March 3-24 x 52 vs Schmidt Bender PM II 3-20 x 50

[treillw]

Here is a matchup that I've yet to see. I'm running out of time to pick a scope for my new hunting rifle. The rifle is going to be a .300 win mag bolt gun weighing around 7 pounds. As you can see from my excel sheet below, I've been looking at damn near every scope made trying to find something that fits my criteria. I'd like FFP, wide FOV at low power, and the option of being able to crank up the magnification for long range shots. The reticle needs to be visible on 3x and not a match stick on high power. The candidates that I like the most are towards the top of the list. I originally started off my scope journey looking at march scopes, but then read some things about them that made me go away from them to see what else was out there. I just now came back to them and on paper, it's pretty much everything that I'm looking for. The reticle design even looks pretty awesome too. How durable is this March?

Before half an hour ago, I was pretty much set on the PM II 3-20, but on paper the March seems superior. Which scope of these two do you think is better? Why?

Thanks.

 

[dkhunt14]

Eye relief, MOA available and light gathering would be a big thing for me. A short eye relief on a light weight high recoiling gun could be bad. Matt

 

[treillw]

Eye relief, MOA available and light gathering would be a big thing for me. A short eye relief on a light weight high recoiling gun could be bad. Matt

The MOA of the March is a definite plus in my mind. Eye relief seems to be the same between the two - March ranges from 85-100mm and S&B has 90mm. How do you compare light gathering between the two?

Is there any durability information (ie torture test) out there on the March?

Thanks!

 

[dkhunt14]

How do you compare light gathering between the two?

Is there any durability information (ie torture test) out there on the March?

Thanks!

The only way I know is compare them side
by side in really low light. As far as durability, I am sure they both are good scopes. Matt

 

[Clavius-Walker]

If weight and size is a concern, the March gets the nod in those 2 categories

 

[treillw]

If weight and size is a concern, the March gets the nod in those 2 categories

Yeah, the weight and size are awesome. I just hope that it doesn't sacrifice any toughness as a result. I don't plan on driving any nails in with it, but you never know when you could slip and bump it on a log or rock while hunting.

 

[Clavius-Walker]

I've seen a benchrest one take a nasty beating and still function, I have the 2.5-25 sfp in the hunting version, I've never had an issue but it hasn't taken any abuse.

 

[treillw]

I've seen a benchrest one take a nasty beating and still function, I have the 2.5-25 sfp in the hunting version, I've never had an issue but it hasn't taken any abuse.

What kind of beating did the bench rest one get?

 

[Clavius-Walker]

What kind of beating did the bench rest one get?

Guy had it in a rack in the back of a golf cart at a match, didn't have it strapped it, fell out on the road and landed on the scope, looked nasty but worked fine.

 

[treillw]

Guy had it in a rack in the back of a golf cart at a match, didn't have it strapped it, fell out on the road and landed on the scope, looked nasty but worked fine.

Excellent bit of information! Thanks!

 

[dkhunt14]

The warranty is the thing that turns me most off the March. When my buddies failed it cost him over a hundred dollars to send back. Matt

 

[treillw]

The warranty is the thing that turns me most off the March. When my buddies failed it cost him over a hundred dollars to send back. Matt

This is true. Did he have to send it back to Japan? When Kelby's was the distributor, they all had to go back to Japan. Bullets.com setup a repair center in Washington. This is the information March sent me regarding their warranty: "March offers a 5 year warranty against any defects, and a 10 year service guarantee which allows you to send your scope to us and we will give you a written report on the state of your scope and return the scope to factory specs if you would like."

Supposedly 5 years is the max warranty they can offer by law - something to do with it being imported. I just inquired further about how repairs will be handled in the 5-10 year window.

 

[Shiraz]

For warranty, you don't have to send the scope to Japan anymore.

You send it to our March Optics USA facility in WA state and we take care of everything. Unless the scope has been abused, the only thing it costs you is the shipping charge to WA state. We take care of the rest.

 

[treillw]

For warranty, you don't have to send the scope to Japan anymore.

You send it to our March Optics USA facility in WA state and we take care of everything. Unless the scope has been abused, the only thing it costs you is the shipping charge to WA state. We take care of the rest.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[treillw]

Is there anybody in PA that has the 3-24x52 March with the FMA-1 or FMA-2 reticle that I could check it out before I purchase one?


Thanks!

 

[treillw]

Bump. Still looking for a scope in PA to check out.
Thanks!

 

[andrews1958]

March scopes are fantastic. I have 3 of them and all preform flawlessly. Incredibly clear. I think clearer than my S&Bs People are really missing out when they do not buy a March because of the warranty. If you ever need one ever fixed they now have US repairs in Washington

 

[zolt]

Valdada

 

[nakneker]

I've been playing with scopes for the last year and half. I'd rather put my hands on them and form my own opinion. This is an old post but I'm going put my two cents worth out there anyways. I've enjoyed S&B PMIIs, Valdada, lots of Nightforces, Sightron SIIIS, Us Optics and more. Recently I got my hands on March Tactical FFP 3-24x42 and it has become my favorite out of all the scopes I've played with. Many of the scopes listed may have a slight, very slight edge in light gathering. A couple had a tiny edge of color/clarity but as a whole packaged hunting scope this has it all, FOR ME. I included a couple pictures of it next to a Nightforce SHV F1 and a NXS 3-15x50 just so you can get a sense of the size difference. I've been playing with this scope on a 280 improved, on the range, in the field, far away, close up, I can't say enough good thing about it. The box test has the turrets adjustments as dead nuts, Its mil. The turrets are crisp, low and easy to use. When I dial I have full confidence its going to do its part.

Shiraz already addressed the warranty info. I'll probably be buying more in the near future.

 

[Zero333]

Been there done that. Now I don't want a big tactical target scope on my meat hunting guns.

If I was in your shoes and really desired a big & heavy tactical/target scope on a big game hunting rifle, I would choose the Bushnell LRHS 4.5-18

Just my opinion