Hokie,

Saw your rifle in the recce pic thread and wanted your opinion on your optic.  I've been trying the 1-4x concept for about a year now with an IOR and I think it's about time to get a better optic.

How do you like that 1-4 NXS?  I mean, are the adjustments mushy or too sharp? Did you get it for the reticle or the glass quality?  How is the illumination in full summer light?  Stuff like that.
I am holding onto a bunch of cash for an NXS, but haven't quite made the commitment... still looking at a newer IOR or a Horus.  

If you could give me your personal pros and cons on your glass I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
tweeter

6.8mm SPC goodness.

Originally Posted By tweeter: Hokie, Saw your rifle in the recce pic thread and wanted your opinion on your optic.  I've been trying the 1-4x concept for about a year now with an IOR and I think it's about time to get a better optic. How do you like that 1-4 NXS?  I mean, are the adjustments mushy or too sharp? Did you get it for the reticle or the glass quality?  How is the illumination in full summer light?  Stuff like that. I am holding onto a bunch of cash for an NXS, but haven't quite made the commitment... still looking at a newer IOR or a Horus.   If you could give me your personal pros and cons on your glass I'd appreciate it. Thanks, tweeter

Not to deter the pic thread, but here's a few cut & pasted things from other threads where the NF has come up...

The Nightforce 1-4NXS with the FC2 reticule is amazing, certainly the best short to mid range scope I've ever used. My gun wasn't built for benchrest shooting so the 1-4 FC2 reticule is absolutely prime. At 4X I find the 1.5MOA dot excellent for <200 yard shooting, which is my max range anyway. Beyond that (300 to 400 yards), I find a simple hold over using the bottom of the center dot gets me center mass. What more does a guy need really? It's nice, real nice.   At 1X, the reticule is fast, and with your head aligned against the stock, sight alignment is made real easy.  The adjustments are very adequate and and knurled easy-to-grip dials are a bonus.

I bought it because I wanted a variable and true 1-4 scope that was built like a tank.  The FC2 reticule sealed the deal.  I can't say enough about that reticule design.  The engineers at Nightforce are brilliant sons of bitches.  I was all hung up on having daytime illumination until I tried the NF w/ FC2.

I haven't put forth a great deal of effort with the illuminated reticule yet, but I'm sure it's a good time.  I do notice that in full sun it's not beaming at you as an ACOG or Aimpoint would.  But I actually like that.  Oddly enough, part of me now finds the variable illumination of an ACOG a little distracting. I prefer the precision of the black reticule.  That said, the slick design of the FC2 makes target alignment easy - as the AR is shouldered the reticule at 1X almost centers itself.  The NXS definately has a natural feel to it.

One recommendation on the scope is that from my swapping it onto a few different uppers with different configurations - the FC2 is NOT a good choice for a fixed front sight base. It's made for a flattop with wide open real estate to the muzzle. The reticule really "pops" when it has a wide open FOV with no obstructions in the sight plane.  Only other gripe is that I can't put a rear Butler Creek flip cap upside down on the occular.  I like my caps to flip down to keep the profile low and my peripheal FOV free & clear.  I hate caps that flip up above the scope.  Drives me nuts.  So I just keep the front flip up on the objective and the occular stays naked.  I'm cool with that.  I'll probably change my mind the first time I'm out in the rain with it though.  I keep the rubber NF caps on hand in case I want to use them in such rainy/sleety Maine events.

Out of all the low power variable scopes I've ever used, the 1-4 NXS is my fav.  It's rugged as hell, 1.5lbs in the Larue mount, clear glass, and that reticule .... man I just love it.  Worth every penny ($1350-ish mounted in a Larue 1.5).  

The following is a quote from Wes at MSTN regarding the ranging abilities of the FC-2 reticule:

SPEED IS THE FORTE OF THE FC-2. THE FC-2 DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A RANGING RETICLE. YET, MUCH THOUGHTFUL DESIGN WENT INTO IT. RANGING CAN EASILY BE DONE WITH THE FC-2. AT 4X: THE DOT IS 1.5 MOA. THE CIRCLE HAS A 5 MOA RADIUS, 10 MOA DIAMETER. IT IS 5 MOA FROM THE CIRCLE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT STADIA LINE. IT IS 5 MOA FROM THE CIRCLE TO THE VERTICAL STADIA LINE. THE VERTICAL STADIA LINE IS 5 MOA IN LENGTH. THE FC-2 DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A RANGING RETICLE. YET, RANGING CAN EASILY BE DONE WITH IT. SO, WE HAVE HERE A RETICLE THAT IS BROKEN UP INTO 5 MOA INCREMENTS. IF YOU KNOW AN OBJECT'S SIZE IN INCHES, YOU SIMPLY DETERMINE HOW MANY MOA THE OBJECT SUBTENDS AT A GIVEN RANGE. THEN, YOU APPLY THE FORMULA: INCHES DIVIDED BY MOA, TIMES 100, EQUALS THE RANGE. EXAMPLE: A STOP SIGN IS 30", TYPICALLY. IF IT SUBTENDS 7.5 MOA AT 4X, THE DISTANCE TO THE SIGN IS: 30 DIVIDED BY 7.5, TIMES 100, EQUALS 400. THE STOP SIGN IS 400 YARDS DISTANT.

Here's a quick reference pic of the reticule at 1X (in my backyard):


Hope that all helps.  There's many EXCELLENT choices out there for optics.  I'm a big fan of this one - if I had to sell all but one this would be the one I'd keep.  I'm also a fan of the ACOGs & Aimpoints.  But when it comes to low power variables - the NF 1-4NXS w/ FC2.....is IT.

Originally Posted By PUBBOY: 6.8mm SPC goodness. i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/Pubboy/P1010116-1.jpg

That's a sweet gun PUBBOY

My SBR Recce in progress. Damn GTS for making me wait
Dammit I forgot to put the harris and larue adapter in the picture

RECCE RECON - Precision SPR Rifle

LILJA 16" SS 3 Groove Barrel (Black Hard Coated) Mid-length 1:8 TWIST "Recce Mod 1" BY MSTN, WITH WYLDE CHAMBER AND FITTED BOLT
STAG HAND-SELECT UPPER, MACHINED SQUARE
LAUER (LMT) LOWER RECEIVER
PRI GAS BUSTER CHARGING HANDLE
LES BAER CUSTOM HARD CHROMED BOLT CARRIER
LARUE 13.2 FREE FLOAT HANDGUARD
VORTEX FLASH HIDER
GRIP-POD (ALLOY) VERTICAL GRIP AND BIPOD
LARUE SPR QD SCOPE MOUNT
NIGHTFORCE 2.5-10x24 NXS SCOPE W/ MILDOT RETICLE
LASERMAX LOW PROFILE VISIBLE LASER
TROY BUIS BATTLE SIGHTS
VLTOR COLAPSIBLE STOCK
LMT 2 STAGE TRIGGER w/KNS

very nice

The LaRue SPR mount and the NF 2.5-10 just look too damn good together. If Batman needed a scope, that'd be it.

Originally Posted By thanegrooms: www.auctionadvisory.com/73r2.JPG www.auctionadvisory.com/73l2.JPG

Thats AWESOME.


Feel free to give us details

Originally Posted By Lumpy196: Originally Posted By thanegrooms: www.auctionadvisory.com/73r2.JPG www.auctionadvisory.com/73l2.JPG Thats AWESOME. Feel free to give us details

Thanks

Details given...  That combo makes for a VERY accurate SPR.

Originally Posted By PUBBOY: 6.8mm SPC goodness. i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/Pubboy/P1010116-1.jpg

You win. That rocks.

tag

GTS lower
Denny’s Recon barrel
JP trigger
WOA LPK
LMT SOPMOD
CMT upper
JP full mass BCG
LaRue 12” rail
Vortex
Troy BUIS
LaRue SPR rings
Leupold Mark 4 MR/T1.5-5

Originally Posted By stretch415: My SBR Recce in progress. Damn GTS for making me wait Dammit I forgot to put the harris and larue adapter in the picture i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3390.jpg i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3391.jpg i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3392.jpg

What barrel are you going with?

Id like to do the 12.5" GTS Operator if it ever comes out(due a few weeks ago now) Its match grade chrome lined so hopefully the best of both worlds.  Id like to stay chrome but want a 14.5" or less to keep it compact.

Does this "qualify" as a RECCE?  

6.8 configuration mounted, 5.56 in the foreground.

updated pics-just got the larue rail and stealth upper along with my SBR lower back from ORION ARMS from engraving. All I need now is a barrel. Either a 12.5", 14.5" or 16" its still in the air. Will adjust FH accordingly to barrel length.

Various shots with different optics/setups:

that barrel looks kick ass

Originally Posted By stretch415: updated pics-just got the larue rail and stealth upper along with my SBR lower back from ORION ARMS from engraving. All I need now is a barrel. Either a 12.5", 14.5" or 16" its still in the air. Will adjust FH accordingly to barrel length. i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3452.jpg i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3454.jpg

awesome. is the upper/rail going to get painted FDE as well?

Originally Posted By jmccoy: Originally Posted By stretch415: updated pics-just got the larue rail and stealth upper along with my SBR lower back from ORION ARMS from engraving. All I need now is a barrel. Either a 12.5", 14.5" or 16" its still in the air. Will adjust FH accordingly to barrel length. i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3452.jpg i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/stretch415/CIMG3454.jpg awesome. is the upper/rail going to get painted FDE as well?

More than likely. I kind of like the 2 tone as well but if it were up to me Id FDE everything I own

Originally Posted By chromeluv: Various shots with different optics/setups: i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb177/ChuckJaxFL/FDCC_2007_08/DSC_2983.jpg?t=1189214967 i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb177/ChuckJaxFL/FDCC_2007_08/DSC_2977.jpg?t=1189214927 img250.imageshack.us/img250/2449/dsc07116largeeo3.jpg img120.imageshack.us/img120/1601/DSC07105Medium.jpg

What barrel is that?  Thanks.

looks pretty custom to me. Probably a Noveske or similar stainless with custom machining

the guy from ar15barrels.com was complaining about a dimpling project he did once, I think that was it.

up

Stag M4 upper 16" 1x9
Olyarms lower
Leupold VX-1 4-12x40
Tac 16 suppressor
ACE stock
YHM FF spector forearm
Hogue grip

This is the first time posting since it started life as a OlyArms Plinker 3 years ago. Slowly, here and there replacing and modding this is how it is currently. The stock, suppressor, and forearm all came in on tuesday, and scope came out of the drawer(never installed) so I'm ready to go shooting, but still waiting on buffer! Please let me know what ya think.

My GP carbine:

Just wondering but if you are using a low profile gas block is it better to have your rails cover the gas block? I want to keep my recce light so should I go for the larue 9,"10" or 11" for my 16" midlength barrel?


[saved for my recce waiting on the upper]

Originally Posted By vicious_cb: Just wondering but if you are using a low profile gas block is it better to have your rails cover the gas block? I want to keep my recce light so should I go for the larue 9,"10" or 11" for my 16" midlength barrel?

There is no absolute right answer for this question. Me personally, I like to keep any gas block that isn't actually pined on protected so for me a 16" middy I would get an 11.0 or 12.0 rail. The other nice thing about a longer rail is that it allows you to mount things like weapon lights and bipods further out which is a better position for them.

On the other hand, if you are really worried about weight, you can get away with an exposed non-pinned gas block if it's installed correctly in which case you only need a rail that's long enough to cover the gas tube which means a 9.0 for a middy barrel.

Ultimately, it just comes down to personal tastes.

My gas block is held in place by double set screws. So I'm guessing its more prone to get knocked loose. I'm thinking I should get the 11" handguard.

Originally Posted By vicious_cb: My gas block is held in place by double set screws. So I'm guessing its more prone to get knocked loose. I'm thinking I should get the 11" handguard.

Depends? If the barrel was dimpled for the set screws and the screws where loc-tited in then in theory, it should be pretty reliable setup? That's the way mine is setup but yet I still feel better having it protected by the rail.

One other nice thing about a longer rail, it allows you to mount your front BUIS a little further forward which in theory should allow you to be a tad bit more accurate when using the irons.

I decided to bump this! Inspirational!

anyone else have thoughts on durability of set screwe gas blocks? Its been established by Vltor that clamping style wont come off...

i only have one set-screwed gas block. the barrel is dimpled for the screws, and after i applied some lock-tight and torqued them down, i "staked" the set-screws much as you would the carrier key screws on a bolt carrier. i doubt seriously those are going anywhere.

if you were *really* paraniod, you could always torque the screws down, and then hit the edge of the hole with a very small spot weld.

My 12.5" Recce

Sorry to take this on a tangent.,....

KevinB...interesting thought  on gradual torque vs. impact shots...what are your thought s on the Vltor FSB test?...Its intersting that alot of the Armalites are clamping gas blocks as well..

Some more pics I took tonight of my 12.5".  I put the KX3 on it just to test it out this weekend.  I need a different washer to make the pig line up strait but I figured it would work on short notice.

Here is my Colt 6721:

LaRue 11" rail
LaRue Compact mount
LaRue VTAC Sling
Trijicon TA47 Compact Acog
Troy BUIS's
Magpul CTR
Geiselle DMR Trigger
VLTOR gas block
Barrel turned down to Gov profile by Adco Firearms

My version    

My .308 RECCE.

Here is one that is apart for a rebuild.  I am putting a 10" Larue on it, it now wears a Leupold 4.5-14X M1 Gen-2 mil dot, and I went to an A1 stock.  I like the A1 stock better for LR shooting.



And this one fits the bill, but the color is a little off


IDHunt

I can't take bitchin' pics like some of you guys, but here's my humble contribution:

Prior to optic installation:


After:


CRS reticle:


Rockin' the square range:


Cooling off after a high-volume course of fire:

Originally Posted By Shooter521: I can't take bitchin' pics like some of you guys, but here's my humble contribution: Prior to optic installation: mywebpages.comcast.net/shooter2_indy/graphics/recon_brown.jpg After: www.photobucket.com/albums/i188/shooter521/misc%20guns/recon_scope.jpg CRS reticle: www.photobucket.com/albums/i188/shooter521/misc%20guns/recon_reticle.jpg Rockin' the square range: www.photobucket.com/albums/i188/shooter521/EAG%20Carbine%202007/Individuals/P7080013.jpg Cooling off after a high-volume course of fire: www.photobucket.com/albums/i188/shooter521/EAG%20Carbine%202007/Team%20Drills/P7080045.jpg

Regardless, that fourth pic down is awesome...

Here's my Superior Arms w/WOA recon, still trying to decide between weaver 1-3 and leupold Vari-X II 1.5-4 scopes.  I'm a little concerned about the heavy duplex in the leupy for shots at 300 yds.  It's somewhat reeceish except the stock.  Here's a couple pics with friends
Click to enlarge!

Originally Posted By Stickman: stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Daniel%20Defense%2C%20Inc./IMG_1347%20Stick.jpg

Dammit Stick, quit making me look at my monitor upside down.

Originally Posted By Lumpy196: Originally Posted By Stickman: stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/Daniel%20Defense%2C%20Inc./IMG_1347%20Stick.jpg Dammit Stick, quit making me look at my monitor upside down.

Maddening, ain't it?


respectfully inverted