I know sometimes guys who are more serious in a hobby tend to stay away from main stream brands. Although are the 6500 elite class good for long range shooting. They have a 4.5 x 30 model. It's around $900. So same price as a sightron. But does the sightron really have any benefit over this model bushnell?
Bushnell Scopes
- Thread starter CPA
- Start date
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
The bushnell are ok/decent but the retical is super thick in my Experiance , not the best for making those long shots
In the $1000ish. Price range there is better choices
In the $1000ish. Price range there is better choices
I have always liked Bushnell, and the Elite series are great scopes. Unless things have changed recently, the cross hairs are a little thick in the BUshnell, which can be an issue. I have owned several Bushnell Elites still have my Sightron, and I have a NIghtforce too. If I was going Sightron it would be the SIII, 6-24X50 with the LRMOA reticule or the larger 8-32X56 still with the MOA retcule.
I found for me, the mil-dot reticule in the Sightron is a little too thick, in fact so much so that I had my original mil-dot reticule swapped out to the MOA reticule once Sightron started offering the reticule change service. Save the $150 plus shipping and just get the MOA reticule to start. It's very nice, and for $1000 I think it has the edge on the Bushnell. Just my .02, since you asked, hope it helps.
I found for me, the mil-dot reticule in the Sightron is a little too thick, in fact so much so that I had my original mil-dot reticule swapped out to the MOA reticule once Sightron started offering the reticule change service. Save the $150 plus shipping and just get the MOA reticule to start. It's very nice, and for $1000 I think it has the edge on the Bushnell. Just my .02, since you asked, hope it helps.
I have the Bushnell 6500 4.5-30 on my Rem 700 5R and it's a good scope for the money I paid. I got it at LB on one of there "no tax" days, along with my 10% discount for having their card, plus there was a $75 mail in rebate on it, and I got a Bushnell jacket with the mail in. I think it was ~$750 out the door.
I also have a Sightron S3 10-50 on my Sav 110BA. I would expect this ot be a more expensive scope just due to the extra mag and optics size. Very nice scope, better optics, a fair bit brighter (larger tube overall). Yes, the Sightron reticle lines are thinner, which I hadn't really registered until now - thanks guys, now I'm gonna be thinking the lines on the Bushnell are "fat"! Then again, in terms of cost, the Sightron was 1180 plus taxes and shipping, so almost ~$1400 to my door. Not quite double what I paid for the Bushnell.
Having said all that, if you're comparing the Bushnell to say the Sightron S3 8-32 scopes, you'll probably get a better scope in the Sightron for almost the same money.
I also have a Sightron S3 10-50 on my Sav 110BA. I would expect this ot be a more expensive scope just due to the extra mag and optics size. Very nice scope, better optics, a fair bit brighter (larger tube overall). Yes, the Sightron reticle lines are thinner, which I hadn't really registered until now - thanks guys, now I'm gonna be thinking the lines on the Bushnell are "fat"! Then again, in terms of cost, the Sightron was 1180 plus taxes and shipping, so almost ~$1400 to my door. Not quite double what I paid for the Bushnell.
Having said all that, if you're comparing the Bushnell to say the Sightron S3 8-32 scopes, you'll probably get a better scope in the Sightron for almost the same money.
I like my bushnell 4200 scopes. However just recently read a thread (link at end of this post) which suggests the quality difference between 4200 series and 6500 series is not worth the price difference....
Maybe give this thread a read through it is really well written....
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Optics-Review-for-the-newer-Precision-Shooter
Maybe give this thread a read through it is really well written....
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Optics-Review-for-the-newer-Precision-Shooter
Think of the Bushnell 4.5-30 as a 4.5-24 and you'll be pleased with it overall. The image quality severely degrades as you approach 30x to the point that its more or less useless save for the best of conditions. Their reticles are a little chunky and the overall adjustment range is adequete but not great.
I think that the Sightron SIII is a better scope overall and probably a better buy despite its higher cost.
I think that the Sightron SIII is a better scope overall and probably a better buy despite its higher cost.
I've got the Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24x50mm G2DMR and it's a nice scope. The last mil on either side of the center of the reticle is fine and thicker after that. I haven't had the pleasure of looking through a Sightron in person so I can't compare the two. I almost went for the Bushell 4.5-30x50 scope but there's not a lot of adjustable elevation on that model as as Marcoman pointed out, image quality degrades near the 30x.
