AR15 optics - Are Bushnell AR scopes any good?

jethunter

jethunter

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Had a chance to try out a buddy's S&W MP15 carbine with a Bushnell AR/223 1-4x24 BDC scope on it. Seems like decent glass and was a nice fit for the compact rifle. He said he paid something under $200 for it.

I don't know much about this model and couldn't find much online. Anyone have any good or bad feedback / experience / issues with the Bushnell AR model scopes?
 
They do seem heavy, but they are a 30mm tube (I think?) which explains some of it.

Actually (by coincidence) we had a different rifle with the Redfield 3-9 on it at the range same time, and this Bushnell was comparable for clarity and brightness. It did seem surprisingly decent for the money.
 
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I’ve been shooting an elite tactical 1-6.5x for at least 4 yrs now.

The thing has seen it’s fair share of dings and abuse on physical 3 gun stages and it’s never failed me. Even after smacking off wood platforms when slung or after failing on gravel off a gun rack. It’s basically a tank.

Only issue I have noticed recently is some spotting on the ocular lense. It didn’t wipe off with the lens cloth but I haven’t tried to clean it yet (it might still come out with soapy water or mild cleaning solution)

I’ve thought about upgrading to a 1-8x or to a lighter weight scope, but I’ve never gotten there because there really isn’t anything wrong with the optic I have

The scope at the time cost me about $1400, that was at least 4 yrs ago though
 
I have the PCL illuminated reticle version Hitzy noted above. Seems perfectly fine with bright and clean image. The illuminated reticle is very handy when non-illuminated reticle gets lost in the target. After using for awhile think I'd opt for 1-8x second time around but those cost considerably more.
 
The Bushnell AR line of scopes are what you should expect from a $2-300 scope. They have some neat features, and they generally work.

They are a budget scope, and they are prone to the turrets falling off (not the knobs....the turrets).

They are not in the same level as an Elite series scope.

But they do have a lifetime warranty, so as long as you're not using it for life/death situations, you don't have a lot to lose if you're just looking for something affordable to get a step up from iron sights.
 
I just picked up an ar 223 3-12
I have not had an opportunity to mount or shoot with it yet but it is very heavy. I bought it specifically for shoots at military bases where you can only use 223. Typically my acr wears an eotech but for once in a blue moon I need a 223 I can throw it on. I wouldn't put it on something I use alot. I would go with the elite series for that. I have a few and they are good scopes.
For the price hard to beat... on amazon right now less than $200 taxes in shipped to your door
 
I've got the PCL version on an AR. So far it's holding zero nicely. I like the FFP feature. Glass is nice and clear with some barrel distortion on the edges. It's more like a 1.2x and not a true 1x ie you can't co-witness with iron sights. The turrets are a little mushy but overall, pretty good scope for the $.
 
Trinimon said:
I've got the PCL version on an AR. So far it's holding zero nicely. I like the FFP feature. Glass is nice and clear with some barrel distortion on the edges. It's more like a 1.2x and not a true 1x ie you can't co-witness with iron sights. The turrets are a little mushy but overall, pretty good scope for the $.
Click to expand...

I noticed last year when setting up the scope that adjusting the "fast focus" ring has a slight effect on zoom. Just checked again today to confirm and that is the case. When the focus ring is all the way in the power is 1x or maybe a little less, adjusted out for my eyes probably a little over 1.1-1.2x.
 
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