What is a High Master scope?

[jamesdmock]

I received the March 10x-60X High Master from Lou Murdica for testing late yesterday. Since it is so hot here, I shot a few rounds to get it sighted in at 100 yards. After getting it on target, I fired 3, 3-shot groups with three different bullets. I shot at about 8:15 AM and the wind was light from about 8:00 o'clock. It was already getting hot and I expected to shoot at 40 power. However, the image was crystal clear at 60X so I shot all three groups at that power. The first picture is of my redneck bench under my mower shed and the second one shows the three groups that I shot. My first impressions were great, but I will continue testing and write up the results. A partial answer to the question, "What Is a High Master" will be reported in my article. Let me say that it is more than Super ED lens. Stay tuned. James

 

[The boogalorian]

Got a March high master 4.5-28 ffp for my prs gun last year. Was nervous about spending that much money on a scope but I could not be happier with the purchase. I am impressed every time I look thru it. Awesome scope.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Got a March high master 4.5-28 ffp for my prs gun last year. Was nervous about spending that much money on a scope but I could not be happier with the purchase. I am impressed every time I look thru it. Awesome scope.

Which reticle did you get in your March-FX 4.5-28X52 HM. Also, how do you like the wide-angle eyepiece?

 

[The boogalorian]

Which reticle did you get in your March-FX 4.5-28X52 HM. Also, how do you like the wide-angle eyepiece?

Tr1 reticle. I like it because it isn’t too busy but the marks are there when you need them. I can see my vapor trail and splashes as well as hold elevation and wind without issue.
The parallax adjustment is very forgiving. I normally set it in the morning and don’t think about it for the rest of the day. We shoot 300 to 1000 yards.
The wide angle is nice, helps with target identification. Super clear glass. Great mechanics. I’ve heard some people complain about the eye relief, but I don’t have that issue. I did have to adjust the scope position from where I initially mounted it. I don’t think that is unusual when replacing optics on a rifle.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The TR-1 reticle was designed by my friend ILya; it's a great reticle.

The 4.5-28X52 HM is a great scope; I have one on my AR-10, with which I shot a PRS match a few months ago. Like you I had 0 problem with the DOF/parallax. I set mine to about 500 yards and shot all day between 300 and 1000 yards with no sight picture issues. Unfortunately, at my age, I found some of the stages more than a little challenging with respect to position and I had trouble completing some of them. The long-range stuff was more to my liking, because that was basic prone. But when I had to drape myself over an abandoned car, on my back, head down, shooting at 350 yards, I had issues. The next stage was worse, and I also fared worse.

 

[SweaterDood]

Looking forward to the full write-up.

I am also highly interested in the 4.5-28x52. High chance of putting one on my PRS rifle. If you have any pull, I would seal the deal on a better illumination set-up. Full stadia illumination as a minimum, major hold markers in the tree would preferred as well. The new Sightron SVIII has the illumination nailed in my opinion, but too big and heavy of a package for me.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

@jamesdmock Please accept my apologies for slightly derailing your thread. Please note that I am looking forward to your report on the March-X 10-60X56 HM. In the meantime, I thought I would comment on the reticle of another March HM riflescope.

The driving concept of the PDK reticle was to make it unobtrusive while still providing the reference marks to aid in shot detection/placement. For that reason, all numbers are below the horizontal line to provide the most unobstructed view possible. All the segments were kept thin so as to not hide any splash or impact and the distances were all measured to provide easy references for wind deflection and still stay within a useful range.

When you design a reticle, there are certain parameters which must be respected and for this scope, the minimum thickness of an illuminated segment was greater than the thickness desired for this reticle. So the PDK is not available with illumination; it's a pure PRS reticle and it id believed PRS competitors do not use illumination in a match. Feedback from people who use the PDK reticle is that they really do like the uncluttered view and they can more easily detect the impacts.

Of course, there are people who want illumination in that scope and for that there is the TR-1 reticle, which is another design with thicker segments that are illuminated. But the entire tree is not illuminated, it would be very thick if it were.

