Nightforce Optics. It’s one of those brands that carries clout. No guilt. When you mention it, no disclaimers are needed. When Nightforce rolls off your tongue it’s not necessary to follow up with statements like, “It’s great for the price,” “It does everything I need it to,” or “They have a great warranty program,” because they, for many years, have doled out performance and consistency in their offerings.
Arrival of the NX6
The ATACR line. Their holy grail heavy-hitter, high speed and low drag non-compromiser and BAMF (look it up if you must). The one we all lust after, even if it’s tough to afford. The now several years old NX8 Line. The ATACR Jr. in my opinion. Blending top notch optical clarity and quality with unparalleled usability, ruggedness, and feature set into a shorter optic, making it more manageable to some who aren’t quite ready to jump to the ATACR, but want the look and feel. Many an LE agency sniper find comfort in deploying the NX8.
Now, Nightforce is again expanding their product lineup, which encompasses employing different materials resulting in lighter weight and new features that the other lines do not have. This new line is marked, the NX6.
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Lightweight Performance
At its core the NX6 line is designed to be a lighter weight package while giving the user the 6x magnification range and 6x erector in a physically bigger package. The NX6 also unveils a new turret system, making the Zero Stop feature easier to use, while allowing for use of BDC turrets—something Nightforce did not offer in the past. New design and technologies are nudging the big NF forward, and that’s good to see.
Ruggedness Without Compromise
Before we get deeper into the feature set, let’s discuss what you don’t get with the NX6 line of optics. You don’t get any compromise in ruggedness or durability. All Nightforce optics go through the same rigorous QC testing. If you’ve ever seen how Nightforce lightly taps their optics on objects before checking their glass and reticle alignment, then you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t just rest assured the NX6 gives up nothing in the way of toughness.
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Breaking Down the 6-36×56 F1
The NX6 line is extensive and covers a multitude magnification ranges, focal planes, and adjustment types. I’ll be focusing specifically on the 6-36×56 F1 (first focal plane), in MIL adjustments. A MOA/second focal plane version is available for all you weirdos. This optic weighs in at 31.6 oz. The ATACR like the 5-25×56 F1 is 36.7 oz and the 7-35×56 is 39.3 oz. The more compact NX8 4-32×50 is lighter at 28.6 oz but there is physically less optic there.
Designed for the tactical shooter, competitor, and all around rifle shooter, the 6-36x56MM F1 offers a lot. With a 34mm maintube, there’s 33.4 MILs of travel in it (115 MOA) so there is plenty of reticle movement for those who really want to reach out and that dialing is essential. Hold overs won’t suffer either thanks to a still healthy list of available reticles including clean versions like the MIL-C and grid/tree versions like the MIL-XT, which happens to be one of my all time favorite reticles of any optic.
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Of course it is the reticle I chose for my review sample. You’ll be able to use the reticle in the shortest of distances, thanks to a short 11 yd parallax distance. This should make the NX6 attractive to rimfire and airgun shooters as well. While we’re on the competitive topic, the 6-36 NX6 should also appeal to the competitive shooter striving to make the product class cut off thanks to an MSRP of $2,200.
FieldSet Turret System
New to Nightforce is the FieldSet elevation turret. This turret features a centralized collet system. Most of the system is in the actual cap and this allows for use of lighter materials. It gives the user a considerable amount of flexibility and speed in the field. FieldSet turret allows you to set the zero and ZeroStop in one motion and it can be accomplished with field-expedient tools like a coin, spent case or round, knife edge or anything else that will fit into the generously sized notch on top of the elevation turret.
Nightforce has also redesigned their Tri-tool with a fitment for the turret. This tool, with its proper fit, will keep you from scratching or marring your precious NX6. Once you’ve shot and achieved your zero, hold the outer portion of the turret with one hand, insert your tool of choice, and turn counter clockwise to loosen the “adjustment clutch”. Doing so allows you to turn the dial itself freely. Then push down firmly on the dial and turn clockwise until you feel the dial make contact with the stop mechanism. Then, holding the dial, use the tool to tighten the clutch by turning it clockwise.
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Options & Configurability
There are a couple of other important features in this FieldSet turret system. You can set the ZeroStop at “zero” or you can have it set to allow for 2 MIL under-travel. This is done via a screw on the underside of the elevation knob. Moving the screw from one position to another designated position gives it this adjustability. A exposed elevation dial comes on the 6-36×56 F1. Second focal plane, MOA versions come capped but can be converted to an exposed, or BDC dial. This can be ordered from Nightforce as well as a custom BDC dial for certain models mostly second focal plane MOA. Yes, Nightforce is now offering custom BDC caps. Again, the FiledSet system allows for exposed or capped elevation dial and the option of ordering a custom BDC and the installation is quite simple. This configurability is not available in the 1-6x optic.
Glass Quality & Illumination
Exceptional glass is used on the inside. You know Nightforce always does the glass correctly. The NX6 is no different with fully mulitcoated lenses. Digillum, their illumination system, is inside as well. In all honesty it’s a feature I forget to use all too often. The color can be changed from red to green, whichever fits your liking.
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At the back end of the NX6, there is a locking ocular focus adjustment to achieve a crispy reticle. Magnification throw is extremely smooth with the perfect amount of tension.
Real-World Range Performance
Using a set of high Nightforce rings, I set up the NX6 on a Kelby’s action and headed for the range. I was less interested in shooting at distance as I already know the reticle and turret combo were going to deliver. I paid particular attention to the zeroing process of the rifle and optic, to make sure it was indeed easy. Sounds odd, yes, but after years of using Nightforce optics, it’s automatic for me to do things a particular way when going through this process. Now I had to change it and I’d hoped for the better. I’m happy to say that it was indeed straightforward, especially after having watched their excellent instructional videos on the NX6 feature set operation. I got it zeroed up with “zero” fanfare.
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The image looked great on the contrasty dessert backdrop. Seeing into the shadows was no issue. I like to use our cactus population to really get a read on optical clarity. Trying to see the individual needs on a saguaro cactus really puts an optic to the test. The NX6 was good with nothing to complain about.
Dialing to a ballistic solution was smooth and effortless thanks to excellent feel and feedback in the dial. Again—just what any of us would expect from Nightforce.
Who the NX6 Is Built For?
So who is this optic for? Well, for starters if you’re new to Nightforce it’s a great place to start without committing to an ATACR but while avoiding some of the bargain priced optics or while moving up from such. The line is wide enough that you can find an acceptable price point. For current Nightforce owners the NX6 makes sense for a secondary or back up rifle, or just to setup a few more rifles for whatever occasion when an ATACR is not on the menu.
It’s nice to see that an old dog like Nightforce can be taught new tricks, especially when the old tricks always worked so well. Looking for an optic that is lightweight and easy to use, and one that carries the formidable Nightforce badge? Look no further than the new NX6 line.
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