<span style="font-weight: bold">Technical Specifications:</span>
Tube Diameter: 34mm
Overall Length: 13”
Adjustment Click Value: 1/10 MIL
Adjustment Type: Click
Exposed Turrets: Yes with locking Turrets
Finger Adjustable Turrets: Yes
Turrets Resettable to Zero: Yes
Zero Stop: No
Fast Focus Eyepiece: Yes
Lens Coating: Fully multi-coated
Power Variability: Variable
Min power: 3.5
Max power: 21x
Objective Bell Diameter: 50mm
Reticle: G2
Illuminated Reticle: No
Reticle Focal Plane Location: 1st
Parallax Adjustment: Yes 50yds to infinity
Max Internal Adjustment:
Windage: 26 MIL (89 MOA)
Elevation: 26 MIL (89 MOA)
<span style="font-weight: bold">Physical Appearance of the scope: </span>
The scope looks beefy with its 34mm main tube and its short objective bell. Short and compact like a bulldog is how I would describe it. The Locking turrets are bigger in size than normal turrets with easily seen markings. The side parallax adjustment is easily seen and grasped. As stated, an overall beefy and well built appearance.
<span style="font-weight: bold">G2 Reticle:</span>
• At first glance, the reticle looks very well put together, lots of information without being too cluttered.
• The reticle gets thinner in the center of the cross hairs which makes quartering a 1” dot at 100 yards very easy.
• I like the fact that there are 10mils of hold over and 6 mils of hold under
• I like that there are multiple holdovers for windage and elevation. The fact that there are hash marks at 1/2mil and 1 mil simplifies and speeds up holdovers. Not too confusing and as accurate as is needed with holdovers.
• The reticle is pretty much perfect for the competition shooter. UKD/Ranging stages will be a breeze with the 1/10th mil hash marks. How much finer can you ask for?
• The fact that the G2 is not illuminated means nothing to me because I have illuminated scopes and never turn them on.
• The more I used the G2 reticle the more I like it.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Controls (Windage, Elevation, and Parallax)</span>
• The elevation and windage adjustments are nice. Click engagement is very positive. My only complaint is that they are not as audible as I would like. The locking turrets are some of the best features I have seen in a scope yet. They lock down positively and come up smoothly. They prevent the turrets from hanging up on clothing or limbs when slung and turning up or down. They also allow the turret to be reset without the hassle of the turrets turning while tightening them back down.
• I like the size of the turrets. While a lot bigger than other scopes, they are not cumbersome or in the way, and they facilitate ease of reading where in your adjustment you are.
• Having 5 mils per revolution is not a drawback to me. The turret must be turned either way so whats the difference if you turn it 5 or 10?. The only feature I would add would be a zero stop as I am accustomed to using them and in a match it is one less thing to worry about.
• Parallax adjustment is big enough to be seen but not be in the way. The knurled knob provides for a great grip and the numbers are easy to read.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zeroing the Optic:</span>
Zeroing the scope was pretty straight forward. After mounting the scope and doing a quick bore sight, the scope was zeroed in a flash. I shot a three shot group to start with, and I then took a reading off of the reticle. After making the necessary adjustment to the turrets, a large flat blade screwdriver is used to loosen the reset screw. The great part about this is that you perform this operation with the turrets in the locked position. This means that you do not have to worry about the adjustments moving. After the screw is loosened, the cap is removed, set back to zero, and the screw re-tightened. In my opinion the locking turrets are one of the top features on this scope.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Track Testing:</span>
I used a GA Precision GAP-10 in 308 to test this scope. This rifle will put most bolt guns to shame as far as accuracy is concerned. I also chose this rifle because of the abrupt recoil impulse. I figured it would just be one more reliability test for the scope. I ran a box test to make sure that what was dialed in to the adjustments was being accurately applied. I fired one shot at most adjustments and 2 shots at some. The target is a box with 1” dots at each mil and hash marks at 1/2mil. It was set at 100 yards. At this distance the round should land right at each dot per 1.0 mil come up. Point of Aim was the 1” red dot throughout the test. I dialed up in 1 mil increments until I got to 13 mils of elevation. I then started to dial in right windage. I did this until I dialed in 13 mils of right windage. I then started to dial the scope back down. I dialed back down until I hit dirt with one of the rounds. I then returned to zero with the adjustments and shot at a 2” dot. The scope returned to zero perfectly. Once I confirmed my