Introduction
Nightforce Optics is a US-based sports optics manufacturer that is widely known in North America and Europe for its premium-quality riflescopes designed for various applications, especially armed forces, law enforcement agencies, tactical shooting, hunting, competition sports shooting, and benchrest shooting. In addition to riflescopes, the brand also offers spotting scopes, apparel, and accessories related to sports optics.
The company is owned and operated by Lightforce Performance Lighting, which is a manufacturer of speciality lighting products based in the city of Hindmarsh, in South Australia, Australia. The factory headquarters of Nightforce Optics is located in Orofino, Idaho, where all of their riflescopes are produced. The company has an additional office in Lavonia, Georgia which houses marketing, sales, and distribution departments for the North American market.
Source: CS Tactical
History
The company was established in 1992 as a manufacturer of high-quality riflescopes for the North American market. The idea behind the company was born as a revelation when Ray Dennis, the founder of Australia-based Lightforce Performance Lighting, established a subsidiary of his business in Seattle, Washington for promoting and distributing Lightforce products, primarily spotlights and flashlights, for nocturnal hunting and spotlighting.
Unlike Australia, his lighting products were not well received in the US since Americans were still experimenting with night hunting at the time. To his surprise, the response to riflescopes was well, even though he initially thought it would be difficult to please the customers, considering the number of sports optics manufacturers in the country. Their first riflescopes were manufactured in Japan, but the production was shifted to the US as demand for riflescopes in the region grew. The US-based subsidiary was renamed Nightforce in the early 1990s following a confrontation with a California-based manufacturer of lighting products called Lightforce. In 1998, Nightforce operations were shifted from Seattle, Washington to Orofino, Idaho, where it remains headquartered.
Following the release of NXS™ series riflescopes, Nightforce aimed to gain contracts from high-profile groups, particularly US armed forces. After participating in several bidding wars for military contracts in the early 2000s, the company finally received a $25.8 million contract for sniper-grade riflescopes for multiple branches of the US armed forces. This contract served as a major development boost for the company, which has since produced a series of high-quality products for multiple applications, including hunting and competitive tactical sports.
Nightforce riflescope
Production Facilities
Nightforce riflescopes are manufactured at the following location:
Orofino, Idaho, United States
The very first Nightforce riflescopes were manufactured in Japan according to the requirements set by the founder of the company. When these scopes gained a substantial following in the states, a R&D facility in Orofino, Idaho was established in 1998 to accommodate the increasing demand for Nightforce riflescopes. Nightforce produces some of the best and durable riflescopes in the world. Since a considerable amount of engineering goes into the manufacturing of high-performance scopes, the Orofino facility houses state-of-the-art testing equipment that is operated with highly experienced personnel.
Contemporary riflescopes can contain up to 100 components, and the intrinsic quality of each part dictates the quality, performance, and repeatable accuracy of the entire product. Since metallic components are constantly in contact with each other, they require precise machining methods and top-quality raw material for a smooth operation even after years of rough use. At Nightforce Optics, the main tube of riflescopes is machined out of a solid bar stock of AA 6061-T6 Aluminum alloy material. The aircraft-grade raw material is known for its resistance to external damage and its lightweight nature.
Nightforce riflescope
The screws that are used to control elevation and windage adjustments are made of a wear-resistant proprietary alloy to ensure repeatability over the years. Extremely fine screw threads are cut using sophisticated CNC machinery to meet precise design tolerances. Like most US sports optics brands, Nightforce does not manufacture its glass. Instead, the lenses are procured from Japan where Nightforce Optics has partnered with a Japanese glass manufacturer for all riflescope models. Manufactured parts are individually checked at every stage and any non-conforming parts are removed from the lot immediately.
The riflescopes are hand-assembled by skilled workers who assemble riflescopes in an atmosphere-controlled environment. The optical elements and metal parts are bonded using a proprietary bonding agent that minimizes glass-to-metal contact, even in extreme climatic conditions. The assembly process is followed by Nitrogen-purging, which flushes out moisture and dirt particles from the optical housing. The housing is filled with pressurized Nitrogen gas which prevents outside moisture from entering and high-quality O-rings are used to waterproof the housing.
