Rifle Scopes NF vs bushnell elite

jimbob_walker

jimbob_walker

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Apr 2, 2011
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Conneaut lake pa
#1
before i make a big buy on a NF i wanted to get some opinions. im not a 1000yrd shooter yet. ive been reading and asking questions and decided on two scopes of two different levels. if i buy the NF it will cost me more used than a brand new elite. i got the money to go with a NF and have one lined up, but i wanted to get some reasons on why a NF is a better choice.
 
#2
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

The Nightforce is built like a tank and the higher magnification versions also will have more adjustment than the Bushnell. They have a lot more reticule options as well.

Both have excellent tracking and are reliable.

To my eye the Bushnell has better glass. The Nightforce is not deficient in that department but it isn't spectacular. The Bushnell is standard with a FFP reticule, you pay a hefty premium for that with the NF.

Based on all that I bought one of each of the Bushnell Elites (the ones in the 4200 line) when they were on clearance and scoped both of my long range rifles with very good glass for less than a single Nightforce.

My only complaint has to do with the adjustment range of the 6-24 model. Mounted on a 20MOA base I couldn't get a zero at 100yds with my .243. If you're looking in that magnification range and want an across the course rifle, pass on the Bushnell. I ordered a SS 5-20 with the group buy to replace the Bushnell for that purpose.
 
#3
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

Its real easy to make glass appear better in color. What you can't do is give it resolution and clarity. Something the NF has far and above most other optics.

Now honestly, I'm sure the Bushnell is a decent product for the money, but it will never be a NF. I'd like to see if the Bushnell passes just one impact of the 24 times every NF gets impact tested at 1250 G's each time.

Buy once cry once.
 
#4
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I've got both scopes mentioned
wink.gif


The Bushnell is a good scope for the money but it'll never compete apples to apples with the NF.I have to give the edge to glass on the NF as well but not by as much as one would think .The 100 MOA elevation travel a is nice thing to have sometimes for the longest shots.
 
#5
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I think the best reason for getting the NF is some time after you buy the Bushnell you'll find yourself looking to upgrade to the NF. By the was a used NF will not depreciate as long as you dont damage it, but a new Bushnell will. You can always sell the NF for little to no loss if it dosent blow the wind up your skirt and then get the Bushnell.
 
#7
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I'd buy an SS 5-20HD if I were you, especially know while the group buy is going and you can get one for 1000. That's a heck of a lot of features for the price. It will hold its value well also.

If you are going to bite the bullet and buy once, get the Nightforce, they are excellent. I was hesitant spending as much as I did on mine but you can get financing on them at the right places. Mine is about paid off in half the time I have available to do it and I couldn't be happier with the scope.

Rich
 
#8
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

Bushnell is good for the money, but doesn't quite compare to the nightforce. I have two elite 3200 and a HDMR Bushnell with the Horus reticle. I can say that the new elite has definitely improved in quality. Although my HDMR scope has not endure the test of time yet, I think it will do well. I am mil so I got the HDMR at a great price. For sub 1k, Bushnell is definitely as good/ if not better than their competition. Nightforce is good, but at close to 2k (in some cases, more than 2k), I would have save up a few hundred and get a Premier or S&B. I say that Bushnell is better bang for the buck. Nightforce if you got the cash.
 
#9
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

Depending on what you want to do with it, might help make your decision.
I have owned two Bushnell tactical scopes, one with FFP, as compared to Nightforce, they are pretty close when I compared clarity of the shingles on a house 300 yards away, with the Nightforce winning. As stated before the Nightforce is built like a tank, and with zero stops it is a clear winner for the tactical game.
With that being said, I have looked through two of the Bushnell HDMR scopes, and a friend of mine was able to get them for the price of one Nightforce. For those of us whose life doesn't depend on the ruggedness of a scope, it is not a bad decision.
Since I wasn't able to get the good pricing on the scopes as he was I am going with two Super Snipers and will sell them or the Nightforce when they get in my hands.
Good luck on your decision, and you should really try to look through some of these scopes before you spend your hard earned money.
SScott
 
#10
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

My Bushnell has great glass. And with only 12x power max, I was ringing steel at 954yards and could see it clear with no problem.


You do indeed get what you pay for, but sometimes just as good can be found for less in some situations.
 
#11
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LawnMM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd buy an SS 5-20HD if I were you, especially know while the group buy is going and you can get one for 1000. That's a heck of a lot of features for the price. It will hold its value well also.

If you are going to bite the bullet and buy once, get the Nightforce, they are excellent. I was hesitant spending as much as I did on mine but you can get financing on them at the right places. Mine is about paid off in half the time I have available to do it and I couldn't be happier with the scope.

Rich </div></div>

You are suggesting the purchase of a product that not only YOU but almost no one else either has even seen or used. Brilliant...
 
#14
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

A lot of scopes look nice when you look through them at the store. The question is which scope will stand up to use and still look great after several years of shooting. If given only the choices listed, I would pick NF over Bushnell.
 
#15
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I am making the presumption here that you are comparing the bushnell elite 6-24x ffp illuminated , to a spf illuminated nf
either a 3.5-15 or 5.5-22 or a ffp nf. 3.5-15. either way these optics are pretty different.
nf does not even make a scope that really is comparable in features to the bushy, the biggest nf ffp is 15x.
new or used ffp bushnell is running almost exactly half the price of the ffp nf.
If i was going to shoot BEYOND 1k mostly i would probably choose the 5.5-22 sfp nf for the extra travel and super fine reticle.
for most other comp and general shooting i have and do use bushnell elite. The newer elite models have more travel than the 4200 so 100 yd zero and shooting to 1k+ is no problem with a 20 moa base.
 