zero, I dialed up 13 mils again. I then started to dial left wind. I dialed 1 mil and shot until I got to 13 mils of left wind. I then started to dial down and shoot. I dialed down until I hit dirt again. After hitting dirt for the second time, I dialed the turrets back to zero and shot another zero target. The scope returned to zero once again with no problems. As you can see in the picture below, everything tracked great. Especially well for a scope in this price range. However, I did notice that when the adjustments were at their max, the reticle started to jam a little with right windage. I feel this is to be expected, but I just wanted to test this scope to its limits. But honestly if you are dialing 13 mils of elevation and 13 mils of windage on one shot, you have bigger problems than the reticle jamming.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Reticle testing:</span>
For the reticle test I made another grid. It is basically an inverted “Christmas tree”. Again “POA” is the dot on the bottom. This time we are using the holdovers in the scope. The impacts should line up with the corresponding dots. As you can see in the picture everything lined up fairly well. They would all be hits in a competition, and they are damn accurate as far as holdovers go.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Holding Zero Testing:</span>
For this test I threw the rifle in the back seat if my pickup truck for a week. It bounced around back there with no case on it or anything. It was dropped a time or two as well. I took it out prior to the reticle test and shot a 3 shot group at 100 yards and it was right on the money. Overall the scope seems pretty durable.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Quality of the glass:</span>
In my opinion the glass on the HDMR is up there with the best of them. One thing I did notice during the reticle test was that when I used the 10mil holdovers at the bottom of the reticle, there was a little distortion. I would say that this is to be expected because it is at the edge of the lens. Other than that, this thing is crystal clear. The eye box and eye relief are extremely forgiving on this scope. In fact, I just got through mounting it on the rifle and my girlfriend looked through it and said “Wow, this is the first scope I have ever looked through and not had problems seeing the whole field of view.” So all in all, the glass is on par with the big boys on this one.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Price point and value:</span>
With a nearly $1500 retail price tag a MAP of $1350 and a Group Buy price of $1250, I think this scope is an excellent value. With the reliability it has demonstrated in this test and the features it has, it out performs most every scope in that price range and some in the higher price range. Some might argue that the Bushnell needs to be proven. I would agree with this statement to a point. This scope has a time tested pedigree dating back to the fixed 10 power Navy SEAL Bausch & Lomb scopes. This new scope is definitely not your grandpappy’s Banner. It is a true competitor in the tactical market and I believe they are here to stay.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Conclusion:</span>
I think the HDMR with the G2 reticle is a solid option for the serious long range shooter as well as the competitor. The reticle alone is definitely geared toward the serious competitor and with a little more time in the field I am quite sure this scope will prove itself as a serious competition scope. For a person wanting to get in to competitions this scope offers many features only seen in scopes costing double the price. I plan to run this scope in competition as well I have 2 on order from the Group Buy. I think Bushnell has jumped in to the tactical market with both feet and they are dedicated to taking a piece of the market. I also feel that this scope will do just that for them, and they will back it 100% as far as making needed updates and taking care of any issues if they arise. The fact that the reticle was designed by competitors for competitors is only a bonus in my book and it shows Bushnell’s willingness to listen to the people that use their products. So if you ask would I buy this scope, the answer is yes.
I would like to thank George at GA Precision for giving me the opportunity to test and evaluate this scope. As well I would like to thank Bushnell for listening to its customers and Copper Creek Cartridge Company for providing all of the ammunition used in the testing of this scope.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Test Equipment:</span>
GA Precision GAP-10 in 308 18” barrel
Copper Creek Cartridge Co. 308 Gas Gun ammo
175gr. SMK @ 2587FPS
The Video Results, Sorry if it's a bit long, but we didnt want to miss anything...
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Baseline Zero with Nightforce F1
Zero with Bushnell HDMR
Return to Zero After Box Testing and Cranking Knobs
Not for the Weak of Heart...
Box Test Target
Start of Box Test
Top Of Box Test
Left Side of Box Test
Right Side Of Box Test
Before the Reticle Tracking Test
After the Reticle Tracking Test
![url]](http://[url="http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i120/ChefBoy_2006/HDMR%20with%20the%20G2%20Reticle/DSC_2438.jpg"]http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i120/ChefBoy_2006/HDMR%20with%20the%20G2%20Reticle/DSC_2438.jpg[/url])
Tube Diameter: 34mm
Overall Length: 13”
Adjustment Click Value: 1/10 MIL
Adjustment Type: Click
Exposed Turrets: Yes with locking Turrets
Finger Adjustable Turrets: Yes
Turrets Resettable to Zero: Yes
Zero Stop: No
Fast Focus Eyepiece: Yes
Lens Coating: Fully multi-coated
Power Variability: Variable
Min power: 3.5
Max power: 21x
Objective Bell Diameter: 50mm
Reticle: G2
Illuminated Reticle: No
Reticle Focal Plane Location: 1st
Parallax Adjustment: Yes 50yds to infinity
Max Internal Adjustment:
Windage: 26 MIL (89 MOA)
Elevation: 26 MIL (89 MOA)
<span style="font-weight: bold">Physical Appearance of the scope: </span>
The scope looks beefy with its 34mm main tube and its short objective bell. Short and compact like a bulldog is how I would describe it. The Locking turrets are bigger in size than normal turrets with easily seen markings. The side parallax adjustment is easily seen and grasped. As stated, an overall beefy and well built appearance.
<span style="font-weight: bold">G2 Reticle:</span>
• At first glance, the reticle looks very well put together, lots of information without being too cluttered.
• The reticle gets thinner in the center of the cross hairs which makes quartering a 1” dot at 100 yards very easy.
• I like the fact that there are 10mils of hold over and 6 mils of hold under
• I like that there are multiple holdovers for windage and elevation. The fact that there are hash marks at 1/2mil and 1 mil simplifies and speeds up holdovers. Not too confusing and as accurate as is needed with holdovers.
• The reticle is pretty much perfect for the competition shooter. UKD/Ranging stages will be a breeze with the 1/10th mil hash marks. How much finer can you ask for?
• The fact that the G2 is not illuminated means nothing to me because I have illuminated scopes and never turn them on.
• The more I used the G2 reticle the more I like it.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Controls (Windage, Elevation, and Parallax)</span>
• The elevation and windage adjustments are nice. Click engagement is very positive. My only complaint is that they are not as audible as I would like. The locking turrets are some of the best features I have seen in a scope yet. They lock down positively and come up smoothly. They prevent the turrets from hanging up on clothing or limbs when slung and turning up or down. They also allow the turret to be reset without the hassle of the turrets turning while tightening them back down.
• I like the size of the turrets. While a lot bigger than other scopes, they are not cumbersome or in the way, and they facilitate ease of reading where in your adjustment you are.
• Having 5 mils per revolution is not a drawback to me. The turret must be turned either way so whats the difference if you turn it 5 or 10?. The only feature I would add would be a zero stop as I am accustomed to using them and in a match it is one less thing to worry about.
• Parallax adjustment is big enough to be seen but not be in the way. The knurled knob provides for a great grip and the numbers are easy to read.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Zeroing the Optic:</span>
Zeroing the scope was pretty straight forward. After mounting the scope and doing a quick bore sight, the scope was zeroed in a flash. I shot a three shot group to start with, and I then took a reading off of the reticle. After making the necessary adjustment to the turrets, a large flat blade screwdriver is used to loosen the reset screw. The great part about this is that you perform this operation with the turrets in the locked position. This means that you do not have to worry about the adjustments moving. After the screw is loosened, the cap is removed, set back to zero, and the screw re-tightened. In my opinion the locking turrets are one of the top features on this scope.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Track Testing:</span>
I used a GA Precision GAP-10 in 308 to test this scope. This rifle will put most bolt guns to shame as far as accuracy is concerned. I also chose this rifle because of the abrupt recoil impulse. I figured it would just be one more reliability test for the scope. I ran a box test to make sure that what was dialed in to the adjustments was being accurately applied. I fired one shot at most adjustments and 2 shots at some. The target is a box with 1” dots at each mil and hash marks at 1/2mil. It was set at 100 yards. At this distance the round should land right at each dot per 1.0 mil come up. Point of Aim was the 1” red dot throughout the test. I dialed up in 1 mil increments until I got to 13 mils of elevation. I then started to dial in right windage. I did this until I dialed in 13 mils of right windage. I then started to dial the scope back down. I dialed back down until I hit dirt with one of the rounds. I then returned to zero