Rifle Scopes IOR, March or Nightforce

[Cold_Bore_88]

I am new to Sniper's Hide and this is my first post. I have read countless reviews on this website but now have a specific question.

I have a new .308 AR. I am looking at putting a nice piece of glass on it. I have friends that swear by each of the three optics providers listed above. I have read good and bad reviews about each and want to know if I can get some truly non-bias opinions. I know that may sound like an oxymoron but I am sure y'all know what I mean.

I am looking for information as far as durability, eye relief, glass quality, etc. If you have an opinion would you mind letting know why you lean one way or the other? I am tired of people telling me why they recommend one or the other just because they own one. To twist things up a bit, tell me why you like something, AND, what you like least about your recommendation.

I will be using the scope for hunting within 300 yards and I occasionally make it out to the 750 yard range. I am looking at magnification between 18 and 25X, variable, with illumination. I will bump up to higher magnifications when I finish my .300 mag build someday. HAHA!

I accidentally posted this in the blog section. I apologize.

 

[KillShot]

I haven't peered through a March. The IOR has nice glass but when compared to the NightForce ATACR...I would take the ATACR.

 

[rchman]

The March is going to be the lightest of those listed, which would be ideal for hunting. From what I've heard, the March competes with S&B and Premier favorably. Fit and finish is supposed to be superb. If I could have any scope, it'd be their 3-24x.

 

[Sako man]

The March will be the better of the three. But it will be more expensive probably. The IOR will have great glass, but the Nightforce will be very usable and robust.

If you want to get the best thing and have the cash the March will be it.

 

[KUSA]

The march has a very small exit pupil which makes a crappy eyebox.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

 

[Luvman]

How is the eyebox on the march in the 3x - 15x range?

I'm sure at 24x with a 40mm obj it would be picky.

Of the 3 listed the 3-24 March F would be my choice.

 

[Sako man]

The march has a very small exit pupil which makes a crappy eyebox.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

What March are you talking about? The ones I have looked through have excellent eye relief and box. They were both very high end optics and excellent. i.e 24x and 25x 42 objective. The author of this thread is talking about something in the 18 to 24x range which would put you in the high end tactical range for the March. For a 24x power I had no problems and eye relief was right up there with my Premier 25x and my Steiner 25x both excellent and easy on the eyes.

 

[KUSA]

With a 42 objective 24 power will give you a 1.75 mm exit pupil which is nothing to brag about. Field of view sucks also. Its a cute little scope made by a benchrest company. I wouldn't want it for serious tactical use.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

 

[Sako man]

With a 42 objective 24 power will give you a 1.75 mm exit pupil which is nothing to brag about. Field of view sucks also. Its a cute little scope made by a benchrest company. I wouldn't want it for serious tactical use.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

Cute? what are you twelve? Obviously you have never been behind one, this makes your opinion lack credibility. The author has a .308 gas gun, he needs a light tactical optic with good glass. The IOR is heavy, mostly steel construction. Nightforce, good but physically larger. As well, to show how inept you are in this arena you grace us by making the "benchrest company" comment. This is the exact market that Nightforce started in and still dominates. I'm guessing when you say "serious tactical use" you mean Call of Duty.

 

[MrSwede]

The Nightforce will be the most rugged and the scope with the poorest optics when compared to IOR and March.

The IOR has good optics, but not a stellar trackrecord when it comes to durability. I have two buddies with IOR's (gen 4) and 2 out of 3 scopes has crapped out.

The March is the best optic I personally have had the pleasure of using and I've tried/owned most of the high dollar stuff out there (Diavaris/Razor HD/Kahles K312/PMII/NF NXS).

 

[Sako man]

The Nightforce will be the most rugged and the scope with the poorest optics when compared to IOR and March.

The IOR has good optics, but not a stellar trackrecord when it comes to durability. I have two buddies with IOR's (gen 4) and 2 out of 3 scopes has crapped out.

The March is the best optic I personally have had the pleasure of using and I've tried/owned most of the high dollar stuff out there (Diavaris/Razor HD/Kahles K312/PMII/NF NXS).

Likley, as I had the 3.5x18 Tactical IOR, the Schott glass was astounding but the erector bottomed out. As well, once zeroed I only had eight mils of travel left, a sign the erector was doing something interesting. I have had three Nightforce's, my last being an F1, very robust and excellent tracking, really spot on. however the glass had some chromatic issues, tho not bad, and better than most. My take is that the March is up there with the best German and Austrian optics.

