Posted by Stuart Elliott on Dec 01, 2011; 12:19pm
URL: http://oldforum.flyshooter.com.au/Best-Scope-for-Fly-Shooting-tp5031200p5038487.html

Just to clear up what Les has said about the March 36x-55x Eye piece zoom model scope it is not specifically a first focal plane scope. It is a specific benchrest scope though and is a zoom on the  eye piece instead of being a regular variable power scope. So it is a second focal plane scope with a zoom that has first focal plane qualities.
There are other FFP March scopes but they are not really for target shooting.
It is important to remember that any variable power second focal plane scope ( any brand ) will have slight point of impact change over it's entire magnification range. It will vary from scope to scope but the industry standard is 1/2 MOA. It's all to do with the internal design of the lens rotating and the reticle being in the second focal plane. Before anyone starts panicking, in practice, for target shooting it is usually a non issue. The biggest variation usually occurs over the entire zoom range and most shooters never use that. Also most shooters choose a magnification before shooting a particular target and do not change until another target if at all. On a good scope the POA (point of aim)will not move unless you change magnification during one target.

First focal plane design does not change POA at all at any magnification but because many of these reticles are not designed for target shooting they are too thick at their highest power. In other words, generally not suitable for target shooting.

Just for interest the the most popular March scope models that Rimfire guys are buying is the 10x-60x closely followed by the fixed 40x and a couple have the 8x-80x and 5x-50x in the March-X style too. All March scopes models now focus down to 10 yards.

From a personal point of view , obviously I recommend March and we use them but we have previously owned Nightforce and have been happy with them. We did have issues with two of these scopes which were early versions of the fixed 36x models but they were fixed up and not entirely the fault of the company either. I have even posted all this on other forums previously.  I see no point in running down the competition unless they have fundamental flaws. Notice I do not recommend any other brands.
The Benchrest series NF seem to be reliable and that is the No 1 most important issue. Even on a Rimfire rifle. Remember scopes are the weakest link in the accuracy rifle chain.
I have many people ask me what to do "I want a March but cannot afford one yet?" So I recommend they buy a BR series NF. At least I know they will have a good chance of being reliable and that is the most important issue.

Other factors to consider on your choices would also be eye relief and adjustment range. Will not be an issue with Rimfire I would hope. I would recommend that if you intend to shoot 200m Rimfire often you should have a 20 MOA or 25 MOA slope mounting system fitted (could be a rail or inbuilt in the rings) because even if a scope which you choose does happen to have enough elevation  you will not be anywhere near the optical centre of all those internal lenses. So if 200m is occasional for you then I guess  you can put up with it, but if it's the main purpose..... you know what to do. Because of the large amount of elevation required the issues are the same as something like 1,000 yard centrefire.

Hope that helps.

Stuart Elliott