV scope has a 30mm main tube crafted from high-grade materials. It is large enough for a maximum adjustment range of 90 minutes. It is also sturdy enough to withstand heavy recoil and rough handling.
Features
- First focal plane reticle
- 50mm objective lens
- 30mm main tube
- ZeroStop technology
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Adjustable parallax
- Power zoom ring
Pros
- Illuminated reticle with 12 brightness settings
- Mechanically reliable adjustments
- Superb edge-to-edge sharpness
- Good image clarity
- Solid construction
Cons
- None
4) NIGHTFORCE SHV 5-20x56mm Zeroset .250 MOA Scope
Next on our list is the NIGHTFORCE SHV 5-20x56mm scope. It is designed for the highest versatility across a multitude of shooting disciplines.
Whether you use your AR-10 for pursuing big game, competitive shooting, or varmint hunting, this SHV scope is designed for you. It is rugged enough to take in any abuse and be tough and reliable in matters that big calibers won’t bother it.
Another impressive feature of the scope is its optical finesse. It provides outstanding clarity, brightness, and color contrast in any lighting environment. Furthermore, it performs admirably well at varying ranges thanks to the vast and variable 5-20x magnification power.
The scope also boasts a solid construction that maximizes durability and a perfect eye relief that aids in rapid target acquisition. Above all, it has a lightweight design to scatter this firearm’s recoil and enhance maneuverability in the field.
Features
- 30mm body tube diameter
- 5-20x variable magnification
- Solid construction
- Adjustable parallax
- ZeroSet technology
- Second focal plane reticle
- Large 56mm aperture
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Precision, accuracy, and dependability all in one scope
- Outstanding image brightness and clarity
- Multiple reticle options
Cons
- None
5) NIGHTFORCE NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Scope
Last but not least, we have the NIGHTFORCE NX8 4-32x50mm F1 Scope. This NX8 scope is designed with multiple reticle designs to meet the demanding needs of shooters and hunters across the globe.
The scope employs ED glass elements that deliver superior optical clarity and color accuracy. The lenses are optically indexed to yield maximum optical performance, and they also feature broadband multi-coating, which optimizes light transfer for the generation of bright and clear image views.
In terms of construction, the scope is machined from a solid bar of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. It is two to three times thicker than other scopes to shield the optics from impacts and offer better thermal stability.
Furthermore, the scope boasts 1 MOA elevation and windage marking for precise range finding and hold-offs. It also has a mere weight of 29 ounces to enhance mobility and a comfortable 3.5” eye relief that aids quick target acquisition.
Features
- 30mm body tube diameter
- Adjustable parallax from 11 yards to infinity
- First focal plane reticle
- 4-32x variable magnification range
- 1 MOA elevation and windage markings
- Power throw lever
- ZeroStop technology
- Digillum reticle illumination
Pros
- Superior long-range precision
- Comfortable eye relief
- Lightweight design
- Solid construction
- Digillum reticle illumination
Cons
- Big budget
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Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Nightforce Scope for AR-10
Buying a Nightforce scope for your AR-10 is not something to do on a whip. Scopes from this brand are quite costly, so you need to find a product that offers great value for your money.
You should consider the following factors when choosing the best Nightforce scope for AR-10.
Magnification
Magnification, the zoom range, is the most easily understood scope dimension. It plays a huge role in any scope, determining the distance you can place the shot.
Generally, the ideal magnification power depends on the distance you will shoot. You will need a scope with at least 10x magnification for long-range shooting. On the other hand, you will need not more than 10x for shooting at close and medium range.
Reliability
A reliable scope will help make you a better hunter or shooter. However, the reliability of the scope is hard to measure as each scope is created uniquely. With that in mind, three key features make a scope reliable. They are zero retention, repeatability, and tracking.
The Nigthforce scope you get for your AR-10 should maintain zero even in the harshest abuse. For repeatability, it should be able to deliver accurate and instant reticle adjustments easily.
Lastly, the scope should have quality turrets that track well.
Clarity
Whether your use the scope for hunting or shooting in the range, it should offer clear views of the target no matter the lighting condition. The scope should have high-quality glass and good lens coatings to match to achieve the best image clarity.
The better the glass quality is, the higher the resolution and color accuracy the scope will present. Additionally, a scope with multi-coated lenses will drastically reduce light reflection, enhance light transfer and shield the lens from scratches.
Reticle
When looking for the best Nightforce scope for AR-10, it is important that you choose a model that comes with a user-friendly reticle. A reticle that is easy to use will help you achieve the most from this long-range rifle.
Another thing you should consider is the reticle’s position. It can either be on the first or second focal plane. A first focal plane reticle changes in size as you change the magnification. A scope with an FFP reticle will help you range targets accurately and ensure that you make precise windage and elevation adjustments.
On the other hand, a second focal plane reticle stays a constant size at every zoom. The benefit of using this reticle is that it stays accurate even in the lowest magnification setting.
Weight
The next thing you should consider is the weight of the scope. Go for a light scope that weighs only 2 pounds if you use it for hunting. Hunting requires you to move from one location to the other, and any bulky equipment will weigh you down.
However, if you use the scope for range shooting at a stationary point, you don’t have to worry much about how heavy it weighs.
Eye Relief
Lastly, consider how accommodating the eye relief of the scope is. The longer, the better. It will aid in rapid target acquisition, keep your eye safe from the recoiling rifle, and ensure you can shoot comfortably from any position.
FAQs on the Best Nightforce Scope for AR-10
1) How much magnification do you need for long-range shooting?
Depending on the shooting application and your caliber, a good quality scope with more than 10x magnification will be ideal. The broader the magnification is, the more flexible the scope becomes for nearly any long-range shooting application.
2) How good are Nightforce rifle scopes?
Overall, Nightforce scopes are unbeatable for their excellent long-range precision. They are built with high-end optics and many other features to guarantee unmatched performance in various shooting scenarios.
3) Where are Nightforce scopes made?
All Nightforce scopes are made in the USA. The factory headquarters is based in Orofino, Idaho.
Final Thoughts
The best Nightforce scope for AR-10 will chiefly depend on the shooting application you will use it for and your preference. Each scope listed above is unique in its own way, but they all offer the essential feature you need for your AR-10. No matter the model you choose, we hope this guide has helped point you in the right direction.
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