Well,
Going ALL in on my equipment for next season. Moving to Krieger barrels, Geissele scope mounts and quad rails on both primary and spare.
BIT the bullet last week and bought a new scope. I have been using a VORTEX PST 1-4 TMCQ MOA. It is a GREAT optic, and works well. But, the downside is it is 1/2 MOA per click, and not 1/4 MOA. My skills (especially in prone) have improved immensely, and I feel it is time to see if 1/4 MOA per will yield me any more points in score.
SO....I did research. Contacted many of my fellow competitors and friends....and asked what they are using optic wise that is 1/4 MOA per. NIGHT Force and MARCH were the two names that stood out.
I have shouldered a friends Night Force....CRYSTAL clear glass, but I was not impressed with the reticle. Trusted a few friends and they said I would like a March!
So, I went with the March MAR1086 with the MTR5 reticle. It is the "non lit reticle" version, as that doesn't work for me, as I am color blind.
WOW! Glass is a "tick" bit better I think than the NF. The reticle is AWESOME, not busy. The zero stop is SOLID and it is a very well made optic.
MARCH optics are made in Japan. But there are a few stateside dealers.
IF you want the best available (keeping within the rules for NRA/CMP competition)....., can't go wrong with the MARCH.
Cost? They call it the divorcemaker, or....vacation robber. It cost me $2020 shipped. Yes....a tough pill/BILL to swallow....but, "Buy Once Cry Once".
I look forward to getting a zero on it in a week or so.
Here is a link to the optic sold by Keystone Accuracy:
http://www.keystoneaccuracy.com/premiumoptics/marchoptics.html
March is new to me. Heard so much good stuff about nightforce but on my first look down one, was not very enthusiastic, it was the reticule.
The choices of reticule in the march though few, are good the MTR-5 you chose, would be very useful calling wind for last shot especially.
The MTR D2 looks very useful off the highpower course, but would need more than 4.5X magnification to see and read.
One thing is for sure, I will have quite a while to decide which reticule to order in my March scope!
Some more on my review.....
I leveled the scope in the mount yesterday. Then checked eye relief on the mount in position.
I have a post somewhere in here about the IOTA: Indoor Optical Training Aid, it is what I use when dry firing, because at 10 feet away.....the target I am aiming at is a BLUR. Well......
ABSOLUTELY ZERO need for that on the March! The side focus/parallax knob is very sensitive and until I adjusted that I really had no idea how CRISP that reticle can get and how much light the scope takes in. I used to have to use a shop light on the target in garage and the IOTA. No need for that. Turned focus down to 25Yds....or whatever the lowest was....and WOW!
More after I sight it in a few weeks. I have no doubt that it will track and operate fine. I am just looking forward to seeing what it looks like after a 5 shot group.....and then when I shift elevation or windage 1/4 min.....If I can HOLD 1/4 min! LOL
R/
Chris