ZCO vs March vs ATACR vs TT

[DirtNap35]

Seems like lately there has been a lot of post regarding what optics are the best, I figured why not. The scopes being used will be for hunting and mil. One of my big concerns is holding zero. I have reviewed Rokslide drop test but must admit it seems a little extreme as I plan to never drop my rifle repeatedly on the scope……but I have experienced zero shift from riding in the truck. The scope would lose zero every single time riding in the truck on the highway nonetheless while riding in a SKB case. Some days it would shoot bugholes 3 inches to left and 2 inches high and other days it would be 2 inches to the right and 1 inch low. Once zeroed at the range it wouldn't have any issues maintaining zero for that day. Just for reference this was a VX6HD.

I'm have couple LPR's in the works 300 NMI and a 338 Reaper. With that being said I'm in the market for new scopes. My mind is pretty made up on a March 4.5-28x56 wide angle for the 300 NMI. Are the shuriken locks worth the extra money?

With the 338 Reaper I'm undecided. I'm looking at ZCO 527, ZCO 840, TT5-25, March 5-42 wide angle, or ATACR 7-35. Can anybody please provide pros and cons? Also please provide any information on holding zero and tracking?

 

[WeiserBucks]

I can't wait for the responses.

 

[lancetkenyon]

TT525P
TT735P
ZCO527
ZCO840
March FX 4.5-28×52 WA HM
March FX 5-42×56 WA HM
NF ATACR 5-25X56 F1
NF ATACR 7-25X56 F1

I like a little lower mag range than a lot of people for hunting. I like a 3-20, 4-20 type mag range. But I included my list above in order of my preference according to your requests. I did add a couple I feel were missing.

As for the Shuriken turrets, they are just a locking type. Up to you if you want/need locking turrets.

I would add a few S&B PMII in there between ZCO and March.

S&B PMII 3-27×56 Hi-power
S&B PMII 6-26×56 High Performance
S&B PMII 5-45×56 Hi-Power

 

[dfanonymous]

Interrogative OP

Is the primary concern of the scopes in question their durability, or are you looking for pro/con of the scopes over all?

 

[DirtNap35]

TT525P
TT735P
ZCO527
ZCO840
March FX 4.5-28×52 WA HM
March FX 5-42×56 WA HM
NF ATACR 5-25X56 F1
NF ATACR 7-25X56 F1

I like a little lower mag range than a lot of people for hunting. I like a 3-20, 4-20 type mag range. But I included my list above in order of my preference according to your requests. I did add a couple I feel were missing.

As for the Shuriken turrets, they are just a locking type. Up to you if you want/need locking turrets.

I definitely appreciate your response. I must admit I don't know what the locking turrets add. Majority of my scopes are NX8's…..I'm not sure I know what they actually do. Pretty sure it adds 1k to the price tag.

I would agree I personally bring back my mag on NX4-32 to around 15 power. Concern is with a FFP a 40x ……is a lower mag, reticle will be not a useable.

 

[DirtNap35]

Interrogative OP

Is the primary concern of the scopes in question their durability, or are you looking for pro/con of the scopes over all?

Over all and durability. I definitely don't want to spend 3-4K on a scope that will lose zero in a truck and according to Rokslide they will.,.. looking for real world experience as the test conducted on Rok is not real world and nobody treats their rifle like that.

 

[lancetkenyon]

My TTs and ZCOs have bounced around on thousands of miles of dirt roads for days at a time in padded soft cases. Trips to and from the range on a near-weekly basis. Thousands of rounds on most. Dialed up and back. Never once lost zero. Tracking is perfect, every time.

I have only had my March FX for a couple years now. But, it is on my coyote rifle, and has bounced around in a truck for about 60 days a year so far. Still making hits out past 800 on yotes.

 

[BUG_MT]

My buddy shoots the ZCO on his match and hunting rifle, I run the ATCR. I've only put hands on the TT once, have another match partner that shoots it consistently.
It may be petty, but I would probably go anything over the ATAC for the stupidest reason….. the entire eye cup rotation during zoom. It's great glass, tracks perfectly, takes a beating (doesn't have locking turrets…. But I'm fine with zero stop and dial up.)

But the dang way the eye cup rotates is definitely a thing, I kinda heard about it, didn't think anything about it…. It's annoying, and takes away from the overall superpower status of that optic. Flip the cap open, throw the magnification to just the wrong spot and try and cycle the bolt…. And get hung up on the scope cap with the bolt handle
Doesn't happen always, almost subconsciously know where not to zoom to now, but it's happened more than once in a match and once on an animal. Haven't gone out of my way to get a bikini cap to negate the issue. But should.
Honestly, was starting to poke around for a Kahles 5-25…. But saw the new release of the 5-40 and I'm slightly intrigued.
Of those listed, I can definitely say ZCO and ATACR have taken solid beating between myself and my buddy. Absolutely no shift.

Good rings are just as, if not more important though.

