kilotanker22
New member
Now that the Bushnell Forge has been around for a little while. Who has one and what do you think of it?
From the sale prices I am seeing, it looks like Bushnell is having problems selling them. I own a lot of Bushnell, but will not buy anymore due to their poor customer no service when warranty work needed.Now that the Bushnell Forge has been around for a little while. Who has one and what do you think of it?
I just ordered my second one yesterday. I bought the first on to put on a 10/22 build I did to take out to 400 yards. I had been thinking of the Vortex Diamond back but than I saw the Bushnell Forge and this checked a majority of the boxes I wanted. First of all It has 84 moa of internal elevation which I need for a 22. Gives you 20 moa per revolution. The clicks are very pronounced and lock in place, tracks perfectly, and it has a zero stop as well. The best part is the glass it is pristine exactly what I expect to pay for a $800 to $1000 scope. The one I got is a 3-18X50 and they are on sale now for 50% off. So I paid $399.00 plus free shipping at midway. This is a second focal plane but you can get a first focal plane for about $100 more. The one thing that was a con to me is that the reticle is wire not ectched but I don't mine that much as they are for a 22lr, and an AR15. I would definitely recommend this scope without hesitation. It is better than my Sightron Big Skys and my Nikon Monarchs of which I own several of.Now that the Bushnell Forge has been around for a little while. Who has one and what do you think of it?
Whatever. "Made in China" on a scope means crap glass.Bushnell is a good scope I have a cheap Bushnell banner mounted on my 30-06 that has wire reticles and it is still on that rifle that I bought 37 years ago. I don't care where it is made.
My neighbor bought a stove because it was American made and 6 weeks later it's busted and has been trying for 2 months to get customer service to repair it. I advised him that just because it's American made that it does not signify quality, as our nation's foundation is built on capitalism, in other words its about profit. So I guard my money and buy the best product in the price range that checks all my boxes, regardless of its origin.
There used to be a time where companies would take pride in their product, now they make their money on the services they provide for their products that break down.
Whatever. "Made in China" on a scope means crap glass.Whatever. "Made in China" on a scope means crap glass.
Most of my glass is Japanese or Austrian. I am not a fan of American glass. I bet your almost 40 year old Banner is not Chinese. Its probably Japanese. You do know Bushnell has changed ownership many times in those years?
How is the Forge in low light?Whatever. "Made in China" on a scope means crap glass.
Most of my glass is Japanese or Austrian. I am not a fan of American glass. I bet your almost 40 year old Banner is not Chinese. Its probably Japanese. You do know Bushnell has changed ownership many times in those years?
Yes I do know that Bushnell has changed ownership. I also know that comparing my Bushnell forge to my Nikon Monarch and my Sightron Big Sky the glass on the Bushnell Forge is better and brighter. Can't compare it to anything else because all I own are Nikons and Sightrons and Bushnell. By far the Forge is the best scope that I own from all the other scopes I have. So it is not a slouch and I paid more money for the Nikons Monarch's and the Sightrons than I did on the Forge which was 50%. off and might still be.
In all honesty I do not know how it does in low light as I have not used for hunting, only target shooting. I have it mounted on a 10/22 custom ruger that I built for long range. I've shot it at 200 yards and it remains bright through all magnifications and it remains sharp and crisp without becoming blurry like some cheaper scopes. These scopes had an msrp of $800 to $1000 depending on focal plane and magnification specs. The Elite tactical are Bushnell's top of the line glass and the forge is just below that. You can get the higher end forge with the etched glass but they go for one to two hundred more. I don't mind the wire reticles as I stated before this is mounted on my 10/22. Wouldn't mind it on my 30-06 but more than 50 years of hunting experience has shown me that I've never used more than 7X power to kill deer or elk.How is the Forge in low light?
From what I have read and heard, terrible.
I love the 6500 Bushnell, but they definitely dont have Chinese glass.
On the Vortex Viper HST the 6-24X44 only has 65 moa of adjustment and the 4-16X44 has 75 moa. Now if you were going to decide on the Vortex Viper HST in the 4-16X44 you might want to consider the Vortex Tactical diamondback 4-16X44 as this give you more adjustment elevation at 85 moa. They both have the same coating but the tactical is $100 or more cheaper than the HST. For me I find sometimes if I can't decide between two scopes I let the adjustment factor be the deciding point that makes my choice been all else is equal.I don't care as much where the lenses are made. Like I said earlier. Most optics companies would agree that the coatings and stuff are far more important than where the lense was made.
With their warranty I wouldn't be afraid of buying one.
Last week I ordered two rifles and I am ordering another one this afternoon. I guess Maybe I should Buy my top three and compare them.
Bushnell Forge 2.5-15x50 FFP
US Optics TS12-x 3-12x42
And the Vortex Viper HST (Undecided on magnification.)