March 2-25? 42mm vs 52

[Wedgy]

As Highdrum said the 42mm gets dark at higher powers especially in afternoon/evening shade, however I rarely shoot above ~18-20x . Still a great scope but the tradeoff of the smaller objective is a bit of lost light compared to the 52mm.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

ive owned and shot both side by side in early morning and late eve get the 52mm also it has a more foregiving eyebox

 

[snox801]

Good to hear I'm leaning towards the 52. You guys are talking me into it.

 

[Kimber.204]

I bought a 2.5-25x42 several years ago on the recommendation of John Scandale for NRA Highpower shooting. The scope is so nice and compact that there was a noticeable difference in my 200yd standing scores compared to using a Sightron 6-24x50....the big sightron was like a wind sail on top of the rifle.

When Bullets.com was closing I bought a second 2.5-25x42 and also a 3-24x52FFP on steep discount. To be honest, they are both so clear if it was me I would go with the smaller scope for a hunting rifle. But honestly, the 3-24x52 is still pretty compact as far as high end FFP scopes go.

 

[Will Gray]

An then there is the issue of FFP scopes where if you are using low power the reticle can get so fine that it is hard to see in the woods, where a SFP reticle is always the same size regardless of the power setting. I have a Vortex Viper 6-24x50. The reticle is quite fine at 7power (still bright at that power) and is very fine at 24power. I would say that SFP scopes are better for hunting than FFP because the reticle is easier to see in very low light. In my experience, only the Trijicon small lighted dot is useful during twilight in the woods. Just my view...

 

[Backcountry sports]

An then there is the issue of FFP scopes where if you are using low power the reticle can get so fine that it is hard to see in the woods, where a SFP reticle is always the same size regardless of the power setting. I have a Vortex Viper 6-24x50. The reticle is quite fine at 7power (still bright at that power) and is very fine at 24power. I would say that SFP scopes are better for hunting than FFP because the reticle is easier to see in very low light. In my experience, only the Trijicon small lighted dot is useful during twilight in the woods. Just my view...

Love vortex scopes all styles are great

 

[Will Gray]

For the military or tactical user the MRAD FFP scope may be best for quick ranging of distant targets using knows sizes of targets (torso measurement of an average man or size of a vehicle wheel) and then maybe backing off to lower power for target acquisition and better low light vision. The hunter, however may range with a laser range finder and if hunting in woods he may find the SFP reticle easier to see in low light at any power. My favorite scope remains my old Weaver K-4 (bought in 1967): tough, small and though the reticle is thick (1-MOA) it is fine at any range I might choose to shoot a white tail or larger animal. I have that scope on my 416/300 RUM wildcat: I only kill paper with it here in N. Louisiana.

 

[snox801]

Ya I'm not picky in first or second plane scopes have both. Both have good and bad.
Just don't wan to be left wanting more after the purchase.

 

[Rflamm250]

Currently running 2 March 2.5-25x52 and love them. The only downside to them is FOV at 25 power. I believe the 42 would be even less FOV. Also have heard the eyebox is finicky on the 42. For those reasons I would suggest the 52.

 

[FTRshooter]

Currently running 2 March 2.5-25x52 and love them. The only downside to them is FOV at 25 power. I believe the 42 would be even less FOV. Also have heard the eyebox is finicky on the 42. For those reasons I would suggest the 52.

Yeah, the FOV has little or nothing to do with the objective lens size. Indeed the March site shows the 42 and 52 both have the same FOV at 25X: 4.3feet.

They state the eye relief is the same, but the exit pupil of the 52 will be bigger than the one for the 42mm

 

[FTRshooter]

Check both under low light conditions. My March 50X fixed is a GREAT scope, but very dark in low light. Both my NF 12-42BR and Weaver 48X are brighter in low light.

If memory serves, the March 50X had a 52mm objective. You're comparing that to an NF 12-42X56, which has a lower magnification and a larger objective.

 

[Rflamm250]

Good to know. Thanks for clarification

 

[kiwikid]

My experience is with two March 2.5-25x42mm scopes. As others have said the eye box is tight. I found that by focusing the cross hairs before mounting the scope and setting the magnification to 25 while adjusting the position of the scope in the rings for eye relief reduced the eye box affect dramatically.

 

[Kimber.204]

My experience is with two March 2.5-25x42mm scopes. As others have said the eye box is tight. I found that by focusing the cross hairs before mounting the scope and setting the magnification to 25 while adjusting the position of the scope in the rings for eye relief reduced the eye box affect dramatically.

I've used a similar procedure when mounting my Marches and I've not really noticed many issues with eye relief either.