March vs NF

[shoot4fun]

Just finished the other N F vs March thread. Interesting. Each with good points, each with the opposite.
Not anywhere close to a shooter those gentlemen are. With out being able to look thru either, hard to make heads or tails. Guys mention the Vortex G E. No one has mentioned the Vortex Razor Gen 3.
Guys using N F. Atacr make the comment. Take it of, use it as a hammer, put it back on, keep shooting.

Don't know just trying to decipher which way to go before laying out $$$.
Thank you.

IF Vortex were to come with an updated version of the GE, say the 15-55 Razor Gen III, I would be an amazing optic and likely cost me a lot of $$$ swapping over to them for long range bench rest.
IMO the G III is one of the best scopes on the market but the max magnification of 36X makes me not ready to give up the 55X of the NF Comp for LR bench rest. Until Vortex should decide to really take on the F-Class/LR BR market seriously then I will stay with NF. Personally, I have zero interest in paying an extra grand for anything March but that's just me.

 

[Rick300]

Personally, I have zero interest in paying an extra grand for anything March but that's just me.

I said that too until I looked through one. When I got my first dedicated LRBR rifle I put a March 10-60x56HM on it and like it so much I bought another. I think most people try to justify lower cost optics as being "just as good" when in reality they are "almost as good". I have looked through various high dollar scopes and seen a few that are close, but none were better.

 

[Rich S]

You might consider the New S6 BR model. It’s not out on the shelves yet. I received mine from Dale at the distributor in NC. Send him and email asking to be put on call list. I picked the MOA-BD reticle for bracket the 600 yd comp target. The ED glass is very good. I’ve not been able to compare my NF comp or March Majestic side by side, but during the sight in @ 100 yds, I’m pretty sure it will be comparable to the NF or March Majestic.

S6 10-60x56 EDBench Rest

Sightron's latest Bench Rest competition riflescope with ED glass elements for 55% more resolution than the industry standard S3 Model. Max magnification of 60x and a close range parallax correction of 9 yards.

sightron.com

I recently purchased the Sightron S6 Benchrest. It is noticeably clearer than My GEs. I shot 2 600 yd matches and am fairly impressed with them. One match had quite a bit of mirage and I believe it cut it better than what I’m used to. I also have the Sightron SVSSED it is also a nice scope but really on the heavy side. For Sightron I’d price through @lancexxx on this sight.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I must sayn you make some serious accusations of ignorance but you own assumption we just cranked them up is ignorant as hell. We put these scope through the paces sir…. Taking time to make all adjustments because as you know everyones eyes are different. Played with zoom.. it was a day playing with 2 March 8-80… the March guys really wanted us to like them…. 2 of 3 liked the NF bettter. You assume people dont know much which makes you come accross as an ASS.

Well, this is awkward. I do NOT know that "everyones eyes are different." That's a meaningless bromide. If all eyes were different, there would be no mass production of riflescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, telescopes, and so on. Or they would be much more complicated needing bespoke fitting for each person. That's what glasses are for.

The purpose of the eyepiece adjustment is simply to refine the presentation of the reticle in the collimated light rays of the view of the objective. You might want to revisit the thread where I discuss the use of Trivex material for eyeglasses for shooters.

In my earlier answer, I used the term "adjust to their eye" in quotes. As I explained earlier, people will adjust the magnification on the riflescope to match what they are familiar with, what their brain is used to seeing. The brain takes what the eye sends to it and interprets the image and fills in the blanks and plays game with you. This is why there are so many optical illusions. They are not really "optical illusions", so much as "brain delusions." Comparing riflescopes is a fruitless endeavor, full of pitfalls and dead ends because the brain and its accumulated experience get in the way for the vast majority of people.

Oh sure, one will see a difference between scopes that have wildly varying price points, but in the upper tiers, the difference is not easy to discern. The Majesta did bring in something that was unique and that an informed observer would have noticed for certain and would have immediately reported on it. That is the much wider field of view. That is NEVER mentioned in these comparisons, and I explained why in my earlier detailed response; the viewer's brain gets in the way and they push the magnification to match the same FOV as the other riflescope.

Also, you now mention that "2 March 8-80" were used, but you did not mention which ones.

 

[Retired shooter]

I said that too until I looked through one. When I got my first dedicated LRBR rifle I put a March 10-60x56HM on it and like it so much I bought another. I think most people try to justify lower cost optics as being "just as good" when in reality they are "almost as good". I have looked through various high dollar scopes and seen a few that are close, but none were better.

In reference to shooting " BUGHOLES" what optic will get that squirrelly insect off to the left side. (LOL)

To all a good day.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

In reference to shooting " BUGHOLES" what optic will get that squirrelly insect off to the left side. (LOL)

To all a good day.

Use a hammer.

 

[Retired shooter]

Use a hammer.

That would be the N F correct. ??

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

That would be the N F correct. ??

No. Use a digital hammer.

 

[Retired shooter]

No. Use a digital hammer.

Right hand, or left hand. ???

 

[Ccrider]

I recently purchased the Sightron S6 Benchrest. It is noticeably clearer than My GEs. I shot 2 600 yd matches and am fairly impressed with them. One match had quite a bit of mirage and I believe it cut it better than what I’m used to. I also have the Sightron SVSSED it is also a nice scope but really on the heavy side. For Sightron I’d price through @lancexxx on this sight.

