What is the best scope for 1000?
- Thread starter Immike
- Start date
The vast majority of the scopes on the line at the Fclass nationals were Nightforce, that should tell you a lot. You may be able to find a better scope, but the price will be significantly higher for a small degree of improvement. I do own a March 2.5-25 and I have two NF scopes one NSX and one BR model both in 12-42 power. To be honest I don't see much of a difference between the glass in the 2 brands, but I have only used them at the range in match conditions. At the price point (NF and above) most brands will do what you need them too. If you stick with Nightforce the scope will not be your limiting factor for shooting well at 1000 yards.
Good luck,
Ben
Good luck,
Ben
Without doubt the March, take your pick from the 10-60x52, the 8-80x56 or the 5-50x56.
I've used the big S&B 12-50x56 and while the optics are crystal clear and the 30 MOA elevation on one revolution of the drum is desirable, meaning that you can never get lost. The biggest hang up I had was that unfortunately the eye relief sucks. Also the clicks are to fine and to close, if you look at them from a elavated angle it will give you a false reading (yes I'm being ultra critical). I started off using my S&B on a hot 6mm, the eye relief wasn't a problem until I put it my .284 Shehane, after it scoped me for the 6Th time, I sold it.
The Nightforce is only let down by two things, 1/4 MOA adjustments and the glass, sorry that may offend a few of you but the glass just doesn't compare to the March or the S&B, having said that, you can still see your target with the NF ( I have 3 ) therefore you can hit it! and we do.
The March has everything you need, 1/8 MOA adjustment but without a cluttered turret. The zero stop is a god send, the eye relief excellent and the glass is S&B quality. The MTR-2 reticule is awesome and set on 40 mag gives the ability to measure your bad wind calls! The illuminated reticule is a bonus that will never be used but I guess it's good to have it there if you ever decide to use the scope for sporting purposes. If you wanted a do it all March scope I think the 5-50x56 illuminated is probably as good as it gets.
Two examples....Using a March 8-80x56 on 40 power I was shooting F class at 1000 yards a few days ago, I knew I had hit the V bull because I saw a white patch blow off the target, sure enough it was a V bull. Several weeks ago I was shooting in a 600 yard F class match and I was calling my fellow shooters shots in the black before the board came up, much to his amazement.
If you can afford it, the March is it.
If you're on a budget the Sightron has to be the biggest bang for your buck.
While being able to see clearly on your target is nice, it's what you see left or right hand side of your target that helps you win.
I've used the big S&B 12-50x56 and while the optics are crystal clear and the 30 MOA elevation on one revolution of the drum is desirable, meaning that you can never get lost. The biggest hang up I had was that unfortunately the eye relief sucks. Also the clicks are to fine and to close, if you look at them from a elavated angle it will give you a false reading (yes I'm being ultra critical). I started off using my S&B on a hot 6mm, the eye relief wasn't a problem until I put it my .284 Shehane, after it scoped me for the 6Th time, I sold it.
The Nightforce is only let down by two things, 1/4 MOA adjustments and the glass, sorry that may offend a few of you but the glass just doesn't compare to the March or the S&B, having said that, you can still see your target with the NF ( I have 3 ) therefore you can hit it! and we do.
The March has everything you need, 1/8 MOA adjustment but without a cluttered turret. The zero stop is a god send, the eye relief excellent and the glass is S&B quality. The MTR-2 reticule is awesome and set on 40 mag gives the ability to measure your bad wind calls! The illuminated reticule is a bonus that will never be used but I guess it's good to have it there if you ever decide to use the scope for sporting purposes. If you wanted a do it all March scope I think the 5-50x56 illuminated is probably as good as it gets.
Two examples....Using a March 8-80x56 on 40 power I was shooting F class at 1000 yards a few days ago, I knew I had hit the V bull because I saw a white patch blow off the target, sure enough it was a V bull. Several weeks ago I was shooting in a 600 yard F class match and I was calling my fellow shooters shots in the black before the board came up, much to his amazement.
If you can afford it, the March is it.
If you're on a budget the Sightron has to be the biggest bang for your buck.
While being able to see clearly on your target is nice, it's what you see left or right hand side of your target that helps you win.
ryanjay11
Gold $$ Contributor
Elwood,
The 12-42 NSX has been available with 1/8 moa turretts for about a year now. That is what I'm using.
I have heard raves about the March, but I haven't looked through one yet. That is how I ended up with the Nightforce. I was using a 4-20 Weaver and thought life was great until I looked through a 12-42 NF. I did look through a S&B 12.5-50 at F-Class Nationals and was impressed with the glass.
Mike has the means to get a March, but he's trying to gauge if they are worth the money over a Nightforce. Personally, I would rather have the Nightforce and a Kowa spotter to read the mirage.
The 12-42 NSX has been available with 1/8 moa turretts for about a year now. That is what I'm using.
I have heard raves about the March, but I haven't looked through one yet. That is how I ended up with the Nightforce. I was using a 4-20 Weaver and thought life was great until I looked through a 12-42 NF. I did look through a S&B 12.5-50 at F-Class Nationals and was impressed with the glass.
Mike has the means to get a March, but he's trying to gauge if they are worth the money over a Nightforce. Personally, I would rather have the Nightforce and a Kowa spotter to read the mirage.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Ok, I'll bite. How is that even possible?
I've tried two March scopes, neither impressed me any more than a NF. Sold them and now run exclusively NF NXSs for my F-Open rifles. As noted, they have 1/8s available.
I'm not watching mirage though the scope anyway, that's what the spotting scope is for...
I'm not watching mirage though the scope anyway, that's what the spotting scope is for...
I always watch Mark to see what gear he keeps so I know what to spend my money on. 
I use Nightforce on my F-Class rifles also, but I prefer the 12-42 BR. I believe the image quality is slightly better than the NXS. Monitor mirage at the target with the rifle scope everywhere else with the spotting scope.
I use Nightforce on my F-Class rifles also, but I prefer the 12-42 BR. I believe the image quality is slightly better than the NXS. Monitor mirage at the target with the rifle scope everywhere else with the spotting scope.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Wise is the person who heeds Mark's recommendations.
ryanjay11
Gold $$ Contributor
Re: What is the best spotting scope?
Mike,
If you are looking for the best one available, this is what I would get. I decided to spend quite a bit less money, so I went with a previously owned one of these with the 27X long eye relief eyepiece. I'm extremely happy with it. You can find them used with the eyepiece for $5-600.
Ryan
Mike,
If you are looking for the best one available, this is what I would get. I decided to spend quite a bit less money, so I went with a previously owned one of these with the 27X long eye relief eyepiece. I'm extremely happy with it. You can find them used with the eyepiece for $5-600.
Ryan
ryanjay11
Gold $$ Contributor
I could see where you might be able to see the mirage better with the March than the Nightforce, but it would be impossible to have it focused at 3-400 for the mirage and simultaneously have it focused on the target. Likewise, you wouldn’t be able to have it turned down enough to see the other targets while having the magnification high enough to see your own.
The spotting scope in combination with a quality riflescope is the better choice. I looked through several spotting scopes at Nationals and other matches before deciding on the used TSN-821M with LER eyepiece. You won’t get a better spotting scope without spending $1000 more money. The long eye relief scope is important so you can look through your riflescope and spotter at the same time.
I think where the guys weren’t impressed was, they thought the March would be almost twice as clear as the Nightforce since it costs almost twice as much. There is a reason Nightforce didn’t go higher with magnification than 42X. Both the BR and NXS start to get dark when you are above 38-40X.
I have read several places that the 10-80 March is pretty much worthless above 60X. If I were going to buy a March, I would get the 10-60X. I think Steve is going to be in bad shape with his fixed 50X when we shoot a match where the mirage is terrible and he can’t back his scope down.
The spotting scope in combination with a quality riflescope is the better choice. I looked through several spotting scopes at Nationals and other matches before deciding on the used TSN-821M with LER eyepiece. You won’t get a better spotting scope without spending $1000 more money. The long eye relief scope is important so you can look through your riflescope and spotter at the same time.
I think where the guys weren’t impressed was, they thought the March would be almost twice as clear as the Nightforce since it costs almost twice as much. There is a reason Nightforce didn’t go higher with magnification than 42X. Both the BR and NXS start to get dark when you are above 38-40X.
I have read several places that the 10-80 March is pretty much worthless above 60X. If I were going to buy a March, I would get the 10-60X. I think Steve is going to be in bad shape with his fixed 50X when we shoot a match where the mirage is terrible and he can’t back his scope down.
I don't believe that it's advisable to adjust the "focus" of your scope off the target during a string of fire to see mirage or any other reason even if you dial it back to what you think is the original setting before firing. It nearly always increases the vertical dispersion of the string
Leaddog
F-Class T/R
I have a NF NXS 12-42 and a March 10-60 Tactical. I shoot F T/R. Both are very fine scopes but there are some differences to note.
Nightforce - Rugged, reliable tracking, and heavy. Eye relief easy to acquire. I'm not a big fan of the 56mm objective. I'd like to see NF make this scope as a 50 or 52. A good all around scope for F Class.
March - Superior glass, excellent tracking, lighter weight by 10 ounces. This allows you to put more weight in your barrel and/or bipod to make weight. 52mm objective is nice, but eye relief is much more sensitive. Slower to acquire your sight picture. I wouldn't use this scope for true tactical ops. NF would be my choice in the 5.5-22x50 variety for that job. I use this scope at 40x all the time. When others are dialing down in heavy mirage, I don't. The glass is that good. I have shot the scope on the bench at 60x with good results, but I wouldn't do that in prone. It's the eye relief thing.
An experienced shooter with good equipment will be well served by a March, but a NF is a better choice for almost all shooters. I really like my NF NXS, but the March is my go-to scope for F Class.
Nightforce - Rugged, reliable tracking, and heavy. Eye relief easy to acquire. I'm not a big fan of the 56mm objective. I'd like to see NF make this scope as a 50 or 52. A good all around scope for F Class.
March - Superior glass, excellent tracking, lighter weight by 10 ounces. This allows you to put more weight in your barrel and/or bipod to make weight. 52mm objective is nice, but eye relief is much more sensitive. Slower to acquire your sight picture. I wouldn't use this scope for true tactical ops. NF would be my choice in the 5.5-22x50 variety for that job. I use this scope at 40x all the time. When others are dialing down in heavy mirage, I don't. The glass is that good. I have shot the scope on the bench at 60x with good results, but I wouldn't do that in prone. It's the eye relief thing.
An experienced shooter with good equipment will be well served by a March, but a NF is a better choice for almost all shooters. I really like my NF NXS, but the March is my go-to scope for F Class.
6mmHot said:
And I am that annoying person
I should add that our F class targets are black with a white V bull.
My quest and I honestly believe its achievable is to spot a 7mm or 308 point of impact at 1000 yards in the V bull using the March. Granted the weather conditions will have to be perfect and I suspect early on a summers day morning.
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