Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Are Bushnell Scopes Garbage?

The Elite Tacticals are excellent in all regards.

John

Not after the $1K mark

I'll look at old(er) scopes from time to time. And I'm not surprized to find they have a problem. Getting older scopes serviced is another problem. It's best to stick to companies that are still in business and offer offer a warranty 'and' customer service, like Leuopold and Sightron.
As to having no faith in 'new' scopes, why would you think that ? Technology marches on ! And optics have benefited greatly. In most things , particularly optics, you get what you pay for. Over the last s several years I've acquired a new Sightron Big Sky and a new Weaver Super Slam. They're pretty nice I think. I bought a low power variable Weaver 'Classic' (Japan), discontinued , here on the 'fire' a year or so ago I am pleased w/.
The problem w/ companies like Weaver and Bushnell is that they have changed hands so many times, they have lost any sense of corporate responsibility. Getting a newer scope serviced is a crap shoot, getting an older scope serviced probably can't be done.

My current thinking ; a scope from a reputable company in the $300 - $500 range would serve the average hunter/shooter very well. These days their are more choices than ever. Regularly, 'good' scopes are offered on the 'Fire', in the $200-$300 range. Probably some here now.

Now, as to Bushnells, as has been said, they offer a broad range of quality, and again you get what you pay for.

Back in the eighties, at a gun show, I purchased a Bushnell Banner (Japan),2.5 power, new in the box. Through the years, it's ridden a .22, a 222Rem and a 30/06. For the last many years it's found a home on a Marlin 30/30. It is still clear and tight and still serves as an excellent brush combo. Not bad for $35, NIB out the door.

Putting a Bushnell scope on a Weatherby would be enough to make Roy roll over in his grave.

Only until he checked out how good some are now.




This is an internet myth. I purchased four Swarovski z5 5-25X52 for about $1,500 each. Not one had glass as good as the three Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50's which cost less than a grand.

I have seen some of the cheap ones on other peoples rifles that brand new were shooting groups bigger than the target paper at 25 yards. I was never tempted to try one.

I must have taken a hundred deer with my bushnell scoped ML and slug gun.

I think that comes out to 80 cents per deer for the scope?

Rain. Snow. Drops. Clouds of smoke.

Yep. Total trash.

I've got 3 of their trophy scopes. A 3x9 and a 4x12 ao on two .22 rimfires. A 3x9 on a 223. So far no complaints. Seem like a decent scope for the price. Both 3x9 are mil dot ,nice fine cross hair for small targets and the dots do give you a reference for hold over or wind.

I used the B&L and later Busnell Elite 4200 series on several rifles and they were excellent scopes. I would put them up against my Leupolds for quality of glass and adjustments. Bushnell has discontinued the Elite series and brought out 4 new series of scopes and from I'm hearing the glass and coatings on them are excellent. Haven't had a chance to try one out myself yet but I plan to soon.

https://www.bushnell.com/Products/Binoculars?page=1

Bob

I have an Elite 4200 1.5x6x36 and find it to be a very nice scope. I'd say that the only drawback I see is the eye relief could be better.

Have had this same scope for about 10 years on a 30-06 shooting 200 grain NPT without a problem very good glass also. I still have 3 - 3200's and 2 other 4200's both 3X9-40. What I like most of the Bushnell's is the Rain Guard coating it really works.

If your interested I have a Bushnell 4 1/2 -30 X 50 that I would trade you, for one of the Swarovski's ??

let me know ??
Gene

For the money, the Bushnell Elite 3200 and 4200 scopes were some of the best. I don't know about the current Bushnell Elites, but the older ones were very good scopes.

I have 3200,4200,4500,6500 and regular elites. all of them are great scopes.

I can find them used at gunshows and sometimes buy them very cheap because some guys still think all bushnells are cheap.

The 4200 series are a great scope, the newer 3500 series are nowhere as good

To start with, I don't believe you. Second, I don't keep stuff that does not work like it's suppose to. As soon as I saw the superiority of the Bushnell I sold the Swarovskis and purchased more of the Bushnells.

Oh yeah, welcome to the 'fire. There are some really good folks posting here.

I concur. Have you tried the newer 4500 or 6500 series? Those would be more comparable to the older 4200.

The one thing about Bushnells is that most folks either love them or hate them.

This must be the 200th time you've stated this
and again you're in the minority. Having owned both brands and models there is NO WAY IN HELL and Bushnell compares to a Swaro. You should schedule an appt with an eye doctor.

I would have to say in my opinion for a hunting scope that you plan to dial the Bushnell LRHS is the best scope for the money.
Great glass and will compete with any of them.