Coyote/Gopher Scope..Burris Eliminator?

J

JRodko

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Hey folks,

I'm looking for a new scope for a .204 ruger I'm thinking about purchasing, and of course it needs some glass!

I'm very undecided so I'm pretty open to opinions. I do realllly like the Burris Eliminator line (probably the 4-12 from wss or cabelas as it's most in my price range. I love the idea that it can range something then tell me where to hold over, does anyone have any experience with these scopes?? Or have any other ideas? Must be suitable for gopher sized targets out to 500 yards.

Any help is appreciated, Cheers.

I should mention that I'm only considering paying that much if it's a laser scope. I'm looking at about half of that price without the laser built in because I'd need a rangefinder anyways.
 
I haven't used that scope you're wondering about. However I have tried to range gophers with a cheap rangefinder and it can be very frustrating. I strongly suspect you'd be disappointed much of the time. You are asking alot from a gadget to range a very small object in a sea of dirt or grass at long distances. You'd be better off with the best rangefinder money can buy and something like a 4-12 scope, 6-24, etc.
Since I'm to cheap to buy a super rangefinder a found one of the old ranging rangefinders instead. Kind of bulky and too delicate, but it is fast and always works.
 
A buddy of mine has one, works fine on deer sized animals but on gophers that are just poking thier heads out of the grass it is pretty much useless.

If you want to shoot a long ways, use the GPS on your phone and mark out distances with wind flags. Gophers are just to small to use all but the best ($$$) rangefinders on.

Get a good 6-18x scope, (more magnification if you can afford it), to find the little fellas. 500 yards is well with the grasp of the lovely 204
 
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There are three types of Burris Eliminator scopes. The latest version has the hold over dot for aiming but the first two do not. The latest version is in the $1500 range and the first version is selling for about $800 right now.

While I do not have one, I have fired a rifle with one mounted on it. I found it to be too heavy and a bit awkward as it puts the rifle "out of balance" especially if you have to carry it. As mentioned, almost useless if you are thinking it will range a gopher's head at 400 yards or more. It will range game animals out a bit further, but then again, so will a good hand held rangefinder. I do a lot of gopher shooting, and while most of them are shot with the .22 rimfire, we also take a .204 and a .243 with us for those real long shots. My advice would be to buy a really good laser handheld laser rangefinder, and a good variable power mildot reticle scope if you are going to shoot Gophers. Of course, the handheld rangefinder can also be used for other applications, such as big game hunting too, without having to change the scope from rifle to rifle.
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Lots of good info here! Sounds like a laser scope may be a poor choice. Anyone have experience with minox scopes?

I've also been looking into a b.mag when they come out. Maybe throw a nice 4-12 on that with a light up reticle?
 
Slight clarification buffdog: all of the Eliminator scopes illuminate a hold-over dot, not just the III.

The differences in the III are that it ranges beyond 1,000, it incorporates windage adjustments (a la the Horus reticle), has higher magnification (16x vs 12x or 10x) and is essentially FFP (the hold-over values apply at any magnification, not just max). It's also *supposed* to be "sleeker" in design. I think we can all draw our own opinion as to the appearance of the Eliminator.

I have spent a considerable amount of time playing around with the Eliminator II, and I am almost embarrassed to say that, by and large, I am impressed with it. I normally stick to the high end optics (I'm the first to admit I'm a glass-snob), however the Eliminator is the shape of things to come and is considerably ahead of the commericial market. At the top end of the spectrum you have fully integrated systems like Tracking Point at $17k and at the everyday-consumer end you have a Burris product at $899.

I haven't tested the rangefinder on gopher sized targets, however I have consistently ranged deer sized targets out to 800 yards. I have also tested the rangefinder in light snow and through a pane of glass and have received very satisfactory ranging past 500 yards. As I am carrying these scopes now, I will definitely perform some comprehensive testing.

JRodko: I sell a lot of Minox and the overall impression is that they deliver considerable value for the money. A ZA 5-20x50 or a ZA 6-30x56 delivers respectable optical performance at the top end of their mag range, at a very reasonable price. For the price of an Eliminator III, you could get a Leica CRF 1600B ($749) and a ZA 6-30x56 w/ XR-BDC reticle (also $749), which would provide better overall value and longevity - not to mention a lifetime warranty on the rifle scope.
 
Plainsight solutions thanks a lot for your lengthy and informative post! On the minox scopes, are the BDR and XR-BDC reticles actually functional? What's the theory behind them?
 
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