Rifle Scopes School me on Magnification between brands. March PRS

[Shootin25]

Is magnification between brands always equal? As in 15x is 15x regardless of brand or magnification range?

I think so, but maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me…

Had two top tier scopes side by side for several hours today, and at equal mag the image in one is smaller than in the other, meaning the actual target appears much smaller… obviously they both milled equal target sizes.

Help me understand…

 

[oldrifleman]

Magnification probably pretty equal, what changes tremendously is the contrast and resolution of the scope at those mag levels. My example is I was shooting NightForce ATCAR 7-35s and picked up a ZCO 5-27 and all of a sudden I could see the targets much clearer.

 

[oldrifleman]

To follow up how much of a difference it makes is likely very subjective. I am a 67 old shooter with glasses. Some one with you eyes may not see things the same. I know I am talked alpha or near alpha glass here but I would bet the same exists with lower priced glass as well. It REALLY helps to try it out for yourself. Either find a great shop like CST or hit a busy range and snoop and ask to try the scopes ( most people will let you).

 

[koshkin]

The apparent image size can be quite different at the same magnification. I made a couple of explanation videos about that some years ago:

 

[TahoeDust]

What scopes were you comparing?

 

[Shootin25]

What scopes were you comparing?

ZCO 527 • March PRS 542, and just sold a K540i of which I spent significant time behind. But specifically the former two side by side today.

 

[TahoeDust]

ZCO 527 • March 542, and just sold a K540i of which I spent significant time behind. But specifically the former two side by side today.

Interesting. Which one looked closer/clearer to you?

 

[Mike Casselton]

If you want to see this very clearly, pick up any old Leupold Vari-X-II or Vari-X-III scope. Most of them are actually less magnification on the top end vs what their model number suggests. Their annual catalog used to have a chart in the back that gave actual magnification specifications.

 

[Shootin25]

Interesting. Which one looked closer/clearer to you?

I wouldn’t say it’s clearer, but the target looks larger/closer thru the ZCO at equal magnifications. Obvious enough that I asked someone else to look thru them and they agreed. Second thought was maybe I’m perceiving it smaller due to the wide angle of the March, but there is really not a K540i FOV difference between these two.

 

[B y r o n]

If the field of view is different it could cause a difference in perceived target size, larger FOV smaller target, smaller FOV larger target. Is it possible this is what you are seeing?

 

[Shootin25]

If the field of view is different it could cause a difference in perceived target size, larger FOV smaller target, smaller FOV larger target. Is it possible this is what you are seeing?

That’s what I had initially thought… but I believe it is not the case.
Will be spending tomorrow morning with them side by side.

Edit to add that there is not a big difference in FOV between the 2.

 

[Denys]

That’s what I had initially thought… but I believe it is not the case.
Will be spending tomorrow morning with them side by side.

Edit to add that there is not a big difference in FOV between the 2.

I'll just point out that the ZCO has a published AOV of 23° at max and the March-FX PRS has an AOV of 26° at max. That's a difference of 13% linear or closer to 28% since we view and shoot in two dimensions. You're seeing quite a bit more with the March than with the ZCO and that has a tendency of fooling the brain that the image of the target in that wider field of view is smaller, when it's in fact the same magnification.

 

[Casing012]

Example is 3-9x40,

3-9x is the magnification range. At its lowest setting, the scope makes the target appear 3 times closer than it does with your naked eye. At its highest, 9 times closer.

And 40x is the diameter of the objective (front) lens in millimeters. A larger lens generally allows more light to enter, contributing to a brighter image, especially at dawn.

 

[Shootin25]

Alright peeps…
Let me say… My Bad !!
Spent 1000 rounds of practice behind the March.. the FOV makes a difference..
I shoot rimfire only, and had these two optics side by side all morning from 40 to 400 yards.

I don’t think I noticed this image size phenomenon with the K540 because maybe the reticle in that is too fine, whereas the WBR is usable even down low allowing more usable FOV.

One other thing I noticed is the turrets are fkn money…. No monkey fisting.. Just 2 fingers and it snaps itself right on the money..

Thanks all for letting me know i’m not crazy. Have several matches over the next few weeks and really looking forward to using the March.

 

[ohiofarmer]

Example is 3-9x40,

3-9x is the magnification range. At its lowest setting, the scope makes the target appear 3 times closer than it does with your naked eye. At its highest, 9 times closer.

And 40x is the diameter of the objective (front) lens in millimeters. A larger lens generally allows more light to enter, contributing to a brighter image, especially at dawn.

You and @koshkin really need to collaborate….