I'm looking for a new scope for a newly acquired 30-06. I know I want something in the 3x9x40 range. I'm a bit limited by my budget, I need to stay around $200-$250.

That being said, I'm looking at a nikon buckmaster 3x9x40 and a bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40.

I've owned one 3200 3x9x40 before and was very happy with it. In fact If I wasn't curious about the Nikon the bushnell would probably be the choice.

The only Nikon I've hunted with was a Pro Staff 2x7 that I had on a Marlin 1895G and was very pleased with the scope, especially considering how cheap it was.

I'm looking for some opinions from folks that might have owned both scopes and can compare them to me as on paper they seem about equal, the rainguard and firefly options on the Bushnell being the only real difference/advantage. Which would you pick and why?

Hello Mattpair


I had a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 a couple of years back and it was a good scope.
If you have the opertunity to test them for tubing effect I would do so.
See when the shadows at the sides of the scope starts to interrupt your sight.
The best one is the one you buy.
I remember the Elite to be very good for a scope in this price section.
It also comes with the german#4 reticle .
Mine was mounted on a Mauser 98 cal.30-06

Matt I've never owned either one that your talking about, but both have received lots of good reviews on several forums I'm on. My favorite scope in that price range is the Simmons AETEC's in the 2.8 to 10 power range. These are one of the first scopes with Aspherical ground lenses. They have a 44 foot field of view on the bottom end which is great for a close jumped deer or elk.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/ATEC.jpg

As for your choice I'd go with the one with the best field of view on the bottom of the power curve. I've always thought that field of view is more important than power when it comes to a big game scope.

I used to use nothing but Leupold 2 by 7's and have been told that the new 2.5 to 8's are some of the brightest scopes on the market by several folks. They just priced them out of my ability to buy them.

You can also get a Leupold VXI or VXII in that budget. I ordered a Burris that should be here tomorrow and it comes with a free Garmin GPS. Burris has a forever warranty and right now you get a free GPS, spotting scope or binos with a Fullfield II.

The scopes I own the most of an use the most is the Nikon Prostaff and the Burris Fullfield II. Both scopes are excellent buys for the money and have excellent warranties. (I have never had to use the warranty). Both of these scopes have made the unexpected trip down the side of the mountain without any damage or need to resight in. As I get older, I have discovered that if I carry it, I will drop it.

right now th ebest bang for yer buck in a 3x9x40 is the 4200 elite, it is only another 20.00 more than your top budget price and opticaly you would need to spend another 130.00 to catch it.

Jim I'm hearing that from a bunch of folks using the new 4200. Next trip to Cabela's I've got to look thru one of those.

bob i bought a 2.5-10x40 4200 two years ago and could have saved myself 120.00 just by buying the 3-9x40 instead. rumor also has it that bushnell is phaseing the 3x9 out of the 4200 production because at 260.00 it eats into the other sales, duh go figure. i would get them while you can if you're a fan of the elites.

Look at the Sightron SII line of scopes. I have the 3200, 4200 and SII and for the dollar, @ 199.00 for the 3-9X42 Sightron is a great deal. Very clear and crisp, awesome eye relief and a very forgiving "eye box".

Rob

How about a 3200 for $130? Got your attention yet? Take a look here http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=BH&category=405&subCategory=405&catLevel=1&prodID=BH883940M for pricing and here http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard/about10532.html&highlight=browning for more info.

I have the 4-12 version and am very happy with it.

Matt I've never owned either one that your talking about, but both have received lots of good reviews on several forums I'm on. My favorite scope in that price range is the Simmons AETEC's in the 2.8 to 10 power range. These are one of the first scopes with Aspherical ground lenses. They have a 44 foot field of view on the bottom end which is great for a close jumped deer or elk.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/ATEC.jpg

As for your choice I'd go with the one with the best field of view on the bottom of the power curve. I've always thought that field of view is more important than power when it comes to a big game scope.

I used to use nothing but Leupold 2 by 7's and have been told that the new 2.5 to 8's are some of the brightest scopes on the market by several folks. They just priced them out of my ability to buy them.

Matt: Listen to faucettb on this. There is a website I go to when I need to refresh my memory about this kind of stuff that goes into more detail about scopes than you'll ever be able to absorb. Google (without the quotes) "charm.net/~kmarsh". A page will appear that has RO-HI SURU. Click on it to open and there under SHOOTING SPORTS are a number of choices to click that has tons of info as well as many links to all kinds of scope/manufacturer stuff. It just really EXPANDs on what f/b says. He definately isn't leading you down the wrong trail. Good luck in finding what you need. I hope I didn't leave something out of all of that.