Scope for precision rifle

I have had the chance to play with several March scopes wrt to F class shooting.

On a clear day with little/no mirage, they definitely offer a slight increase in clarity and resolution vs the Sightron/NF scopes.

when the air gets dirty, not a whole lot of difference.

If you want clear target image under the widest range of air conditions, go S&B. But their turrets revolve the "other" way.

Precision shooting is more then just seeing and aiming at a target. You must first be able to determine what the air is doing between you and the target, here the S&B and March are not my choice.

I compete with a Sightron SIII scope because it not only lets me aim with enough precision to make 1/2" adjustments at 1000yds, it gives me more info about the air sooner then other scopes.

That to me is very important....

Take money out of the equation, look through the scopes, decide what is important to you. All scopes are a series of compromises.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
I compete with a Sightron SIII scope because it not only lets me aim with enough precision to make 1/2" adjustments at 1000yds, it gives me more info about the air sooner then other scopes.

That to me is very important....

Jerry
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What do you mean, "it gives me more info about the air sooner then other scopes"?
 
Hoag said:
Does anyone have any experience with March scopes? I just found out about their 3-24x42 scope. It is about the same price as the NF ATACR but is FFP. I have read some reviews about it and they tend to be glowing. The cynic in me tends to think that anything that sounds too good to be true probably is, but wow do they ever sound great!

http: //marchscopes.com/tactical-3-24-x-42-ffp.html

Review: http: //www.sincityprecision.com/?p=304

I can read the reviews online, but has anyone here ever used (or even seen) one first hand and if you did, what were your impressions?

I had planned on going for a SFP, but I do like the reticle on this and think it would be a great option as a FFP
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I've been running one on my AR for the last two years. There is nothing in that magnification range that is as light and compact. Here is a pic of it next to my buddy's the 1-10x and my old Vortex 1-4x PST.



The glass is incredibly clear, nearly as good as the glass in my Premiers. The down side to this scope is that it becomes less effective than your typical PR scope when its darker out due to the smaller objective lens. Some people also find that it has a small eyebox. I've never found this to be an issue with a proper cheek weld.

The reticle works great down to 3 times. I'm running the FML and it has nice thick outer posts that you can use when the center part of the reticle gets too thin. I've won ORA CQB matches (10-35 yards) using the scope, as well as Service Rifle matches (25-500 yards/meters). Every March scope I've tried has been able to focus down to 10 yards or less on the highest magnification.

I've sold-off all of my ARs now, but I'm definitely keeping this scope. It's going on a new 223 bolt gun I'm building thats intended to be shot mostly off-hand and in positions.
 
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K0na_stinky said:
What do you mean, "it gives me more info about the air sooner then other scopes"?
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A major selling point of high end scopes is the clarity of target under a wide range of ambient conditions... ie, they let the shooter see through mirage better. Scopes like the S&B are down right amazing at how much soup they can clearly see through.

BUT, that can be a problem if you are trying to see the subtle changes in air at 1000yds with the flags limp and less then ideal light. Or on a cloudy day, where mirage is "gone" for most brands of scopes. Here scopes like the Sightrons offer competitors a distinct advantage.

BUT, it also means that when mirage is very heavy, scopes like the Sightron at very high mag (35X or higher) will have more target distortion then other makes. As I say, it is always a compromise.

Where I shoot, mirage can get very thick. At 600m, under very muddy air, the Sightron (35X) was just as capable of precise aiming as the MARCH (40X). The target was just as obscured and "moving" in either scope.... no real difference.

Soooo, the right scope always boils down to application and needs. I have access to any product I want and I get to sit behind a broad range of optics used in F class shooting. I choose to compete with the Sightron cause paired with my KOWA spotter, it has really boosted my scores.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
Hoag said:
Thanks. I am aware of the differences between FFP & SFP scopes and the advantages / disadvantages both offer. My (latest) question was not about FFP vs SFP, it was whether anyone had seen one of the March scopes first hand and if they really do live up to or deserve the incredible reviews they are getting.
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I reviewed the March scope (8-80x56) here: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...At-Last-A-Review-of-March-8-80x56-Rifle-Scope

Bottom line - overall better than NF and, in some ways better than S+B but in other ways not as good as S+B. At the end of the day I think S+B to be better and, once price is factored in then NF have to be considered. If magnification is the most important consideration then you must reassess as the 80x availability cannot be matched.
 
