I'm looking at a new scope for a .30-06 deer rifle. I'm looking at a Ziess conquest 3-9x40 or some of the bushnell 3200 or 4200. Some of the old threads say go with the Ziess for optical clarity but how do the ziess coatings compare with bushnell's raingaurd? I have a 3200 w/ raingaurd on my varmint rifle but it has never seen a drop of rain so I don't know how will they do either. Is the Ziess worth the couple extra $$$$? Which scope would perform better in wet or snowy conditions?
Pick me a good mid priced scope!
- Thread starter cam1936
- Start date
I am a scope snob generally. I demand excellent quality for my target rifles used in competition. To that end, Nightforce and Leupold.... However...
My Hunting rifles have all worn Bushnell 3200 3-9X40's. Clear, Compact, fog resistant and a great value for the money. I typically keep it dialed down at the lower power end most of the time anyway.
My Hunting rifles have all worn Bushnell 3200 3-9X40's. Clear, Compact, fog resistant and a great value for the money. I typically keep it dialed down at the lower power end most of the time anyway.
I question the value of improved optical clarity once you reach a certain point, on a hunting rifle. When I look at a deer, am I supposed to see and appreciate the individual hairs on it coat in full glorious National Geographic photographic quality? I'd rather spend the money on a good pair of binocs, which are what I'm supposed to be doing my sight seeing through. Bushnell 3200 and up, Leupold, Burris, all good scopes for hunting.
I will add my question to this post to save threads. I have a Winchester XTR Featherweight in 30-06 that I use for deer, bear and moose. The rings that I have on it currently only allow me to mount a 6" tubed scope onto it (damn Leupold rings). I do not wanna change out my rings and bases cause they are still in mint cond.
I have been looking at either the Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 or the Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40. There is about a $110 diff between the two scopes. They weigh just about the same but the Trophy is about 1" shorter and more compact than the 3200.
I kinda like the idea of the shorter and compact Trophy on my lightweight Winchester. What is the main differences between the Trophy and Elite 3200 line? Will I notice a big difference in quality, clarity and durability? I hunt Ontario's woods and farms fields mostly.
I have been looking at either the Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 or the Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40. There is about a $110 diff between the two scopes. They weigh just about the same but the Trophy is about 1" shorter and more compact than the 3200.
I kinda like the idea of the shorter and compact Trophy on my lightweight Winchester. What is the main differences between the Trophy and Elite 3200 line? Will I notice a big difference in quality, clarity and durability? I hunt Ontario's woods and farms fields mostly.
Go with the Elite 3200, I had a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X40 on my Tikka t3 lite in .30-06 well lets just say after the first shot the optics blurred on me, and I had to readjust them to get focus again not sure if I had a lemon or not, but I was told that on a light gun this can sometimes happen, so I upgraded to the 3200 as it is recoil tested, the same thing can not be said for the Trophy. The bushnell website is pretty good for comparing the two.
cheers,
I just bought a 4200 3x9x40 from Al Flaherty's about 3 months ago. It is super clear, with great light gathering. I would recommend it. Been firing it on my .308, no issues. Very clear, very stable, easy to use. Super warranty (1 year no questions asked, limited lifetime afterwards)
The Vortex Viper and Diamonback line are fantastic scopes for the money. There cost is anywhere from $300 to $550 and there are many different magnification and reticle options available. Check them out at www.vortexcanada.net
grynerfan2
Regular
MuleyMadness
Regular
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
You can get Vortex from Grouse River Outfitters out of Kelowna, they have an online store at: http://www.grouseriver.com/ Don't know of anyone else that is selling them right now that has an online store. I have a Diamondback and it's an AMAZING scope for the price I paid. Damn near as good as my Burris Fullfield II 4.5 - 14 which is saying a lot, at about a third the price. Stick with the Diamondback or Viper though and don't be tempted by the cheaper Crossfire, it's not in the same universe.