#16
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264win</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am making the presumption here that you are comparing the bushnell elite 6-24x ffp illuminated , to a spf illuminated nf
either a 3.5-15 or 5.5-22 or a ffp nf. 3.5-15. either way these optics are pretty different.
nf does not even make a scope that really is comparable in features to the bushy, the biggest nf ffp is 15x.
new or used ffp bushnell is running almost exactly half the price of the ffp nf.
If i was going to shoot BEYOND 1k mostly i would probably choose the 5.5-22 sfp nf for the extra travel and super fine reticle.
for most other comp and general shooting i have and do use bushnell elite. The newer elite models have more travel than the 4200 so 100 yd zero and shooting to 1k+ is no problem with a 20 moa base.

</div></div>


I'm using the 4200 3-12x44 model and without a 20moa base I am 3½ mils from 954 yards on a Rem700.

Lobo(another hide member) and I was shooting and using his ballistic iphone tool put in my stats and according to it when I ran out of adjustments on my knobs, to hold over 3 mils and it got me on steel.
 
#18
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264win</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As mentioned above , the currant bushnell elite models HAVE MORE TRAVEL ,[ ie internal adjustment ] then the old 4200.
</div></div>

Yeah I was just proving your point on how easily the discontinued models run out of travel while in the field and trying to reach those needed distances.
 
#19
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I have the elite 3to12 power and have made multiple hits on steel at 1065yards and had adjustment left. The scope so far has always returned to zero w/ no problems and the adjustments have been spot on. Would I buy a nightforce you bet your ass if I could afford one I would have one.
 
#20
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmdakota</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the elite 3to12 power and have made multiple hits on steel at 1065yards and had adjustment left. The scope so far has always returned to zero w/ no problems and the adjustments have been spot on. Would I buy a nightforce you bet your ass if I could afford one I would have one. </div></div>

That was my situation, I dont have the money to spend on NF and other high-end optics, but I seen LowLights review on the Bushy, and after shooting it next to another members NF, I am happy with my purchase for what I paid for it..
 
#21
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

well guys, i went with a PST FFP 6-24x50. i had my eye on a pst but i couldnt find a new one until the other day. hopefully i dont kick myself in the ass for not going NF. i guess if i dont like it i will have to buy another gun to put it on and buy a NF for my m700.
 
#22
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

You can always use another scope!
You never know, when you may want to try a new cal.

I have 2 Nightforces, and 2 me, they are
the best all-a-round scope...for the money!

Remember....you get what you pay for!
But, get what you can afford! you can always work your way up, as you can afford 2.

LOBO 151
 
#23
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I got the oppurtunity to look at a NF scope (I'm unfamiliar with them) and compare it to my HDMR.

I must say if anything they looked the same. I couldn't tell any diff looking at objects with the NF and the HDMR.

I can't comment on the previous elite series, but I believe the HDMR has improved glass compared to their regular Elite series, and def the NF was no better than the HDMR.

I really like the Horus sight too. I wasn't used to it, but it's really neat.

Unfortunetly I can't comment on the regular Elite series, but if it's like the HDMR, i'd say that's one helluva deal

oh, btw...

the Bushnell HDMR felt like a tank compared to the NF. NF was def very sturdy, but wasn't as hefty as the HDMR.
 
#24
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmdakota</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the elite 3to12 power and have made multiple hits on steel at 1065yards and had adjustment left. The scope so far has always returned to zero w/ no problems and the adjustments have been spot on. Would I buy a nightforce you bet your ass if I could afford one I would have one. </div></div>


I saw him do it.
smile.gif
 
#25
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

The NF is a very good scope, I would never take anything away from their products. But for the money the Vortex has my vote. I have a new Weaver tactical 3x15 that would be perfect if it had some type of zero stop. The glass on the NF is good but not twice as clear as the Vortex, Weaver, or SWFA SS. Plus the NF is not a FFP scope. As a prior military and currant police marksman the performance of the product is the most important aspect of ownership. Not the name brand.
 
#26
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I have both the NF and the Bushnell. The NF is better in my opinion, but hardly $1200.00 dollars better. The glass in the NF seems a bit brighter, but as others have pointed out "not by as much as one would think". I think the NF is built better and certainly has better adjustments (knobs). Obviously the NF has some great features that the Bushnell doesn't, and I don't think you can make a fair comparison of the two.

Not to change the subject but my favorite right now is my Vortex Razor 5-20. I think it's the best value right now, and it's every bit as good as my NF for a good bit less money. In fact I prefer it to my NF.
 
#27
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

I just picked up my nightfoce in the last couple of months. Before that I had a Leupold Mark IV fixed 10x40. I've shot the Vortex, and the elite. From a first look and feel standpoint nightforce is going to feel much more robust, and probably going to be heavier. The adjustments turrets on the NF are pretty top notch as well. I guess the question is , will these options suit you better?
 
#28
Re: NF vs bushnell elite

Get the used NF. Make sure it has the adjustment and reticle you want, and don't look back. If it's used you probably won't loose more than the shipping cost and if you wait long enough you might make money on the scope.
 
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