I am not sure about "many". I have two. I have beat the crap out of them(literally with a rubber mallet) trying to get them to fail with no luck. They still track and hold zero. I plan on doing a vibration test as soon as I can figure out how to control the variables. March QC tests the same ways NF does except they only test to 1000gs vs 1250(if a scope is going to fail in this manner I feel 1000 is more than plenty). Having said that there are so many NFs in circulation it is hard to argue their durably and repeatability.
Lightweight FFP Scope
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I am not sure about "many". I have two. I have beat the crap out of them(literally with a rubber mallet) trying to get them to fail with no luck. They still track and hold zero. I plan on doing a vibration test as soon as I can figure out how to control the variables. March QC tests the same ways NF does except they only test to 1000gs vs 1250(if a scope is going to fail in this manner I feel 1000 is more than plenty). Having said that there are so many NFs in circulation it is hard to argue their durably and repeatability.
duckhunter175
Well-Known Member
Lance and rfurman probably shoot more than most of the members on this site combined... if they are running March on the wide variety of large cartridges they shoot, as often as they shoot then that is good enough for me.
I doubt you will find anyone that thinks a Veracity will hold it's own mechanically compared to a March.
Sounds like the OP has the budget for the best and doesn't need to skimp to add another rifle to the mix. Wanting to buy once and cry once doesn't equate to 'over compensating at the range'.
adam32
Well-Known Member
Well yeah, because people that buy March's and the like won't ever admit they could've had a scope that's 98% as good of quality for 50% of the price.
95% of guys on this site and in the woods can't tell the difference between a Bushnell 6500, a Veracity, a March or an ATACR...
The "best" doesn't mean it's the one that costs the most. I currently have an IOR Terminator on my Cheytac...it's definitely not worth the price, imo.
To each their own, but try before you buy and you'll see what you actually need in real life and not need just because people think better costs more.
Litehiker
Well-Known Member
MARCH ... if you can afford it.
BUSHNELL ELITE LRTS 4.5 - 18 x 44 (28 oz.) was my choice. But with the illuminated G3 reticle I ordered it came to 30 oz. with a CR2032 coin battery.
Yeah, it's 14" long but for a "street price" of $970. it was the best/lightest FFP, mil/mil I could find for my 6.5 PRC Browning X-Bolt Pro - without the steep MARCH piece, that is.
The Leupold Mark 4 ERT looks good but I wonder how it would measure up against my Bushnell LRTS scope optically and for turret quality/precision?
Ya gotta wonder how they can come in at 22 oz. when a very similar Nightforce ATACR comes in at 37+ oz.
Eric B.
BUSHNELL ELITE LRTS 4.5 - 18 x 44 (28 oz.) was my choice. But with the illuminated G3 reticle I ordered it came to 30 oz. with a CR2032 coin battery.
Yeah, it's 14" long but for a "street price" of $970. it was the best/lightest FFP, mil/mil I could find for my 6.5 PRC Browning X-Bolt Pro - without the steep MARCH piece, that is.
The Leupold Mark 4 ERT looks good but I wonder how it would measure up against my Bushnell LRTS scope optically and for turret quality/precision?
Ya gotta wonder how they can come in at 22 oz. when a very similar Nightforce ATACR comes in at 37+ oz.
Eric B.
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That generalization may be true for most it is far from the truth for me. I will never justify a purchase just because I spent money on it. As a matter of fact I would say I am the exact opposite. If I paid a premium for something, anything, it had better justify the cost so I do not have to. The FACT is most cheaper scopes will not repeat zero or hold zero after extended hard use. I have tested most and most are great at tracking but the durability in hard use just is not there. Many of the nicer features are also missing like the feel of the turrets or low light performance. NOBODY I know(I know there are plenty) buys expensive stuff just to waste money. I have owned pretty much every single exposed turret scope made(within the past 5-10 years) with the exception of Burris, S&B, and some of the new ones like Tangent, and Zero Compromise. Nightforce and March are some of the best and I can assure you there is nothing under $2k that will compete PERIOD.
I would agree that most can't tell because most don't really use their equipment to its fullest. I also personally feel glass is overrated. I am paying for mechanical durability and repeatability. After that I am paying for extra features I want. In the case of March I am paying for the durabilty of the heavy hitters in a lighter package.
rocksolid
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
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I think it's because they are not similar... I only own Leupold but won't argue that the nightforce is most likely more well built. If someone was shooting back at me maybe I would pay more for durability.
For lightweight hunting scopes Leupold is hard to beat.
Do some looking at Sightron Scopes very good quality and might be easier on your pocket, if you can use a military/leo/professional discount you will never find a better buy on a quality scope.
I agree.
I've not used the 5 or 6 line Leupolds, but the 3 &4 certainly aren't on the same Level as NXS NF: they're just not.
The NXS is what I've got experience with & I'd take one of those over the Gen II Razor I sold or the FFP Vipers I have used.
rocksolid
Member
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- Feb 7, 2014
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- 18
I just got got a vx5 and love it. The new zero stop is slick. Of course the love thus far has only been on the range. I haven't beat it up or even gotten it dirty yet.
Litehiker
Well-Known Member
rfurman,
Turret durability is not a big factor to me because I buy scopes that have Christmas tree reticles like the H59 in my competition scope and the smaller "tree" G3 in my Bushnell LRTS hunting scope.
I fr!kk!n' hate dialing and with a good reticle I can get the same accuracy holding as I can dialing, just a lot faster and with fewer mistakes. I know, I've done it both ways.
The really important thing to me about turrets is, "Will they accurately move vertically in 90% of their range?". If so then they are fine for the very limited dialing I will do.
That's why FFP and Xmas tree reticles are my preference.
Eric B.
Turret durability is not a big factor to me because I buy scopes that have Christmas tree reticles like the H59 in my competition scope and the smaller "tree" G3 in my Bushnell LRTS hunting scope.
I fr!kk!n' hate dialing and with a good reticle I can get the same accuracy holding as I can dialing, just a lot faster and with fewer mistakes. I know, I've done it both ways.
The really important thing to me about turrets is, "Will they accurately move vertically in 90% of their range?". If so then they are fine for the very limited dialing I will do.
That's why FFP and Xmas tree reticles are my preference.
Eric B.
March scopes have a solid reputation for being in the top tier of scopes in terms of quality, durability and reliability. My March 2.5x25x52 in particular has maintained precise tracking, zero, and optical quality, withstanding heavy airline travel, many hours rattling on Quads, and extreme weather conditions. It has proven to be as trustworthy as my Nightforce and S&B's....in a lighter, more compact package. March scope owned by a few of my buddies get similar positive reports. I personally can't help to be skeptical of any claims of "systemic" issues with the March coming from anecdotal reports. Having sent a couple of Nightforces in for service over the years, "any" scope can have the rare problem. IMO
My March FFP 3-24x52 has been dropped on a hunt and it has a small dent in the bell from another incident and still works with no issues at 24oz. I'm also a fan of the fma-2 recticle and it's sub tensions, as well as the compact turrets. I like my Nightforce as well but it's heavier and not as compact. But now with NX8 available it will be a good FFP lightweight option at the price range but not as compact as the March. With your budget listed I would take a good look at the March then the NX8 4-20x50 would be my second choice.
That is understandable but I will say if the turrets are not repeatable and the internals are not solid enough for repeatable clicks more than likely the scope is not holding zero from shot to shot. Most people are not aware that that is even an issue. In any case most scopes not intended for dialing are not as expensive.