kinggeorge168
CGN frequent flyer
Best Bang for your bucks is the bushnell elite3200 4-12x40mm with DOA reticule!!! or the elite 6500 2.5-16x42mm with DOA reticule, 30mm hammer forge main tube!!!. It is the only hunting scope you will ever need...price at $800+tax at WSS. Personally speaking, I own few of the VXIII BDC leupold scopes. I have one VXIII 3.5-14X40mm BDC, one inch tube, I paid $875+tax, mounted on my weatherby super big game master in .270, and I compared the $800+tax elite 6500 2.5-16x42mm DOA on my weatherby 7MM sub moa. I found the light transmission is better on the elite 6500 compared to the VXIII !!!...both scopes are good. It just the 6500 is way better value...hope this will help.
CHEERS
CHEERS
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
I have both a Burris FF II and a Bushy 3200. I prefer the Burris over the Bushy. That being said, I do like the rainguard on the Bushnell, and the one thing I do not like about the Burris is I cannot put a flip cap on the front lens of the scope.
But for clarity I believe the Burris beats the Bushnell. So on those rainy days I use the rifle with the Bushy on it, and all other days its my Burris.
- Location
- Canuckistan
Another Redneck with a Burris says....
I have a Burris 3-9 with Ballistic Plex. I've shot 2 moose, a nice bull elk and about 6 or 7 deer with it on my .308 Blaser. The plex allows hold on out to 400 without any real adjusting, and you can just tell holding it that its a tough scope.You can also get the package deals around where you get free binos or a spotting scope, so that's a good deal.
After that Nikon. I dont care what anyone says, Nikon lenses are the best. Just look through em and compare to anyone out there side by side. Definitely has Leupold beat, and while the Germans are more expensive, I still have an easier time looking through Nikon glass. More sweet spot. I might be weird, but the only brand I have just as easy a time looking through is the Bushnell Elite line... But those used to be Bausch and Lomb, so I'm not surprised. Still, for the money and toughness, Burris.
A.B.
I have both a Burris FF II and a Bushy 3200. I prefer the Burris over the Bushy. That being said, I do like the rainguard on the Bushnell, and the one thing I do not like about the Burris is I cannot put a flip cap on the front lens of the scope.
But for clarity I believe the Burris beats the Bushnell. So on those rainy days I use the rifle with the Bushy on it, and all other days its my Burris.
I have a Burris 3-9 with Ballistic Plex. I've shot 2 moose, a nice bull elk and about 6 or 7 deer with it on my .308 Blaser. The plex allows hold on out to 400 without any real adjusting, and you can just tell holding it that its a tough scope.You can also get the package deals around where you get free binos or a spotting scope, so that's a good deal.
After that Nikon. I dont care what anyone says, Nikon lenses are the best. Just look through em and compare to anyone out there side by side. Definitely has Leupold beat, and while the Germans are more expensive, I still have an easier time looking through Nikon glass. More sweet spot. I might be weird, but the only brand I have just as easy a time looking through is the Bushnell Elite line... But those used to be Bausch and Lomb, so I'm not surprised. Still, for the money and toughness, Burris.
A.B.
Just a note that if you are hunting typical Ontario woods, you might want to consider a lower powered scope. If you are in the woods, it is much easier to get on target with a low power, say 1.5 or 2, than a higher power.
Even a 6x will fine for all but groundhogs out to 400+ yards. Even then, a good quality 6x or 7x is not a huge problem for groundhogs at 400 yards.
For low powered variables, my preference is the Leupold VX-III at magnifications of 1.5 or 2x, but the Bushnell 4200 when the scopes are set the high end of the magnification range. So depends on what you are hunting/shooting.
Even a 6x will fine for all but groundhogs out to 400+ yards. Even then, a good quality 6x or 7x is not a huge problem for groundhogs at 400 yards.
For low powered variables, my preference is the Leupold VX-III at magnifications of 1.5 or 2x, but the Bushnell 4200 when the scopes are set the high end of the magnification range. So depends on what you are hunting/shooting.