 

[sib1948]

I've had a March F 3-24 on my Rem 700 5r custom 308 rifle for over a year without any issues. FOV on 24X limited, but just dial down. Amazing glass and easy zero stop. Has been very rugged without any issues with plenty of mils elevation. 2/3rds the size and weight of similar scopes. Nonilluminated since I don't hunt and only $2260 from Kelby Rifles (sole distributor). I' heard the illuminated one works well, but $500-600 more. 5 year warranty, which Kelby states he will even honor after 5 years. What else could you want or need?

Also have the March FX 5-40 56mm on my MRAD 338 LM, which has over 1500 rounds of abuse from that weapon without a hiccup! Both focus down to 8 yds or less, making leveling the scope and rifle a breeze. Just hang a spool of black thread on a wall in my house and from 20 feet away you line up your crosshairs perfectly. Love the matching reticles on both. Both of mine are mil/mil, but have MOA/MOA versions available this year, if that's what you're familiar using.

I admit I'm biased and have not had issues with other scopes and have the Nightforce BEAST on order just to try something different on the DTA SRS A1 I ordered in February. Since I'm spoiled I may find it too big for that gun, so may switch it with my MRAD, since size would not be so much an issue on that platform or I may sell it to get another March 3-24! We'll see.

Good luck! I hope this helps and let me know what you decide and how well you like whatever you get.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I appreciate the help guys. Thanks for the feedback. It looks like March is the way I will be going. Sako man was spot on, I am looking for something small and light. I am leaning towards the Tactical model March-F 3x-24x 42mm FFP. I don't mean to drag this out but I have one more question. Is there any reason a FFP would be less desirable?

 

[sulcop96]

Never looked through IOR but have used the March 3-24 and thought it was excellent and have run many NF's. Of the three I would have said the March until I swapped out my F1 for the ATACR and now I'm with Killshot, ATACR all the way. Yes it is SFP so that may be a consideration based on intended use but the glass is EXCELLENT, tracks dead on as all NF scopes do, is robust with a very good field of view, low light capability, usable reticle and excellent turrets. I always dreamed of a Premier or S&B but I really think the ATACR is as high end as I'll ever need and I use my gear for "work" on a daily basis and am not just fair weather shooter. For the money I just don't think you can beat the ATACR.

Sully

 

[Engine 22]

This is too coincidental! I just mounted up my 2nd March F 3-24 on my brand new LMT MWS last night. I love the optical quality, size/wieght, repeatability, reticle, simple zero stop of the March. I run my other March on one of my LR hunting rigs and absolutely love it. I chose the March based on all the attributes that I've mentioned. I considered many of the other optics out there including NF, USO, S&B, Khales, Leupold for this rifle. I haven't had time to get out and try the March/ AR combo so I can't yet speak on how it will work, but I'm confident that this combo will be a winner.
For those that question the eye box, exit pupil, or whatever else you want to throw out there, have you used one of the March scopes? There's a give and take for everything. These scopes are half the size of most tactical optics and that will come into play when at max power- no sweat, dial back to 20 or even 18 power. This has not been a factor to me and likely won't be for most that actually use the March F.

 

[psinclair]

Dynamite comes in a small package is all I can say about my new March. I'm very impressed.

 

[mattwaage1]

Not to steer the thread away.... But have you considered the Bushnell ET ERS or XRS?

 

[Drifter™]

I've owned a NF F1 3-15x50, an IOR 3.5-18x50, a Premier LT 3-15x50, a Leupold 4.5-14x50, a USO 3.2-17x44, a USO 1.8-10x37, and a March 3-24x42.

Sold all except the March. It stays.

 

[sulcop96]

Drifter, never had a Premier but like I said I have had the pleasure of shooting the March and in your opinion it was superior to the Premier? I ask only because if I ever did want to bump into the 3K range my choices would be March or Premier and I have always been told (mostly by Premier owners) that its the top of the line.

Sully

 

[Drifter™]

Premier LT glass was very good. Wasn't fond of the turrets' feel, and think they were something odd like 6 mils per turn. Overall, I consider the March superior, and the extra magnification is nice to have too.

If you're talking the larger Premier scopes, I learned by using the IOR that the big Premiers, S&B's, Hendsoldts, etc are simply too heavy for me to even consider.

 

[Maggot]

I was at the scope comparison in Houston a few years ago and all the named brands were there except the March. I thought the Hensoldt was the best with SB 2nd, especially in the glass. Checked out the March site and Id really like to look at one. That 8x80x56 ought to be hot shit.

 

[Bounce]

I've gotta weigh in with the March F 3-24x42 due to its superior glass, light weight, great turrets and zero stop. The mag range is awesome, but I rarely use more than 18 power unless I'm just playing around. Mine is mounted on a gas piston .308 and have had no issues with the erectors or eye relief. FFP is the way to go. I also have the low illumination option, but really haven't used that option much. Got mine barely used at a substantial price reduction, so I got lucky. I'll probably get another for my .264 Win.Mag. lope/sheep gun.
Skip

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Matt,

I have considered he new Bushnell scopes but have not heard a lot about them. On the same token, that is a bad excuse for not exploring that option. I need to look around and see if I can handle one. Have you had good experience?

 

[the once-ler]

MARCH, PREMIER or HENSOLDT spend the money and buy the best or you will always be wondering what you could have had!

I went with Premier and I love it, I have also owned a Hensoldt and it was nice but didn't have the features I wanted, if I were gonna buy another scope it would be a March

 

[huang]

This is too coincidental! I just mounted up my 2nd March F 3-24 on my brand new LMT MWS last night. I love the optical quality, size/wieght, repeatability, reticle, simple zero stop of the March. I run my other March on one of my LR hunting rigs and absolutely love it. I chose the March based on all the attributes that I've mentioned. I considered many of the other optics out there including NF, USO, S&B, Khales, Leupold for this rifle. I haven't had time to get out and try the March/ AR combo so I can't yet speak on how it will work, but I'm confident that this combo will be a winner.
For those that question the eye box, exit pupil, or whatever else you want to throw out there, have you used one of the March scopes? There's a give and take for everything. These scopes are half the size of most tactical optics and that will come into play when at max power- no sweat, dial back to 20 or even 18 power. This has not been a factor to me and likely won't be for most that actually use the March F.

Engine 22, I am going with the same setup on a MMS. I have the rifle and scope, but I have not mounted the scope yet. What mount did you go with?

My current plan is to go with a 20 MOA badger riser And Aadland low rings. I'm putting a 20 MOA rail on my Rem 700 300WM, so I can use the same scope on both until I can afford another March scope.

Rig

 

[CanPopper]

Hey Cold Bore,
I see you are near Houston. So am I. I have a March F 3-24x42 on order so maybe you would like to peer through it when it gets here? IOR tends to be heavy with funky ring sizes which is why I eliminated them. For Nightforce, their First Focals were all big and clunky. I was thinking about getting the new 2.5-10x42 Nightforce but I figured the March would be better since it was FF and had a much better magnification range. Size and weight were about the same.

(I also have the Bushnell HDMR you can look through)

 

[paramil]

I have not looked through a March yet, but know how rugged the Nightforce scopes are, and have read too many horror stories about IOR as of late. My vote would also be for the Nightforce.

 

[jtrax]

March

You have been good advice on choosing March. The other two you mention are simply not in the same league as March. Yes, I've used all scopes which have been mentioned in this thread. March can only be compared with top tier optics such as Schmidt, Premier, and Hensolt. I own Schmidt, Premier, March, and Hensoldt. Just this evening I used my March FX 5-40x56 at max power at damn near dark. Of the 3 you posted about go with March and ask Ian Kelbly for the low intensity illumination.

 

[Engine 22]

Engine 22, I am going with the same setup on a MMS. I have the rifle and scope, but I have not mounted the scope yet. What mount did you go with?

My current plan is to go with a 20 MOA badger riser And Aadland low rings. I'm putting a 20 MOA rail on my Rem 700 300WM, so I can use the same scope on both until I can afford another March scope.

Rig

I went with the LaRue 112 PSR for the 20 MOA cant. I will likely be switching the optic between two different ARs for a while.

LaRue Tactical 20 MOA PSR Scope Mount QD, LT112 | LaRue Tactical

 

[scudzuki]

MARCH, PREMIER or HENSOLDT spend the money and buy the best or you will always be wondering what you could have had!

