Recently I had an experience that surprised me a lot. I was shooting my 10/22 heavy barreled target model with some work done to it at 100yds. That rifle is scoped with a Leupold Vari-X III “Tactical” 4.5-14x40 AO with target turrets and a fine duplex reticle.
On my AR I have a Nightforce NX8 FC-Mil Capped 1-8 (the LEO model).
I could see .22 holes in the 100yd paper targets more clearly with the NX8 on 8X and only a 24mm obj than I could the Leupold on 14X with a 40mm objective. I did have the AO set correctly to correct parallax at 100yds.
I’ve heard folks complain about NX8 glass quality, but always heard the Leupold well regarded; even the older Vari-X III’s.
Any glass guys care to offer insight or opinions? What would you run on a 10/22 for precision shooting 25-200yds? The NX8 2.5-20 is looking real friendly. Then again, that may be getting a little ridiculous.
Current State:
Some 50yd groups to show what the rifle's capable of: