Bushnell 6500 high end target LR scopes for 2008

FYI the 6500 2.5-16x42 w/ fine duplex will retail for around $680 in Canada, the other models are slightly more but under $800 IIRC

I look forward to looking through one
 
I just got back from a dealer show in Las Vegas and was looking at some of the new Bushnell models but they didn't have the 6500 models there. They advised that they would have a pre production sample at the Shot Show in Feb. Production is supposed to begin in April. Phil.
 
todbartell said:
FYI the 6500 2.5-16x42 w/ fine duplex will retail for around $680 in Canada, the other models are slightly more but under $800 IIRC

I look forward to looking through one
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That is great news on the pricing as it is LOWER then the MSRP on SWFA's site.

I too am curious about their optical quality. Certainly they are using a little bit of media hype to launch it. More then I have ever seen from a Bushnell scope.

My biggest fear is that they will drop the ball again with elevation/windage adj. - too little. Their last 2 Side focus 4200 scopes could have been so much more.

Jerry
 
With respect to the last two side focus 4200's having limited elevation and windage adjustments...to be fair not one of my customers (and we have sold lots of these) have ever mentioned this or complained about it to us as a problem. I realize that some consumers have specific requirements and concerns but I am going out on a limb here saying that this in by far in the minority to the main body of users. I think that during the engineering and manufacturing constraints and pricing of these optics that Bushnell targets their customer base on units sold and this is directly proportional to production costs and final retail price. I am just happy that Bushnell has been going after the long range/higher end market more than in the past and our resulting sales I think vindicate their decisions. Mabey in the future these concerns may be addressed but I wouldn't hold my breath if their sales remain as high as they are. Phil.
 
Phil, you have described Bushnell perfectly. Great scopes but catering to the middle ground/price point. For that, they are at the top of the heap in my books.

This is the main reason why so many of our cries have fallen on deaf ears.

With F class and other LR shooting sports growing in popularity, Bushnell top line products are lacking well behind companies like Nikon, Sightron, Nightforce and Leupold.

I guess the Bushnell execs see us as a large enough market to start catering to our needs.....slowly. Many target shooters also hunt and Bushnell is running a very real risk of loosing both sales.

Look at what playing to a once small niche market called TACTICAL rifles has done for Leupold.

Let's see how the 6500 series plays out. If they have the optical quality and adj range shooters are asking for, they have the marketing strength to put a large dent in other competitors and this quality of product more affordable.

I hope they bring a little sizzle with their burger and fries....
Jerry
 
I see bushnell Has the new 6500's on there website now ,on the 4.5-30x50 it says it has 93moa, 2.5-16x50 has 78moa. lots of adjustment ..............kinda wish I would have known about these before I got the 4200 tactical but it will do ;)
 
BCboy said:
I see bushnell Has the new 6500's on there website now ,on the 4.5-30x50 it says it has 93moa, 2.5-16x50 has 78moa. lots of adjustment ..............kinda wish I would have known about these before I got the 4200 tactical but it will do ;)
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I was on the phone on Monday talking with a technician at Bushnell USA. He advised the elevation travel on the new 4.5-30x50 is 93.6 M.O.A. which confirms what their website now says.
 
I am sorry but speaking from personal experience I don't consider anything Bushnell makes to be "high end". You get what you pay for.
 
That term high end can be confusing for some folks. The are plenty of folks out there in the shooting world that will have nothing but Leupold on their rifles, and cannot be talked into trying a different product. Or they have read some place where customer service was negligent.
I personally consider high end rifle scopes as more of a dollar value than quality of scope, and for me this is product that exceeds $1000.00. I have one such scope in a 6.5-20x50 VXIII. The rest of my optics collection all wear Bushnell 3200 and 4200 products. I am not a long range guy just yet but when I start trying to shoot those distances I will doing it with my "one" high end scope, but I seriously doubt it will enable me to be any better than if I had a $600.00 Bushnell on top. FS
 
There is a misconception that scope performance is directly related to price. Used to be the case but no longer. In fact there are some pretty pricey scopes with ongoing mechanical ills.

Optical qualities, coatings, mechanicals and weatherproofness are really starting to level off even with pricing varying as much as a $1000.

There certainly has been some boutique products with many niche specific features that have been very well accepted. These companies have been able to get a very nice premium for their products. Good for them.

More companies are starting to understand the shooting sports/rifle applications and the diverse products required. Some are starting to compete with equal/better features at lower prices.

Because so much 'value' is placed on price, these new scopes will cost more then they otherwise would. Again, why not? If the market will bare, go for it.

Products from Bushnell Elite 4200/6500, Nikon and Sightron will give shooters more bells and whistles for lower bucks.

Let's see what happens after SHOT.
Jerry
 
EC said:
I am sorry but speaking from personal experience I don't consider anything Bushnell makes to be "high end". You get what you pay for.
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I love these comments , I can say I have probly owned 50-60 bushnells over the years from banners to the 4200's and have only had one bad one out of the whole bunch . I sent it back and received a new one in the mail no questions asked (and it was a banner to boot )

The scopes have been mounted on 22's to 338 win mags and always held up, the only downside to the bushnell's is there warrinty service can take a bit .

I can say I have seen leupolds brake down to my buddies dad just had a VX2 just go on him .........but it was fixed and back to him in a month and I have one sitting on a 7mm mag husky that no longer clicks when adjusted and just turns but still holds zero ,but it still needs to be fixed .

Any Scope can brake and all brands will , some just have faster warrinty service .


EC I am curious what bushnell scopes have you owned and what ones have let you down and how?
 
http://www.bushnell.com/general/riflescopes_elite6500.cfm?section=Hunting

http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

Well, here is the lastest news on this line of scopes from SHOT. They are coming shortly to US dealers and will likely be in Canada by the summer unless Cdn dealers have put in request for initial shipment.

Should be a strong competitor for the Nightforce, Leupold products. Sightron will be releasing info on their new SIII LR target scopes shortly too.

Hopefully, we can get some comparisons on the products from 6mmBR.com.

Jerry
 
BC-You may love this as well. I had a 4000 sent in for repair. When purchased it was the 'high end' bushnel. After many months of waiting/phoning/email. I received a note in the mail saying that parts were no longer avail. and for about $475 or so they would replace it. If I would have spent the extra $100 on the leupold in the first place, it would still be in service and I wouldn't have had to cough $650 for another. Live and learn. Bushnel warranty/service is near non existent. Get it right the first time,get a leupold. Mark
 
358, that is odd as the only difference between the 4000 and 4200's are the coatings on the lenses.

I have had very old scopes REPLACED with newer equivalents so am suprised at your response.

Bushnell offers a lifetime warranty on almost their entire lineup and you don't need to be the orig owner. That is inline with Leupold.

My experience has been very positive over the last 12yrs.

Jerry
 
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