Nightforce5.5-22 x 50 vs March 2.5-25 x 42

[Rancher Mike]

Other than the weight difference, does anyone have a preference between these two scopes: Nightforce5.5-22 x 50 vs March 2.5-25 x 42? I own the Nightforce 5.5-22x50 and I like it a lot, but I've never tried the March. I'm considering the March to lighten a hunting rifle, but don't want to compromise on quality. Thanks!

 

[dmoran]

Whats the price difference?
I'd go with the cheaper of the two, myself.
Donovan

 

[JBT47]

Consider the March 2.5-25x52 for larger exit pupil. It is a fantastic scope. Lighter and more compact than the NF NXS. Glass is subjective...that said, I prefer March glass over NXS glass. YMMV.

 

[Rancher Mike]

Consider the March 2.5-25x52 for larger exit pupil. It is a fantastic scope. Lighter and more compact than the NF NXS. Glass is subjective...that said, I prefer March glass over NXS glass. YMMV.

 

[Rancher Mike]

To keep the weight down ,the march sounds like the way to go, price and quality being about the same. Thanks for your replies.

 

[dkhunt14]

It would be nice if you could look through both before you buy. Everybodies eyes are different. Maybe at a match you could see both. Matt

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Other than the weight difference, does anyone have a preference between these two scopes: Nightforce5.5-22 x 50 vs March 2.5-25 x 42? I own the Nightforce 5.5-22x50 and I like it a lot, but I've never tried the March. I'm considering the March to lighten a hunting rifle, but don't want to compromise on quality. Thanks!

It's not even a contest in my opinion. The March wins hands down in every respect. In weight alone, you would save about 10 ounces thus fulfilling your goal to lighten a hunting rifle But let's look at a few other things.


The NXS has a zoom range of 4X (5.5-22X), whereas the March has a zoom range of 10X (2.5-25X), much more advanced and for a hunting rifle, a low mag of 2.5X is much more desirable than one of 5.5X.

The NXS has never impressed me with its light transmission. My NXS 12-42X56 has visibly lower light transmission compared to my March-X 5-50X56 when both are set at about 40X. The NXS you mention has a larger objective than the March, but you'll probably have the same or a darker image in the NXS compare to the March. This also make the 42mm March handier on a hunting rifle.

The March is 3 inches shorter than the NXS, if that counts for anything. For a hunting rifle, I would think that's desirable.

The March has a minimum parallax adjustment at 10yards compare to 50yards for the NXS. That's just another feature that shows the March to be far more advanced than the NXS. Prices appear to be very similar.

 

[Rancher Mike]

Thanks Denny, another one I've considered is a leupold vx6 4-24 x52 weighing 24.4 oz. has any one used the t- moa reticle ?,the hole in the center has me wondering how it would work for long range critters like coyotes. One post said the hole was the size of a 7mm hole @100 yds.

 

[wedgy]

The March glass does not show the glare when looking into the sun that my NXS shows. I could not make the shot with the NF but the March was clear. To me the glass of the March is a little more clear than the NXS. BTW, the VX-6HD glass beats the NXS in clarity and low light(4-24x52) so I would throw that in as well.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The March glass does not show the glare when looking into the sun that my NXS shows. I could not make the shot with the NF but the March was clear. To me the glass of the March is a little more clear than the NXS. BTW, the VX-6HD glass beats the NXS in clarity and low light(4-24x52) so I would throw that in as well.

That will be due to the inferior coating used in the NSX (or conversely, the superior coatings used in the March.) Better coating also make for better light transmission.

I notice the Leupold mentioned here has a 34mm tube and is a 6X zoom. Better than the NXS, not quite at the level of the March.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The NXS is a solid scope. It just works. Turrets are good, reticles are good, they hold zero and track. The March has all those features plus saves 10 oz, and it gives a really usable zoom range for a hunting scope. 2.5 for timber walking and 25x for long shots. I prefer the March turrets and zero stop. Glass is just not all that important to me in a scope, thats what the binos and spotter are for. But they both have glass better than needed for the purpose. These are really the only 2 scopes that have the features I like in a hunting scope. Its a shame there are so few choices for a solid, light weight scope with good turrets and reticles.

 

[Rancher Mike]

thanks everyone for your help

 

[slm9s]

I'm not sure how far you are comfortable shooting at game - and whether a holdover reticle might work for you vs dialing, but a couple more options you might check out:

Swaro Z5 or Z6
Nightfore SHV
Bushnell LRHS

That said, I briefly owned a March 2.5-25x42 and it was straight amazing. Not only optically, but so many features in such compact package. I would pick it easily over the NXS 5.5-22.

 

[nakneker]

I own 2 of the March 3-24x42 FFPs. I also own one 5-22x50 NXS. Can’t go wrong with either scope. I like the March for big game hunting because it’s smaller and lighter and has the ability to dial down to 3x, that’s nice when walking timber or thick cedars. I’m using Mil versions and the reticles in both brands are very usable. I was hesitant with the March scopes because I had heard the reticle didn’t dial to scale, I found that to be false. Both scopes dial to scale and return to zero every time. Like I said though, you can’t make a wrong decision between the two.