Advice needed on scope to look at

[kris bassett]

Inflation gets away on me. Several years ago $3k got you anything. I think TT are over $6k if I'm not mistaken....

I have a couple 2.5-25x42 March, very light and very good for what I use them for. I do wish I had gotten illumination though. I don't think you would kick yourself for buying March.

Op asked about IOR, I have a 4-14x50. Best glass I have. Better than ATACR, Zeiss V6 and March that I own. Comparable to Leica. I don't own TT, S&B, ZCO or any ultra high end glass. IOR are not popular in these forums, I guess they used to have problematic internals.....they are heavy as well. Mine has worked flawlessly on a 6.5x284.

YMMV.

Would you mind comparing the March and ior for me please?

 

[kris bassett]

I just love these quick reports from people who took a quick peek through a scope and then jumped to conclusions and further generalize their statements to cover an entire brand.

Then they back up and say something trite like “glass is very subjective,” or “all eyes are different”, or some other inane platitude.

Let me put it this way; I discount every single riflescope comparison or even report unless the following conditions are met.

1- The exact make and model of the riflescope being compared are clearly stated.
2- The comparison is done at the same time, looking at the same target, at equivalent magnification.
3- The riflescopes are adjusted to the eyes of the person doing the comparison.
4- The person takes the time to get adjusted to the riflescope and spends more than 5 seconds looking through each.

If one thinks the Majesta is dark at 80X, sure, compared to what other riflescope at 80X? What were the conditions when you glanced through it?

I am still reminded of the story with my friend Otis @BP1, who one day at a Bayou 1000-yard match, got behind a Majesta set at 80X on a rifle, took a quick look and then stated something like “my NF competition is brighter, and I don’t see what the big deal is about the increased field of view.” I asked him to look through the Majesta again, but this time set at 55X. Being a good sport, he did just that and when he next got up, his face spoke volumes. Case closed.

When someone wants to look through my Majesta, which is always set at 80X, I caution them that it is at 80X. If they want to compare it to something to which they are used to, dial it down (sometimes way down) to that magnification and then look.

Glass is glass, optics is optics. If everyone’s eyes were different, it would be chaos, and nothing would work. So that’s a myth. What is different is everyone’s brain and experiences. The brain interprets what the eyes are sending it and filling in a LOT of missing or scrambled information. If you have never been behind a riflescope at 80X, it’s a new experience for your brain and it takes time for it to understand and interpret it. Throw in mirage conditions and it gets worse, much worse. Your brain is trying to figure out what’s coming at it.

If you think you will get a postcard perfect picture of the 1000-yard target at 80X through mirage, you will be disappointed. But your brain will soon understand that the aiming black is still round and not bobbing up and down and that the rings are still visible even if they look yucky and you can place the nice crisp reticle anywhere you want on the target. That takes a match or two for your brain to adapt to this.

The Majesta is in a class by itself, and you cannot compare it to any other riflescope simply because there is no other riflescope that goes to 80X and has a 25° AAOV. The 60X scopes from other vendors have 20° and 21° AAOV. The older March-X 8-80X56 has a 20° AAOV. The NF Competition has 18.9° and their 12-42X56 is 19.3°. The Kahles K1050 is at 17.2°. The Trijicon 5-50X56 is at 20°. The March-FX 5-40X56 is at 20°. I’m using the FOV values that are published at various manufacturers websites.

I have to admit, I have wanted a March ever since I read about them 20 years ago. I was just starting my family then so.......

 

[Jr solocam]

Would you mind comparing the March and ior for me please?

March - light, edge to edge resolution, fit and finish is superb, turrets also crisp and inspire confidence. I have not run a box test to prove out the tracking. 42mm obj is not ideal for sunset or later. The overall optical summary, the glass does not jump out at you at first, but it resolves very well. Tighter eye box.

IOR - heavy, the glass is brilliant it is like Leica. Not an "attractive" scope looks like a tank. 50mm is very bright. It aced a box test, 20 moa up, over, down and back. It has held zero for over 10 years. Made in Romania with Schott glass. The east bloc countries aren't known for quality control, but Meopta is also very good.

This was an amateur summary of my personal experience. There is a guy named Koshkin on some of these forums that does amazing analysis of different scopes. Look him up. Maybe someone can chime in with a more complete name and handle for him.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

March - light, edge to edge resolution, fit and finish is superb, turrets also crisp and inspire confidence. I have not run a box test to prove out the tracking. 42mm obj is not ideal for sunset or later. The overall optical summary, the glass does not jump out at you at first, but it resolves very well. Tighter eye box.

IOR - heavy, the glass is brilliant it is like Leica. Not an "attractive" scope looks like a tank. 50mm is very bright. It aced a box test, 20 moa up, over, down and back. It has held zero for over 10 years. Made in Romania with Schott glass. The east bloc countries aren't known for quality control, but Meopta is also very good.

This was an amateur summary of my personal experience. There is a guy named Koshkin on some of these forums that does amazing analysis of different scopes. Look him up. Maybe someone can chime in with a more complete name and handle for him.

Your March, which one is it? It's either a 3-24X42 FFP or a 2.5-25X42 SFP. The 42mm objectives are on the older models or the hunting ones.

You're talking about ILya Koshkin. He's a good friend and he hangs around Snipershide and other places. His moniker is Dark Lord of Optics. He has youtube channels and a website.

