The REALLY dumb question of the day...

[TommyD11730]

Ok Guys, go easy on me. Keep in mind, up till a few years ago my only experience with rifle scopes was my trusty 4x Z24.

So... I'm shooting a short range (200Y) bench rest rifle now. The glass on it is a 15-60 Athlon Ares. In perfect conditions I run the scope in the 40x magnification range. As the mirage gets worse I dial back to compensate.

Im strongly considering replacing my current scope with a straight 48x scope (March).

So what do straight magnification shooters do as the mirage comes up? Is the March glass that much better that it cuts through the mirage?

Thanks guys!

 

[DShortt]

Ok Guys, go easy on me. Keep in mind, up till a few years ago my only experience with rifle scopes was my trusty 4x Z24.

So... I'm shooting a short range (200Y) bench rest rifle now. The glass on it is a 15-60 Athlon Ares. In perfect conditions I run the scope in the 40x magnification range. As the mirage gets worse I dial back to compensate.

Im strongly considering replacing my current scope with a straight 48x scope (March).

So what do straight magnification shooters do as the mirage comes up? Is the March glass that much better that it cuts through the mirage?

Thanks guys!

There is no such thing as 'cutting through mirage'. It's an environmental condition.
It's like 'cutting through the wind'. All you can do is compensate and watch for condition changes.

 

[Mulligan]

I shoot a march HM 48x and a HM 40-60 on my short range BR rigs.
The 40-60 always sits at 60X.
I admit, here in western Colorado 36% RH is a very humid day........ so, I have zero experience at short range BR in high humidity.
The glass on a March HM allows you to see through the mirage....... you still see the mirage, but can also see through it.
At our club, the 42x NF is likely the common scope on the line, second is probably the 48x March. They both just work.

I am interested in what the rest of the forum members input will be on this question.

CW

 

[Ranger188]

Only the "High Master" line of March scopes does a slightly
better job of "looking through mirage".
I would strongly suggest you look through someones March and
see if YOU like it more before you spend more money.
Some like the NF comp. just as much when they turn the power down.
A fixed power is just that. You are stuck with only one power no matter what.

 

[Mulligan]

Only the "High Master" line of March scopes does a slightly
better job of "looking through mirage".
I would strongly suggest you look through someones March and
see if YOU like it more before you spend more money.
Some like the NF comp. just as much when they turn the power down.
A fixed power is just that. You are stuck with only one power no matter what.

With the 10.5 pound weight limit in short range benchrest, a NF comp is going to be tough….. unless you have a very short barrel.
CW

 

[TommyD11730]

With the 10.5 pound weight limit in short range benchrest, a NF comp is going to be tough….. unless you have a very short barrel.
CW

I should add something for clarity. While I'm shooting "short range BR" my gun is a range toy. I have no weight / class that I'm burdened by.

 

[JEFFPPC]

With the 10.5 pound weight limit in short range benchrest, a NF comp is going to be tough….. unless you have a very short barrel.
CW

You must plan the build around all the components including the scope. Variables will slways be heavier than comparable straight powers. No it's not hard unless you build without a plan. You might look at the Sightron 45x.

 

[Boilermaker]

I shoot my March 48x up to 300 yards. I was concerned about getting it because I have a Sightron 45x that gets affected by the mirage more than my liking at 200 yds and impossible to use at 300 yards. The March is not that way! Even in less than ideal conditions, I am confident going to the line with the March. They do have a reducer disk that goes in the objective that helps reduce light and mirage effect in the scope. I typically leave mine in all the time because I forget about it.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have both March High Master 48’s and the Nightforce 15x55 Competition.
Both are great, but If I absolutely had to choose just one, it would be the Night Force.