Nightforce ATACR 1-8X Review — A Hell and Back Rifle Scope

When it comes to an all-purpose optic for your Springfield Armory SAINT 5.56 or .308, in my opinion the “short dot” scope is king. If you’ve not heard this term before, short dot means basically the scope acts like a red dot at low power but has enough magnification to really reach out when needed. And that can be a harder feature set to combine than you might think.

The ATACR 1-8X from Nightforce gives you red dot-like performance at close range, yet also the ability to reach out when needed.

Nightforce has re-engaged with the short dot class of scopes, showcasing their innovative design through the ATACR line. With features like varying focal plane options and an advanced eyepiece, the Nightforce ATACR family is well-suited for both night vision settings and other challenging illumination conditions.

Where’s the Leader?

The short dot class of scopes has been around for some time now, part of an ongoing arms race that has seen incredible new products come to market. For many years, 1X to 4X was the standard. Nightforce had a nice NXS scope in this class that was well-loved and popular. Then many of the challengers released 1-6X or 1-6.5X, while Nightforce was strangely silent.

Close-up of the adjustment turret on the Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24 riflescope, showcasing the precision engineering and attention to detail in its design. The turret, marked with clear milliradian increments, allows for accurate windage and elevation adjustments essential for precision rifle shooting and long-range targeting. The rugged construction reflects the durability of Nightforce Optics, designed to withstand demanding conditions in military optics and hunting environments. The turret integrates seamlessly with the scope's advanced features, including ED glass and the first focal plane reticle, enhancing optical clarity and accuracy. This detail emphasizes the scope's role as a leading choice for tactical rifle scopes and competition shooting applications. — The ATACR features all the quality you would expect from a Nightforce optic, with top-notch manufacturing and precise adjustments.

It was kind of a peculiar spot for Nightforce, generally being a lead innovator in the optics space for years. It seemed more and more like Nightforce had abandoned the category; that is, until about a year ago when they released what I think is a dream crusher.

Back Out Front with the Nightforce ATACR 1-8 Review

Nightforce skipped right over the 1-6X category and gave us a 1-8X. They aren’t the first to do this, but in my opinion they are the first to do it really well. Cramming 8X into a very small scope takes some engineering, especially if you still want true 1X performance.

The author in a prone shooting position at a shooting range, carefully evaluating the performance of the Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24 telescopic sight on a Springfield Armory SAINT rifle. The shooter aligns the rifle’s reticle with distant targets, testing the optic's magnification range and ED glass for clarity and accuracy. The riflescope’s advanced features, including windage and elevation adjustments, are demonstrated in a practical field environment. This image highlights the versatility of the ATACR series for tactical rifle scopes and AR-15 platforms, suitable for precision rifle shooting and competition. The prone position emphasizes stability and focus, showcasing the practical application of the scope’s technology in real-world scenarios. — Clay wrung out the ATACR with his SAINT 5.56 and some excellent Black Hills ammo.

The ATACR 1-8X is an entirely new animal. It has a very forgiving ocular lens, which allows the scope to still act like a red dot — even with less-than-perfect head placement. It’s the most forgiving I have seen, actually. It’s beyond daylight bright with the illumination turned on, with settings to spare.

An image looking through the Nightforce ATACR 1-8x24 riflescope, revealing the intricate design of its illuminated first focal plane reticle. The Horus-inspired reticle grid displays precise milliradian increments, aiding in accurate targeting for windage and elevation corrections. The advanced ED glass ensures high clarity and minimal distortion, providing a bright and sharp view of the target. The reticle remains consistent across all magnification levels, making the scope ideal for varied applications, including military optics, competition shooting, and hunting. The visible cardinal points on the reticle assist in rapid target acquisition and precise adjustments. This view underscores the scope’s capabilities as part of the ATACR series, designed for demanding tactical and precision shooting scenarios. This article is a review. — The Horus-derived reticle in the ATACR is excellent and really allows you to reach out at range.

And most important to me, it has the first-ever truly useful reticle in a short dot. The true mil grid pattern is a Horus derivative, and absolutely shines at range. The grid allows precise holdovers to 10 mils of elevation, and 5 mils of wind. Just a little range time, and you can see why SOCOM issued a contract last year.

The ATACR 1-8X isn’t cheap, but innovation rarely is. If you need a true do-everything, hell-and-back optic, this is the one to buy.

The versatility of the Nightforce ATACR 1-8 is remarkable, especially for those seeking high-performance optics in varied conditions. Whether dealing with night vision illumination or weak illumination environments, the ATACR series scopes provide the reliability and precision that serious shooters have come to expect from the Nightforce brand.

Overview of Nightforce ATACR 1-8

The Nightforce ATACR 1-8×24 telescopic sight showcases a robust and versatile design that caters to a wide range of shooting scenarios. Featuring a variable magnification range of 1-8x, this ATACR scope is designed for quick target acquisition and precision shooting at longer distances.

Built to mil-spec standards, the Nightforce ATACR 1-8×24 emphasizes durability and reliability, making it an excellent choice for both tactical and competitive applications. The advanced optical technology integrated within the 1-8 ATACRs enhances clarity and brightness, ensuring optimal performance in diverse lighting conditions. Shooting enthusiasts that are fans of Nightforce scopes will appreciate the thoughtful engineering that sets the ATACR series apart from competitors.