Rifle Scopes Bushnell 3-12

[B.A.C.]

I am looking for a mid power scope to straddle my .308 5R and would like to spend 1k or so. Any money I save will be used for reloading equipment. I'm going to college, but I don't want to give up hunting/shooting. I've had my 5R for 2+ years and have yet to settle on a quality scope. Ultimately, I will be shooting out to 600 yards for game and 800 yards for paper/steel. I'm looking for feedback on Bushnell's 3-12 w/G2 and their customer service as well as any candidates I may have overlooked. All suggestions must be FFP and Mil/Mil. I've considered the following:

SWFA-SS 3-15x42
I didn't like the mil-quad reticle.

Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50
I've heard several complaints about the glass clarity when compared to its older brother. However, I am attracted to
Vortex products due to their outstanding CS and warranty.

Bushnell 3-12x44
I continue to hear good things about the HDMR, but not sure how durable this scope is in comparison. I like the G2
reticle. Bushnell's "Bullet Proof" warranty is only good for 1 year. My only concern is that I may have problems with
the scope after the warranty expires and be left for dead.

Weaver 3-15x50
I've read good things about the glass quality, but mixed reviews as far as durability.

 

[plong]

Of those you listed I would (and did) choose the Bushy 3-12 hands down. For the record I also have the 3.5-21 HDMR. I started out with the 3-12 on my SPS Tac 308 and moved it to my SPR when I got the HDMR. I've been very pleased with both optics and I consider the FFP 3-12 a really strong value.

You probably won't need it but the Bushnell warranty is not just for 1 year; what you are referring to is their no questions asked full money back for whatever-the-heck-reason reason you want or no reason at all return policy. (who else offer that...?) The actual warranty is "Limited Lifetime"

Straight from the Manual:

ELITE® LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTy
We are so proud of our Bushnell®
ELITE®
Tactical Riflescopes that their materials and workmanship are warranted to be free of defects for the life of the ELITE Tactical Riflescope. The warranty
is available to any owner of the ELITE Tactical Riflescope. No receipt or warranty card is required. This warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse or improper handling, installation or
maintenance of the riflescope.
At our option, we will repair or replace any defective ELITE Tactical Riflescope, which shall be your sole remedy under this warranty. In no event shall we be liable for transportation costs to us, costs
of removal or reinstallation of the riflescope, or incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. No agent, representative, dealer or unauthorized employee of Bushnell has the authority to increase or alter the obligation of this warranty. Any return
made under this warranty must be accompanied by the items listed below:
1. Name and address for product return
2. An explanation of the defect
3. You are responsible for transport of the defective product, but we will pay for shipping the repaired or replacement product back to you anywhere in the continental United States.
4. Product should be well packed in a sturdy outside shipping carton, to prevent damage in transit, to the following address:
In U.S.A. Send To: In Canada Send To:
Bushnell Outdoor Products Bushnell Outdoor Products
Attn.: Repairs Attn.: Repairs
9200 Cody 25A East Pearce Street, Unit 1
Overland Park, Kansas 66214 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 2M9
For products purchased outside the United States or Canada please contact your local dealer for applicable warranty information.
In Europe you may also contact Bushnell at: Bushnell Germany GmbH
European Service Centre
Mathias-Brüggen-Str. 80
D-50827 Köln
GERMANY
Tel: +49 221 995568-0
Fax: +49 221 995568-20
This warranty gives you specific legal rights.
You may have other rights which vary from country to country.
©2013 Bushnell Outdoor Products

 

[steve123]

I had the Gen 1 3-12. Great little scope. My only complaint was the eyebox was tight on 12x and the plain jane mildot reticle. If Bushnell has refined the eyebox a little and also with the inclusion of the G2 reticle, it would be a fine value.

Trying the SWFA 3-15 myself soon.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

SWFA-SS 3-15x42
I didn't like the mil-quad reticle.

Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50
I've heard several complaints about the glass clarity when compared to its older brother. However, I am attracted to
Vortex products due to their outstanding CS and warranty.

Bushnell 3-12x44
I continue to hear good things about the HDMR, but not sure how durable this scope is in comparison. I like the G2
reticle. Bushnell's "Bullet Proof" warranty is only good for 1 year. My only concern is that I may have problems with
the scope after the warranty expires and be left for dead.

Weaver 3-15x50
I've read good things about the glass quality, but mixed reviews as far as durability.

I've owned the latter three and still own the Bushnell and Weaver. (I have not put hands on the SS 3-15x and have no info on it.)

Bushnell: really outstanding glass at the price. Construction quality is first rate and makes most other sub-$1k scopes feel cheap. G2 DMR reticle is common and is the only mil-based tree reticle in this price range. It's also fairly light and compact. I think this is a great scope.

Weaver: Very good glass, but compared side by side to the Bushnell, clearly inferior. Probably still better than the Vortex. The zoom range is impressive for the price, and I think this is also a strong contender. As far as durability, I've read two or three posts noting problems, which were fixed under warranty, and I think it's probably just randomly who posted issues on the internet rather than an issue with the design.

Vortex: I only owned it briefly. I thought the glass quality was very good up to about 12-14x, and got poor rapidly going from there to 16x. I didn't use it much so I wonder if I may have been too harsh in my assessment. The reticle is good, and the illumination works great. The warranty is great, but Bushnell has almost the same warranty as noted above. I think the PST has the best turrets of this group by a tiny margin.