So, how does the glass in the S6 and SVSSED compare?

 

[shoot4fun]

So, how does the glass in the S6 and SVSSED compare?

I own a SVSSED and it's a behemoth. there is 9 ounces difference in the S6 and the SVSSED and that can make a huge difference when you have to make weight. I haven't had my hands on the S6 but know someone who has one. Maybe I'l sneak a peak thru it and see what it looks like. I will say I have two Sigtron BR scopes now, a SIII 10-50 and the SSSVED 10-50 and both have impressed me.

 

[Ccrider]

I own a SVSSED and it's a behemoth. there is 9 ounces difference in the S6 and the SVSSED and that can make a huge difference when you have to make weight. I haven't had my hands on the S6 but know someone who has one. Maybe I'l sneak a peak thru it and see what it looks like. I will say I have two Sigtron BR scopes now, a SIII 10-50 and the SSSVED 10-50 and both have impressed me.

I owned two SVSSEDs. Loved the parallax adjustment. In my opinion it’s by far the best in the market. The glass was close to the NF Comp.

I wanted more magnification and making weight with a tuner was out. That extra 9 ounces made the difference.

From what I have read, the glass in the S6 is not the same as the SVSSED glass. That and the parallax not being the same make the S6 a non option for me.

I will add that all things equal, the glass in the Comp and SVSSED seemed brighter to me than the March although they handle mirage differently.

 

[X-Caveman]

Hello All
In regards to warrany issues.
How many of you all have actually had problems.
Is Nighforce repaired in the US. seeing as they are made in the US.?
Does the March go back to. J A pan & co. for repair?

Thanks.

NF are made in Japan and serviced out of Idaho. I have a NXS 3.5-15x56 there now for a turret issue. I was quoted 6-8 weeks for them to get a chance to look at it. I sent it on 9/18/25, got the receipt email on 9/25/25. As of now, they haven't told me that they've inspected it (7 weeks+). I'm not in a hurry, nor complaining. Just stating facts and advising not to assume it will be quick just because it doesn't have to go overseas. I was told that they were busy, so this is taking longer than normal. I don't remember how long they've taken in the past.

 

[shoot4fun]

NF are made in Japan and serviced out of Idaho. I have a NXS 3.5-15x56 there now for a turret issue. I was quoted 6-8 weeks for them to get a chance to look at it. I sent it on 9/18/25, got the receipt email on 9/25/25. As of now, they haven't told me that they've inspected it (7 weeks+). I'm not in a hurry, nor complaining. Just stating facts and advising not to assume it will be quick just because it doesn't have to go overseas. I was told that they were busy, so this is taking longer than normal. I don't remember how long they've taken in the past.

One of my NF 15-55 Competition scopes took the full impact of a mishap where my 17 pound rifle hit concrete. I was amazed at how quickly they responded and how quickly it was expertly repaired and returned. Even more amazing was the small amount of charge for repairing all the damage done.
I understand March will soon have an authorized repair center on TX but that did not come from March.
Also, these days, one never knows how long "soon" will wind up being.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

One of my NF 15-55 Competition scopes took the full impact of a mishap where my 17 pound rifle hit concrete. I was amazed at how quickly they responded and how quickly it was expertly repaired and returned. Even more amazing was the small amount of charge for repairing all the damage done.
I understand March will soon have an authorized repair center on TX but that did not come from March.
Also, these days, one never knows how long "soon" will wind up being.

Yeah, I have the same happen to my F-TR match rifle leaving Lodi. I was standing up in the baggage cart in its old rifle bag. I turned around to close the door or something and heard a heart-squeezing thud. The rifle had fallen over off the cart smack on the zipper side where there is no padding, right on the tip of the objective bell. The perfect storm, so to speak. No time to cry too much, I'm heading home.
Back home I noticed the attached sunshade is no longer round, it's compressed a bit on the top. I put on my green laser and can't detect any shifting, but that's inside my workshop through the garage. I use that distance to quickly check things. When the scope is set for 1000 yards, I know what it looks like in 20 feet, such as inside a hotel room or garage.

I took my rifle to my local range (TGC) and the first shot hit the tall target at the exact same place as it should. The next day was the monthly Bayou 1000-yard match. First shot on target, the Shotmarker gives me the yellow square, and the shot comes up as a 9 at 12 o'clock. I had forgotten to take off the final Lodi settings. I've been shooting it since then every month and it's fine. But the sunshade is a little wonky.

I still remember the noise of the crash. Hurray for 34mm tubes and 4mm think walls. And the Burris XTR rings are solid also.

Also, it was the CEO of DEON Optical who announced the coming opening of the service center when she visited Bayou Rifles this past July for Q1 2026. I think that counts as coming from March itself.

 

[6MMsteve]

A overcast late afternoon day will separate scopes, a bright day will make a lower grade scope look good, a bright day will make a high grade scope too bright have to use a diffuser

 

[6MMsteve]

I have had 1 March Scope High Master My country ass didn't know how to use it right, until a late afternoon and I seen just how good it was..the brightness on a cloudy late afternoon was superb perfect just like I was 5 feet away from the target

 

[Rich S]

So, how does the glass in the S6 and SVSSED compare?

Honestly I have not done a side by side comparison. I do think both seem very clear and are a step up from the glass in the GEs. I haven’t used the SVSSED for some time due to the weight.