NF or March

[elf]

I have 3 NF 12-40 X and a March 10-60, shot only in long range competition. The March is a tad better, but not worth twice as much as the NF.

 

[Greyfox]

I have my favorite hunting scope, a March 2.5x25x52, SFP, MTR-3 mounted on my MPA light chassis in 6.5x284. Its. Perfect size and weight for this 12#, LRH/carry set up that is deadly from 100-1200 Yards.

 

[Kiwi Greg]

Problem solved l went to Cabela's and a combination of low Bargain Cave prices plus an additional 25% off plus the points on my Cabelas card made a NXS it almost free....ALMOST.

You won't regret that decision

I got a Highmaster 48 before WBC14 to use along side my 42x44 NF Competition scopes.

It now resides on my indoor 25m Benchrest 22LR, I replaced it with another two, 42x44's

 

[dennisinaz]

My bear hunting buddy has 4 or 5 March scopes on his LR rifles. I have scoped all of them for him and worked up his loads for the most part. I have shot them and spent time with them in the field. Of the top of my head I can't tell you which models but one is a 5-50. The others are less magnification.

The glass in the March is so much better than the NXS that it isn't even worth discussion. I have used them side-by-side too many times. The glass in the 5-50 is far better than the ATAC-R I have compared it to. Are they as durable, problem free? I don't know. None of his have ever broken or given us a lick of trouble. He can't stand to look through anything else now!
The biggest plus of the March is the smaller size and lower weight for a true carrying rifle but still all the glass and features that the heavier scopes have.

 

[Mach 1]

My bear hunting buddy has 4 or 5 March scopes on his LR rifles. I have scoped all of them for him and worked up his loads for the most part. I have shot them and spent time with them in the field. Of the top of my head I can't tell you which models but one is a 5-50. The others are less magnification.

The glass in the March is so much better than the NXS that it isn't even worth discussion. I have used them side-by-side too many times. The glass in the 5-50 is far better than the ATAC-R I have compared it to. Are they as durable, problem free? I don't know. None of his have ever broken or given us a lick of trouble. He can't stand to look through anything else now!
The biggest plus of the March is the smaller size and lower weight for a true carrying rifle but still all the glass and features that the heavier scopes have.

I'd disagree. The glass in my March 60 power high master is not that much better than the nxs 32 or older 42 power scopes. It's definitely not leaps and bounds ahead of the glass on my 55 comp nf scopes either. I've compared them numerous times and really can't see much of a difference. What's sad is hauling the guns to the range and realizing that you've got 10 grand just in scopes ,no rifles, in your pickup.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I'd disagree. The glass in my March 60 power high master is not that much better than the nxs 32 or older 42 power scopes. It's definitely not leaps and bounds ahead of the glass on my 55 comp nf scopes either. I've compared them numerous times and really can't see much of a difference. What's sad is hauling the guns to the range and realizing that you've got 10 grand just in scopes ,no rifles, in your pickup.

This is where you and I strongly disagree! I LOVE hauling $30k worth of optics and rifles to the range on a weekly basis! I would not spend that much to let them.sit in a safe for 11.5 months out of the year.

 

[Greyfox]

I don't think comparing the various "high"power" Benchrest grade scopes is a fair comparison based on the OP's original question. 60X vs 32X or 42X scopes whether March or NF will show differences in optical quality based on the wide range of magnification. The fair comparison are the NF and March scopes that fall in the 2.5-25X range for field/hunting use. In that respect, while the Nightforce NSX is good scope, to my eyes, and owning these scopes, the glass is not in the same class as the March glass. The NF ATACR would be a closer comparison. IMO.

 

[Mach 1]

This is where you and I strongly disagree! I LOVE hauling $30k worth of optics and rifles to the range on a weekly basis! I would not spend that much to let them.sit in a safe for 11.5 months out of the year.

I love using them but hate to haul them. Especially since I have a Pepsi addiction and have to stop by the convience store before heading outa town. Just makes me nervous.

 

[Mach 1]

I don't think comparing the various "high"power" Benchrest grade scopes is a fair comparison based on the OP's original question. 60X vs 32X or 42X scopes whether March or NF will show differences in optical quality based on the wide range of magnification. The fair comparison are the NF and March scopes that fall in the 2.5-25X range for field/hunting use. In that respect, while the Nightforce NSX is good scope, to my eyes, and owning these scopes, the glass is not in the same class as the March glass. The NF ATACR would be a closer comparison. IMO.

I agree on average march has better glass but not by a lot. I was responding to a post other than the original. When March starts using khales internals I will agree it's much better than anything else.

 

[yawn]

I don't think comparing the various "high"power" Benchrest grade scopes is a fair comparison based on the OP's original question. 60X vs 32X or 42X scopes whether March or NF will show differences in optical quality based on the wide range of magnification. The fair comparison are the NF and March scopes that fall in the 2.5-25X range for field/hunting use. In that respect, while the Nightforce NSX is good scope, to my eyes, and owning these scopes, the glass is not in the same class as the March glass. The NF ATACR would be a closer comparison. IMO.

Couldnt agree more. Comparing competition scopes in answering a question for a hunting situation is like using Formula one to gauge 4x4 vehicles.

 

[dennisinaz]

Again, I can't comment on the internals other than we have never had an issue and make 1000 yard first shot hits regularly. The glass is so much better than any NXS that I have looked through that it is not even comparable. Period. I have set up two rifles side-by-side. One with a 5.5-22 x50 and the other the March 5-50. It was like Zeiss vs Tasco. To my eyes they are even better than the ATAC-R but not so drastically different.
I recently read a review that Pandhandle Precision did on both the ATAC-R and the Bushnell XRS II. I specifically asked him to compare the two against each other. This is what he wrote
"I think the XRS II has much better glass. The kids and I spent several hours comparing the F1 and Enhanced ATACR to the XRS II, and always found it to be clearer, especially at distance."

All I am saying is that there some other optics out there that have better "glass" then Nightforce. I don't know that anyone claims to be more rugged.

I am going to pick up an XRS II and see what I think of the glass.

 

[Mach 1]

My nf nxs scopes will do anything my March scopes will do and will do it a little cheaper. Plus I like the nxs zero stop and I like the moar and moar-t reticles the best. I like the fast focus eye piece better than the slown nxs eye piece but once set it works well. I too have compared nxs and march side by side along with sightron and mk4 Leupold. The March glass is better but not a great deal better. For a hunting scope the nf nxs is a good way to go. You won't shoot any better with a march set to comparable magnification. Having said all that I do prefer March on my benchrest rifles because of weight and a little better mirage factor imo

 

[lancetkenyon]

March is also one of the very best for cutting glare. Unbelieveable how good it is. Another huge plus for a hunting rifle.

 

[Greyfox]

The single most appealing aspect of my March 2.5x25x52 scope, and the aspect that sets it apart from my NF and several other brand scopes that I own is it's ability to handle glare/haze produced from low a sun position as well as reflections from ice, and snow....much better! This is not only attributable to the superior glass, but the geometry and coating on the interior of the scope. Myself and others have discussed this attribute of the March in prior posts on the March.

Some additional info on this in post #25 of this thread:
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/march-2-5x25x52mm-sfp-scopes.203596/page-2#post-1450878