Consider reticle choices. The Bushnell has a tree reticle option, if you want that. The PST has a very nice hash reticle. The Weaver has either a plain mildot or a slightly enhanced mildot (EMDR) depending on the version. They all work, but the Bushnell and PST offer more, I think. FWIW I happen to like SWFA's mil-quad, but obviously there's personal preference involved.

My vote is for the Bushnell, but I think the Weaver and Vortex are very good also.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

One other thing - the Bushnell and Vortex both include a screw-on sunshade and usable lens covers. The Weaver is a naked scope in a box with no accessories, and I don't know what the SS comes with. You will probably want a sunshade for your purposes. The Vortex also has a zero stop shim setup which you might like or not care for.

 

[Joop]

I have the Bushnell 4200 3-12x44 with ffp mildot, which is pretty much the same scope (they stopped making them as the "4200" when they introduced them in the "Elite Tactical" line). I've used this for a .243 "hunting" rifle for prairie dogs and coyotes in temps from -20f to +108f degrees and it's always performed perfectly. The glass is great for the price and it does well in low light, also. I would agree that the relief is a little tight at max power, but I've also dealt with a lot of scopes that were worse. I only wish that they had them with the G2 reticle when I purchased this one, but that's the only thing I don't like about it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if I had a need for a scope in that power/weight range.

 

[B.A.C.]

Well then Bushnell w/G2 it is. Big thanks to those that responded.

 

[BoilerUP]

Well then Bushnell w/G2 it is. Big thanks to those that responded.

Buy it with confidence from Liberty Optics...

 

[plong]

buy it with confidence from liberty optics...

^^^ this +1 ^^^

 

[B.A.C.]

I just received the scope this morning. I'd like to give a shout out to Scott at Liberty Optics for a sweet deal and fast shipping. I should have grabbed some Seekins rings from him too, but I didn't want to get stuck with the wrong size.

 

[TRAAV]

Ive owned a couple these myself and they are nice scopes

 

[Cobracutter]

I'm about to pull the trigger on one. Going to put it ontop of a SCAR 17.

Along with a good mount, will it upset the ballance, light weight of the scar?

 

[B.A.C.]

I'm about to pull the trigger on one. Going to put it ontop of a SCAR 17.

Along with a good mount, will it upset the ballance, light weight of the scar?

You will definitely save some weight by going with a lower powered optic. Mine isn't large or cumbersome, but it is unexpectantly heavy when you pick it up. I'm glad it's built well and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Supergyro]

Looks good! Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[TXnSTL]

A follow up question for those with the Bushnell 3-12 w/ illuminated reticle. What do you think of the illumination in the 3-12 Bushnell Tacticals? I'm thinking of a dual use on a 6.8 AR for hunting and range work. For low light hunting, I like a hint of illumination so you can see the reticle but it's not too bright to obscure the target. I have a chance to buy a lightly used 3-12 with the illuminated mildot. The mildot isn't my first choice, but it will work fine on a 500-600 max range the rifle will see. Sounds like the scopes are favored, just curious on what you think of the illumination. I have not had the opportunity to look through one in low light hours with the illumination is the reason I'm asking prior to purchase.

How's that for a first post? I'm a long time lurker and have learned a lot about optics here. Good place to learn. Thanks.

 

[Joop]

A follow up question for those with the Bushnell 3-12 w/ illuminated reticle. What do you think of the illumination in the 3-12 Bushnell Tacticals? I'm thinking of a dual use on a 6.8 AR for hunting and range work. For low light hunting, I like a hint of illumination so you can see the reticle but it's not too bright to obscure the target. I have a chance to buy a lightly used 3-12 with the illuminated mildot. The mildot isn't my first choice, but it will work fine on a 500-600 max range the rifle will see. Sounds like the scopes are favored, just curious on what you think of the illumination. I have not had the opportunity to look through one in low light hours with the illumination is the reason I'm asking prior to purchase.

How's that for a first post? I'm a long time lurker and have learned a lot about optics here. Good place to learn. Thanks.

I've used mine (3-12x44) in the middle of the night against snow. The lower settings are dim enough, in my opinion and on a clear night I could probably shoot to 3-400 yards.

 

[steve123]

A follow up question for those with the Bushnell 3-12 w/ illuminated reticle. What do you think of the illumination in the 3-12 Bushnell Tacticals? I'm thinking of a dual use on a 6.8 AR for hunting and range work. For low light hunting, I like a hint of illumination so you can see the reticle but it's not too bright to obscure the target. I have a chance to buy a lightly used 3-12 with the illuminated mildot. The mildot isn't my first choice, but it will work fine on a 500-600 max range the rifle will see. Sounds like the scopes are favored, just curious on what you think of the illumination. I have not had the opportunity to look through one in low light hours with the illumination is the reason I'm asking prior to purchase.

How's that for a first post? I'm a long time lurker and have learned a lot about optics here. Good place to learn. Thanks.

A friend of mine won a night match out to 800Y with his B 3-12, so the illume isn't too bright on the lower settings.

 

[TXnSTL]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[JC Steel]

I just bought one for a long range hunting rifle. Should be awesome

 

[chris lang]

Long time lurker here too. how did i miss this? I spent all night looking for this exact comparison/info on this thread