Nightforce ATACR Family Comparisons

Nightforce offers a number of quality optics for your rifle, ranging from close to long range scopes. Their most known optics are the Nightforce ATACR or Advanced Tactical Scope series.

This family of sights are variable optics known for their durability and performance driven design. They are made with tactical environments and harsh conditions in mind. However there are multiple variations of these particular sighting options which can leave you wondering which one is good for you.

Let’s look at the full series so you can quickly see the differences and roles each ATACR scope has.

Full Nightforce ATACR Family

The ATACR series are all magnified optics with varying degrees of magnification. This means choosing the right magnification is a major factor when selecting the right scope for you which includes things like parallax, field of view, and whether it is a first or second focal plane scope.

Your situation, preferences, and experience will determine which will be the better option. A scope designed for close to medium range won’t have the same usefulness at long range as a medium to long range scope.

Let’s look at each ATACR starting with the lowest magnification and going to the highest.

Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24mm

This Low Powered Variable Optic (LPVO) is a general used design. It has a 1x to 8x magnification allowing it to be used similarly to a red dot for closer in shooting and additional magnification for more precise shots or target identification.

A good use of this scope would be hunting or competition within 500 yards. It would also work in more dynamic environments where your targets may be obscured or have to be scanned for. This scope will be at home on semi-automatics, scout rifles, and “jack-of-all-trades” hunting rifles.

Specifications

Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42mm

The ATCR 4-16x is the first step up from an LPVO in the ATACR family. It combines a low profile with the goal of maximizing precision on semi-automatic rifles. This makes it a good option for both civilian and military uses.

The baseline 4x is enough magnification to be able to identify and engage most closer range targets while the upper 16x will provide the added clarity needed to push the limits of your rifle and cartridge.

The scope is a First Focal Plane design which helps ensure that the reticle’s measurements will hold constant under all magnifications. However this does mean that the reticle will change sizes depending on the magnification level you use.

Specifications

Nightforce ATACR 4-16x50mm

The ATACR 4-16x50mm is a marginal difference in terms of size and overall dimensions when compared to the 4-16x42mm. It is a Second Focal Plane scope and it does have greater elevation adjustment with a slightly different amount of windage.

What this scope brings to the table is a consistent sight picture that is usually preferred by hunters. It offers caps on the adjustment drums to ensure your scope doesn’t “adjust itself” in the field.

With the magnification, the scope is designed to scan at the lower magnification and then be adjusted to maximum magnification for any shots. This helps increase the chances of first shot success. 

Specifications

Nightforce ATACR 4-20x50mm

The 4-20x50mm bridges the 4-16x and the 5-25x ATACRs while being lighter than the 5-25x but with more magnification than the other 4x offerings. This makes it a good scope for both semi-automatics and bolt-action rifles.

This places it in the medium range scope category that starts to head into long range options. If you don’t plan on doing a lot of long range shooting but want better magnification for medium range shots, the 4-20x is going to be a great choice for you.

It offers more adjustments for elevations and windage than the scopes just above and below it in magnification. This helps you dial in your shots as needed, despite it being a First Focal Plane scope.

Specifications

Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm

The 5-25x scopes come in both First Focal and Second Focal Plane options and are some of the more dedicated long range options when it comes to the ATACR series. At these magnifications the better color contrast Nightforce is known for is beneficial.

Smaller targets that could be washed out at a distance become less washed out. This leads to better target identification and the ability to max out your rifle’s range more easily than with a lower magnification.

Due to the magnification range, these optics are going to be harder to use at close ranges because of the smaller field of view when compared to other options in the ATACR lineup. While other options might have dozens of feet for their field of view, the 5-25x has a roughly 18 foot field of view on its lowest setting at 100 yards.

This field of view will expand beyond 100 yards but it emphasizes just how narrowing the magnification is for these optics. 

Specifications

• First Focal Plane Variant

• Second Focal Plane Variant

Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm

The 7-35x ATACR scopes are going to be for those who really want to reach as far as possible as their platform will allow. Available in both First and Second Focal Plane variations, this is not a scope for those who are not in the long range game.

While there is not as broad a range of adjustments on these scopes as others, this is not the scope where those adjustments are needed. Any minor adjustments needed at the range where these can be expected to be used will probably be in feet.

If you are shooting full power or magnum rounds, this will be the option you need in order to reach the full potential of your preferred load.

Specifications

• Second Focal Plane Variant

• First Focal Plane Variant

Which ATACR is Best?

Which Nightforce ATACR is best is still a very personal choice. However if you are looking for a long range optic that is in the upper medium range to early long range area the 5-25x ATACR is a great option.

If you are looking for a more generalized option, the ATACR 1-8x will fit in with the average end user who wants a “do-everything” optic. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you need something for the longest ranges you can get, the 7-35x ATACR is going to be your main focus in the ATACR line.

Your situation might require any one of these scopes depending on where you will be shooting and the other environmental factors at play. Figuring out which platform, range, load, and scope you’ll need is part of the experience of growing as a shooter.