Rifle Scopes New budget riflescope from Bushnell - Match Pro

[Hollywood 6mm]

Bushnell just announced a new budget-friendly riflescope for match use - both PRS/NRL and NRL22, but it'll also be a good option for new LR shooters on a budget. I've been involved in testing of the scope, and I have been pretty happy with it for the price point. Mine will be riding on my NRL22 rifle for the forseeable future.

Here's the full specs:

6-24x50mm
30MM main tube
First focal plane with Deploy MIL reticle
6 setting illumination for the first 2 mils from center, and OFF setting between each power level
10MIL locking turrets with splined caps (no set screws)
Tool-free zero reset
18MIL total elevation range
10 yard parallax
IPX7 waterproof, EXO barrier, and fully multi-coated optics

So far, tracking has been solid, but I haven't had time to run a full tall target tracking test on it yet. That will probably not happen until after the PRS finale. Glass quality is on par with the Forge line, so pretty respectable for the price. The turrets are actually really good for a budget rifle scope - the detents feel just right, not overly heavy or sticky. Parallax on my test model has been spot on for the markings, too.

The scope is going to be exclusively sold through Bushnell.com, and comes in much simpler packaging than the other Bushnell product lines as a way to reduce cost to the customer. Price is $499.99 with free shipping, and orders are live now. The scopes are expected to ship out next week.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I like the floating dot reticle.

@Lunabear this may fit your needs.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I like the floating dot reticle.

@Lunabear this may fit your needs.

Normally, I am pretty ambivalent about floating dots, but I've taken a liking to this one for NRL22. The G3 in my Elite Tactical scopes is still my favorite reticle for general LR work, though.

 

[gunjunkie45]

Perfect! My CZ 457 varmint mtr comes in on Tuesday and I hadn't figured out what scope to buy. This should be a good fit.

 

[Birddog6424]

Looks good!!

 

[Backcountryguy]

Have you used/looked through an Athlon Midas TAC? Curious to see what you think about the comparison. They are right in the same price range

 

[gunjunkie45]

Ordered!

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Have you used/looked through an Athlon Midas TAC? Curious to see what you think about the comparison. They are right in the same price range

Can't say I have looked through one, honestly.

 

[10000yards]

Not bad

 

[Pvt.Donut]

No zero stop I assume?

 

[hypno02]

Nice! Solid option. I'd like to get my hands on one.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

No zero stop I assume?

No zero stop. It's something being discussed for possible future models, though. That said, if you pair it with a 20 or 30MOA scope rail, you're not going to have enough adjustment below your zero to worry about getting lost in the dials.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I haven't seen one in person, however, how is this different from the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 that's 25% less expensive? I reached out to my Bushnell rep but haven't heard back yet.

 

[Mike Casselton]

That sure looks a lot like an Athlon Ares BTR minus the squared off area for the turrets

 

[Campguy308]

Normally, I am pretty ambivalent about floating dots, but I've taken a liking to this one for NRL22. The G3 in my Elite Tactical scopes is still my favorite reticle for general LR work, though.

Are you able to deal with the .5 mil hash marks on the G3?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I haven't seen one in person, however, how is this different from the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 that's 25% less expensive? I reached out to my Bushnell rep but haven't heard back yet.

10 mil/rev turrets, tool free reset, locking windage and elevation, illumination on the parallax instead of the ocular bell. It's been a while since I got rid of my Argos, but I remember mine having some noticable blue/green color shift, which I have not seen at all with the Match Pro. The MP glass is on par with the Bushnell Forge line when comparing it side by side with the 3-18 and 4-27 models I have had.

Are you able to deal with the .5 mil hash marks on the G3?

Yeah, just fine. I can make holds to .1 pretty easily, and if I have a few seconds to really look at it, I can measure down to .05 if I really have to.

