"Unicorn" scope?

[Underpup2]

As I said once already I have a 3-9 scope on my previous main hunting rifle and it is very capable out to 700 yards without touching the elevation knob. So I am well aware of how capable a3-9x is. But that's not what I want for this build. I don't want the extra power to added range or because I have to have it to shoot at the ranges I am wanting to shoot. I want the extra power to #1 be able to tell how big the buck I'm looking at is and #2 to make sure that doe I'm shooting at long range isn't a small spike/button buck.
If you can tell the difference in a 1-3 inch spike and a doe @ 600-1000 yards with a 9 power scope then more power to you but I don't have literal eagle eyes so I can't.
Also as previously stated I can always turn a 4-32x scope down to 9x but I'd like to see you turn a 3-9x up to 32x.
My point is for a few more oz's I can gain anywhere from 11-23x on the top end while only loosening 1-2xon the bottom end. And with the 2.5-25 march I would actually gain 0.5x on the bottom end.

 

[6MMsteve]

Tract is a good looking scope

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Sounds like you need a 6.5-20 Leupold with a duplex reticule. Comes in 1' or 30mm.

Frank

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I looked at the maven RS.3 but I didn't like the reticle that well it's ok but not anything impressive. The march 2.5-25 SFP and the 3-24 FFP both look like really good options. My main concern with march is a lot of people say the parralex is finicky for a hunting scope?

There is a big difference between a 3X zoom like in a 3-9X riflescope, and the 10X zoom in the March 2.5-25X42 or 52. The DOF at 2.5X is huge and it's very quick to get a nice focused IQ. But when you crank up the magnification, the DOF skrinks rapidly because optics. The equivalent of the 3X zoom in the March would be at 7.5X and I doubt people complain about a finicky parallax at that magnification. However, you're only 30% of the way to magnification goodness at 7.5X. Yeah, things are going to get more critical as you pile on the magnification.

Also, please notice that the size of the objective lens comes into play also. If your typical 3-9X is a 32 or 36mm objective, your DOF will be deeper than the same magnification in a 42 and especially a 52mm objective lens, once again because optics.

The March 2.5-25X42 or 52 is a solid riflescope, light and precise. But it's a whole lot of riflescope compared to the 3-9 and 4-12 and so on. It's the type of riflescope that is perfect for hunting and you run it from 2.5 to maybe 10X easily. But when you want to take that longer shot or want to stretch your rifle's legs to go at longer distances, you can crank on the magnification and take your time fine tuning the side focus and getting into a proper position. The March will not be the limiting factor when you are taking these long shots.

The 2.5-25X42/52 is SFP, the equivalent FFP is the 3-24X42/52. The difference between the 42mm objective and the 52mm is that you will have more light at the higher magnifications in the 52mm, but the DOF will be shallower, in other words, more finicky. If you want to use the riflescope for hunting (2.5X-10X) and occasionally be able to go to 20X and beyond, the 42mm may be a better fit. On the other hand, if you intend to spend more time at the higher magnifications, where you have the time to get the perfect focus, then the 52mm may be what you're after.

 

[Underpup2]

Track does look good but are very heavy.

I looked at a lot of leupold options and the vx5 seamed to be the best fit for what I'm looking for but a lot of people said the turrets on them where not up to par. The MK 5 was the next closest thing but it's too heavy as well.
Thanks turtle for the info on the March's.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

March 2.5-25 is what your after, I cant even imagine shooting at anything at a 1000y with a 3-9x scope but thats just me

 

[Underpup2]

The march 2.5-25 and the NF NX8 4-32 are the top 2 contenders at the moment. March has the advantage in weight but NF has the edge on magnification. Leaning towards the march but I wish the mtr3 reticle was 1 moa hashes(@20x) instead of 2 moa

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The MTR-2, MTR-4 and MTR-5 have the 1MOA hashes @ 20X. I do not have a March 2.5-24X42/52 but I have looked through several. I use the MTR-5 reticles on my March-X 10-60X56 HM and my-x 5-50X56, It's great for F-Class, and other target endeavors. The MTR-4 might be something that you might want to consider also, but I have no experience with it.

The ED glass in the March 2.5-25X42/52 does a really good job of controlling CA in such a short, yet powerful scope. This March is in the Compact line and it's short at 12 inches and light at 22 ounces. The NX8 4-32 is more comparable to the March-X 5-50X56 in weight at 29 ounces.

 

[Underpup2]

Thanks again turtle. For the info I looked at the mtr4 and it looked ok. I'll have to check out the mtr2 it wasn't listed as an option where I was look at them for sale so I didn't see it.

 

[XTR]

Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 BT plex retical. Love me some Swarovski glass… and it’s 16oz. (I have 3 Swaros on hunting rifles),

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Thanks again turtle. For the info I looked at the mtr4 and it looked ok. I'll have to check out the mtr2 it wasn't listed as an option where I was look at them for sale so I didn't see it.

Understood. These scopes are not cheap and March usually builds them to order since they have such a wide array of options. If I'm going to spend that much money on a riflescope, it needs to have the exact features I want. You can contact a distributor or reseller and request the exact scope you want. It may take a few months for it to show up, but it will be the one you want.