Nightforce-Actar Best Scopes Product Review And Quick Guide Navigation

Nightforce is a high-end optics manufacturer. The ATACR product line features several reliable scopes with different optics configurations. These scopes would be an excellent choice if you are looking for high-quality, reliable, and performing optics.


What Is The Nightforce ATACR?

The ATACR product line is based on a previous line known as the NXS scopes. These scopes are designed to withstand extreme conditions and still retain their optics settings and performance. The scopes are carefully sealed to keep moisture and dirt out, and the lenses are coated to repel water and dirt. Fog won’t impact performance.

These scopes will last you for years thanks to their rugged and reliable design. They are designed for long-range shooting and will deliver unmatched precision at this range. Some of the scopes are more versatile than others due to their magnification range.

The multi-coated lenses are what stand out the most about these scopes. These lenses will improve light transmission, color contrast, and brightness.

We like this product line because there are different configurations to choose from. Here are the different options regarding magnification power, reticles, and first or second focal plane designs.

​ATACR 1-8x24 F1 Scope

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This is a variable scope with a low magnification power. We like the power throw lever that allows you to easily adjust the magnification setting and the compact design of the scope.

This scope is a versatile product thanks to its illumination feature and large field of view. The intelligent reticle will automatically adapt to your target, and the compact design makes this scope suitable for a wide range of firearms.

The reticle is located in the first focal plane, which makes adjustments easier. The low profile turrets with caps allow you to adjust different settings with a .1 Mil-Radian precision.

​ATACR 4-16x42 F1 Scope

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This is another scope with an F1 reticle located in the first focal plane. It allows for extremely precise adjustments, and the controls are what stands out the most about this scope.

There are two versions of this scope available. You can choose from a model with .1 Mil-Rad adjustments and a model with .25 MOA adjustments depending on what you like best.

The 4-16x magnification setting makes this scope from versatile than the previous model.

​ATACR 5-25x56 F1 Scope

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This scope has similar specs and features, but the magnification power is much higher. The 5-25x magnification is ideal for long-range shooting and hunting.

​ATACR 5-25x56 F1 Scope

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This Nightforce ATACR scope is the most powerful one when it comes to magnification power. It also comes with improved parallax adjustment, which is a necessity with this level of magnification.

This is a high-end scope with an impressive field of view. The precision of this scope is unmatched, and this is something you could use in a competition.

​ATACR 4-16x50 Scope

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This scope is slightly different from the other models since it doesn’t feature the F1 reticle. Instead, the reticle is located in the second focal plane.

This is a scope designed for precision. The resolution and clarity stand out. This scope also features an illuminated reticle and a feature that allows you to easily adjust diopters as needed.

You can choose from a model with .250 MOA adjustments or opt for a scope with .1 Mil-Radian adjustments.

This is the best Nightforce scope if you want something that will help you correct your aim at long range.

​ATACR 5-25x56 SFP
Enhanced Scope

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This enhanced version of the Nightforce scope features a few improvements when it comes to the controls. The controls are designed so you can adjust the magnification and diopters faster.

The field of view is also improved. You can get a field of view of almost 18’ when the 5x magnification setting is selected.

What Makes Nightforce ATACR Scopes Unique?

The Nightforce ATACR line of products is unique because of the precision you can achieve with these scopes, the quality of the image delivered by the high-end optics, and the accessibility of the controls.

These scopes are perfect if you shoot with heavy ammunition. Heavier ammunition has a high ballistic coefficient, which means you will have to anticipate and correct your aim accordingly. This coefficient is emphasized on the long range.

This is where a scope from the ATACR line can make a difference. These scopes are equipped with high-quality reticles that will help you make up for the high ballistic coefficient of your ammunition. You can get predictable results every time.

Even though these scopes are ideal for big game hunting and long-range target practice, they are versatile. You can use these scopes for competitions and many other settings.

We like this product line because of the many optics configuration you can choose from. There are different magnification ranges, different reticles, and first and second focal plane designs. You can expect to get the same high-quality optics performance with every scope but have several options to choose from depending on what your needs and preferences are.

The quality of the lens coating makes a difference regarding the quality of the image. This is crucial when using scopes with high magnification. You are going to love the image clarity, colors, and brightness of these scopes.

We should also mention the compact and rugged design. You can use this scope in any environment and won’t encounter any sighting issue. The price tag of these scopes is fully justified since they will last for many years.

We like the controls of the ATACR line of products. Most of these scopes have a ZeroHold feature to prevent sighting issues, and the parallax controls come with markings that tell you what each adjustment corresponds to.

In the end, we think the quality of these scopes is difficult to match in this price range!

Pricing

Expect to spend between $2,500 and $3,000 for a Nightforce ATACR scope. The features and optics configuration you are interested in will impact the price.