 

[Stickshift]

Dumb question, but since the turrets are splined on and not retained by screws, do you just pull them straight off the scope when you want to set your zero? Is there some sort of friction fit or seal to make sure they don't move too much?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Dumb question, but since the turrets are splined on and not retained by screws, do you just pull them straight off the scope when you want to set your zero? Is there some sort of friction fit or seal to make sure they don't move too much?

There's a top screw that you remove with just your fingers that holds the labaled cap to the adjustment mechanism. All you have to do it unscrew that cap, remove and reset the turret, then reinstall the threaded cap. It takes about 15 seconds to reset the zero.

 

[wade2big]

Are you able to deal with the .5 mil hash marks on the G3?

What do you mean by that. Lol.
I much prefer .5 mil marks myself. I think .2 mil markers are too fine. The G3 reticle is my favorite as well. Not because it does anything better than any other reticle, but because it is much thicker and therefore allows the scope to be much more useable across the entire mag range and not just the top end. I am not a high magnification shooter so this is crucial for a FFP scope for my needs. I sure hope Bushnell isn’t moving away from that and is just offering more variety which is good for others who feel differently from me.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

What do you mean by that. Lol.
I much prefer .5 mil marks myself. I think .2 mil markers are too fine. The G3 reticle is my favorite as well. Not because it does anything better than any other reticle, but because it is much thicker and therefore allows the scope to be much more useable across the entire mag range and not just the top end. I am not a high magnification shooter so this is crucial for a FFP scope for my needs. I sure hope Bushnell isn’t moving away from that and is just offering more variety which is good for others who feel differently from me.

The G-series reticle isn't going away any time soon.

I also think the .2 hash reticles are too cluttered. I want to be able to see as much of the target as I can, and the .5 mil has marks (and 1.25 mover hash) give me the exact amount of references I need to make accurate wind and elevation holds.

 

[drglock]

That sure looks a lot like an Athlon Ares BTR minus the squared off area for the turrets

Yes but the Ares BTR has 24 mils total elevation, this says it only has 18 mils.

 

[ssteve]

I like the floating dot reticle.

@Lunabear this may fit your needs.

Something I never really put much thought into but recently started shooting the vudu 5-25 with the md3 which has a floating dot and I think its going to be a struggle to go back to crosshairs cause I like it that much.

 

[Cotay]

Seems like a Nitro with several features from the Forge line (illumination, uncapped turrets). Price seems reasonable but right now I'd probably still choose the Ares BTR at $425-ish with a proper Zero Stop. Still, it's nice to see more lower cost options.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Seems like a Nitro with several features from the Forge line (illumination, uncapped turrets). Price seems reasonable but right now I'd probably still choose the Ares BTR at $425-ish with a proper Zero Stop. Still, it's nice to see more lower cost options.

It's based on the Engage, not the Nitro. The Ares is a ~$850 scope that's being discontinued, and the midway $425 deal is gone.

 

[Cotay]

It's based on the Engage, not the Nitro. The Ares is a ~$850 scope that's being discontinued, and the midway $425 deal is gone.

I'm not sure the Engage is a better platform. I had one and returned it due to a broken windage turret out of the box. I would say $399 would be a killer price point for this then, but $499 is not too bad.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I'm not sure the Engage is a better platform. I had one and returned it due to a broken windage turret out of the box. I would say $399 would be a killer price point for this then, but $499 is not too bad.

The glass is honestly on par with the Forge line, but the Match Pro has better turrets than the Forge. Personally, I think it's well worth the $499 asking price. I've been really impressed with mine so far.

 

[Cotay]

The glass is honestly on par with the Forge line, but the Match Pro has better turrets than the Forge. Personally, I think it's well worth the $499 asking price. I've been really impressed with mine so far.

The Engage did have pretty nice glass.

 

[silentheart]

Sorry for asking this stupid question. Is Bushnell match pro made in Japan or some other Asian country?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Sorry for asking this stupid question. Is Bushnell match pro made in Japan or some other Asian country?