I bought a Bushnell Elite Tactical 10X40 just for fun because it was on clearance for ~$200.00. Cheap price but it is actually quite a good scope for the price. Optics are crisp and clear, adjustments are good and repeatable and coated glass is surprisingly bright in dim light and even good at night.
SomebodyTookMyName
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Saskatchewan
If it were me, I'd go Sightron solely for the adjustments. I've never heard of a Sightron tactical scope not tracking perfectly.
I've owned, and wrecked quite a few Bushnell products. I'm not a fan anymore. For the price, I'll buy Vortex or Sightron over Bushnell any day, though I admittedly have no experience with the higher-end 6500 series.
I've owned, and wrecked quite a few Bushnell products. I'm not a fan anymore. For the price, I'll buy Vortex or Sightron over Bushnell any day, though I admittedly have no experience with the higher-end 6500 series.
The lower end Bushnell scopes are made in China, while their higher end products are made in japan.
I have the same scope as Trinimon, the Elite Tactical 6-24x50 G2. The scope tracks accurately and has really nice glass. The reticle is awesome and IMO a good compromise between a Horus and a traditional mil dot. Not too busy but gives you plenty of granularity for milling objects.
I have the same scope as Trinimon, the Elite Tactical 6-24x50 G2. The scope tracks accurately and has really nice glass. The reticle is awesome and IMO a good compromise between a Horus and a traditional mil dot. Not too busy but gives you plenty of granularity for milling objects.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
Agreed with many already, the image is crap over 22-24, other then that, I really love the ease of slipping the scales for the days shooting, very good tracking. Haven't had experience with sightron but the experience with bushnell is good enough to not need to stray away I guess.pick up a used one on EE but I would go 2-16 if it were me doing it again.
- Location
- Sudbury, On
It's funny you mention that, because I have the 2-16x42, and while a nice scope, it really wasn't a great bang for the buck when I got it at R&D. I really wish I would have gone the 4-24x route. I didn't realize how practically useless the 2x magnification would be on a medium to long range rig.
chevys_only
Member
- Location
- Lethbridge AB
I agree with marcoman I find the reticle very thick and hard to focus in on 30x. nice scope none the less but I never zoom in any closer than 20x as it gets to fuzzy for me.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I had the 2-16 before this, and just had to have the mildot, so I traded. I do all of my distance shooting from 10--12 x (600-1200) and only go to 16 to read mirage. Find the rest practically useless, unless trying to see bullet holes.
I have their Tactical Elite 6-24x50 and I have to say I love the quality of it. The machining on the exposed turrets are beautiful, the mil clicks are precise, overall construction is beefy and feels like a scope you can beat in the field. They have really stepped up their game and Bushnell warranty you can't beat. It's lifetime. For the $1000 mark and even their ERS/XRS high end scopes I feel are worth the money. I'm going to be jumping into one here shortly in the Horus 59 reticle, which I feel is simply amazing for what I'm going to be doing with it. Sure there are other scopes out there in that price range. But not made in Japan that's for sure. You and I both know if you had to pick Japanese quality over any other overseas country, Japanese made products holds the bar for their quality. Just my 2 cents.
plainSight Solutions
Regular
I'll preface this by stating that I'm in the process of putting together a comparative analysis of a number of high mag scopes. Among other things, the analysis will include comparative images, so that people can form an objective opinion. I hope to have this finalized within a few weeks (I'm very busy and also waiting on a few scopes to show up that I've sold out of and want to compare), however I felt the need to chime in because of a few things I read in this thread that need to be set straight/corrected. Bear in mind that I'm a dealer and sell Schmidt/Bushnell/Nightforce (and many other brands) and have sold Sightron:
1 - The image quality of the new XRS 4.5-30x50 (and ERS) is far better than is being implied. The DMR/HDMR/ERS/XRS scopes that I have are the newest models available, and given the nature of a sourcing company like Bushnell, there could be variances with predecessor products sharing the same model name. I have spent considerable time performing side-by-side tests (as have customers) with a Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25, an NXS 8-32, and an XRS 4.5-30. Most notably, I have looked at the same textured objects such as fir trees, wood/brick/stucco buildings, as well as street signs, out to 700 yards with all three of the aforementioned scopes set at 25x (and the NXS and XRS at 30x), and been very pleased with the stand-alone and comparative performance of the Bushnell. On a personal level, I own a number of long-range precision rifles, all topped with Schmidts, however I would definitely use an ERS/XRS. I will have many comparative pics to analyze in the coming weeks.
