I'm trying to make a choice on a rilfe scope to go on .308 BLR. I've narrowed it down to a Burris Fullfield II in 3x9x40 or a Browning Buckmark in 3x9x40 also. The Browning scope is actually a Bushnell elite 3200 without the rainguard coating. I have owned a Burris Signature scope before and was very pleased. I can get the Burris for 199 with a spotting scope or the Browning for like 229. On a strickly looks basis I like the Browning better, I also like its rectile better than the one on the Burris. These two scopes match up like twins on paper as far as exit pupil, light transmission %, weight and the such. But I have no experience with the Fullfield II or Bushnell elite 3200/Browning scope. I like the looks of the Browning beter but is it silly to pay more just for cosmetic apeal? Especially when with the Burris I can get a spotting scope too? What would you do, has anyone out there had experience with either of these two scopes?

I am not very familiar with the Bushnell Elite series of scopes but three weeks ago I purchased one of the Burris FF2 scopes that come in the combo. I was not very pleased with the scope, it was very clear and I liked the ballistic plex reticle but the darned scope would not hold the point of impact. I later found out on another thread that these combo packaged scopes are not assemblied in the U.S. like the rest of the Burris line is. Maybe I just got a bad scope. I suggest if you do decide on the Burris just by the same scope but not in the combo. I know that this is a hard deal not to do.

Just my thoughts.

I am not very familiar with the Bushnell Elite series of scopes but three weeks ago I purchased one of the Burris FF2 scopes that come in the combo. I was not very pleased with the scope, it was very clear and I liked the ballistic plex reticle but the darned scope would not hold the point of impact. I later found out on another thread that these combo packaged scopes are not assemblied in the U.S. like the rest of the Burris line is. Maybe I just got a bad scope. I suggest if you do decide on the Burris just by the same scope but not in the combo. I know that this is a hard deal not to do.

Just my thoughts.


Thanks for the reply. I ended up getting a Busnhell Elite 3200 3x9x40 with the firefly reticle. I liked the scope a lot at first and that firefly reticle was really a good idea. BUT within the first 100rds the scope started to shift POI. I started to think it was the gun, but after a while the amount of difference in POI got to be really big and I thought it might be the scope. Sent it back to Bushnell and they said the scope was messed up. One good thing to say about the Bushnell Elite scopes, they offer a lifetime warranty and within the first year of purchase if you still have you ticket they will refund 100% of you scope cost no questions asked. This is what I choose to do. I should get my money sometime next week. All in all its about a 3-4 week turn around from me sending my scope in and them checking it out and actually getting my check to me. Good customer service. Unfortunatly for them that scope failiing left me with just a little doubt on their quality so I went back to Leupold scopes. I bought a VX III 2.5x8x36 and actually I'll be sighting it in this friday.

I did the same thing with the Burris, I thought about getting another one when I returned it back to the store, but I was really kind of pissed that I spent the money on a supposedly good scope and it didn't work. So being in this state of mind and thinking about what scopes I have heard the least amount of problems about, I bought a Kahles Helia C 4x36 and haven't looked back.

Folks, over my many years of shooting experience I have discovered one thing - everybody goofs. When it comes to scopes every manufacturer makes the occasional turkey instrument. I have had defective Leupolds, Bushnells, Burris scopes that left parts on the shooting bench, lenses that separated, and all manner of disasters. The Bushnell Elite series of scopes (especially the 4200 version) are about as nice as any made. The Burris Fullfield II and Signature scopes are fine instruments and reasonably priced. Where a scope is made is irrelevant these days, my Nikon's came from Thailand, the Bushnell's from Japan, the Burris's from the USA. Of course, there are Unertl scopes that are made here, and are superior to anything anywhere. The Leupold's all have Japanese lenses (who makes better lenses?). Most of the machine centers that make our domestic scopes are made overseas. Many use imported parts or raw materials. The German scopes may be assembled here, or even manufactured here. They cost more because of the exchange rate when they are imported from the Fatherland. Transportation costs from Europe are higher than Asia - think volume. So what it boils down to is the way you are treated when something goes wrong - and Bushnell, Burris and Leupold will back their products to the hilt. I won't judge an entire product line by one defective sample, but rather by how they fix the error.

axlenut

I know if I would have traded in for another Burris that it will have worked very well, but in the state of mind that I was in at the time with an elk hunt approaching I my mind was not really thinking about how their optics are in quality any more I just wanted something that was ultra clear and would work no matter what. I have had alot of problems, maybe just dumb luck with scopes in the past five years. I had two Leopolds that the reticles busted out of and a nikon monarch that would fog up internally. That was my reason to buy a Burris because of their excellant reviews, then I had bad luck with it. Probably the best scope I have ever had was a Bushnell Sportview 4X12X40 that you could through down on the ground and jump on it and it still you would hold the same point of impact. I am just kind of babbling now and hopefully my scope problems have now ended.

Thanks guys

I have three fullfield II's and they are reliable, clear and backed with a good warranty something I can't say about the bushnell I once had. No offense to those that swear buy their bushnell but their cust. service is horrendous. Maybe others have had better luck, but I know others who have had the same results with bushnell that I have.

I just spent a little time rereading the posts in this thread and a few things occured to me that I thought I'd put down here. Over time, my opinion of Bushnell scopes has changed a little. After hunting a lot this year with three guys that use Bushnells on their guns and talking to a lot more of people that have been using the Elites I've kinda become a bushnell fan I guess. Even though the only Bushnell I had broke, I still find myself reccomending different Bushnell Ellites to people all the time. Here's why: 1st off, I had great customer service from day one of my dealings with them. They have the standard lifetime warrenty comparible to other manufactures, but their one year no questions asked 100% money back offer just seals the deal. I mean come on, buy one, if you don't like it, just send it back, you are garunteed to get your money back, who else offers that?. Second, they are good quality optics, while IMO they are not near as good optically as a Zeiss Conquest, I believe the 3200's are every bit as good as the VX IIs and the 4200 are just as good as the VX IIIs (if not better) ;) . I also like the different features that the Elites come with such as the Firefly recticle and the rainguard coating, something nobody else has. Thirdly the price is normaly pretty good compared to VX IIs and IIIs.

To each his own, but for my money the Elites are just a good buy.

I am also in the market for a new scope for the Rem 600 in 6mm... My choices have come down to the Burris FFII, Bushnell Elite 3200 w/FF or the Buckmasters scope. (all in 3-9x40) To address something said above - I've found that Buckmasters scopes are made by NIKON - not Bushnell.
You are right in that they are all very comparable - not only in specs but in price... which makes this a hard decision. I have a friend that purchased the Elite 3200 last year and I have shot his rifle - very nice.
Does anyone have any comments regarding the durability of these scopes?