I am looking for a new scope for my .223. It will be used for coyotes and prairie dogs, hence a variable. I am on a budget, and only want opinions on the following scopes (please compare their virtues):

Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40
Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x40
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40

To my eyes the Burris is a GOOD value and close to the quality of the others. If all these are in your range then the nod would go to the Elite or GS. Flip a coin.
Dave

The elite 4200 3-9x40 is a smoking deal--I've got one on my .223.






edit: typo

I would go elite 4200 3-9X40

The 4200 would be my pick in that litter as well.

I'd also go with the 4200.

I am not a fan of Burris, mostly due to my experience with their Customer Service. Of the ones you've mentioned I'd give the nod to the 4200.

Thanks guys. The Bushnell will be a bit more than I was hoping to pay, so I may not be able to go that way. With the Grand Slam rebate available right now, I may go that way instead.

Any drawbacks to the Grand Slam?

I think they are all good scopes and have shot with each brand, though not all the same models you are looking at. It would come down to what I was putting it on and what I was using it for, to me.

The only customer service I have used has been Bushnell. I found them to be both knowledgeable and honest. I like the Rainguard feature in the Elite series. Not a deal maker or breaker, but nice. The glass quality is nice in them but I'll never get another Bushnell Elite handgun scope until I'm assured it would not have that weird stepped appearing lens. They seem to be a little long and bulky and I've never been all that impressed with the overall look of them. They just look too Bushnell. Same designer on a better budget.

I like the looks of the Burris better, even moreso the price, but twisting the entire ocular to adjust the power makes me cringe a little each time I crank on one. Maybe they changed that. Good glass, particularly for the money. Best value of the three letting your checkbook be your guide.

I like the looks of the Weaver until you get to it's power changing ring, and I still don't mind it all that bad, also understand it's usefullness to see your power without taking your head up too far, but who really does that? Engineer/design guys who don't hunt or maybe went rabbit hunting with their grandpa once? I do like the finish and size of the Weaver and believe their innards might best the rest.

If it were my gun, I'd probably put the Weaver on it, if price didn't matter and the Burris if it did.

how much is the rebate on the weaver? i ask because of the 3 scopes you listed the 4200 elite 3x9x40 was the cheapest. i hadn't seen the rebate so i don't know how much you're getting back on it. the rebate would need to be at least 60.00 to break even between the two.
i was looking here.
http://www.swfa.com/c-16-rifle-scopes.aspx

I can only say good things about the Burris scopes. They have very clear glass and thay can take a beating. The one time i did have a problem they were very helpful and i just took the scope to them and they replaced it no questions asked(they are like 20 min from my house). I have had only problems with the Bushnells and have not tried the Weaver scopes. I do have to say that i do not like twisting the entire ocular to adjust the power on them but i do think that they have changed that with this years model and for $199 for the scope and a pair of Bino's or a spotting scope it is not a bad deal.

I recently won a Burris fullfield 2 3-9 x 40 at a ducks unlimited banquet. I own lupys and zeiss and nikon and they are good. I was astonished at the clarity of this inexpensive scope. I could clearly see bullet holes at 100yd which is more than i can say for my buddie's nikon omega when we were at the range sighting in different rifles. I think i saw them for $239 at Midway AND you get a gps. I probably would not have bought this scope, but I dont think I will sell it.

The Bushnell Elite can be had for about $219

The Weaver Grand Slam for about $185 - 50 rebate = 135

The Burris for about $129


All by watching that auction site that bans most gun parts

I have the 4200 and the Grand Slam that you are looking at. Not much difference optically in the two. I would give the nod to the Grand Slam because I like the looks and the adjusting ring, it really looks good with a Camo Stock.

DakotaDeer, where can I get a New Grand Slam for $185?

please tell me where you can find them at those prices? a link would be great. here's about the best price i could find on the grand slam http://www.swfa.com/c-253-weaver-grand-slam-rifle-scopes.aspx

Try this: http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...mmoGroup=&brand=&prodID=SN800588

Weaver Grandslam 3-10x40 for $249 and then get the rebate. I own several grandslams and my only complaint is the lack of eye relief on the 6-20 model. I have a FFII also but I like the grandslam a bit better. The only Bushnells I have are 3200's and the optics on the Grandslams seem better to me. Not sure how the 4200's would compare.

Bb

burleyboy, that's a pretty nice price on those grand slams (best price i've seen). that makes the weaver the top pick at that price.

You can get them at the prices listed by watching the auctions on this site and others. It may take a few weeks, but all you have to do is catch somebody sleeping.

I agree ebay is great if you can be selective. Just got a 3x9x40 FFII for 141 and 9.99 shipping. I expect the you could probably score a cheap weaver. it just takes time and persistance.

the burris is great optically, its slightly better than the 3200 model but certainly not better than the 4200, I hate turning the whole eyepeice to adjust power and prolly my biggest gripe is the matte finish burris uses, its too thin and easily scratched I think spray paint would be better

yes 4200 I have 2 of them 4-16 and 6-24