China. I don't see anyone being able to do a Japan made 6-24 for $500.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Bumping this one up. Anybody else get some hands on time with this scope?

 

[Steel head]

There's a top screw that you remove with just your fingers that holds the labaled cap to the adjustment mechanism. All you have to do it unscrew that cap, remove and reset the turret, then reinstall the threaded cap. It takes about 15 seconds to reset the zero.

My Cronus is like that.
super easy to zero.
a lot cleaner than multiple set screws.

with 18 mils it may not zero with a 30 moa rail.
It would be close.

how many people really need over 12 mils?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

My Cronus is like that.
super easy to zero.
a lot cleaner than multiple set screws.

with 18 mils it may not zero with a 30 moa rail.
It would be close.

how many people really need over 12 mils?

I've zeroed mine at 25y on a 22LR no problem with a 30MOA rail. We ran a split base on the T/C to run it out to 1047, though, so I didn't get to try it with a 20MOA rail on a centerfire. However, one of the guys at Bushnell did it on an RPR with no problem, and they had one on an RPR for a stage gun at the GAP Grind. The Grind rifle was zeroed at 100, too, based on the DOPE they gave you to shoot the stage with.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Would I have an issue with zeroing this optic on a 25 moa base? I’m highly considering it for a CZ 22.

How has it tracked? Return to 0 just fine?

 

[kabarNC]

Another big fan of the G3 here, as well as the G2H reticle in the LRHS's, and what Bushnell has done in general. I have banged my DMR2 around now for years, and the LRHS has been dropped on rocks while hunting, and both track lights out.

This looks like a great option for my rimfire.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Another big fan of the G3 here, as well as the G2H reticle in the LRHS's, and what Bushnell has done in general. I have banged my DMR2 around now for years, and the LRHS has been dropped on rocks while hunting, and both track lights out.

This looks like a great option for my rimfire.

I had my 17# trainer fall over from standing muzzle up on the butt of the rifle directly onto the elevation knob of the XRS2 mounted to it - on large gravel, no less. No zero shift, no tracking issues. I think the scope even giggled a bit and said it tickled.

Would I have an issue with zeroing this optic on a 25 moa base? I’m highly considering it for a CZ 22.

How has it tracked? Return to 0 just fine?

I zeroed mine at 25y on my 455 with a 30MOA base no problem. No noticeable issues so far with tracking, RTZ, etc but I haven't really had time to go run a proper tracking test on it. I might do that when my Tempest is back up and running.

 

[TheBigCountry]

I had my 17# trainer fall over from standing muzzle up on the butt of the rifle directly onto the elevation knob of the XRS2 mounted to it - on large gravel, no less. No zero shift, no tracking issues. I think the scope even giggled a bit and said it tickled.



I zeroed mine at 25y on my 455 with a 30MOA base no problem. No noticeable issues so far with tracking, RTZ, etc but I haven't really had time to go run a proper tracking test on it. I might do that when my Tempest is back up and running.

Awesome, and thanks for that. It’s at the top of the list right now for my 457

 

[Steel head]

I've zeroed mine at 25y on a 22LR no problem with a 30MOA rail. We ran a split base on the T/C to run it out to 1047, though, so I didn't get to try it with a 20MOA rail on a centerfire. However, one of the guys at Bushnell did it on an RPR with no problem, and they had one on an RPR for a stage gun at the GAP Grind. The Grind rifle was zeroed at 100, too, based on the DOPE they gave you to shoot the stage with.

18x3.43=61.74 x .5 = 30.87.
That’s awful close.
Should be fine but tolerance stacking and barrel orientation could hose you.
A 25 moa rail should be a slam dunk though.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

18x3.43=61.74 x .5 = 30.87.
That’s awful close.
Should be fine but tolerance stacking and barrel orientation could hose you.
A 25 moa rail should be a slam dunk though.

I think I have ~2 mils under my zero on my CZ with a 25y zero and a 30moa rail. For a CF rifle zeroed at 100, I think 20 is the right choice for it. That should get you more than enough to get to 1k with most rifles.

