While many makers offer high-magnification scopes, only a handful of high-end models are preferred by “professionals,” such as top long-range competitors and military snipers. Nightforce scopes, from Lightforce USA, have earned an enviable reputation among such shooters.
     Each Nightforce scope is assembled in the company’s plant in Idaho, and receives an extensive multi-point inspection that includes tests for optical quality, mechanical accuracy, thermal stability, water resistance and shock resistance to 1,250 Gs.
     The current Nightforce line consists of the NXS (Nightforce Extreme Scope) series, built with the tactical or military user in mind and including models from 3.5-15x50 mm to 12-42x56 mm; two NXS hunting models, the 1-4x24 mm and 2.5-10x24 mm; and the 8-32x56 mm and 12-42x56 mm Precision Benchrest Series target scopes.
     The 30 mm 6061-T6 aluminum body tubes have walls two to three times thicker than those used in many comparable scopes. Mechanical durability and repeatability are assured by the use of carefully selected, hardened metals for internal components, extra-stiff, fatigue-proof titanium erector springs, and extremely tight machining and assembly tolerances.
     All air-to-glass surfaces receive a proprietary abrasion-resistant broadband coating that maximizes light transmission. Lenses are mounted using not only O-rings and metal lock rings, but also a proprietary bonding agent that provides a shock-absorbing, strain-free and zero-movement lens bed.
     The 5.5-22x56 mm NXS has 4" of eye relief, 0.25" click values and 100 m.o.a. of elevation adjustment. Nine reticles are available for this scope, including various crosshair, Mil-Dot and ranging designs; our scope had the CH-2 fine crosshair. Reticles are in the second focal plane, so they appear the same size as magnification varies.
     We tested the 5.5-22x56 mm NXS on two highly accurate custom F-Class rifles, one based on an accurized Remington action in .308 Win. with a Shilen barrel and H-S Precision stock; and the other consisting of an H-S Precision action with a Douglas barrel in 6.5-.284 Win. set in a Sinclair F-Class stock. Testing was performed at 100, 200 and 300 yds., as well as during an actual F-Class match at 600 and 1,000 yds.
     To put it simply, the scope performed superbly in every respect. Optical clarity, brightness and resolution rivaled that of a 45X spotting scope being used during the test session, and the windage and elevation adjustments were accurate and repeatable, with easily discernible clicks and highly visible index marks. No reticle shift was observed with either of the rifles used, and the scope’s parallax adjustment—conveniently located on the saddle—was effective at all ranges tested.
     With a list price of $1,400, the Nightforce 5.5-22x56 mm is probably not suitable for—nor is intended for—the casual varmint or target shooter. For serious long-range riflery, however, where a national championship or critical military objective may be at stake, this scope would be hard to beat.