My sightron s111 8-32 x 56 has better glass than mine or anyone else's night force I have seen. All the owners of those others night forces also agreed. Did I get a fluke? Maybe....
 
@Tomochan, great review. Thanks. That is the kind of info I was looking for. Based on your review, it looks as though they really do live up to the hype.
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The one that has gotten my attention I think would compete with the Nightforce ATACR. Obviously they would have their own unique reticles (but both are available in MOA versions) and the March is FFP while the ATACR is SFP. Other than that, here is how they would "stack up" on some key factors"

Nightforce ATACR:
  • Second Focal Plane
  • Size: 5-25 x 56
  • Tube: 34mm
  • Reticle: MOAR (or MOART)
  • Glass: Fully multi-coated ED
  • Vert. Adjustment: 120MOA
  • Price: $2679.99


March F
  • First Focal Plane
  • Size: 3-24x42
  • Tube: 30mm
  • Reticle: March "FMA-1" 1/4 MOA
  • Glass: Not specified, but highly reviewed (FWIW)
  • Vert Adjustment: 100MOA
  • Price: $2799.99 (The difference in price is essentially negligible considering that with the ATACR, I would need to buy 34mm rings).
 
They also have a 52mm objective version of the 3-24x that would be better suited to a precision bolt gun. There is also the 2.5-25x in 42mm and 52mm that are the same size, but SFP.
 
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I'm a Precision Rifle shooter and a photographer. (also a filmmaker).

I selected the best camera lens for photography because I need sharp clear (clarity) pictures.

I chose Sightron III scope because I simply looked at the reticle and shoot at the target. I don't really need sharp lens for that. I don't plan to use the scope for watching the target. My spotting scope will do.

Just get the decent scope for the good price, like Sightron III. The NF is really good if you use it often and can handle abuse well for higher price.
 
As far as quality glass is concerned I have two S+B, three NF and two Sightron Siii as well as a Leupold Mk4 - and while I have said it before I think it is worth repeating that the value buy remains the Siii and that the 8-32x56 is the real standout. In the 'about 1K' price range this scope cannot, in my opinion. be beat.
 
OK, at the risk of reviving a "Zombie thread", I kind of committed myself to upgrading my scope for this rifle yesterday. I listed my 4-16x50 Vortex PST FFP scope on EE and it sold in a matter of hours.

Having said that, after literally months of gathering opinions and advice, I have limited my options to:

Sightron SIII (6-24x50 or 8-32x56) or
Nightforce NXS (5.5-22 (either x50 or x56) or 8-32x56).

From everything that people have said, I think that I will be very happy with any of these choices.
 
Admittedly, I wanted a NightFoce ATACR for this rifle, but when push came to shove, I am not a good enough shot to justify spending that much money on a scope. I just ordered a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 LRMOA from Mystic Precision. Everything I have heard about that scope is extremely positive, so I am confident that I made a good call.

Thank you to all who took the time to provide my with advice on this thread, in PM's and to the couple of people that I spoke to personally.

I'll post pics when I get the scope and have it mounted.
 
Hoag said:
Admittedly, I wanted a NightFoce ATACR for this rifle, but when push came to shove, I am not a good enough shot to justify spending that much money on a scope. I just ordered a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 LRMOA from Mystic Precision. Everything I have heard about that scope is extremely positive, so I am confident that I made a good call.

Thank you to all who took the time to provide my with advice on this thread, in PM's and to the couple of people that I spoke to personally.

I'll post pics when I get the scope and have it mounted.
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Congrats. The Sightron will get the job done just the same as a Nightforce would.
 
Anyone see the video Frank did on the Hide about his visit to Vortex optics? Pretty good info on what we all perceive with our human eye vs what is actually real. I love my new Gen II Razor, but I have also love a lot of cheaper scopes that track well and get the job done. Never looked through a sightron, but from what I have heard they get it done.
 
It has been said: Sightrons are very good scopes. Real higher end scopes for less money. I have 3 of them and think highly of Sightron. You made a good choice IMO.

Gilbert
 
I have never owned anything pricier than an SIII series but I've got to say that I really really like Sightron, and personally believe that my Sightrons all have clearer glass than my Vortex PST.

I think you've made a good choice. An SIII 8-32x56 mil/mil is in my future.
 
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