Here are a few prices to give you a better idea of how much these scopes cost:

  • The ATACR 4-16x42 F1 scope costs around $2,500.
  • The more compact ATACR 1-8x24 F1 costs a little over $2,700.
  • You can get the Nightforce Enhanced ATACR 5-25x56 with a MOAR reticle for $2,600.
  • The ATACR 5-25x56 F1 sells for around $3,000.
  • The most expensive scope is the ATACR 7-35x56 F1 at almost $3,500.

Public Perception

A majority of shoppers are extremely satisfied with the ATACR scopes. People have very high expectations due to the price range of these scopes, and these expectations are met and exceeded.

A lot of reviews talk about how clear the glass is and about the precision of the image. In fact, this seems to be the first impression these scopes make. People also love the impressive magnification power and the field of view.

The reviews that mention the controls of these scopes talk about these adjustments in a positive manner. The overall impression is that the controls are very precise and easy to use.

The reticle is another positive point mentioned in most reviews. People also love how well these scopes handle recoil.

The only downsides we were able to find while looking at reviews are the price and weight. A few people said the design of the scopes was too compact.

The size and weight of the scope depend on the model you choose. Keep in mind that scopes with a high magnification power and additional features will have more lenses and moving parts, which adds to the weight of the scope. If you want a compact and lightweight scope, opt for the 1-8x24 F1 scope.

It is true that these scopes can seem costly. However, you need to approach this purchase an investment you are making in the long-term. If these scopes aren’t a good match for your price range, there are other options to consider.

How Do The Nightforce ATACR Scopes Compare To Other Products?

We found three other scopes designed for long-range shooting. These are scopes you should consider if the ATACR products don’t seem like a good match for you.

Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56 FFP

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The Vortex Razor HD Gen II costs around $2,500, which makes this scope an alternative to the more affordable ATACR scopes. This is a high-quality scope designed with long-range precision in mind.

This scope stands out thanks to the quality of the optics and features simple controls. You can, for instance, control parallax and illumination with the same knob.

The rugged and reliable design is similar to the quality you will get with Nightforce products. You will always get a clear and crisp image, even at a long range.

The Vortex Razor HD Gen II is an interesting option to consider if you don’t think the reticles used in the ATACR scopes are a good fit for you. You can find three variations of the Vortex Razor HD Gen II with three different reticle configurations.

Bushnell Elite Tactical XRS II

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The Bushnell Elite Tactical scope costs around $2,250 and delivers optics similar to what you can expect from a Nightforce scope. This model is the best scope Bushnell offers.

We think this scope is an interesting option to consider because the optics configuration isn’t covered by the ATACR line of products. The specs are 4.5-30x50, which puts this scope somewhere between the ATACR 5-25x56 and the ATACR 7-35x65 models when it comes to performance.

There are a few differences worth mentioning. You can remove the throw lever that allows you to adjust magnification, the reticle isn’t illuminated, and the turrets are slightly higher than on the ATACR scopes.

Overall, the Bushnell Elite Tactical scope is a great alternative if you are looking for high-quality optics but want an optics configuration that is different from what the ATACR line offers.

Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25x56 M5B2

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This scope is worth considering if you are ready to invest in high-quality optics and want something that is more performing than the Nightforce ATACR.

The Leupold Mark 8 scope costs around $5,000 and can be more expensive if you choose some customization options. However, this is probably the best long-range scope you will ever find.

The lens coating stands out. This scope delivers unmatched brightness and contrast. It is designed to improve brightness in low-light settings, which isn’t something the ATACR scopes do.

We also think the controls are interesting. They will automatically lock and unlock when you touch them. Some customization features seem unnecessary, but you can get the scope equipped with customized dials that match the type of ammunition you use.

What We Think

You can’t go wrong with a scope from the Nightforce ATACR line if you are looking for high-quality optics in the $2,500 to $3,000 price range. We think this brand offers an excellent selection of products, and you should easily find the features and optics configuration that is right for you.

If you are looking for a versatile and affordable option, we highly recommend the compact ATACR 1-8x24 F1 scope. If you are looking for long-range performance and high magnification power, the 5-25x56 F1 and 7-35x65 F1 scopes are going to deliver the best value.

We highly recommend that you try out a few riflescopes if you are new to using optics. Get a feel for the kind of optics and quality you can expect in different price ranges to determine if you can justify spending more than $2,000 on a scope.

If you are experienced when it comes to rifle optics and need a reliable scope for long-range hunting, target practice, or competitions, we think these scopes are a great fit for you.

Nightforce is an excellent choice if you want to upgrade a firearm with a scope. The ATACR line of products is designed with long-range in mind, but these scopes are extremely versatile thanks to the high-quality of the lenses and the accessible controls. Any scope from this line is an excellent choice!