March Optic owners - which would you recommend?

[hollowpoint]

Hi guys, I am thinking about buying a March scope after not being fully satisfied with a few Hawke and Athlon scopes. 

I'm more accustomed to SFP glass, but my last 2 scopes have been FFP (Hawke Sidewinder and Athlon Argos). I *think* I like the premise of a FFP scope, but I haven't spent much time looking through my FFP scopes since each one has seems to have traits that bother me (hazy glass, mushy turrets, light bleed from illuminated reticle, and tight eyebox to name a few).

The March scopes are catching my attention because they offer lightweight FFP scopes with illumination and the ability to focus down to 10 yards. Illumination is a must have for me since a good amount of my pesting is done when the sun starts to fade. Weight is also a big deal for me as I've found I really don't like having a 30oz scope on my Wildcat. And finally, I need to have parallax adjustment down to 10 or 15 yards which rules out Vortex, Nightforce, Sightron, Leupold.

I was originally thinking the right March scope for me would be the 3-24x42 FFP (March model 1045) which weighs 22.6oz and seems on paper to meet my needs. However, I've found some threads on other forums saying the March 42mm objective creates a tight eyebox with finicky parallax adjustment, and they say the 3-24x52 addresses those "issues". The 3-24x52 (model 1073 or 1049) weighs 24.5oz, and I was hoping to hear from March scope owners to see if they would recommend the 42mm objective scope, or is the 52mm version really the "better buy". I know it's only a 2oz difference in weight between the two, but after trying out 28-30oz scopes, I'm constantly thinking about the weight penalty. I think I could live with the weight of the 52mm objective, but only if it was really a noticable improvement over the 42mm.

Could any March owners share their thoughts/opinions/advise?

Thanks and Happy Holidays! 

 

[BlackICE]

If you're open to a second focal plane scope I have a sightron S3 3.5-10 x 44 that is sharp and where the illuminated reticle or I should I say.dot doesn't bleed. I'm sure the quality in glass is a step below March though. It has a side focus that goes to 10 yards that works smoothly.

 

[Navnesen]

@

March makes excellent scopes and you won't get disappointed. My favorite is the 1-8 model. The illumination is an expensive option on these scopes though. 

 

[mmahoney]

I'd recommend one of the second focal plane models. I don't like the SFP reticles as much as the FMA-1 or FML-1 available for the the FFP models, but the MTR-4 reticle shown here isn't a bad option.

I think the best value is the 2.5-25x42. It is so versitile for all types of shooting. The 2.5-25x52 scopes are even better but not worth the extra coin in my opinion. Check out this link http://www.longrangesupply.com/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=march+sfp for some good prices on SFP March scopes from Long Range Supply.

 

[2manyAirGunz]

http://www.longrangesupply.com/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=march+sfp

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Those look like some really nice scopes. But the ads don't show the rifles that come with the scopes.

 

[DellaDog]

March 3-24x52 with the FMA-2 reticle. I have a 3-24x42 on AR because the size fits better on that platform, but the “eye-box” is less forgiving.

You want the smaller dot on the the FMA2 for an air rifle, trust me. I’ve used used many March’s (all FFP) and own 3 - for my Daystate AirWolf, the FMA2 is perfect. 

(I’ve also used longrangesupply for a couple March scopes, buy with confidence. He’s good people with the best pricing)

For considerably less, Sightron SIIIs are great scopes - SFP 3.5-10 is on my Regal.

 

[Spray1Mark]

I have the 2.5-25X52 in SFP on my Impact, fantastic scope, in fact as you say it's the only scope on the market that can tick all your boxes, glass quality, weight, 10YDS PX & illuminated ret.

Personally if you are going to spend the money I would just plop for the 52 over the 42 anyways.

If you weren't concerned about weight or 10 yds PX then the Delta Stryker is as as good optically IMO and half the price.

 

[Nutcracker]

I got one I will sell. 2.5-25x42 SF. I love mine, but as my eyes get older I am going to all illuminated reticules. I have owned one other March scope, they both are awesome. I just bought this one in last spring & used it all year on my Vulcan. Took it off the other day and put an Edgun Scope on it. Other than not having an illuminate reticule ( which adds another 500 bucks or so) the only gripe I have is, how close the parallax adjustment is. It really needs a wheel. actually if you are not blind, the MTR-3 reticule which is on mine, is easy to see. 

 

[Nutcracker]

@

March makes excellent scopes and you won't get disappointed. My favorite is the 1-8 model. The illumination is an expensive option on these scopes though.

Nice setups. Why is the 1-8 your favorite?