3-10X Shooter, Hunter, Varminter Riflescope from NightForce

I have a good relationship with Nightforce Optics. I like their stuff and they sponsor the Empty Cases blog. Earlier this year they sent me two of their SHV riflescopes to test. (SHV stands for Shooter – Hunter – Varminter) The SHV line of Nightforce scopes is less expensive than the Nightforce optics you might be familiar with but they still deliver Nightforce’s rugged dependability and precision.

The idea was to provide Nightforce quality in a more affordable package, suitable for generalized distance shooting and hunting for game near and far. I was so impressed with the 4-14X SHV I begged Nightforce to let me hold onto one for when I test various rifles and ammunitions. When I can do that and know that the optics are spot on its easier to identify problems with guns or ammo.

Not too long ago an Empty Cases BLOG reader contacted me asking about putting a Nightforce on his big game rifle. I told him I thought that quality wise he could do no better but that I’d wait a month or so, so as to see what might be new. (That was a coded way of saying, “Something big is coming and you might want to save your money.”)

I hope he is reading now.

For 2015 Nightforce is offering a reduced size SHV riflescope with a 42mm objective. It has a power range from 3X to 10X, is less than a foot long and weighs 21 ounces. A test sample arrived the other day and after fondling it for a spell I mounted it on a very accurate Steyr Scout Rifle in .308 Winchester. After zeroing, I fired a three shot group at 100 yards and conducted a box drill three times.

Each time the last bullet impacted target center, less than a half inch from the first shot fired. Just the same, bullets landing in the box corners were never separated by more than a half-inch. (For what’s its worth, I was using Remington 168 grain Match load, which is about a .3 to .5 MOA load from the Steyr Scout.) None of this was a surprise to me, every Nightforce scope I’ve tested has had impeccable adjustments.

The adjustments on the 3-10X SHV are .25 MOA and were a perfect match to the MOAR reticle. (If you are going to have a graduated reticle, it needs to be graduated in increments of the same measurement method as your adjustment turrets.) The much less cluttered and simpler IHR (International Hunter Reticle) is also available in this scope and might be a better choice if you do not intend to use the reticle for ranging, hold over or wind correction.

Though the 3-10X SHV is a bit heavy it is very compact and offers an optical brilliance you will not find in lighter optics. It is equipped with a side mounted – 25 yard to infinity –  parallax adjustment that was spot on with the range indicator numbers around its circumference. The reticle adjustment turrets have .25 MOA indicator marks, MOA indicating numbers, and an additional revolution indicator. Other features of note include:

• Consistent eye relief over power range: 3 to 3.25 inches.(as measured)
• 11 foot (10X) to 35 foot (3X) field of view.
• Generous 5.1 inch mounting space.
• 10 MOA per turret revolution.
• 90 MOA elevation adjustment.
• 80 MOA windage adjustment.
• Under-cap, finger-turn, zero-settable adjustments.
• Rubber lens covers and lens cloth standard with each scope.
• Minimum diameter – 1.64 inch –power ring for maximum bolt handle clearance.

Maybe the best part of the new SHV from Nightforce is the suggested retail price of $ 900.00.

There is a reason that Charlie Sisk of Sisk Rifles has partnered with Nightforce Optics when he demonstrates his S.T.A.R. rifle. It’s the same reason he recommends Nightforce to the law enforcement agencies he trains and shoots with. Its not because they’re affordable, trendy or come with a dozen donuts; its because when every shot matters you cannot afford anything less.

Now, the real question is if Drema will buy this scope for me for Christmas. Been thinking it might should go on my New Ultra Light Arms (NULA / Forbes) .35 Whelen or my Mossberg Patriot. Both rifles shoot well enough to justify a scope this fantastically good, and believe it or not, on somedays I do too.