 

[Greyfox]

I have had experience with all the brands you listed…Hunting and PRS(which subjects the scope to heavy use of the mechanicals). They are all excellent scopes that track, and hold their zero's…as one would fully expect from a tier 1 scope.. I agree with Lance that the S&B PMII should surely be added to the list.
I think the choice/preference with any of them will come down to the reticle design, magnification range, and ergonomics/features, that best suites your use/typical conditions. Each brand has it's own attributes.
My personal favorite, used for hunting(both carry and from a nest/stand), where shots can vary from a couple of hundred yards to 1000+ at quarry PD's/varmints to Deer…. is a ZCO420/MPCT1 reticle, the same load(components/Lot) this scope has seen heavy use in the elements, subjected to quads, bangs, dirt, and dust. Zero/tracking has been checked at the start of each of the last three seasons. I have not needed to adjust my zero, and tracking has been nuts-on, since my first season, over three years ago… Major attributes for me are glass quality(and large sight picture), reticle design/versatility, control ergonomics, low-sun glare/haze management, compactness, and locking turrets.

 

[dhbikerczar]

That 338 reaper is a great cartridge. I ran it for years. I still have a few hundred brass for it too...I had an ATACR on it. That rifle is now a 33XC. The reaper was used for moose.
I also have the LPR 300 NMI. I have an NX8 on that. It's been a good elk rifle setup. Both of these NF scopes have never had an issue. I have a March on my 300 PRC and also never had an issue. Side by side I think the March might have just a hint brighter glass, but it also cost $1k more than the atacr. The ATACR glass is still amazing. I cannot directly compare with TT or ZCO as I've never spent a day hunting with those two. One comment(each to their own though) I like to hunt on 4x or 5x power. More than once I've gotten within 50 yards before seeing my game. 2 years ago I was in thick forest and came over a ridge quietly and was 10 to 30 yards from about 30 elk. I had to let them get a ways away before I could see that there was nothing behind the target etc. This year I took my antelope at about 550 yards. 15x gain was fine at that range. It was a good clear picture and still large enough for a precise hit.

 

[Dragoon300]

I have not experienced any zero shift on my SB's due to transport or handling, I'm on my second SB 5-45x56 for a new rifle I just got, the only difference between them is the reticle. I like keeping controls the same for familiarity, the new reticle is the GR²ID, it is quite open and goes above the horizontal aim point, it also illuminates brighter with more points of light than my Tremor3.
Is there a possibility of the mounting or the rifle itself being the problem? Just a thought.

 

[Elkhunter007]

This, Hands down.

For Sale - Tangent Theta 525 Gen3 XR Fine

Selling a new TT525P with Gen3 XR Fine reticle. Purchased this a few months ago. Lightly set it in some rings on a rifle but never torqued down. Not a mark on it. Comes in original box with everything as new. $3900 OBO

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[Spoonbill]

Seems like lately there has been a lot of post regarding what optics are the best, I figured why not. The scopes being used will be for hunting and mil. One of my big concerns is holding zero. I have reviewed Rokslide drop test but must admit it seems a little extreme as I plan to never drop my rifle repeatedly on the scope……but I have experienced zero shift from riding in the truck. The scope would lose zero every single time riding in the truck on the highway nonetheless while riding in a SKB case. Some days it would shoot bugholes 3 inches to left and 2 inches high and other days it would be 2 inches to the right and 1 inch low. Once zeroed at the range it wouldn't have any issues maintaining zero for that day. Just for reference this was a VX6HD.

I'm have couple LPR's in the works 300 NMI and a 338 Reaper. With that being said I'm in the market for new scopes. My mind is pretty made up on a March 4.5-28x56 wide angle for the 300 NMI. Are the shuriken locks worth the extra money?

With the 338 Reaper I'm undecided. I'm looking at ZCO 527, ZCO 840, TT5-25, March 5-42 wide angle, or ATACR 7-35. Can anybody please provide pros and cons? Also please provide any information on holding zero and tracking?

Great discussion! I am not familiar with the 'TT' Brand?

 

[DirtNap35]

My buddy shoots the ZCO on his match and hunting rifle, I run the ATCR. I've only put hands on the TT once, have another match partner that shoots it consistently.
It may be petty, but I would probably go anything over the ATAC for the stupidest reason….. the entire eye cup rotation during zoom. It's great glass, tracks perfectly, takes a beating (doesn't have locking turrets…. But I'm fine with zero stop and dial up.)

But the dang way the eye cup rotates is definitely a thing, I kinda heard about it, didn't think anything about it…. It's annoying, and takes away from the overall superpower status of that optic. Flip the cap open, throw the magnification to just the wrong spot and try and cycle the bolt…. And get hung up on the scope cap with the bolt handle
Doesn't happen always, almost subconsciously know where not to zoom to now, but it's happened more than once in a match and once on an animal. Haven't gone out of my way to get a bikini cap to negate the issue. But should.
Honestly, was starting to poke around for a Kahles 5-25…. But saw the new release of the 5-40 and I'm slightly intrigued.
Of those listed, I can definitely say ZCO and ATACR have taken solid beating between myself and my buddy. Absolutely no shift.

Good rings are just as, if not more important though.

Yeah I had my mind made up with ATACR but then I heard about the eye piece rotating which I'm not a fan.