Nightforce Optics SHV 4-14×50 F1 Scope

The Nightforce Optics SHV 4-14×50 F1 was released not too long ago and it continues to get excellent reviews. For instance, Frank Galli recently wrote about his experience with the SHV 4-14×50 F1 on Sniper's Hide. He believes the scope to be the answer for the PRS Production Class shooter.

Tracking is the most important feature with any optic if you ask me. In 2015 I can care less about glass. Most of the scopes today have a very high glass quality, so the reality is, we need to be consistent and test our tracking.

To check tracking I employ two methods:

1. Tall Target Testing with a 4ft Level
2. Talk Target Testing with the Sniper’s Hide target while shooting it.

I put both up at 100 yards, and then do a series of tests. More than one in fact as I want to check repeatability. This is the more boring thing I do, every time I go out to the range with a scope, I repeat both tests. When you have a range full of steel out to a Mile, spending an hour shooting at a 100 yards, even when you know the scope is zeroed is boring.

The first time I tested the scope across the 4ft level I found it to measure 13.1 mils or 131 to reach 48 inches. This bring it a tick short at 47.16″. In a way you can say it’s the reticle, it’s movement when I am raising the elevation, it’s any number of things. However it would not be uncharacteristic for an optic to be a .1 off at 13 mils. Most of us cannot hold .9 inches at 1000+ yards, but we need to know. Especially if you use a ballistic computer.

[After correcting a problem with the scope mount]: Results were spot on, impacting on target as it should.

(You can read Frank Galli’s review in full right here.)

Image courtesy of Nightforce Optics

Here’s Nightforce’s specifications.

Nightforce Optics SHV 4-14×50 F1 Scope

This riflescope brings a first focal plane option to the SHV family. This feature gives the shooter the option of precisely holding for elevation and wind at any magnification setting by using the intelligence built into the reticle. This SHV is offered with a choice of either the MOAR or MIL-R reticle, which are two of our most popular designs. Both reticle options are standard with illumination.

This new SHV incorporates a feature set built for versatility, starting with a 4-14x magnification range that offers an excellent combination of field of view and resolving power at higher magnification. The 50mm objective offers excellent light transmission at any time of day. The overall length is 14.8 inches, and the optic weighs in at 30 ounces.

This SHV has a 30mm main tube, which allows for a maximum adjustment range of 90 minutes or 26 Mil-radians, and the adjustments are quarter-minute of angle or tenth mil-radian based upon reticle choice. Ten minutes of angle or 5 mil-radians of adjustment per revolution is standard.

Standard Features:

The Nightforce ZeroSet feature is also standard and allows for a rapid return to zero in any condition from any distance. The exposed elevation adjustment allows quick access, and a capped windage prevents accidental adjustments during travel or in the field.
Parallax is adjustable from 25 yards to infinity, and it does so without any backlash or hesitation. Also, the external illumination dial has 12 brightness settings.

The power zoom ring allows for quick and precise magnification adjustments, and a clamp-on Power Throw Lever is available as an accessory. The fast focus eyepiece design is standard, as on every SHV model.

Whether you’re making adjustments on the fly for a quick shot on uncooperative game or venturing into the fast action found in the precision rifle sports, you can trust the SHV 4-14×50 F1 to deliver precision at speed.

Nightforce Optics is based out of Orofino, ID. If you would like to learn more about them, find them online here.

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