NightForce BEAST

The 5-25x56 scope with first focal plane reticule (FFP) and precision turrets is a well benchmarked specification, and often the most expensive model manufactures offer. B.E.A.S.T. by name and certainly in appearance, this Nightforce really looks imposing on any regular rifle too. But the price certainly sets it well beyond most users who will certainly ask, what does it really do for £3600 that nobody else can for £1000 less?

56 AIN’T SO BIG

56 mm objective lenses often seem big but when paired with a 34mm main tube it seems adequately proportioned. The main jump in size is the huge elevation turret; more about that later. Overall, it follows similar Nightforce lines with the older, lock ring focus system. Zoom control from 5-25 requires the whole bell to rotate so will carry a lens cap with it which is annoying, as it can hinder bolt operation. Nightforce supply rubberised lens covers which helps, but I prefer an integrally fastened unit on these big scopes, supposedly designed around military usage.

One other seemingly missing component is the rubberised ring around the ocular lens. Although these are imagined to protect you from recoil induced bruising and cuts to the eyebrow, they more commonly finish off the aluminium scope body neatly. The B.E.A.S.T. has quite a sharp aluminium edge to the lens housing and given the serious size of the scope, it easily catches and cuts your knuckles when operating a rifle’s bolt. Nightforce have just released a branded Tenebraex lens cap add-on for their range of scopes and I would expect to see this included in the future, it is also easy to turn, which somewhat makes up for the rotating ocular unit.

WE CAN’T IGNORE IT ANY LONGER

The huge turret is what draws your eye to the B.E.A.S.T! The saddle begins the rise with a facetted profile rather than a more usual spherical shape and although the windage and opposite parallax turrets seem normal ish, the elevation system is unique. Windage 60 M.O.A. available from one turn in 120 clicks. Yes 120, this standout feature is what I will call infinite zero precision. Although each click is half, rather than the usual ¼ M.O.A. expected, there is a lever at the base of the scope that adds ¼ M.O.A.

Initially this seems odd but its benefits become apparent; slowly I must admit. As this lever is totally free moving with no detents across its quarter M.O.A. stroke, you can effectively, if it really matters, adjust the scope to infinitely fine precision when performing primary zero. The benefits are; A - allows infinite zero precision for those who honestly believe their 2500 yard capable rifle shoots sub ¼ M.O.A. groups or that it matters. B - It speeds up adjustment which seems more appropriate.

1K ISN’T JUST DISTANCE

You see, this scope costs £1000 more than its competition and I found myself asking why? The answer is mainly in the adjustment and range, as two turns on the turret offer 120 M.O.A. adjustment. This scope is not specifically for those shooting 100-1500 yards! This is the B.E.A.S.T. that will allow you to take large calibre rifles, 375/408 Cheytacs, 416 Barrets and 50 BMG’s beyond 2000 yards from a 100 yard zero if you want it to. Although with 30 MOA rails on such rifles, I don’t think up until now anyone has wanted to retain such a short zero.

A few years ago I was attending a 3000 yard shot attempt with a 375 Cheytac, which is pretty much the ballistic ultimate and the attempt failed miserably because the equipment and setup used was pitifully short of elevation. It is here the B.E.A.S.T. does stand out with its unique selling point. A Schmidt & Bender PMII might only give you 75 M.O.A. or its close equivalent in mRad and that was one of the previous premium, ‘rock star’ long range scopes.

WON’T AN INCLINED RAIL WORK?

Inclined rails will happily add range yes, but not allow you to retain a short range zero, however it took me a few days of use for this to dawn on me. I had previously found the whole setup of questionable complication. For example, dialling in 14.75 M.O.A. would require you to spin the turret 29 clicks anticlockwise and then stop, shift your finger and nudge the lever to the right to add your extra 0.25. Why complicate matters? Well, it does allow all those clicks for 120 M.O.A. to fit into two turns of the turret and in a way, separates fast initial bulk adjustment from precise secondary adjustment! I must admit, I did begin to appreciate it, certainly `on paper` anyway. I didn’t have any large calibres to hand during the test period but it does make logical sense when you think outside your own so called box.

BACK TO NORMALITY

In all other functionality, there isn’t much difference from an NXS, everything worked as it should although the illumination was new, a central button in the parallax knob controlling on/off, intensity and also green/ red colours for the MOAR reticle, green intended mainly for Night Vision users. The MOAR is nice and being in the first focal plane, operable at any magnification. It is quite bulky but this is a scope intended for engaging relatively large `targets` rather than 567 yard rabbits, although it still would!

It is great for long-range plate shooting, as you can either dial or aim off precisely in accordance with the opinion of your spotter. Nightforce have fitted a rotation lock to the turret, which is pressed and spun a quarter turn atop the main elevation knob but I didn’t use it other than to check functionality, which was solid if needed. Good instructions are included for turret setup and the ZeroStop after primary zero. I imagine the serious users of this scope will be at a point where they won’t just bolt it to a gun; they will use a 20-30-40 M.O.A. rail to fully optimise the elevation adjustment possible, for ultimate longrange targetry.

AT FIRST I WAS MYSTIFIED

I must admit at first I was bemused by this scope. I had seen it in passing at shows for over 2 years and wondered why I had never seen one in use; the price says it all! Well, since I had one to try, I have forgiven these sins. I honestly admit it is unique, a somewhat special scope and for those wanting to drop £10k on a specialist long-range rifle, I think this is THE one to use! Optically, I don’t think it was quite as sharp as the very best of the best in this long range/tactical realm, but in terms of image brightness, 99% their equal. It beat the PMII for field of view but not a Minox ZP I was using at the same time. But one point that did surprise me was like a PMII, the field of view stops broadening as zoom descended below about 7x. The otherwise magnificent S&B PMII is often criticised for this and judged not to be a true 5x erector tube setup but does it really matter, probably not and my own PMII has never bothered me in this respect. I didn’t find the eye box/exit pupil quite as easily accessible as some competitors but it was never a serious problem and had perfect eye relief of 85-90mm. Parallax and focussing of the reticle was sharp but I found a few internal reflections in the tube when shooting towards a lot of glare coming from water-laden ground that did dazzle me on occasion.

PRICE: £3568.99
CONTACT: Sportsman Gun Centre, 01392 354854 www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk