Would this be a suitable scope for PRS or Long-range varmint Silhouette competition? How does the glass compare to a Nightforce Atcar 7-35x56mm
Rifle Scopes March FX High Master 4.5-28 with FML-TR1 reticle.
- Thread starter Iron Worker
- Start date
Yes and yes and noticeably better in my opinion. Expect lots of subjective opinions though as with all glass questions.
The March-FX 4.5-28X52 HM has a 25° AOV, is 12 inches long and weighs 30 oz. If you're into PRS, you might want to consider the FML-PDK reticle, which was designed specifically for PRS. The finer lines of that reticle and the larger FOV compared to the heavy 40 oz, and long 16in ATACR. I can't find the FOV data for that ATACR but I know it's not a wide angle like the March.
Phenomenal scope, best March FFP scope optically IMHO. Shuriken lock turrets are outstanding, very close to TT with distinct clicks, locking mechanism is unique and works quite well. Very forgiving for such a short design. I’ve had ATACR 7-35 as well, also excellent scope with great optics. Both are great choices, depends on what you want/need. As Denys mentions the wide angle eye piece is quite nice with the March.
If you share a little more about what you like about both scopes we might be able to help you narrow some things down.
If you share a little more about what you like about both scopes we might be able to help you narrow some things down.
My local range has a monthly Long Range Varmint Silhouette match—330 yards to 750. Your shots are listed, and between those distances, it can sometimes be hard to find your next target.
Reason I ask is the March 4.5-28 and ATACR 7-35 a two very different scopes so was curious what made you initially choose between these two.
Given your above purpose - silhouette matches between 330-750 I don’t know that either scope will have a distinct advantage over the other optically. Yes the NF offers 7x higher magnification but most are not using these scopes at these types of matches at max mag and while the NF is decent at higher mags I wouldn’t say it is the best either. Where the March is going to have an edge is with FOV - you will be able to keep the March at a higher magnification yet still be able to see more from edge to edge (vs scopes with less FOV), the benefit here is with the higher mag it allows for better PID and not have to flip magnification down as often as a scope with less forgiving FOV.
Because I do reviews I tend to go through a lot of scopes, but the March 4.5-28 has stayed with me for a long time and for one main reason - versatility. Because of its size and weight and excellent optics it is a good fit for multiple platforms. I’ve had it on my AI’s, I’ve had it on gas guns and right now it sits on a 6.5 PRC crossover rifle and a recent thought is to move it to a 22 LR trainer; it is a great fit for so many applications.
This is why I recommended you consider the FML-PDK or the FML-LDK for the 4.5-28X52 HM; These were designed with finer lines for the reticle. They are not illuminated in order to keep them fine at the higher margnifications. For the 5-42 model, the March-FX 5-42X56 HM Gen 2 offer the fabulous FML-WBR reticle, which also was designed to have fine lines throughout the range and is also not-illuminated for the same reason. These reticles were designed to provide the information that you need without obstructing the view. The LDK for the 4.5-28X52 and the WBR for the 5-42X56 eschew the use of Christmas trees as some top tier PRS shooters are moving away from them.
The FML-TR1 actually is thinner that the FML-PDK/LDK. The FML-TR1 is .03mil thick up to the 2mil hashes then it is .06mil thick. The FML-PDK/LDK is .07mil thick throughout. The FML-WBR would be the winner for me if only they made an illuminated tree version.
You're confusing the FML-PDKI with the PDK and the LDK. I'm of the two designers of the PDK and the LDK. The lines are .03mil thick. The PDKI came later and as it's name states, it's the illuminated version of the PDK. Its lines are .07mil thick.
You are right, I was looking at the PDKI which is .07mil, the PDK is .03, which is a bummer. I guess I don't use illumination all too often.
TR1 is .03 from the center out to 2 mil then .06 beyond that, unless I am reading the specs wrong:
I'm not very familiar with the TR-1, but if I read the specs right, it says .075mil at the crosshairs, the illuminated portion, and then down to .03 mil from the beginning of the segment outside the crosshair and up to 2 mil. After that it's .06mil, as you say. I missread 0.075mil as .07mil, my bad, I dropped the 5).
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