 

[kris bassett]

March - light, edge to edge resolution, fit and finish is superb, turrets also crisp and inspire confidence. I have not run a box test to prove out the tracking. 42mm obj is not ideal for sunset or later. The overall optical summary, the glass does not jump out at you at first, but it resolves very well. Tighter eye box.

IOR - heavy, the glass is brilliant it is like Leica. Not an "attractive" scope looks like a tank. 50mm is very bright. It aced a box test, 20 moa up, over, down and back. It has held zero for over 10 years. Made in Romania with Schott glass. The east bloc countries aren't known for quality control, but Meopta is also very good.

This was an amateur summary of my personal experience. There is a guy named Koshkin on some of these forums that does amazing analysis of different scopes. Look him up. Maybe someone can chime in with a more complete name and handle for him.

I've been watching some of his YouTube videos.

I know I have not looked through any of them yet but per my wants, I have pretty well narrowed it down to the March FX, the IOR Crusaider and the euro optic exclusive Vortex Gen 3. I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to look through these scopes to compare, especially the IOR.

 

[Ranger188]

Just posted on the For Sale under scopes,

SOLD - March FX Tactical Gen II 5-40x56 FFP .05 mil PRICE DROP

Hello, I have an as new March FX Tactical Gen II 5-40x 56 with PDKI reticle. .05 mil adjustment for more precision and lever locking turrets The glass is perfect and it looks new. Was shot on a 6gt for a few rds and has no marks or mars. Comes with all original stuff, numbered paperwork...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Jr solocam]

Your March, which one is it? It's either a 3-24X42 FFP or a 2.5-25X42 SFP. The 42mm objectives are on the older models or the hunting ones.

Your talking about ILya Koshkin. He's a good friend and he hangs around Snipershide and other places. His moniker is Dark Lord of Optics. He has youtube channels and a website.

2.5-25x42. SFP.

 

[Jr solocam]

They made the 42mm and 52mm concurrently. I think the 52mm with illumination would be about perfect. But there came a point in time where I could no longer justify paying about $2500 for a scope. When I retired my income dropped about $150k. Or more. I would really like a 52mm March. But not right now....

 

[kris bassett]

Just posted on the For Sale under scopes,

SOLD - March FX Tactical Gen II 5-40x56 FFP .05 mil PRICE DROP

Hello, I have an as new March FX Tactical Gen II 5-40x 56 with PDKI reticle. .05 mil adjustment for more precision and lever locking turrets The glass is perfect and it looks new. Was shot on a 6gt for a few rds and has no marks or mars. Comes with all original stuff, numbered paperwork...

forum.accurateshooter.com

Looks like a nice scope, just wrong measurements lol. Oh and I'm still saving my $. My wife did tell me today that she wants me to get the exact scope I want even if it costs a bit more than I had planned. I married a good one!

 

[kris bassett]

This scope is calling my name. It is a sfp but everything else looks perfect as far as my wants.

12-52x56 40mm SFP TERMINATOR Target MOA/MOA, Xtreme X1 illum.

EXTREME LONG RANGE SCOPE, SCOPE, OPTIC, TACTICAL SCOPE, RIFLESCOPE,LONG RANGE, PRECISION SCOPE.

www.valdada.com

 

[S Miller]

Usually when top tier scopes figure out your name the next step is your address going somewhere. March has called my name many times especially when the calendar is flipped to it. I have been rude in not responding. Good luck in your search. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Looks like a nice scope, just wrong measurements lol. Oh and I'm still saving my $. My wife did tell me today that she wants me to get the exact scope I want even if it costs a bit more than I had planned. I married a good one!

You sure did. Just make sure you don't look at the Majesta.

 

[kris bassett]

Usually when top tier scopes figure out your name the next step is your address going somewhere. March has called my name many times especially when the calendar is flipped to it. I have been rude in not responding. Good luck in your search. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks man! I was born in March so it's only fitting I end up with a March scope right?

 

[kris bassett]

You sure did. Just make sure you don't look at the Majesta.

Too late! I've already looked at them lol.

 

[S Miller]

Thanks man! I was born in March so it's only fitting I end up with a March scope right?

Yes sir! That 5-42HM has called my name many times. And your wife has agreed to stretch your budget! That’s the sucker that be in my safe. I own one March, a 48HM and talked my buddy into a 2.5-25 for his hunting gun. We are both very satisfied. Pretty sure that 5-42 would check all your boxes but I get being apprehensive without seeing one.

 

[Turpentine]

I really like my Sightron s3's 8x32x56 a lot for glass and value per dollar. They also hold zero and track very well.
That said. I enjoy my SHV 5 x 20 x56 Nightforce SHV also and it has a little more usable reticle in my opinion. It doesn't have a good zero stop though.

 

[Fire Dog]

A Trijicon tenmile 5x50 is a great scope it's bright and clear 1700 or so and it's soild, plus u get tenebrex flip ups with it...34mm has 100 moa vertical

I have one on my 280AI F Open and for the $ hard to beat…
However my 7PRCW is just making weight with a March Majesta and the 8-80 is hard to beat, at 8 you will find the “dogs” and at 80 you will be able to see their eyeball…
Bit heavy and $$$ but as the years roll by I have found that better= more expensive scopes keep me in the competition…

 

[Tangent]

Looks like a nice scope, just wrong measurements lol. Oh and I'm still saving my $. My wife did tell me today that she wants me to get the exact scope I want even if it costs a bit more than I had planned. I married a good one!

Sounds my like wife, she does have her own rifles though which helps! March is top of my list but will be a longer term saving project.