So the eventual set-up will be a Springfield Loaded M1A in a McMillian M3A Stock with a rear lug installed and property bedded be an M1A Smith into the stock.
I currently have a Sadlak Airborne mount on the rifle and it is in the Springfield Polymer Stock for now.
I'm struggling between the ....
Nightforce F1 3.5-15x50 at 31oz
Do I need 15x with this platform after the M3A install and unitizing of the gas cylinder how accurate will the gun be??
or
the
Nightforce Compact 2.5-10x32 at 20oz
Low Light gathering ability (Hunting) of the 32mm scope?
I'm trying to keep the weight of the rifle as low as possible as I'm planning on a duel roll of Deer Hunting with the longest shot being 350 yards.
And I would like to use the rifle in a few Precision Tactical Matching hitting movers at 300 and 600 yards for the fast follow-up shots.
Any recommendations from the M14 / M1A guys would greatly be appreciated as I'm new to the platform and mostly use Precision Bolt Action Rifles and Plastic Guns......
That would be my choice and as a matter of fact I have one sitting on a rifle and it is flawless. My only regret is that it is SFP instead of FFP. But I only got hurt with movers under 100 yds
If you are worried about weight the mcmillan is not for you. Great on the target range but a pig everywhere else. The boyds walnut stock your loaded comes in is a fine candidate for a bedding job and weighs less too. However it is not as comfortable on the range. There is no free lunch with these rifles unfortunately.
After bedding and unitizing expect about 1.5MOA accuracy when you do your part. If you go out and shoot say 4-5rd groups it will be a genuine challenge to keep them all that size. Check out the 1.5MOA challenge thread to see what I mean.
The 2.5-10x42 nightforce is the one you are looking for. It is about the same weight as the x32MM model but has 2 color illumination and a side parallax focus. Call up europtic or sportoptics, tell them you heard about them on sniper's hide and ask about that model.
That's the one I have been eye ballin. Looks to be about 1,700 with the zero stop. I've got to sell my body a few hundred more times to collect enough... Hopefully before I get too much older or I am gonna have to pay out.
I had a 2.5-10X32 and regret selling it for the F1. I'm also not a fan of the X42 as it has a parallax adjustment. I don't think it's needed with a 10X max and I never needed it on my X32. It's just another thing to be worried about.
Thanks so much to all of you for your comments.....
For the price savings I think I'm going to try and find a 2.5-10x32 as the biggest negative in my mind is the low light capability but I have other optics w/ 56mm, objectives that I can use if need be.
Once again I appreciate everyone weighting in......
I have a NF 2.5-10x32mm on my JP LRP-07. It's the rig I run when teaching my Guerilla and Urban Sniper courses. I've used that scope in extremely lowlight conditions with outstanding success, including engaging birthday candles and "itty bitty" chemlights at night.
That setup looks stellar. Just seems right doesn't it. Congrats on a terrific decision. You will not regret the NF.
The main feature I find worth the cost in regards higher end scopes is the reticle. I prefer them to be thin and sharp so its possible to develop handloads using the scope.
Do you really need to spend that much money to shoot good?
When I got my M1A match with a 3 gen mount I put a USED 6 X 18 USA Redfield on it (1980s), 150$ USD. It shot one FAT hole with no fliers using commercial ammo at 100 yds. (the whole mag). It liked UMC FMJ 150gr.
The mount is great if you do not take off/on. If so then expect a 1-3" off , but same diameter group.
What will a Nightforce improve on my old Redfield, that has taken many rounds for many years and shoots great?
These scopes cost more than my Nelson build Springfield M1A match new!!!!
I had a 6-18 denver redfield on my varmint AR for awhile and it was a nice scope. However after using FFP scopes, scopes with target knobs that match the reticule, illumination I will never go back to using a plain jane SFP duplex with coin turrets.
DSDM's theory of Magnification: Put as much on the rifle as you can stand and or afford. You can not hit tiny things in the distance if you cannot see tiny things in the distance.
My next NF is going to be one of their 12x42x56 or 8x32x56 (I got old eyes).
Regardless of wear you fall.....
Second Focal Plane.;First Focal Plane; Matching Reticle with Scope Adjustments or not....
If you invest in good gear you can always get 85%-125% or your money back.
I typically buy used optics on other forums for most on my Non-Hunting Guns...
2 GAP 6mm Creedmoor Comp. Rifles and 1 GAP .308 Do-it-all Rifle all wear Schmidt and Bender PMII's.
(BTW they are one ragged cloverleaf at 200 yards all the time everyday and I'm not that good of a shot trust me).
The AR's and now the M1A typically wear Nightforces as I can't justify higher glass quality on 400 yards and closer platforms.
All bought used off of multiple forums at 60%-70% of the advertised MAPs.
We own our own consulting firm and looking through Survey Equipment for 6 hours a day everyday for the past 15 years from manufactures like Wylde, Trimmble and Zeiss has turned my eyes into an optic junkie.
With our work schedule I really only get to hunt about 2 weeks out of the year and the last thing I'm going to do is hope my optics survive the airline baggage area handing while taking the 2 -3 weekend hunts we go on.
Anyway try selling a 1976 Redfield Wide Field or Tacso 3-9 and see the hit you take on re-sale. As I could move the higher end stuff in less than a week and most of the time turn a profit.
To each his own isn't that what America is all about??....
Six Clicks,
Thanks for your kind words.
I've done the DPMS .308 AR thing and wasn't really happy with the recoil pulse or the ringing in the ear from the huge buffer spring.
So I thought I would try a different platform and with the M3A Stock the vertical grip is going to be a lot like the grips on my Manners 4A and 5A stocks.
It seems like a pretty good project.
One day I think I would like a Scout and or Tanker model in Walnut and just run Iron Sights. But we will see.
I have a question. Once my funds recoup some I plan on getting a nightforce nxs compact 2.5 -10. I will be using my rifle for my deer/hog gun should I go with the x42 ?
I spoke with Nightforce rep. about this he told me the biggest thing the 42mm offers in the digilum illumination having 2 setting for night vision equipment and the parallax adjustment.
Now the low light capability is going to be a little better due to the larger objective but in my reasoning picking up a used unit for $1,000-$1,200 and living with a little less low light performance is better that the $1,900 new 42mm version.
The glass is great in these models and on 2.5-4x the low light ability is better than a Mark IV 40-50mm objective
and on pair with my old Swarovski Z3 3-9x36.
But if I was going with a new unit I think it is only $100-$200 difference or if I had like a Military / LE Discount I probably would go with the 42mm.
It just depends on the available funds.
Call NF they are very helpful.
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