Bushnell or Hawke?

weasel1

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I have a Remington 597VTR. While I really like the Bushnell AR22 (2-7x32), I find I'm in need of more magnification as I'm shooting fairly regularly. I'm looking at the Bushnell AR308 (4.5-18x40) and the Hawke Varmint SF 1/2 mildot (6-24x44). Both have side focus ao. I've found that both are near the same price. I guess the biggest problem in deciding is I can go look at the Bushnell (but I'd imagine it's as good as my current one or better), but I can't look at a Hawke (none local). I know Bushnell has a great warranty, but I can't find too much about the Hawke. Also, the Hawke you can get a sunshade for (bonus), the Bushnell, well I can't find one.
 
To me Bushnell has better glass. The hawke I had bent the image at the edges. Bushnell was cleaner clearer and had better colors even in their lower end lines
 
I can't recall the name. I got it from air gun source. It had an optional side wheel. I never mounted it. I sold it at a slight loss. The center image was clear. It was the edges that were distorted
 
Hawke Varmint SF scopes are the best scope for the money, IME... I have owned dozens with zero problems and excellent performance... a better buy than a Bushnell, IMO.
 
I had a hawke 6-24 target scope very impressive, it was on a 7mm and went out to 1000 yds and back on dials and retical matched
I found the glass very good especially for the price . Only downside for me was the size ( big and heavy )
 
my experience with hawke is limited. Maybe I'll give them another look. I do need a new scope for my 22. I accidentally forced the rear seat of my truck down on my scope. It wouldn't lock so I may have lifted then slammed it down. It locked but cut and folded the ocular bell over while inside a soft case. The scope works fine just looks like #### now.
I shoot mostly subsonic out of it so the scope Wheeler has won't do me much good. Does that scope come with a mildot?
 
I was researching Hawke scopes and from what I read and reviews of them they are actually a very good scope for the money. Especially the vantage and sidewinders. And I also read they really stand behind their product. I'm actually looking to put one one my Coyote rig. As well I also read some of the real cheap ones aren't that impressive. But high regards on the higher end lines.
North Pro Sports had some good deals on them. Haven't checked out that air gun site though. They are real popular in the UK and have a good following in the US.
 
Hawkes are great scopes for people who like a lot of "features" but have low standards regarding optical quality. Have a look at a bushnell legend Ultra HD 4.5-14 for a low end Chinese scope it's not bad.
 
Hawkes are great scopes for people who like a lot of "features" but have low standards regarding optical quality. Have a look at a bushnell legend Ultra HD 4.5-14 for a low end Chinese scope it's not bad.

^I'd have to agree with this. I have looked through a few in my LGS, and I wasn't impressed with the glass quality. I believe the ones I was looking at were Varmint SF. Even got one in on a trade that was attached to a 17HMR. Wasn't taken with that gun OR scope. The reticle looked very busy to me too.

I've owned a few Bushnells over the years, but the only ones I have now are vintage ones that were made in Japan. Glass is nice and crisp to my eye. My most recent NEW scope purchase was a Sightron S1 for my CZ 452 Varmint in 22lr, and I think that scope is pretty good for the money. IMHO, better than the HAWKE scopes I've seen in the same price range.
 
^I'd have to agree with this. I have looked through a few in my LGS, and I wasn't impressed with the glass quality. I believe the ones I was looking at were Varmint SF. Even got one in on a trade that was attached to a 17HMR. Wasn't taken with that gun OR scope. The reticle looked very busy to me too.

I've owned a few Bushnells over the years, but the only ones I have now are vintage ones that were made in Japan. Glass is nice and crisp to my eye. My most recent NEW scope purchase was a Sightron S1 for my CZ 452 Varmint in 22lr, and I think that scope is pretty good for the money. IMHO, better than the HAWKE scopes I've seen in the same price range.

+1 on the Sightron range.
 
You guys aren't making this easy! Did some shopping locally today and couldn't find a damn thing. Well that's not entirely true. The cheapest one I did like was $900 :( . Just a wee bit out of my price range. I'm trying to stay under $300. This morning I was all set to pull the trigger on the Hawke, but I can't seem to find a place that also has the sunshade. The hunt continues!
 
Hawkes are great scopes for people who like a lot of "features" but have low standards regarding optical quality. Have a look at a bushnell legend Ultra HD 4.5-14 for a low end Chinese scope it's not bad.

The new Legend Ultra HD scopes qualify for the Bulletproof warranty too. I bought 2 of these, one for my CZ452 22wmr, and one for a Ruger 77/22 Hornet.

I also have a Hawke 3-9x40 on an airgun. I don't see the edge distortion others have reported. Seems good for the money, and would put one on a 22 if that was what my budget allowed.
 
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I have two Hawke 6-24x44 SF AO scopes on 22 rimfire rifles .They are an excellent value .
I especially like the 1/2 Mildot reticle . It is more busy than a simple cross hair but are
very useful if you shoot rimfires at different ranges . I can sight my rifle at 50m and then
see what mildot or hash mark ( half mildot ) I have to use at 25m or 100m to sight in
at different ranges without changing my zero . A quick and easy way to allow for the drop
of different rimfire ammo also .
Both of mine have a problem with the reticle not being perfectly aligned with the bells .
This can be a problem with rail type scope rings but I use separate front and rear rings
and have not had any problems .
 
You guys aren't making this easy! Did some shopping locally today and couldn't find a damn thing. Well that's not entirely true. The cheapest one I did like was $900 :( . Just a wee bit out of my price range. I'm trying to stay under $300. This morning I was all set to pull the trigger on the Hawke, but I can't seem to find a place that also has the sunshade. The hunt continues!

The Hawke scopes that come with a sunshade are the Sidewinder SF 30, the Sidewinder Tactical 30, Endurance 30 SF, and the Airmax 30 SF models. I've used the Varmints, which don't come with a sunshade, and they are a very good scope for the money. I have a couple of Sidewinder Tactical 8.5 - 25 scopes and an Airmax 30 8-32 on rifles I use for shooting from the bench, but I've never used a sunshade.
 
As I understand it, Vantage has replaced the Varmint and although they don't come with a sunshade they are available for ~$20.
 
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