I went with Premier and I love it, I have also owned a Hensoldt and it was nice but didn't have the features I wanted, if I were gonna buy another scope it would be a March

Don't forget S&B, Steiner and Kahles when you are discussing alpha scopes.

Remember that S&B is the standard against which other top end tactical scopes are judged.

I currently own a Steiner 5-25 and a March 3-24 and prefer the Steiner for my 14 pound bolt gun in a McRees chassis, but the March has it all (except brightness at full magnification due to it's relatively small objective) in a tiny refined package, and will be my choice of optic for weapons that need to be light, currently an 8 pound bolt gun.

The Bushy big ET scopes (DMR, XRS, ERS) are great for the money but are heavy scopes, while being a few inches shorter than the scopes they compete against. They are not as good optically as the alpha scopes but are good enough for my eyes.

Joe

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rchman]

Also, exit pupil is not the same as eyebox. I think eyebox is how much back and forth you can move your head and you'll still be able to see while exit pupil affects side to side movement. Eyebox cannot really be calculated, so people need to stop calculating exit pupil and saying that the eyebox is small.

 

[scudzuki]

Also, exit pupil is not the same as eyebox. I think eyebox is how much back and forth you can move your head and you'll still be able to see while exit pupil affects side to side movement. Eyebox cannot really be calculated, so people need to stop calculating exit pupil and saying that the eyebox is small.

Exit pupil is a factor in eye box but not the only factor. If all other factors remain the same, a scope with a smaller exit pupil will have a smaller eye box, but other facets of the optical design also affect eye box.
Approximate exit pupil size is pretty easy to determine as another Hider has pointed out. Objective size divided by magnification equals exit pupil. The March 3-24 has a relatively small exit pupil at 24x yet I don't find it that hard to get behind; I added a stock pad to achieve proper cheek weld, so the optical axis of the scope falls right in line with my eye pupil.

Joe

 

[tylerw02]

I appreciate the help guys. Thanks for the feedback. It looks like March is the way I will be going. Sako man was spot on, I am looking for something small and light. I am leaning towards the Tactical model March-F 3x-24x 42mm FFP. I don't mean to drag this out but I have one more question. Is there any reason a FFP would be less desirable?

Before you do it, take a look at the new Leupolds. You may also consider looking for a used Bender, Khales, or Steiner.

 

[the once-ler]

Don't forget S&B, Steiner and Kahles when you are discussing alpha scopes.

Remember that S&B is the standard against which other top end tactical scopes are judged.

I currently own a Steiner 5-25 and a March 3-24 and prefer the Steiner for my 14 pound bolt gun in a McRees chassis, but the March has it all (except brightness at full magnification due to it's relatively small objective) in a tiny refined package, and will be my choice of optic for weapons that need to be light, currently an 8 pound bolt gun.

The Bushy big ET scopes (DMR, XRS, ERS) are great for the money but are heavy scopes, while being a few inches shorter than the scopes they compete against. They are not as good optically as the alpha scopes but are good enough for my eyes.

Joe

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

I owned a S&B 5-25 in RAL3000 dress P4F reticle. It was a decent scope but at now close to $4000 I expected more. The tunneling was pretty bad and the Premier's glass is much clearer and just has that WOW pop to it that the SB just seemed to lack. I do concur with you SB Kahles and Steiner are the other big three but still if I were to have my choice I would be going with the March FX 5-40

One thing I cannot stand is chromatic abberation! any slight purpling around the edges and it's just a drag to look thru


image upload no size limit

 

[scudzuki]

Given my experience with the March 3-24, I bet the 5-40 is one kickass scope.

Joe

P.S. looks like your dog's got a 25mm exit pupil.

 

[19Scout77]

I am curious about the March scopes use under adverse conditions. Has anyone ever used one in conditions other than a flat range during hospitable weather? Any one ever shoot one in a match using positions other than prone or off a bench? If so, please specify. TIA.

 

[SSSamurai]

I had my March F 3-24 for over a year of match shooting and practice, and it never missed a beat. Definitely got bumped around, knocked over, shot off barricades... in that time I tested the tracking three times and it was always dead-on. I will be buying another one. I've shot with it from hot, dusty desert to wet and snowy conditions, without a hiccup.

Some random pictures of matches I shot...

 

[steve123]

I am curious about the March scopes use under adverse conditions. Has anyone ever used one in conditions other than a flat range during hospitable weather? Any one ever shoot one in a match using positions other than prone or off a bench? If so, please specify. TIA.

I'm curious about how many Hiders had problems with March scopes. What happened and how'd the repair go?

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Be careful, I may take you up on that. I do a lot of shooting up on some land in Plantersville but if you are ever at a gun range give me a heads up. I shoot at American Shooting Center or Hot Wells every now and again.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

I had my March F 3-24 for over a year of match shooting and practice, and it never missed a beat. Definitely got bumped around, knocked over, shot off barricades... in that time I tested the tracking three times and it was always dead-on. I will be buying another one. I've shot with it from hot, dusty desert to wet and snowy conditions, without a hiccup.

Some random pictures of matches I shot...

Beautiful AI.

 

[Cold_Bore_88]

Hey Cold Bore,
I see you are near Houston. So am I. I have a March F 3-24x42 on order so maybe you would like to peer through it when it gets here? IOR tends to be heavy with funky ring sizes which is why I eliminated them. For Nightforce, their First Focals were all big and clunky. I was thinking about getting the new 2.5-10x42 Nightforce but I figured the March would be better since it was FF and had a much better magnification range. Size and weight were about the same.

(I also have the Bushnell HDMR you can look through)

Sorry. I meant to reply with quote. Still new to this. Haha!

 

[jtrax]

I'm curious about how many Hiders had problems with March scopes. What happened and how'd the repair go?

My first March FX 5-40x56 had a manufacturing defect...while illumination was turned on if I tried to adjust parallax the illumination would go off. I called Ian Kelby and told him about the problem. Ian advised that he cannot recall this ever to have been a problem with these scopes before. Nonetheless, Ian told me to return the scope to him and if he could not repair it he would send me a new scope. Well, the next morning I sent the scope back to Kelbly's via FedEx. The very next day I received a brand new March FX. I assume that after Ian and I spoke he sent me a new scope. That is excellent customer service. March could not have found a better distributor for their scopes than Kelbly's.

My impression of the March FX 5-40x56:

I primarily run S&B PMII 5-25x56 and have quite a few of them. I also have a couple of Premier Heritage 5-25's and a Hensoldt FFP 4-16x56. The glass in the March FX is every bit as good as my other scopes. I do not find the eye box to be unforgiving even at max power. What is amazing about this scope is how late in the evening I can see at max power. No perceptible CA. Scopes do not get better than this.

 

[Sako man]

I had my March F 3-24 for over a year of match shooting and practice, and it never missed a beat. Definitely got bumped around, knocked over, shot off barricades... in that time I tested the tracking three times and it was always dead-on. I will be buying another one. I've shot with it from hot, dusty desert to wet and snowy conditions, without a hiccup.

Some random pictures of matches I shot...

Kick ass AI rig!

 

[phillip61]

I have an IOR 3.5X18 and love it. Never had any issues. It has always performed to my expectations. The only other scopes I have owned has been a Nikon 2.5X10 and a Leupold 10X both of which I liked. I cannot speak of the other two scopes though I have looked at the March website several times.

The thing I like the least about my IOR is the weight. But shooting off the bi-pod almost 100% of the time it doesn't bother me much.

Good luck with your search.

 

[steve123]

My first March FX 5-40x56 had a manufacturing defect...while illumination was turned on if I tried to adjust parallax the illumination would go off. I called Ian Kelby and told him about the problem. Ian advised that he cannot recall this ever to have been a problem with these scopes before. Nonetheless, Ian told me to return the scope to him and if he could not repair it he would send me a new scope. Well, the next morning I sent the scope back to Kelbly's via FedEx. The very next day I received a brand new March FX. I assume that after Ian and I spoke he sent me a new scope. That is excellent customer service. March could not have found a better distributor for their scopes than Kelbly's.

My impression of the March FX 5-40x56:

I primarily run S&B PMII 5-25x56 and have quite a few of them. I also have a couple of Premier Heritage 5-25's and a Hensoldt FFP 4-16x56. The glass in the March FX is every bit as good as my other scopes. I do not find the eye box to be unforgiving even at max power. What is amazing about this scope is how late in the evening I can see at max power. No perceptible CA. Scopes do not get better than this.

Thanks for letting us in on the details!

The best glass I've looked through so far was the FX 5-40.