with the adjustments and shot at a 2” dot. The scope returned to zero perfectly. Once I confirmed my zero, I dialed up 13 mils again. I then started to dial left wind. I dialed 1 mil and shot until I got to 13 mils of left wind. I then started to dial down and shoot. I dialed down until I hit dirt again. After hitting dirt for the second time, I dialed the turrets back to zero and shot another zero target. The scope returned to zero once again with no problems. As you can see in the picture below, everything tracked great. Especially well for a scope in this price range. However, I did notice that when the adjustments were at their max, the reticle started to jam a little with right windage. I feel this is to be expected, but I just wanted to test this scope to its limits. But honestly if you are dialing 13 mils of elevation and 13 mils of windage on one shot, you have bigger problems than the reticle jamming.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Reticle testing:</span>
For the reticle test I made another grid. It is basically an inverted “Christmas tree”. Again “POA” is the dot on the bottom. This time we are using the holdovers in the scope. The impacts should line up with the corresponding dots. As you can see in the picture everything lined up fairly well. They would all be hits in a competition, and they are damn accurate as far as holdovers go.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Holding Zero Testing:</span>
For this test I threw the rifle in the back seat if my pickup truck for a week. It bounced around back there with no case on it or anything. It was dropped a time or two as well. I took it out prior to the reticle test and shot a 3 shot group at 100 yards and it was right on the money. Overall the scope seems pretty durable.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Quality of the glass:</span>
In my opinion the glass on the HDMR is up there with the best of them. One thing I did notice during the reticle test was that when I used the 10mil holdovers at the bottom of the reticle, there was a little distortion. I would say that this is to be expected because it is at the edge of the lens. Other than that, this thing is crystal clear. The eye box and eye relief are extremely forgiving on this scope. In fact, I just got through mounting it on the rifle and my girlfriend looked through it and said “Wow, this is the first scope I have ever looked through and not had problems seeing the whole field of view.” So all in all, the glass is on par with the big boys on this one.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Price point and value:</span>
With a nearly $1500 retail price tag a MAP of $1350 and a Group Buy price of $1250, I think this scope is an excellent value. With the reliability it has demonstrated in this test and the features it has, it out performs most every scope in that price range and some in the higher price range. Some might argue that the Bushnell needs to be proven. I would agree with this statement to a point. This scope has a time tested pedigree dating back to the fixed 10 power Navy SEAL Bausch & Lomb scopes. This new scope is definitely not your grandpappy’s Banner. It is a true competitor in the tactical market and I believe they are here to stay.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Conclusion:</span>
I think the HDMR with the G2 reticle is a solid option for the serious long range shooter as well as the competitor. The reticle alone is definitely geared toward the serious competitor and with a little more time in the field I am quite sure this scope will prove itself as a serious competition scope. For a person wanting to get in to competitions this scope offers many features only seen in scopes costing double the price. I plan to run this scope in competition as well I have 2 on order from the Group Buy. I think Bushnell has jumped in to the tactical market with both feet and they are dedicated to taking a piece of the market. I also feel that this scope will do just that for them, and they will back it 100% as far as making needed updates and taking care of any issues if they arise. The fact that the reticle was designed by competitors for competitors is only a bonus in my book and it shows Bushnell’s willingness to listen to the people that use their products. So if you ask would I buy this scope, the answer is yes.
I would like to thank George at GA Precision for giving me the opportunity to test and evaluate this scope. As well I would like to thank Bushnell for listening to its customers and Copper Creek Cartridge Company for providing all of the ammunition used in the testing of this scope.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Test Equipment:</span>
GA Precision GAP-10 in 308 18” barrel
Copper Creek Cartridge Co. 308 Gas Gun ammo
175gr. SMK @ 2587FPS
The Video Results, Sorry if it's a bit long, but we didnt want to miss anything...
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Baseline Zero with Nightforce F1
Zero with Bushnell HDMR
Return to Zero After Box Testing and Cranking Knobs
Not for the Weak of Heart...
Box Test Target
Start of Box Test
Top Of Box Test
Left Side of Box Test
Right Side Of Box Test
Before the Reticle Tracking Test
After the Reticle Tracking Test
