Bushnell Elite 4500 Opinions

wonksy

wonksy

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What’s everybody’s opinion on this model, how do you feel it stacks up vs the older 3200/4200 series and the 3500? I know there discontinued not worried about that. Just looking for real life experience with them thx.
 
I have 2 Bushnell 4500 2.5-10x40 scopes. I like them a lot. I also have a couple older 3200's and a 3500, all 3-9x40. I can't tell a difference in the glass between any of them - all are almost as good as my Leupold VX3 and just as clear as my cheaper Leupolds (VX-Hog and VX-Freedom.)

But there are other differences that I like on the 4500. Obviously, the greater magnification range is nice. But the turrets vary, as well.

The 3200 has a re-settable sheetmetal dial on top of the turret that isn't numbered, just has hash marks. It works ok and I've dialed elevation with it no problem.

The 3500 scope has a re-settable turret that is numbered and is readable from the side, not from the top. This makes it very doable to dial elevation. However, there is no counter for how many rotations you have turned the turret.

The 4500 turret kicks it up a notch with an indicator showing what revolution you are on, in case you have to dial more than one full revolution. Is it necessary? Not really. But it's nice :). And it only has a couple mm taller turret cover compared to the 3500. FYI, the 3500 likewise has a couple mm taller turret covers than the 3200.
 
You can't go wrong, excellent hunting scopes, great glass, great coatings and very durable. Japanese-made also means something.
 
4200 has the best glass for the money IMHO. To my eyes they are on par with Nikon Monarch, only slightly better. I haven’t found a Leupold I like, even their Mark 4 line of which I had two. I also haven’t found a coating as effective as Rainguard or whatever they call it now. My 4200 and my Nighforce NXS were my favourites.
 
I am going to be testing my Elite 3500 3-9x40 DOA ret Sunday afternoon. It's mounted on my newest favorite: a Brno Effect in 308. It looks and feels good, eye relief is bang on and the glass is very clear. I expect it will perform as my other Elites.
 
The Kurgan said:
I am going to be testing my Elite 3500 3-9x40 DOA ret Sunday afternoon. It's mounted on my newest favorite: a Brno Effect in 308. It looks and feels good, eye relief is bang on and the glass is very clear. I expect it will perform as my other Elites.
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I picked up a couple during the sale ,put one on my sauer 100 ,sighted in last week excellent scope ,excellent optics .
Looks as good as my 6500 does below 12 power. Eye relief was descent too,kelly
 
Warden70 said:
4200 has the best glass for the money IMHO. To my eyes they are on par with Nikon Monarch, only slightly better. I haven’t found a Leupold I like, even their Mark 4 line of which I had two. I also haven’t found a coating as effective as Rainguard or whatever they call it now. My 4200 and my Nighforce NXS were my favourites.
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lenses is part of the equation. i tested some vx3i vx3 vxiii and vari x iii in 2.5-8x36 and the brightest was an old vari xiii with a german 1 reticle ...
 
All great scopes, check around, some good deals on them.
I have a bunch of them, 3200, 3500, 4200, 4500.
I even bought a spare that I found on special.
i find them easier to sight in then VX 3, and they seem to group better IMO
good luck
 
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