Bushnell Trophy Scopes Made In Japan, Any good? Value?

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tobin

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Hello All

I am not up on optics but I inherited a couple of Bushnell Trophy Scopes, both made in Japan, a 4-12 and a 6-18 AO bought new. Both one inch tubes and from the mid 1980's I think.

Both are excellent condition and i don't think the 4-12 has ever been mounted.

Opinions? Value of each? Many thanks.
 
Value is subjective. The Trophy line isn't very expensive and lots of people associate the Bushnell brand with their cheap scopes, which can't be magically better than the cheaper materials they are made with. But Japanese made optics tend to be good. Have you considered that what you have really inherited is two excuses to buy guns to fit those scopes?
 
I have a couple of guns that might fill the bill. I am thinking of putting the 6-18 on a Savage varmint .223 and the 4-12 may go onto a 30.06 bolt action deer rifle that has a really cheap 3-9 Simmons on it.

I see the Made in Japan Bushnell scopes have good reviews on other sites as compared with other Bushnell products, just wondering if anyone else had opinions on these.
 
I believe there is an increasing demand for and appreciation of the older Made in Japan scopes......all brands, not just Bushnell. They are generally good quality and becoming more sought after, especially if they have the AO feature.
Cheers
 
Good scopes, I don't know if you could get the same prices for them as new Trophy scopes just because people are dense for the most part. I'd keep them as you will never get what they are truly "worth" and comparable made in Japan scopes start at $200+ for Elite entry level scopes.
 
I broke a Japanese-made 1970s set of Bushnell Ensign 7x35 binos some years ago that my sweet wife had bought me around 1980.

Broke my heart. Sent them in and Bushnell replaced them with cheap made in China set. They are about half the quality.

A buddy gave me a set of 1970s Bushnell 7x35 binos two years ago and they are up to snuff. Made my heart glad. Thank you Tom. RIP. We'll miss you.

I can't praise 1970s Japanese optics enough. I had a 1969 Asahi Pentax I loved and sadly had to sell in Salisbury Rhodesia for a ticket home from Africa in 1972.
 
MD said:
I can't praise 1970s Japanese optics enough. I had a 1969 Asahi Pentax I loved and sadly had to sell in Salisbury Rhodesia for a ticket home from Africa in 1972.
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Sounds like maybe you would have a good story or two to tell about Rhodesia 1972. Always had an interest in that. How to go from "breadbasket of Africa" to basketcase of Africa in a few short decades. Maybe a new Rhodesia thread.
 
Hitzy said:
Good scopes, I don't know if you could get the same prices for them as new Trophy scopes just because people are dense for the most part. I'd keep them as you will never get what they are truly "worth" and comparable made in Japan scopes start at $200+ for Elite entry level scopes.
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I think I will keep them. Everything I have read about them in the last few days has been very positive and while there are much better scopes available now with improved coatings, these are interesting and i will find a use for them.

Thanks for all the comments!
 
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