 

[jamesdmock]

The extremely hot weather has hampered my testing, but I did shoot "the square" and the High Master did pass that okay. After 108 clicks of adjustment the final shot went through the same hole as the first shot.

 

[Larry Koch]

Looks like a terrible scope no one should buy. Unless they want to be a competitor!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The extremely hot weather has hampered my testing, but I did shoot "the square" and the High Master did pass that okay. After 108 clicks of adjustment the final shot went through the same hole as the first shot.

Looks like both the scope as well as the "Mutt" passed the test.

 

[jamesdmock]

I took the Mutt out this morning to further test the 10x-60x March High Master. Today, I decided to do a modified "tall target" test to check the click values of the scope. I shot the yard sale "Mutt" with the 6 PPC barrel. My load was 29.5 grains of N133/Fed 205M and Bart's Avenger 68 gr. BT bullets seated ~.004 into the lands. I shot 2 shots to foul the barrel and adjusted the scope up 4 MOA. After the first shot, I adjusted 4 more MOA up and shot with the same point of aim. Then I shot the 3rd shot with 4 more MOA up. After the 12 MOA up, I dialed 12 MOA down and fired at a new aim point. The High Master passed this brief test with flying colors. PS- I did not place wind flags today. The more I test the High Master , the more I am pleased with it. See the picture below for a visual of today's shooting. James

 

[jamesdmock]

This old man takes the High Master to a friend's farm to get it ready for its first match. Next Saturday it will get a chance to shine at 300 yards. I am not as worried about the performance of the scope as I am the performance of yours truly. Many will look at the picture and wonder why I don't know how to use a bench properly. The truth is that that bench just does not fit me. I used the wrong side with MY stool to help overcome this ill- fitting bench. The Mutt shot two .6xx's at the 300 yards and it is now zeroed for that distance. This was with the 6 PPC barrel, but I may change to the Dasher barrel if the weatherman predicts a windy morning.

 

[Falfan2017]

I’m running the March 40-60 high master. It’s glass is amazing. Also a very lightweight option for anybody trying to save weight

 

[jamesdmock]

Those leather bags look just about broken in

Make sure to post a report on the match.

I bought them back in the 1990's and have used them since. I started Benchrest shooting with this old Sinclair rest and haven't seen any reason to change, or poor folks have poor ways. LOL

 

[norton850]

James you are killing me. Please tell us what you think about the glass? NF VS IOR vs any others you have tested.

 

[jamesdmock]

James you are killing me. Please tell us what you think about the glass? NF VS IOR vs any others you have tested.

I haven't shot it at 600 yet and when I do, I will get a better idea of the image quality. My initial impression is that it has better glass than my NF BR 12-42 and on par with the IOR Terminator, but I will have to test further.

 

[FNSafari]

I have one and like it a lot. Fine scope.

 

[jamesdmock]

Tomorrow, the High Master, the Mutt, and yours truly will face a real test. Our 300 yard score match will show how well the HM handles mirage and the visual acuity will also be tested. Below is a picture taken prior to one of these matches at Prince Memorial range at Pioneer, LA.

 

[jamesdmock]

Tomorrow, the High Master, the Mutt, and yours truly will face a real test. Our 300 yard score match will show how well the HM handles mirage and the visual acuity will also be tested. Below is a picture taken prior to one of these matches at Prince Memorial range at Pioneer, LA. View attachment 1359860

We shoot 300 and 600 yards once a month and have 3 classes, Factory, Tactical, and Custom. The competition is very keen. At 300 yards it takes a 199 or 200 to be in contention for the win. Sometimes the win goes to the higher x count with multiple 200's. At 600 yards the winner normally shoots in the 190's (depending on conditions). This range is located in extreme northeast LA and has its share of mirage and some tricky winds. This will be a good test of the High Master scope.

 

[Tarmacshooter]

I just bought one for my F-Open rig. I’ve gone though TONs of scopes between Fclass and PRS. The HM replaced the NF Comp.

The difference is night and day. Not looking back…. HM is well worth it.