 

[MTS308]

Would this scope hold up to the recoil of a 308 Winchester. A coworker is wanting to try some long range/prs shooting and is on a tight budget. Would this be a good choice for him?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Would this scope hold up to the recoil of a 308 Winchester. A coworker is wanting to try some long range/prs shooting and is on a tight budget. Would this be a good choice for him?

It's a centerfire rated optic, and it'll hold up to 308 just fine. I was told it's actually passed the same recoil testing as the XRS2.

It's being marketed a lot to NRL22 because of the price and features (so it works with NRL22 Base Class rifles without breaking the $1050 MSRP limit), but it's been a centerfire optic from the beginning.

 

[rgv]

I know reticle are a personal thing (I go back and forth between a G3 and h59), but whoever put the graduation numbers on the inside of the vertical tree so you can be forced to shoot a holdover with a number superimposed on top of the target should be horsewhipped.

 

[steve123]

I know reticle are a personal thing (I go back and forth between a G3 and h59), but whoever put the graduation numbers on the inside of the vertical tree so you can be forced to shoot a holdover with a number superimposed on top of the target should be horsewhipped.

Yep, the .5's and the numbers next to the vertical make this a total fail to me personally!

 

[TheBigCountry]

Yep, the .5's and the numbers next to the vertical make this a total fail to me personally!

Can you elaborate on this a little for me? Also, what scope compares to this that doesn’t have what you mentioned?

 

[steve123]

Can you elaborate on this a little for me? Also, what scope compares to this that doesn’t have what you mentioned?

Check out the reticle and specs of the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50. The Gen1 version was/is?? on sale for approx $400. Note the reticle is in all .2 mil hashes, like most of the better reticles in the $3000+ current scope offerings. An advantage with .2's is that .1 can easily be distinguished "in" the reticle, for holdovers and holdoffs.
It was originally designed to beat out the Gen1 Vortex PST, which it easily does.
Now the Gen2 Ares is out and has been improved and thankfully has the same awesome reticle.

But reticles are such a personal thing! Cracks me up that some people get freaked out because .2's seem busy???

 

[Steel head]

I like .2’s and numbers outside the grid.

 

[chevy_man]

If only they did decent elevation. For something marketed at nrl22, they need about 30 Mills. Also, no zero stop? I mean, not even a shim stack?

I'm currently using a tango 4, and with 26 Mills I have 18 usable. Still only gets me to 450 yards with a 20moa rail and using the 10 mil holds with the turret maxed. I've yet to find a rail over 20 moa for a rem 597.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Check out the reticle and specs of the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50. The Gen1 version was/is?? on sale for approx $400. Note the reticle is in all .2 mil hashes, like most of the better reticles in the $3000+ current scope offerings. An advantage with .2's is that .1 can easily be distinguished "in" the reticle, for holdovers and holdoffs.
It was originally designed to beat out the Gen1 Vortex PST, which it easily does.
Now the Gen2 Ares is out and has been improved and thankfully has the same awesome reticle.

But reticles are such a personal thing! Cracks me up that some people get freaked out because .2's seem busy???

Much appreciated. I’ve been considering an Athlon as well.

 

[GibsonL5]

Anyone know when these will be back in stock?

For those using this scope, any issues or regrets?

Thanks

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Anyone know when these will be back in stock?

For those using this scope, any issues or regrets?

Thanks

Soon*

None here, but I am admittedly a bit biased.

(*Soon in this case not being the Valve Software or Elon Musk version of 'soon', but they should be back in the next few weeks)

 

[GibsonL5]

Soon*

None here, but I am admittedly a bit biased.

(*Soon in this case not being the Valve Software or Elon Musk version of 'soon', but they should be back in the next few weeks)

Thanks. I'm sure considering one. Currently have a forge on my t1x and think the match pro would work on my kids. Is the match pro fairly similar in size to the forge?