Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50mm MIL-XT for hunting elk in Idaho.
Looking for some input from anyone who has actually hunted with the Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 F1.
I’m putting together a backcountry elk rifle for a hunt in Idaho this October. My rifle is a Tikka T3x Roughtech Specter in .30-06 with a SilencerCo Scythe Ti. I’m trying to keep the whole setup under 10 lbs if possible, but reliability and zero retention are a big priority since this will be a mountain hunt and the rifle could get bumped around.
I'm looking at getting the NF NX8 2.5-20 F1 with the Mil-XT reticle. I found one new on Expertvoice for only $1,600 in FDE color. I've used NF a lot in deployed settings, so I know their reliability is there from my own experiences. I also know the common complaints with the 2.5-20 are the tight eyebox at higher magnification and the low end not being super useful until around 4x or so. For hunting, I’d honestly most likely treat it like a 4-16x scope, with 2.5x and 20x just being there if needed. I will probably end up using this scope on moose hunts in Alaska and deer in other parts of the US.
For those who have used the NX8 2.5-20 in the mountains or on hunting rifles, do you think it’s a solid choice for this use case? Any regrets with the eyebox, reticle visibility, low-light performance, or overall handling on a lightweight rifle? I'm open to other suggestions as well. Appreciate the input in advance.