March 10-60 x 52 vs Nightforce 15 x 55 competition

[vharis19]

Which scope is better for F class at 300,600 1000 yards? What are the relative merits of each? Which has better glass? Why doesn't March have a life time guarantee if it is top tier scope. Is March going to go out of business like Premiere?


Thanks,

 

[JamesnTN]

I owned both and sold the March and got the NF. To me the March just wasn't as bright or as clear as my NF scopes are. I know some here swear by March but I just can't say it's a better scope over a NF and with the extra in costs between the two you can buy the NF and a good set of rings and still have money left over.

 

[varminthunter1]

I've heard rumors the nightforce comp line is made by Dion (March).-
Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

[XTR]

I know two people who had March scopes a couple of yrs ago that sold them and run NF comps now.

I have a NF55, I can tell you that my first impression the first match that I used it was "wow, that's dark". That was on 55x, first thing in the AM at Oak Ridge where the range faces SSE and compared to a couple of yrs of shooting the NF 42NXS.

On the other hand, it's a black target, it's not hiding in the wood line, it may have been darker than my NXS, but it wasn't awful.

Another thing I've noticed is that I dial the 55x down (to about 40x) more often than not. With the 42s I almost never dial them down. I don't think that magnification above 45 or so is going to be useful more than the first relay in the AM.

High mag shooting from other than 1000 yrds you cant see the number boards.

edit: I will add that I've got four NF scopes, an 8-32BR, (2)12-42NXS and a 55Comp. The best clicks by far are on the comp.

 

[vharis19]

I know two people who had March scopes a couple of yrs ago that sold them and run NF comps now.

I have a NF55, I can tell you that my first impression the first match that I used it was "wow, that's dark". That was on 55x, first thing in the AM at Oak Ridge where the range faces SSE and compared to a couple of yrs of shooting the NF 42NXS.

On the other hand, it's a black target, it's not hiding in the wood line, it may have been darker than my NXS, but it wasn't awful.

Another thing I've noticed is that I dial the 55x down (to about 40x) more often than not. With the 42s I almost never dial them down. I don't think that magnification above 45 or so is going to be useful more than the first relay in the AM.

High mag shooting from other than 1000 yrds you cant see the number boards.

 

[vharis19]

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[fastarget]

Came on the forum today to ask the same question regarding the use of a Sightron 10-50 for 600 and 1000 F class , don't mean to steal the thread. The Sightron prices have been hovering around 800, and am looking for scopes to use on youth shooters. I know quite a few shooters use them, are the 10-50 sharp at 50x or do they get dark around the edges? is the image focused at that magnification? So at half the cost of the March or NF, is it half as much scope?

none around our area to look through. Thanks

 

[dkhunt14]

I've heard rumors the nightforce comp line is made by Dion (March).-
Can anyone confirm or deny?

I agree with what Tom said. I can't believe a company that spends the amount of money they did on a new factory and machinery to build scopes, then outsource to somebody else. Now with their spotting scope that is a different story. They don't build spotting scopes. Matt

 

[skiutah02]

At my last local match someone had a March 10-60 they were letting people look through. One of the people in line for a peek knew that I had a NF55 on a rifle that I had brought but was not shooting that day and thought it would be interesting to compare side-by-side. We didn't have alot of time to do a rigorous testing since they were closing down the line at the end of the match, but both were excellent. I thought the NF was just a little crisper, but I knew that I might be biased. Most everyone agreed that the NF was slightly better, even the friend of the person with the March (although he whispered it to me). Was there a definitive difference? I don't think so, but I got a great deal on mine that made it about 1/2 the cost of the March. The rifle I used that day had a Sightron III 10-50 on it. Was the Sightron less crisp than the NF, yes. Would I have gained more points that day with a NF55 on the rifle. No. (bipod came loose on last string). I love my NF, but the Sightron I have is a very, very good scope (esp for the $). My $0.02.

Drew

 

[XTR]

Nobody is going to lose any points because they use a Sightron.

 

[JimPag]

March scopes are just like the Weaver T36's. They vari in clarity from one to the other. You want a real clear scope that holds it's POI just as well as a March, look at a 36X Valdada BR scope. Bart has been selling a real lot of these scopes. People are finally waking up and taking a good look at these scopes.

 

[fastarget]

At my last local match someone had a March 10-60 they were letting people look through. One of the people in line for a peek knew that I had a NF55 on a rifle that I had brought but was not shooting that day and thought it would be interesting to compare side-by-side. We didn't have alot of time to do a rigorous testing since they were closing down the line at the end of the match, but both were excellent. I thought the NF was just a little crisper, but I knew that I might be biased. Most everyone agreed that the NF was slightly better, even the friend of the person with the March (although he whispered it to me). Was there a definitive difference? I don't think so, but I got a great deal on mine that made it about 1/2 the cost of the March. The rifle I used that day had a Sightron III 10-50 on it. Was the Sightron less crisp than the NF, yes. Would I have gained more points that day with a NF55 on the rifle. No. (bipod came loose on last string). I love my NF, but the Sightron I have is a very, very good scope (esp for the $). My $0.02.

Drew

Good info, thank you Drew

 

[Marksman63]

IOR scopes are equipped with Schott lenses, same as Schmidt&Bender. I think Schott and Zeiss/Hensoldt glasses are above all others
However I own a NF Comp and I very very happy

 

[Catfur]

I agree with what Tom said. I can't believe a company that spends the amount of money they did on a new factory and machinery to build scopes, then outsource to somebody else. Now with their spotting scope that is a different story. They don't build spotting scopes. Matt

The vast majority of scope makers don't make the optical glass that goes in their scopes, they have optical glass made by a glass manufacturer to their design (or an optical design they bought, possibly from the glass mfr). Scope makers build the mechanical parts, and assemble the final product.