Assembled riflescopes are again subjected to a series of inspection procedures, which includes tests for shock, vibration, gas leakage, water resistance, and extreme temperatures. If any defect is identified at this stage, the scope is sent back for problem rectification.
Series Origin
Nightforce Optics currently offers the following riflescope models:
Made in Japan
ATACR™ Riflescopes
The Nightforce ATACR™, short for Advanced Tactical Riflescope™, is a series of military-grade riflescopes that are designed for high-profile applications, particularly military, law enforcement units, and related tactical activities. The ATACR™ scopes are made from top-quality raw materials to deliver a reliable experience, repeatable accuracy, and extraordinary optical performance. Designed for professionals, the scope is used and trusted by countless individuals in various branches of armed forces of the United States and other nations around the globe.
The characteristic feature of the series is Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lenses that promise images of unprecedented quality, brilliant contrast levels, and high colour accuracy even in the most demanding real-world situations. While the series is priced at the upper price range of premium scopes, the money spent on Nightforce ATACR™ is like an investment that you will cherish in decades to come. Primary features of the series include fully multi-coated optical elements, elevation/windage adjustment, Digillum illuminated reticle, a one-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled waterproofing with O-ring seals.
The ATACR™ series is available in the following configurations, all of which are rated for use with .50 BMG rifles:
ATACR™ 1-8x24 F1
The ATACR™ 1-8x24 F1 is a high-grade riflescope that has been designed to engage close to medium-range targets in combat situations. The scope has been chosen for the Squad-Variable Power Scope (S-VPS) contract with USSOCOM due to its razor-sharp accuracy and feather-like weight. Sporting a true 1X magnification and daylight-visible reticle illumination, the scope doubles as a red dot sight, but is far more lethal. Other specifications include 1-8X magnification range, 24 mm objective, 8X optical zoom, a field of view of 32.0-4.4 m/100 m, 95 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 11.3-3.2 mm, parallax fixed at 125 m, capped elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 30/30 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. This variant comes with the FC-DMX™ reticle in the first focal plane.
ATACR™ 4-16x42 F1
Purpose-built for AR-15 based semi-automatic rifles, the ATACR™ 4-16x42 F1 riflescope is perfect for rapid target engagement in medium to long-range distances. The scope is popular among civilian shooters and armed forces alike, thanks to high optical performance despite a compact construction and
comparatively lightweight. Features include 4-16X magnification range, 42 mm objective, a field of view of 26.9-6.9 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 10.3-2.7 mm, parallax adjustable from 45 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroHold™, elevation/windage adjustment of 26/18 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. Available FFP reticle options include MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-R™, MIL-XT™, H-59™, and TREMOR3™.
ATACR™ 4-16x50 F1/F2
The ATACR™ 4-16x50 delivers exceptional optical performance in all lighting conditions, the credit for which goes to fully multi-coated 50 mm objective lens made of Extra-low Dispersion glass. The tactical scope is frequently selected by law enforcement professionals and stubborn hunters since it promises to enhance rapid target acquisition at lower magnification thanks to a consistent reticle size. The main features of this scope are 4-16X magnification range, 50 mm objective, a field of view of 9.0-2.3 m/100 m, 89 mm inches eye relief, the exit pupil of 9.5-3.2 mm, parallax adjustable from 45 yards to infinity, tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 30/1623 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. This variant comes with MOAR™ and MIL-R™ reticles in the second focal plane.
ATACR™ 4-20x50 F1
Released in 2021, the ATACR™ 4-20x50 F1 is the newest addition to the ATACR™ line of riflescopes. Despite sporting a 50 mm ED objective lens and 5X optical zoom, the optic features a compact design and attaches perfectly with bolt-action or semi-automatic rifles, leaving plenty of space for other attachments. The main specifications of this scope are 4-20X magnification range, Extra-low Dispersion glass lenses, a field of view of 7.9-2.0 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 8.3-2.5 mm, parallax adjustable from 11 yards to infinity, tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 38/29 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. Available FFP reticle options include MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-XT™, and TREMOR3™ on the first focal plane.
ATACR™ 5-25x56 F1
Equipped with a massive 35 MARD elevation, the ATACR™ 5-25x56 F1 is a strictly long-range riflescope that is designed to take on tactical targets at distances over 1000 m without breaking a sweat. Regardless of the magnification level, the 56 mm ED objective produces images with exceptional brightness and vivid colours in all lighting conditions. Other specifications of the scope are 5-25X magnification range, 5X optical zoom, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 6.2-1.6 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, 8.3-2.3 mm exit pupil, parallax adjustable from 45 yards to infinity, tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 35/24 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. Available FFP reticle options include MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-R™, MIL-XT™, H-59™, and TREMOR3™.
ATACR™ 5-25x56 SFP Enhanced
The ATACR™ 5-25x56 SFP Enhanced is an ultimate long-range optic for shooters who prefer second focal plane reticles due to its consistent size throughout the magnification range. The scope is well-suited for a range of shooting applications, especially target shooting sports, low-light hunting, mountain hunting, and long-range hunting. The main specifications of this scope are 5-25X magnification range, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 6.2-1.6 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, 10.5-2.2 mm exit pupil, parallax adjustable from 45 yards to infinity, tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 35/17 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. Available reticle options include MOAR™, MOAR-T™, and MIL-R™ in the second focal plane.
ATACR™ 7-35x56 F1/F2
Available in either First or Second Focal plane reticles, the ATACR™ 7-35x56 F1/F2 is a versatile riflescope that is designed to take on long-distance targets over and beyond the 1000-m range. Featuring up to 29 MRAD elevation travel, the scope is ideal for use with a range of rifle platforms, including rimfire, air rifles, and strictly long-range rifles. Some features of the optic are 7-35X magnification range, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 5.0-1.1 m/100 m, 91 mm eye relief (FFP), 89 mm eye relief (SFP), the exit pupil of 6.0-1.6 mm, parallax adjustable from 11 yards to infinity, tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 29/17 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 34 mm main tube. Reticle options for the First focal plane variant are MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-R™, MIL-XT™, H-59™, and TREMOR3™. The Second focal plane model is available with either MOAR-T™ or MIL-C™ reticles.
B.E.A.S.T. Riflescopes
The B.E.A.S.T., an acronym for Best Example of Advanced Scope Technology, is the literal definition of the high-performance riflescope that is built to offer tremendous capability that no scope from other brands seems to accomplish. The high-magnification variable power riflescope is designed to perform in critical situations which may require identifying targets and distinguishing threats from innocent non-combatants at a variety of distances. While a higher magnification is sufficient for most long-range shooting scenarios, the actual challenge in real-world combat situations is to separate a threat from an innocent bystander.
To accomplish this feat, the B.E.A.S.T. was invented through bi-national teamwork between the US and German engineering professionals, who conspired to achieve an unprecedented level of image resolution and optical clarity. Through the use of high-quality lenses and premium lens coatings, the scope promises to deliver up to 90%+ light transmission in all lighting conditions. Primary features of the series include compact construction, fully multi-coated optical elements, elevation/windage controls with XtremeSpeed™ adjustments, and ZeroStop®, a single-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled waterproofing with O-ring seals. Additionally, the series features Nightforce DigIllum™ digital illuminated reticle technology that works in all lighting and weather conditions.
The B.E.A.S.T line-up is currently offered in the 5-25x56 F1 configuration only.
B.E.A.S.T. 5-25x56 F1
The B.E.A.S.T. 5-25x56 F1 is not your ordinary long-range riflescope. The military-grade scope is designed to engage hostile targets in extreme combat situations when a mistake could cost a life in the real world. Key features of the device are 90%+ light transmission, 5-25X magnification range, razor-sharp clarity, outstanding colour accuracy, and superb brightness. Specifications include 56 mm objective, a field of view of 6.2-1.6 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 8.3-2.3 mm, parallax adjustable from 45 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 35/23 MRAD, 0.2 MRAD elevation click, 0.1 MRAD windage click, and 34 mm main tube. Reticle options include MOAR™, MIL-R™, MIL-C™, MIL-XT™, H-59™, and TREMOR 3™.
NX8™ Riflescopes
The NX8 is the latest addition to the Nightforce line of riflescopes, which is purpose-built to deliver brilliant optical performance throughout its 8X optical zoom. Evolved from the NXS™ series, which has been popular with the US military, professional hunters, and sports competitive shooters around the globe, the NX8 scopes are designed to offer razor-sharp precision, high colour accuracy, and matchless optical performance.
Primary features of the series are Extra-low Dispersion glass lenses with full multi-coating, 8X optical zoom, elevation/windage adjustment with ZeroStop, Nightforce DigIllum™ digital illuminated reticle technology, a single-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled fog-proof/waterproof.
The following variants of the NX8™ series are currently offered by Nightforce Optics:
NX8™ 1-8x24 F1
The NX8™ 1-8x24 F1 is a short-range riflescope that packs a ton of features in a compact construction. Ideal for use with a carbine and other lightweight rifles, the scope offers a true 1X optical zoom along with a daylight-visible illuminated reticle for quick target acquisition in all lighting conditions. In addition, the optic can also double as an efficient red dot sight, allowing the shooter to carry one less item in demanding situations. The main specifications of this scope are 1-8X magnification range, 24 mm objective, a field of view of 35.3-4.4 m/100 m, 95 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 7.9-3.0 mm, fixed parallax at 125 m, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 30/30 MRAD with a 0.2 MRAD click, and a 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with FC-MOA™ and FC-MIL™ reticles in the first focal plane.
NX8™ 2.5-20x50 F1/F2
Available in both first and second focal plane options, the NX8™ 2.5-20x50 is a multi-purpose riflescope that is well-suited for a range of shooting applications, particularly medium to long-range hunting and tactical shooting. The riflescope features a large 50 mm objective, which combines with a range of illuminated reticles to deliver excellent low-light performance. Specs include 2.5-20X magnification range, a field of view of 12.2-2.0 m/100 m, 88 mm eye relief, 7.1-2.5 mm exit pupil (FFP), 5.9-2.5 mm exit pupil (SFP), parallax adjustable from 11 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 32/23 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 30 mm main tube. Reticle options for the First focal plane variant are MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-XT™, and TREMOR3™. The Second focal plane model is available with either MOAR-CF2™ or MIL-CF2™ reticles.
NX8™ 4-32x50 F1/F2
The NX8™ 4-32x50 F1/F2 is a strictly long-range scope that features an impressive 4-32X magnification range for engaging targets over and beyond the 1000-m distance without breaking a sweat. Available in first and second focal plane reticle designs, the 4-32x50 variant of the NX8™ family is built-ready for virtually any shooting scenario. Specifications of this optic are 4-32X magnification range, 50 mm objective, a field of view of 8.7-1.5 m/100 m, 88 mm eye relief, 7.3-1.6 mm exit pupil (FFP), 6.7-1.6 mm exit pupil (SFP), parallax adjustable from 11 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 32/23 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 30 mm main tube. Reticle options for the First focal plane variant are MOAR™, MIL-C™, MIL-XT™, and TREMOR3™. The Second focal plane model is available with either MOAR-CF2D™ or MIL-CF2D™ reticles.
SHV™ Riflescopes
The SHV™ series is a line of high-performance riflescopes that are designed to offer incredible capability in a wide range of shooting applications. Apparent from its name, Shooter, Hunter, Varminter, the SHV™ line-up is perfect for target shooting, varmint hunting, and stalking. The series is available in four exciting optical configurations, which allow you to engage targets at a variety of distances from close-range to medium and long-range.
Designed for shooters who are not looking for premium features of the flagship NX8™ and ATACR™ series, the SHV™ scopes offer unbeatable optical performance and extraordinary built quality at budget-oriented pricing that only a few other brands can manage. The main features of the series are fully multi-coated optics, elevation/windage adjustment, daylight visible illumination, side parallax adjustment, a single-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled fog-proof/waterproof.
The SHV™ series is available in four optical configurations: 3-10x42, 4-14x50, 4-14x56, and 5-20x56:
SHV™ 3-10x42
The SHV™ 3-10x42 is a close to medium-range riflescope that is designed to deliver consistent optical performance in a variety of hunting situations, especially big-game hunting, varminting, and stand hunting. Sporting a compact construction, this scope is an ideal choice for rimfire, lever-action, or other lightweight rifles. Some features of the scope are 3-10X magnification range, 3X optical zoom, 42 mm objective, a field of view of 11.6-3.7 m/100 m, 88 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 10.7-4.4 mm, fixed parallax at 125 yards, capped elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 90/80 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. This scope comes with three SFP reticle options: MOAR™, Forceplex™ (North America), and 4A (International).
SHV™ 4-14x50 F1
The SHV™ 4-14x50 F1 is a versatile riflescope that is aimed at medium to long-range hunters and tactical shooters. Fully multi-coated 50 mm objective, a perfect field of view, reticle illumination, and first focal plane reticle are some of the highlights of this scope. Other features include 4-14X magnification range, a field of view of 8.4-2.5 m/100 m, 80 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 10.8-3.3 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, exposed tactical-type elevation turret with ZeroSet™ technology, elevation/windage adjustment of 27/19 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 30 mm main tube. Reticle options include MOAR™ and MIL-R™.
SHV™ 4-14x56
Ideal for use in poor lighting conditions, the SHV™ 4-14x56 is a multi-purpose riflescope that is well-suited for medium to long-range tactical shooting and hunting applications, such as low-light hunting, stalking, and long-range hunting. The main specifications of this scope are 4-14X magnification range, 3.5X optical zoom, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 35.3-7.0 m/100 m, 92 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 12.0-3.6 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, capped elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 90/70 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. This scope comes with two SFP reticle options: MOAR™ and 4A (International only).
SHV™ 5-20x56
The SHV™ 5-20x56 is an excellent long-range riflescope that is tailor-made for hard-core hunters and tactical shooters. Despite a reasonable price, the scope promises to deliver bright images with vivid details and accurate colours throughout the magnification range. Main specs are 5-20X magnification range, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 6.0-1.7 m/100 m, 90 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 8.7-2.5 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, tactical elevation turret with ZeroSet™, elevation/windage adjustment of 80/50 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. The scope offers three SFP reticle options: MOAR™, Forceplex™ (North America), and 4A (International).
NXS™ Riflescopes
For more than 20 years, the NXS™ series from Nightforce Optics has remained popular with the US armed forces, professional hunters, and sports competitive shooters around the globe for their unbeatable optical performance, reliability, and repeatability. Over the years, the scopes have continued to perform immaculately in the most ruthless and demanding situations on the planet, the reason for which is the standards of manufacturing that surpass virtually every other rifle scope available in the market today.
The philosophy of no compromise behind the product design of the NXS™ line-up has been the foundation for other premium riflescopes from Nightforce, namely the ATACR™ and NX8™. Each riflescope is subjected to a series of merciless tests, including impact testing, which would otherwise destroy a conventional scope. Some of the features of this series are 4X optical zoom, fully multi-coated optics, elevation/windage adjustment, DigIllum™ daylight visible reticle illumination, a single-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled fog-proof/waterproof.
