Just a little info to help me make my decision.... I am looking for a scope to replace my Vortex Viper HS on my .300 Rum. This setup will be used for hunting 95% of the time with the occasional trip to the range. All distances will be less than 600 yds. What scope would ya'll recommend for me? Considering the ultimate low light scope, clarity, magnification, and reticle?( I know nothing about MOA/Mil reticles) if that helps you make a recommendation for me. I would like to keep the price below $1,500. Any help is appreciated!

What happened to the Vortex?

Bushnell Elite Tactical Mil/Mil FFP is an excellent scope that will come in under budget.

Huskemaw Optics

I have been pleased with the Vortex actually. Its been a pretty decent scope. The only problem I've had with it is when I purchased it, Vortex had a sale going on that included a set of custom turrets that they would include that matched the load data to your rifle. I gave them the load data and they installed the turrets but they have never tracked true since day one and it cost me my nicest buck to date as well as a cull and bobcat.( and no it wasn't the shooter, for those of you who will ask. Gun was set up on a dead shot field pod, dialed the distance, and the bullet broke a limb 3' over his back.... same with the bobcat and cull.) And thanks for responses guys. Keep em coming.

Exactly the kind of story that helps make my point of learning Mils, and confirming distant shots on the range.

I wouldn't blame that on the scope 100% either. Did you ever try the custom turrets at those distances before taking those shots?

While that's an excellent scope, I don't think the OP is looking for one like that. He stated he knows nothing about MIL/MOA so is be inclined to think he wants something more hunting based

That would be my question especially since the same thing happened more than once. If it shot the same each time it's not that it didn't track. Did you actually chrono your load or go off what a factory ammo box said?

I bought the scope and rifle at the same time and dropped them off at my gunsmith to have a muzzlebrake installed and the scope mounted and sighted in (I work out of town or would have sighted it in myself.) When I picked up the rifle, the gentleman informed me that he had shot the rifle out to 700 yds and that the turrets were dead on. This was 3 weeks before season so I took it and shot it at 100 to confirm it was sighted in and took his word for it about the turrets. (didn't have access to a range further than that and it was my fault for not verifying this myself). Just left a bad taste in my mouth about the turrets. And I used the manufacturers chrono speeds they listed. And I appreciate the feedback but I am looking for something that is more hunting based.

That's one of the ones I hunt with.

That's what works well to his stated 600 yards.

Fireman, how is the brightness and clarity in the Bushnell? The reason I stated 600 yds was because a pipeline I hunted last year, I could see bucks at that distance but couldn't tell much about them right at dark. Is there a scope you would recommend that would allow me a clearer/brighter picture of them at that distance or would you stick with the Bushnell? Is a NF, Zeiss or Swaro worth the extra money for what I'm looking for?

Scopes of European origin tend to be better in low light than Pacific Rim origin scopes. Leupold is the wild card, especially the VX-6, they are great in low light.

There are exceptions to the rule but it pretty much holds true. My guess is that it is legal to hunt big game at night in most of Europe, so low light capability is emphasized.

I watch bullet trace all the time with the Bushnell, the clarity is terrific. Swaro, and Zeiss may be clearer, but not much. They aren't up to the task of shooting distance, though.

NF ATACR is a scope I would like to have, but I can't justify the price since the scopes I have are getting the job done every week. NF SHV is not on the se playing field as the Bushy Elite ERS.

Depending on what the issue was. The turret may or may not have been an issue.


I will say the bushy would be a step up in optics and brightness. I went from the 4-16 pst to the 4.5-30 34mm tube and there is a difference. A noticeable one

Bushnell makes some cheap bubble pack scopes and it seems like they are what comes to mind when many people think of them. They do make excellent scopes though. The only one I have at this time I've had for a while. It is an Elite 4200 and it is a great scope.

Agreed.

Lots of experienced shooters still think ALL of Bushnell's scopes are the low quality they were 15 years ago. While they do still make bottom tier scopes, they also make top end scopes. Some models have been tested against certain venerable Night Force scopes, and the couple of Bushnells scored higher.

Vortex does the same thing, Diamondback, Viper, Razor. Varying tiers of quality, with prices that follow the quality. The Vortex Razor line, as well as Bushnell Elite Tactical compete side by side at many PRS matches. I'm one of the guys running a Bushnell. Guys always ask how its working for me, and I always give a good report. If I miss, it is not the fault of my rifle scope.

Thanks guys for the input. I too was still of the mindset of Bushnell being a lower end scope company. I'll definitely give them a look. I run their trail cameras and love them. Great quality product that I've never had any issues with.

The good ones were branded Bausch & Lomb back in the day (I had to think about that a minute!) and the cheap stuff was branded Bushnell. I think they should have thought more about it all before they incorporated everything under the Bushnell name.

I own the Bushnell Elite Tactical LRHS 3.5-18x44. It's a great scope that works well for hunting and long range shooting. Great glass and built very well.

I had never owned a mil/mil before. It's very easy to learn to use. After this purchase I bought the Burris XTR II. About 500 dollars less and alot of scope for the money and very close to the Bushy in glass quality. I'll always own mil/mil scopes going forward. They are just more fun to shoot with.

Case in point: SapperTitan purchased a 1-6 Vortex with mil/mil turrets and was having fun shooting his 6.8 out to 500 yards with it very consistently. It's fun dialing for steel and distance when your not hunting.

IM a leupold man 100 % they are built like a tank have great service if you ever need it.

I'm a Meopta, Zeiss, Leupold, Burris, Bushnell and Clearidge man myself.