You'll be amazed at the features you get for less than $650 with the Nikon X1000 scope. You can select magnifications from 6 — 24X with the turn of a knob. Whether the target's range is 100 yards or 1,000 yards, start with a low power and increase magnification as needed.
September 11, 2017
By G&A Staff
Designed for long-range shooting, Nikon's new Black X1000 has a variable 6 to 24 4 to 16 power range . For those who want to touch targets at long range, Nikon's new Black X1000 scope is well worth a look. Here are some of the great attributes we discovered when we recently evaluated a sample.
Precise/repeatable Adjustments
These are second focal plane (SFP) scopes, which means that the reticle doesn't change its size as you power up or down magnification. Nikon gives us the option of its X-MOA reticle or mil-based X-MRAD and, in this case we have the X-MRAD model which means that there are 17 mils of internal adjustment. These are glass-etched reticles, which means that they can't break like cheap wire crosshairs. Being glass etched also translates to precise and repeatable adjustments whether you like to hold or dial for elevation and wind. These turrets have point-one mil click graduations totaling 5 mils with each complete revolution. To put it in terms of how that affects our impact on a target at 100 yards, one tactile click will move our point of impact about 3/8 of an inch at 100 yards.
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Turret Adjustments Match the Reticles
Nikon was smart with this lineup because the turret adjustments complement the reticle. Mil reticles are paired with turrets that feature mil-adjustments. MOA reticles get MOA adjustments. This is great for either type of long-range shooter: those who like to dial their adjustments for targets at different ranges or those who like to hold-off for elevation and windage on the reticle without touching the turret.
The windage and elevation turrets have quick, spring-loaded instant-zero reset for simple field corrections. Just lift the turret cover, align the zero setting with the witness line on the turret, and let the cover snap back into position. This means that anytime you want to adjust windage or elevation, you can always go back to your last zero.
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The X1000's reticle and adjustments are graduated in mils. A milliradian (MRAD) as nominally 1/6400 or a circle, which translates to about 3.6 inches at 100 yards.
Excellent Parallax Adjustment
Our time testing optics has taught G&A's staff to appreciate scopes with a parallax adjustment dial and adjustable eyepiece for focus. To sharpen the reticle, safely look through the scope against a light-colored target or the sky and turn the eyepiece focus ring. When the reticle is sharp, the ocular lens is correctly in focus. The Black X1000 also has a side-focus parallax adjustment dial on the left side so we just tune it on the fly with our support hand without having to disrupt our position. Though these are capable of 1,000-yard shooting, the parallax can be tuned for shooting as close as 50 yards. However, where parallax adjustments become a factor is in making precise hits beyond 300 yards.
Easy Adjustments
You can easily adjust eyepiece focus by turning the ocular lens. Do this against a white surface or the open sky: when the reticle is sharp, the ocular is correctly focused. And, knowing that many of us will use these scopes on rifles chambered in hard recoiling calibers, Nikon's engineers factored in generous eye relief that'll keep our brow safe from getting scope eye — even when shooting the big magnums.
Reticle Illumination
In addition to setting parallax, that knob on the left side also offers reticle illumination that's controlled by the knurled outer ring. Against dark objects or in low light conditions, turning this dial on will aid in our ability to clearly place the reticle over the exact spot on the target we want to shoot. If conditions change or when not in use, one click in either direction will turn the reticle's illumination off. There's an off position between each on position, which is fast for times when we need an illuminated reticle but don't have the time to scroll through the scope's 10 intensity levels to find our favorite setting.
The X1000 turrets have 0.1 MRAD click graduations yielding 5 MRAD per revolution. A 0.1 MRAD click moves point of impact about 3/8-inch at 100 yards.
Additional Features
The Black X1000 has also been given several features that are simply nice to have. Take for example the 4-inch sunshade. Yes, it will eliminate the chance of glare and sun spots that can appear if an uncovered objective lens is facing in the direction of the sun. But we also like them for shooting in wet weather because it will help to guard our lens from the effects of a moist climate.
You'll notice that the main tube is larger than a traditional scope. It's machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and finished with a black, Type III hardcoat anodizing. The fact that it's a 30mm tube helps give the tube strength, but also improves our field of view over smaller 1-inch tubes given the same power range. And like all Nikon riflescopes, the X1000 is sealed up with an O-ring and nitrogen purged, which makes it fog resistant.
The outside knob on the left-hand turret selects any of 10 illumination settings for the reticle. Between each pair of numbered positions is an off setting. Adjust parallax for distances as short as 50 yards or as far as 1,000 yards and beyond with a knob inside the illumination control. A proper parallax setting is critical to getting achieving first-round hits.
Great Value
The most surprising feature of the Nikon Black X1000 long-range scopes is the price . This 6-24x50 retails for a nickel less than $650. The 4-16X models are only $600. And all are backed by Nikon's no-fault repair or replacement policy. If one of these scopes ever needs service, just send it in and it'll be fixed or replaced at no charge.
Whether you're interested in getting started in shooting the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) matches, long-range target shooting or extending your reach while hunting, there are few optics that offer so much for so little.
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