The NXS™ series is available in the following variants:
NXS™ 2.5-10x42 Compact
The NXS™ 2.5-10x42 Compact, as its name implies, is a compact-yet-rugged riflescope that is perfect for tactical shooting and big-game hunting at short to medium-range distances. Given its lightweight construction, the scope pairs perfectly with lightweight mountain rifles and precision-focused AR-15/AR-10 platforms rifles. Some of its features are 2.5-10X magnification range, 42 mm objective, a field of view of 14.7-3.7 m/100 m, 85 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 15.5-4.4 mm, parallax correction from 25 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 29/29 MRAD with a 0.1 MRAD click, and a 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with MOAR™ and MIL-R™ reticles in the second focal plane.
NXS™ 3.5-15x50
Designed for relentless tactical shooters and demanding hunters, the NXS™ 3.5-15x50 is the perfect example of a multipurpose riflescope that works perfectly with a range of rifle platforms. NXS™ scopes are known for their virtually indestructible construction and the 3.5-15x50 variant is no exception. The main specifications of this optic are 3-15X magnification range, 50 mm objective, a field of view of 9.2-2.4 m/100 m, 99 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 14.3-3.6 mm, adjustable parallax from 50 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 110/80 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with the MOAR™ reticle in the second focal plane.
NXS™ 5.5-22x50/56
The NXS™ 5.5-22x50/56 is a combat-ready riflescope that has remained popular among long-range tactical shooters and sportsmen throughout the US and Australia. Available in 50 mm or 56 mm objective designs, the scope offers 100 MOA of elevation adjustment, which is plenty for targets over and beyond 1000 meters. Primary specs are 5.5-22X magnification range, 50/56 mm objective, a field of view of 5.8-1.6 m/100 m, 95 mm eye relief (50 mm objective), 99 mm eye relief (56 mm objective), the exit pupil of 9.1-2.3 mm (50 mm objective), 10.2-2.5 mm exit pupil (56 mm objective), parallax adjustable from 50 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 100/60 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. Available reticle options are MOAR™ and MOAR-T™.
NXS™ 8-32x56
The NXS™ 8-32x56 offers a whopping 32X magnification that is paired with a 56 mm objective to deliver optical clarity with accurate colours at extremely long-range distances. The optic is ideal for competition shooters who frequently participate in target shooting competitions where precision and accuracy at higher magnifications help win trophies. The main specifications of this scope are 8-32X magnification range, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 4.0-1.0 m/100 m, 98 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 7.0-1.8 mm, parallax adjustable from 50 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 65/45 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. Available reticle options are MOAR™ and MOAR-T™ in the second focal plane.
Competition™ Riflescopes
The Competition riflescope series from Nightforce Optics is engineered to surpass expectations in competitive shooting sports. Designed to be extremely lightweight yet durable, these scopes promise excellent precision and persistent accuracy in medium to long-range target shooting. The scopes are particularly popular among the F-Class rifle teams of the United States, Australia, and South Africa, mainly because of their excellent image quality and long-term repeatability.
The series is available in two configurations, both of which are non-illuminated since most target shooting sports are organized during the day when there is plenty of sunlight. Other features of the scope are second focal plane reticle, target-type turrets, tactical turrets (SR Fixed 4.5x24 only), fully multi-coated optics, elevation/windage adjustment, 30 mm one-piece tube made of aircraft-grade Aluminum, and Nitrogen-filled fog-proof/waterproof design.
Competition riflescopes are currently offered in the following two configurations:
Competition™ 15-55x52
The Competition™ 15-55x52 is a strictly long-range riflescope that is best suited for target shooting competitions, especially F-Class and Precision Rifle Series competitions. Unlike other competition scopes, this variant offers exceptional image quality and accurate details at higher magnifications, which is the reason behind its popularity throughout North America and Australia. Primary specifications of this scope are 15-55X magnification range, 52 mm objective, a field of view of 2.3-0.6 m/100 m, 81 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 3.5-0.9 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 55/50 MOA with a 0.125 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. Reticle options include CTR-2™, CTR-2™, DDR-2™, and FCR-1™.
Competition™ SR Fixed 4.5x24
The Competition™ SR Fixed 4.5x24 is a short-range riflescope that is purpose-built for service rifle matches. Fitted with a fixed 4.5X magnification optical system, the optic has been used to set consistent records in High Power and President’s 100 competitions over the years. Features include 24 mm objective, a field of view of 7.7 m/100 m, 95 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 5.3 mm, fixed parallax at 200 yards, tactical-style elevation turret with ZeroStop®, elevation/windage adjustment of 100/100 MOA with a 0.250 MOA click, and a compact 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with the SR-2™ reticle in the second focal plane.
Benchrest Riflescopes
As its name suggests, the riflescopes in this series are made to excel in extremely long-range target shooting sports, such as Benchrest shooting and F-Class competitions. Since target shooting involves engaging distant targets, a thin reticle is usually preferred by expert shooters. The Benchrest riflescopes feature an extremely thin reticle design that barely obstructs the target, allowing shooters to take precise shots consistently. In addition, the reticle is placed on the second focal plane, which means its size remains constant irrespective of the magnification.
For over 25 years, Nightforce scopes have been participating in nearly all long-range target shooting events since their first unveiling in 1992, winning most of them. Why? Because the Nightforce brand understands the difference between winning a competition and missing it by one wrong shot, which is why it puts its absolute best in every single scope it ships. Some of the features of this series are second focal plane reticle, target-type turrets, tactical turrets (SR Fixed 4.5x24 only), fully multi-coated optics, elevation/windage adjustment, 30 mm one-piece tube made of Aluminum alloy, and Nitrogen-filled fog-proof/waterproof construction.
The following variants of Benchrest riflescopes are currently offered:
Precision Benchrest 8-32x56
The Precision Benchrest 8-32x56 has remained the go-to riflescope among competitive target shooters for a long time. Perfect for Short Range Benchrest and Silhouette shooting, the scope is packed with a series of high-tech features that are geared to help you win Benchrest competitions with ease. Equipped with high-definition optics, the 8-32x56 offers excellent image quality and brightness in all lighting conditions. The main specifications of this scope are 8-32X magnification, 4X zoom, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 3.1-1.0 m/100 m, 75 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 5.6-1.7 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, capped elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 50/50 MOA with a 0.125 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with the NP-R2™ reticle in the second focal plane.
Precision Benchrest 12-42x56
Gone are the days when brands only focused on increasing the magnification of target scopes. At present, special emphasis is placed on factors, such as image quality, optical clarity, and colour accuracy, which are maximized by using high-quality lenses with full multi-coatings. The same is the case with Precision Benchrest 12-42x56 from Nightforce, which is popular for Long Range Benchrest and F-Class shooting, thanks to a maximum magnification of 42X. Other features are 12-42X magnification range, 56 mm objective, a field of view of 2.2-0.8 m/100 m, 75 mm eye relief, the exit pupil of 4.0-1.4 mm, parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, capped elevation turret, elevation/windage adjustment of 40/40 MOA with a 0.125 MOA click, and a 30 mm main tube. This variant comes with two reticle options: NP-R2™ and NP-2DD™.
Conclusion
Nightforce Optics is a US-based brand of sports optics that is owned by an Australian-based company called Lightforce Performance Lighting. The brand offers a range of riflescopes for various applications, which are its primary product. Other items on the product line include spotting scopes, apparel, and related accessories. The scopes are manufactured in Japan.
In addition to the Idaho, Nightforce Optics has a series of offices around the world that take care of regional sales and distributions of Nightforce and Lightforce products. Despite being young in the sports optics industry compared to other established brands like Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski, the brand has gained a large customer following in a short span thanks to excellent features, hi-tech manufacturing standards, unforgiving inspection procedures, and eye-catching warranty durations. Nightforce riflescopes have been popular among the US armed forces, law enforcement agencies, sportsmen, and demanding hunters.
If you are in the market for high-performance riflescopes, Nightforce offers riflescopes for every occasion, be it hunting, target shooting, or tactical shooting.
