Nightforce 12-42x56 need advice

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy

OK, so I got this scope for a great deal. It came off a .50 BMG that had only been fired a handful of times.

Personally, I probably wouldn't spend the kind of cheese that one of these costs new, and talked with a buddy about it and he said "well, if you wouldn't buy another one, then don't sell this one"

Thing is, I think it's just too much scope for my needs. I have an FN FNAR and an Armalite AR-10 (which I'm wanting to sell) both chambered in 7.62 NATO.

I thought about keeping it around just in case, or to use at the range as a spotting scope (on a tripod of course), but if it's not the right scope for my needs, maybe I should sell it and reinvest in some optics I can use. I really do not see myself ponying up the kind of dough it costs to shoot big guns (338, 416, BMG) at extreme ranges.

The FNAR I will likely also use for deer hunting, but I also want to learn how to test the range of that rifle, 600 yd+? So, defense and hunting, with target shooting 3rd, will be primary uses.

I have a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 BDC that came with the FN - I haven't even shot it at the range yet. Guy I bought it from told me that he could hit targets at army base range with "good grouping" to 550 yds with little problem

SO

Am I right that the Nightforce is really too powerful for the ranges I'll be shooting with 7.62 NATO?

Is it useful at all as a spotting/recon scope?

Is this Nikon any good? What is the maximum visual range for 9X?

What is a used Nightforce like this worth?

Thanks. I'm not new to guns, but I'm just settling in after a cross-country move, haven't found a long distance range yet (the one I found is only 200yd) and just don't have any current experience with high magnification optics or the ballistics of the 7.62 NATO.

Thanks

[Jeff213]

You can shoot 1000 yards with iron sights. I personally think that 12-42 is too powerful for anything but competition. I would sell it if it were me, but some people will disagree with me.

2-7 or 3-9 scopes are great out to 500 yards and beyond as long as you are not trying to hit squirrels. If you can see it, you can shoot it.

[Forewarned]

Why don't you try it first to see if you like it. Then make your decision.

[JMP]

It's really for competition target shooting. The magnification is too high for tactical/practical situations. I'd definitely want a scope that goes much lower than 12x on a .308.

[Click Boom]

Why don't you try it first to see if you like it. Then make your decision.

Yeah, might as well see what 42x looks like haha.

[Colonel Monk]

I looked up a few on ebay just to gauge used market, there are several like mine that have sold from $1100 or more.

Yeah, the 12X is over the top, let alone the 42X. Probably I'd have sold it sooner if I had looked into this.

I've seen a rough rule of thumb of 1X for each 100 yards... I think there are some caveats involved with that rule - it's cool to have more than you need, but I can barely look thru this scope on 12x braced against a tree - movement is way magnified, and not much field of view.

Pretty expensive spotting scope for the range too.

So, does anyone have some good recommendations for:

Scope for FNAR 308
Scopes for AR in 556
Spotting scopes

If I don't keep the Nikon 308 BDC that I have, I might include it with my AR10 to sweeten the deal. I got it in a trade deal. But, if it's a good scope maybe I'll keep it for FNAR.

Thanks

[JMP]

For ARs, I personally like the 1-6x and 1-8x scopes. You get good magnification, and it still keeps the rifle light weight and usable at all the real effective ranges, including up close with the 1x.

I am sure that the PA 4-14 ACSS or PA 1-6 ACSS will come at the highest recommendation by posters here, so I'll just mention them in advance.

[texterter]

S&B 1-4x24

[CSACANNONEER]

Shoot me the specifics on your scope. I might be interested in trading a 5.5-22x NXS or an 8-32x NXS for it or even buying it outright. Is it a BR or NXS? MOA/MOA? Mil/Mil? Reticle?

[NoHeavyHitter]

I have the 5.5-22x56 NXS on my .308 precision rifle and it's more than enough. With that much magnification, you're going to have a lousy (very tight) field of view and lots of mirage to contend with.

[Gunsrruss]

5.5 X 22 X 56 Trade

Take this, your present scope is to powerful for your needs. You will be so unhappy with it. I have the 5.5X22X56 on my Remington 700 and M1A and it's the best

[FourT6and2]

You can shoot 1000 yards with iron sights.

Can you see 3,000 feet? I don't think I can. That's 10 football fields...

[CSACANNONEER]

Can you see 3,000 feet? I don't think I can. That's 10 football fields...

You would be surprised.

[FourT6and2]

You would be surprised.

With the naked eye? No spotting scope? We talking a normal rifle target with like a 4" bullseye? Or like a giant metal gong? He'll I don't think I could see a normal dinner plate at 3000 feet let alone a bullseye. I see this 1000 yard claim with irons and the naked eye a lot. But I find it hard to swallow. I've seen some videos where people do it. But they have their rifles set up prior to rolling the camera and a spotting scope. To me that's no different than using a scope.

[CSACANNONEER]

With the naked eye? No spotting scope? We talking a normal rifle target with like a 4" bullseye? Or like a giant metal gong? He'll I don't think I could see a normal dinner plate at 3000 feet let alone a bullseye. I see this 1000 yard claim with irons and the naked eye a lot. But I find it hard to swallow. I've seen some videos where people do it. But they have their rifles set up prior to rolling the camera and a spotting scope. To me that's no different than using a scope.

If you use a peep sight, things tend to clear up a lot. Typical 1000 yard targets are 6 feet by 6 feet with either a 24" or 36" "black". Top shooter can keep all their shots in the nine and ten ring with irons. If you just can't conceive of this, go to a match sometime and see for yourself.