Magnification for 2200 Yard Shots with .338LM

[Jay Christopherson]

March, apparently, is not a preferred scope among the experts and professionals....

Here is the screen shot of where MARCH came in in a fairly rigorous comparison of many scopes.

LMAO. I guess it depends on who you consider to be "experts and professionals". Good luck, sounds like a fun problem to have. Like Keith said, you've gotten some opinions from top shooters in the country here, you should consider the source before you dismiss them.

Op,

You know what the pros and experts use. You slapped at one of the best long-range shooters in the country when he tried to help because it seemed to not be what you wanted to hear.

I'd suggest figuring it out the way the rest of us did - trial and error.

^ This. Obviously you aren't hearing what you want to hear, so I'm not sure how much use asking for opinions will be.

 

[savagedasher]

My thought magnification would depend on where you're shooting at in the conditions you have . Times you could use 60 and others 10 . I can tell you most that shoot at manatee vets seldom can you use more the 35 at 1000 . Larry

 

[BP1]

Check out the new S&B ELR and see if that will work for you if not I don't know what else to tell you.I myself would just crank my gen11 up to 18x and shoot.

 

[Centuriator]

Yeah, my understanding is somewhat different. If we start at 5X as a base magnification, 10X will double the apparent size of the target in the riflescope. To once again double the image, we need to go to 20X, which by the same token is 4x the apparent size of the target as compared to 5X. If we want to double the apparent size of the 20X magnification, we need to go to 40X, then 80X and so on. But at 40X, the apparent size of the target is 8 times what it is at 5X.

So, going from 5X to 25X you actually quintuple the apparent size of the target, not double.

Using your example of 25X vs 36X; while going from 5x to 6x represents a 20% increase, going from 25X to 36X (11x) represents a 44% increase.

Yes, going from 20X to 25X is only a 25% increase, but that's on top of the prior 200% increase going from 5X to 20X.

The zoom represents a multiplying, not additive power, so the zoom ratio is the determining factor in apparent size. For example a 3X zoom provides for 300% increase and a 6X zoom, provides for 600% increase. My March-X 5-50X56 provides for a 1000% increase. It will double the size more than 3 times: At 2X zoom, 4X and 8X and then add another 25% going from 8Xzoom to 10X or (40X to 50X absolute).

Thanks for the helpful response.

 

[JasonT]

Matt is known as one of the best long-distance shooters in the country, so slapping him in the face on a public forum doesn't look good on you buddy. Matt has given me very helpful advice several times and he hasn't yet steered me wrong - listen to him. If he says run the NXS 5.5-22, I'd take that and run.

 

[Rob01]

25x is more than enough to hit at 2200 yards with that rifle. I have shot to 2500 yards with a 408 using a NF 5.5-22x on 17x on an MOA sized target. No issues.

 

[Centuriator]

25x is more than enough to hit at 2200 yards with that rifle. I have shot to 2500 yards with a 408 using a NF 5.5-22x on 17x on an MOA sized target. No issues.

Thanks for the helpful remark, I appreciate it.

 

[thejamesd]

I'd want the Hubble.

 

[wedgy]

"2200 yards, which is the maximum target range at the facility where I shoot (Asymmetric Solutions in Farmington, Misouri)."

Have you never encountered other shooters there ?
What do they shoot ?
Is there a schedule for the 2,200 shoots ?

 

[gambleone]

Matt is known as one of the best long-distance shooters in the country, so slapping him in the face on a public forum doesn't look good on you buddy. Matt has given me very helpful advice several times and he hasn't yet steered me wrong - listen to him. If he says run the NXS 5.5-22, I'd take that and run.

Matt has also given me terrific advice & I never even met him! Semper Fi

 

[Centuriator]

the ATACR is the one IMHO.
you can use as low as 20X and be successful, but 25X seems to be a perfect blend. The ATACR is the best for the job if you include price. I have both ATACRs and a BEAST. I will not buy another BEAST unless I just have an extra 1000 to spend. the fancier turret isn't worth that much to me.

Thanks for the helpful reply.

 

[dragman]

Thanks for the helpful reply.

No problem

 

[Zero333]

Before you spend a dime, make sure the scope bas plenty of elevation adjustment.

at least 100moa or 30mils.

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

March, apparently, is not a preferred scope among the experts and professionals....

Here is the screen shot of where MARCH came in in a fairly rigorous comparison of many scopes.

I am a HUGE fan of PRB and I have met Cal at SHOT last year... cool guy, smart guy. That being said, I didn't agree with his values on how he did the test and it is just a matter of opinion. When it comes to "ergonomics" and "advanced features" I would have gave them far less of a value because at the end of the day accurate tracking, clarity and repeatability are what puts rounds on target.
JMO.
The new ATACR 7-35 is amazing but maybe NF should have made a 40mm tube bc it only has 100 moa of total elevation. With that much magnification and people shooting farther and farther everyday it would be nice to have more elevation. Those ultra long shots will force the shooter to use all the dial he/she has and then use the reticle to hit their target.
I have an NXS 5.5-22 and I start to have issues when I shoot past 1700 meters so I would not recommend it to shoot 2200. JMO

To clarify- It is just my opinion and the only issues I have had with my NF is that I wish I had more magnification on those long shots. I had a 4.5-27 Get 2 and the extra 5x was nice when shooting over a mile. A LOT of guys shoot MUCH further than I do so they could give better advice. Good luck.

 

[hogan]

Okay, let's talk clarity and rendition. I am an Athlon dealer. Our Cronus BTR is an incredible value at $1800 for the clarity I tested the Cronus BTR and two Argos BTR at our local airfield recently The Cronus BTR was crisp and sharp out past 1600yds. Viewing a snow covered mountain meadow over 5mi away, it was like using a high quality spotting scope.

Cronus BTR is about 2wks on the market here. Athlon also has recently introduced the Helos BTR scope line. These are HD Glass versions of the Argos 8-34x and 6-24x BTRs that I tested week before last. The sub $400 Argos 8-34x was crisp, clear, and had natural color rendition out to 1100yds. I was viewing the 4"dia blue globe runway marker lights with no degradation or fuzziness.

The $599 Helos in 8-34x 56mm will compete with many of the scopes listed in the chart shown. I dunno your target at 2200yds? The Cronus BTR will for sure render it excellently. 4.5-29x 32mils elevation and 18mils windage, totals... One-tenth mil clicks 10mils per rotation. Great illum FFP reticle Full hashmark area illumination.

Worth your time to compare and SEE For Yourself. The Cronus BTR is made by Light Optical Works; all made in Japan. The other Athlon products are either assembled in China or made there from Chinese produced components. There are many fine quality items coming out of China these days. Athlon Optics are definitely high end quality. Lifetime no bs warranty, transferable no questions. Send a broken scope to Athlon in Kansas and they will repair or replace with new.

The 8-34x 56mm Helos though should really deliver superb optical clarity at distance. I give a moneyback guarantee if not as described. Try the Helos and if you want to go the next level, to Cronus BTR, I will give full trade-in (less shipping & cc fees) for an upgrade if you bought your Athlon trade-in from me.

The old saying is: Seeing Is Believing... From my perspective: Seeing Is KNOWING! You will KNOW you bought a Top Quality Optic and you will KNOW you saved a helluva lot of money doing so...