What is a High Master scope?

[jackieschmidt]

Well, I have three March High Master fixed 48x on various Benchrest Rifles, and two Night Force 15x55 on Rifles where weight is not a concern, (HV 30 BR and 17 pound “light gun”).

The Night Force has it beat.

 

[257ack]

Hey James, I noticed in the first pic that you had one of the old style sinclair bench rest. I really do like them and am sure that you enjoy yours. I sure do hate that I sold mine but I have got too old to shoot anyway. I havent seen Lou since the winds of Manatee, a real nice gent. Hope you enjoy yours and wish you the best

 

[JimPag]

Any of my Marches whether it's a HM or not beats any of my 15-55's when it comes to shooting in mirage.

 

[jamesdmock]

We shot our monthly 300 yard score only match today (8/6/22) and the weather was typical for Louisiana in August...HOT; switching southern winds (up to 10 MPH); bright sun and M I R A G E !!!! This scope handled the mirage better than any I have used so far. I shot at 60X until the last target and I dialed down to 40X. I could see my bullet holes throughout the match, while many shooters complained that they could not.

 

[Tarmacshooter]

Well, I have three March High Master fixed 48x on various Benchrest Rifles, and two Night Force 15x55 on Rifles where weight is not a concern, (HV 30 BR and 17 pound “light gun”).

The Night Force has it beat.

That’s the issue, you need to compare apples to apples, 10-60 vs the NF.

 

[jamesdmock]

That’s the issue, you need to compare apples to apples, 10-60 vs the NF.

A lady (Neacie Turner) won the match shooting a 6 Dasher topped with a NF 15-55X Competition. However, she also had a good spotting scope, so I don't know whether she had trouble seeing bullet holes in that mirage.

 

[Tarmacshooter]

A lady (Neacie Turner) won the match shooting a 6 BRA topped with a NF 15-55X Competition. However, she also had a good spotting scope, so I don't know whether she had trouble seeing bullet holes in that mirage.

NF has been winning for years. No doubt, doesn’t mean they are the best hardware. People say scopes are subjective to the eye. I’m not sure I buy that.

HM has Super ED glass, a 34mm main tube and 56mm objective.

PRS guys chase glass like it’s going out of style. Literally. They have Swaro SLC bino’s and swaro spotters. They run Tangeant Theta’s, Kahles, ATACRs and Zero Comprise rifle scopes. its about hardware and engineering.

Im sure before to much longer NF will have a comp with a 34 or 35mm main tube and better glass.

For what it’s worth, I also have 2 comps in the house.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Allow me to make a few points here.

1- No one ever said the Nightforce 15-55X52 Competition was a bad scope. It's actually a very good scope and it's quite ubiquitous because of that and its price point.

2- I have never worried about looking for bullet holes at 300-yards, or any other distance when shooting F-class targets. I just don't see the point. We have people pulling the targets and putting some form of spotting disk in the hole and pasting the prior one. At 300 yards, we use golf tees of little white stickers.

3- The Super ED lenses in the High Master lens system will not magically make the mirage go away. What they will do is retard the damage to the IQ engendered by the mirage. In my longer multi-year thread in this forum, I explain what I see in the scope in periods of heavy mirage and also how I am able to stay at 50X in all the exposures I have encountered with mirage. As long as the aiming black is round and I can distinguish the rings in the black so that I can place my center dot exactly, surgically, where I want on the target, I am good to go. (I can screw up in confidence.)

4- The best high magnification riflescope on the planet (and currently, the March-X 10-60X56 HM is that riflescope) will allow you to screw up cleanly if you do not read AND interpret the conditions properly.

5- Equipment can carry you only so far; at some point, you are the limiting factor in the rifle system.

6- Properly using an adequate spotting scope is crucial in F-class. What I have found is that my current Kowa 82SV shows the mirage fairly well, but I have been surprised to discern mirage in my March-X 10-60X56 HM that was not showing up in the 82SV. This is why I bought the 883 and I am looking forward to trying it out next week at the monthly 1000-yard match, complete with mirage.

 

[WIB3]

Bought one this year with my surplus Biden money for a new 17lb light gun 1000yd build. I must say, it’s a game changer at 1000yds for me. I’m 58 and the eyes are getting old. I have no Nighforce competition scopes to compare with, but the optics are fantastic. Been shooting the light gun in both classes at Williamsport and this past weekend I believe I could have seen bullet holes if my shots were not all in the blue of the target. I could see the X in the middle of the target. They are pricey, but isn’t. If you are in the market for a Comp, look through a High Master and make your own decision. My only problem is that I can’t find the funds to buy another one for my heavy gun.

 

[WIB3]

I have been shooting at 60x this whole year and been absolutely enjoying it. Yes, it’s fantastic. I have been letting others look through it after being set up and they have been amazed by the optics.

 

[jamesdmock]

The Super ED lens in this scope tends to allow one to shoot at 60x , even in high mirage. It is August and the Louisiana mirage can be fierce. Here I am testing in my " field of dreams" corn field at home. This is only 100 yards, but much can be determined at these short distances.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The main reason I never go beyond 50X is because of something called FOV (Field Of View). At 50X @ 1000 yards, I can see the entire target face and enough around it to verify the target number so as to reduce the chances of cross firing. It also allows me to monitor the conditions at the target. So it's a trade-off between magnification and FOV; the higher the mag, the smaller the FOV. I do know of people who, when shooting team, will run their March at 80X. They verify the target number and then aim according to the instructions from the wind coach.

When shooting individuals, you have to be more aware of the conditions at all times.

 

[6MMsteve]

I have have a High Master now, shooting at 100yds the clarity is the best, I have a Kahles and NF comp to my eye the clarity of the bullet holes is just like I'm a foot away, I can see the ragged edges inside the hole from the wood backer, splinters