Only scope maker I know offhand that makes their own glass is Zeiss (or rather it is made by Schott AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the same parent corporation as Zeiss). Schott AG makes glass for many other high end scopes (and other optical stuff).

Nikon makes optical glass, but from what I've found, Nikon buys glass from another Japanese Mfr for their sport optics. Meopta may make their own glass, not sure.

 

[dkhunt14]

The vast majority of scope makers don't make the optical glass that goes in their scopes, they have optical glass made by a glass manufacturer to their design (or an optical design they bought, possibly from the glass mfr). Scope makers build the mechanical parts, and assemble the final product.

Only scope maker I know offhand that makes their own glass is Zeiss (or rather it is made by Schott AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the same parent corporation as Zeiss). Schott AG makes glass for many other high end scopes (and other optical stuff).

Nikon makes optical glass, but from what I've found, Nikon buys glass from another Japanese Mfr for their sport optics. Meopta may make their own glass, not sure.

Swarovski makes their own glass. I was talking about making the parts and assembling the scope. Matt

 

[Shiraz]

Which scope is better for F class at 300,600 1000 yards? What are the relative merits of each? Which has better glass? Why doesn't March have a life time guarantee if it is top tier scope. Is March going to go out of business like Premiere?


Thanks,

I can answer some of the questions here:

1) For those that do not know, I own March Optics USA that is the exclusive distributor of March scopes on the American Continents, North and South. We took over the distributorship about 9 months ago. Prior to that I, personally, purchased 13 March scopes from the previous distributor for my various rifles. The 10-60 March is my favorite scope for individual shooting in F-Class and I have won a LOT of gold medals at long range with my March scoped rifles. My March scopes have helped me win 5 National championships (two Canadian in the individual matches at 700, 800 and 900 meters, and 3 in USA in the 4 man team match at 1000 yards). I am also on the US Team and we use the NF scopes for US team shooting. The NF 15-55x is a good scope.

2) Deon is the maker of March scopes in Japan. According to Deon, Japanese law does not allow warranty periods to exceed 5 years. That is why there is a 5 year warranty. Since we took over the distributorship, we sent an engineer to get factory trained and have invested in a $40,000 collimator plus other optical tools that allow us to service scopes here in USA, unless it is major work. We have also added a 10 year service whereby we would check out your scope at no charge and bring it back to factory settings. In simple words, we have a USA servicing center since we took over.

3) We have made huge progress in getting good information in the hands of consumers: website, catalog, servicing, discounts to LEOs, Military, Media, Team members of any National team etc..... Consequently, our sales are already double that of the previous distributor. We are adding new models (in fact this forum just did an article on new model we just introduced this week http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2016/01/new-1-4-5x24mm-scope-with-ed-glass-from-march/)
The point of telling you all this is to let you know that we have no intention of going out of business, like you wonder in your post.

4) March scopes are assembled entirely by hand and constantly checked throughout the assembly process. Deon is only capable of making a limited number of scopes every month. Every scope is double checked for perfect tracking before it leaves the factory. No, they do not make NF scopes.

5) The key to March scopes is setting it up properly before use. We include proper instructions for doing so. In fact, the guys with old scopes should double check to make sure they are set-up correctly. Call the number below and ask for a copy of those instructions so you can get the most out of your March.

6) A new catalog just came out and you are welcome to a free copy. Just call (360) 676-3299 and ask for one. For those that are coming to the SHOT show, swing by our booth for a look through the scopes and see for yourself. Booth 549

 

[CBVet66-67]

Shiraz..... I've been researching March scopes for a month or so. I had previously chosen a Sightron 10-50x60 because of the magnification and the smaller price than the Nightforce. A member of our club has an 8-80 on a 6Dasher. I looked through it and liked it. A LOT. These old eyes need more magnification than when I was young. After looking through the March I'm sold. I went to the March Optics USA and saw a discount is available for having a FFL and one other category. Just went to the site again and can't find the discounts. Is a discount available for veterans?

P.S. I have a friend at the Shot Show. I asked him to visit your booth. Watch for a tall, big ole bald-headed guy who may have a temporary limp.

 

[Kings X]

I started in F-class with Nightforce. When they failed I went to March. Never going back. Have Sightrons on my "lesser" (22LR) guns.

 

[dkhunt14]

I started in F-class with Nightforce. When they failed I went to March. Never going back. Have Sightrons on my "lesser" (22LR) guns.

I only ever saw one Night force fail, it was on a 50IMP with a clamshell brake. I saw a March fail on a WSM. It cost the guy over a hundred to send it back. Matt

 

[Shiraz]

Shiraz..... I've been researching March scopes for a month or so. I had previously chosen a Sightron 10-50x60 because of the magnification and the smaller price than the Nightforce. A member of our club has an 8-80 on a 6Dasher. I looked through it and liked it. A LOT. These old eyes need more magnification than when I was young. After looking through the March I'm sold. I went to the March Optics USA and saw a discount is available for having a FFL and one other category. Just went to the site again and can't find the discounts. Is a discount available for veterans?

P.S. I have a friend at the Shot Show. I asked him to visit your booth. Watch for a tall, big ole bald-headed guy who may have a temporary limp.

Sorry for the late reply - been catching up and just saw this.

Thank you for the comments. The SHOT Show was great! First time exclusively as March and we had a lot of guys saying "wow" and then passing the stock with the scope on it to their friend and saying "take a look at this". Sold a lot of scopes at the show.

To answer your question, yes we do have a 20% off for Military and LEOs, active or retired. Please call (360) 676-3299.