Right scope ?
 

Came home today and the wife surprised me with a nightforce nxs 8-32x56. I shoot a 25-06. Seems big but she has no idea lol. Should I switch it for a 5.5-22x or 3.5-15x ? Tia

A 3.5-15 would be ideal for a big game scope.

I have a zeiss v6 5-30 on my 260 imp, its sweet for target shooting, I really like it but practically speaking it's way too big and most days you cant crank it up past 25 anyway because mirage is too bad, two years in and I kinda wish I would have went with the V4 in the 4-16 or whatever range that is, ymmv

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if my wife gave me that for a gift, i'd keep it just because........couldn't you just not wind it up?

Would she even know the difference if you exchanged it? As for just not cranking it up, that doesn't help at close range where 8x isn't very practical for big game.

i'd know......but each to their own....but you're right about the 8X. i tend to forget about guys in the bush when i live 10 miles from montana. the bigger, the better!

Nice surprise.

The NXS 8-32x56 has quite different capabilities than either the 5.5-22x50or56, and the 3.5-15x50.

The biggest difference is in greater total range of vertical adjustment (& windage).
8-32x56 = 65 moa
5.5-22x50or56 = 100 moa
3.5-15x50 = 110 moa

Obvious difference in size of exit pupil @ full magnification
8-32x56 = 1.8mm
5.5-22x50or56 = 2.3or2.5mm
3.5-15x50 = 3.6mm

Weight is similar (but significant in some applications)
8-32x56 = 34 oz
5.5-22x50or56 = 31-32 oz
3.5-15x50 = 30 oz

Other specs are very similar or identical.
None have ED/HD glass.

I have NXS 3.5-15x50 and 5.5-22x56 and ATACR & eATACR 5-25x56 scopes.
I have no real need for 32x, and prefer the much greater vertical range, and larger exit pupil (aka eye-box) of the max 15x & 22x scopes.
The 50mm size is nicer for handling & balance.
IMHO, if you really want/need >30x you should consider the 7-35x56 eATACR with ED glass, 100moa vertical range & 30moa/rev turrets.

Good Luck, YMMV.

Further to my post #7

Another scope to consider is the NF eATACR 4-16x42.
It is F1,
has ED glass,
89 moa of vertical range,
30 moa/rev turrets
34mm tube
weighs 30 oz.
has a 2.7mm exit pupil @ 16x
digital illumination
and other nice improvements on the NXS series.

Good Luck, YMMV

Thanks for the info, the wife wants me to exchange for the best hunting scope. I live in the prairies but hunt elk more in the timber, I’ll take a good look at the 3x

This is what I run for a scope on my main gun. It’s very nice all round. My wife surprised me today with a block of harvest meat head cheese.