2 - With respect to "chunky" reticles, the Schmidt above is fitted with the H-58 while the XRS has the H-59. The Horus is definitely an eye-full (and not everyone's cup of tea), however the XRS with the H-59 is no more chunky than the Schmidt with the H-58. Rather, both are crisp and useable, if you're accustomed to FFP reticles. If you prefer the unobtrusive nature of a fine SFP reticle, then almost any FFP will prove chunky and distracting, especially a Horus. Again, I will have something objectively comparable, for those interested, to analyze soon.
3 - With respect to elevation adjustment the ERS/XRS have 28 mils = about 97 MoA. Listed specs on some sites stated the ERS/XRS have 50 MoA, however this is incorrect. The Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25 with mil turrets has 26 mils = about 90 MoA. The Sightron III LRFFPMH has 23.5 mils, and the LRFFPMoA has 80 MoA. The SFP SIII 6-24's have 100 MoA, the SIII 8-32's have 70 MoA, and the SIII 10-50's have 13.2 mils or 50 MoA depending on the model. The NXS 5.5-22 has 100 MoA, and the 8-32 has 65 MoA.
If the requirement/desire is for an FFP, mil/mil scope (particularly if you like the Horus reticles), these scopes are very hard to beat for the money. The biggest hurdle at the moment is the Bushnell name...this is the same issue with the Burris Eliminator III (which is also a remarkable optic). Anyhow, the points and observations above are pretty straight forward.
1 - The image quality of the new XRS 4.5-30x50 (and ERS) is far better than is being implied. The DMR/HDMR/ERS/XRS scopes that I have are the newest models available, and given the nature of a sourcing company like Bushnell, there could be variances with predecessor products sharing the same model name. I have spent considerable time performing side-by-side tests (as have customers) with a Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25, an NXS 8-32, and an XRS 4.5-30. Most notably, I have looked at the same textured objects such as fir trees, wood/brick/stucco buildings, as well as street signs, out to 700 yards with all three of the aforementioned scopes set at 25x (and the NXS and XRS at 30x), and been very pleased with the stand-alone and comparative performance of the Bushnell. On a personal level, I own a number of long-range precision rifles, all topped with Schmidts, however I would definitely use an ERS/XRS. I will have many comparative pics to analyze in the coming weeks.
2 - With respect to "chunky" reticles, the Schmidt above is fitted with the H-58 while the XRS has the H-59. The Horus is definitely an eye-full (and not everyone's cup of tea), however the XRS with the H-59 is no more chunky than the Schmidt with the H-58. Rather, both are crisp and useable, if you're accustomed to FFP reticles. If you prefer the unobtrusive nature of a fine SFP reticle, then almost any FFP will prove chunky and distracting, especially a Horus. Again, I will have something objectively comparable, for those interested, to analyze soon.
3 - With respect to elevation adjustment the ERS/XRS have 28 mils = about 97 MoA. Listed specs on some sites stated the ERS/XRS have 50 MoA, however this is incorrect. The Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25 with mil turrets has 26 mils = about 90 MoA. The Sightron III LRFFPMH has 23.5 mils, and the LRFFPMoA has 80 MoA. The SFP SIII 6-24's have 100 MoA, the SIII 8-32's have 70 MoA, and the SIII 10-50's have 13.2 mils or 50 MoA depending on the model. The NXS 5.5-22 has 100 MoA, and the 8-32 has 65 MoA.
If the requirement/desire is for an FFP, mil/mil scope (particularly if you like the Horus reticles), these scopes are very hard to beat for the money. The biggest hurdle at the moment is the Bushnell name...this is the same issue with the Burris Eliminator III (which is also a remarkable optic). Anyhow, the points and observations above are pretty straight forward.
Bushnell seems to be "coming on strong" in the LE/MIL market. Here is a shot of some troops in the 7th Group at the ASOC Sniper Competition. Looks like Bushnell has the "right" people designing and making the ERS line of scopes. I will be getting an ERS.
