Phil,
I'm not sure how high in inches the scope sits over the bore, but it's quite a bit.
I have the Gen 1 ATN Spartan 410 mounted on the 6x45. It works great at a bait site at a known distance where I have sighted in previously at the site. I use small IR lights at the bait site that provides all the illumination I need.
I kind-of had a feeling that my issue might be common to NV scopes due to them sitting so high over the bore. But, I wondered if it's just my Gen 1 scope or if it's common to all including Gen 3.
This will give you an idea of how the scope sits. My scope appears to sit a bit high compared to yours.
I lucked up on this bobcat while calling. I estimated it to be about 50-60 yards, took the
shot and made good of it. But, the trajectory is just too steep for any real confidence other
than at known / sighted distances. I guess it's just the nature of the beast with NV.
I also got this skunk that was out in the field, turning over cow patties. Again luck was
with me in that it was roughly 50-60 yards from me. I've been able to pull off some shots
when estimating the distance to the 50-60 yard range. I didn't hit this one good on the
first shot and had to pop him again, so I'm sure trajectory played a part in that.
At 38 yards (measured) the bullet impact hit low as seen on the target. The bullet impact
just under the bull was after I corrected up. That seems to be a pretty steep curve, a lot
more than I would expect from a day-time scope.
Maybe one of these days I can own a nice scope like yours. I'm sure it's the cat's meow and far above my Gen 1. For now, my main use is hunting coyotes at a bait site with the IR lights. Night vision is just plain fun, even if it's only Gen 1. You are right that it's tough to judge distance at night. Everything seems so much further away than it really is.
Sorry if I got off topic of your post. I was just hoping you or others might shed some light on the trajectory issue, if that's common to NV in general.