Try again Bushnell

M

mrgoodwrench76

New member
A few weeks ago I posted a question about which scope to purchase for a Savage Mark II .22lr. I recieved lots of great responces and advice and decided on a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40. Optics planet had them on sale for just under $100 which made me somewhat skeptical but several people recomended it and it had great reviews on multiple sites. I recieved it today and I couldn't be more disapointed. The optics are horrible, blurry reguardless of range or focus adjustment. The turret caps have some sort of glue all over them which took the paint off when I tried to rub it off. The focus adj. makes odd crunching sounds when rotated and dosn't seem to adjust anything. The lettering marking the power adjustments are stamped in two different places as well as the focus adj. markers. I've seen better quality from Wal-Mart scopes for less than $100 (Tasco, Center Point, Simmons). It did come in a very nice box though :(. This is the first Bushnell product I've tried and it will be the last.

So my question is, what now? I looked at the Mueller APV and the guys at rimfirecentral reccomend it at $140. I have several upper end Nikon scopes which I am very pleased with but dont want to spend $600 or better on a .22lr scope. I'd like to keep it at $200 or less. Any suggestions?

And for what its worth, Optics Planet has been a pleasure to deal with and have no problem exchanging the item at no additional cost.
 
I bought a $100 Nikon Prostaff for my truck gun, I've had it for about 4 months and I've yet to have it get knocked off. I drive washboardy roads everyday so the truck gun gets bounced around pretty good.
 
A nice new Leupold-made Redfield can be had for under $200...


...But, I've always heard that the Banner series was a decent scope too. Send it back to Bushnell with a letter expressing your issues with this scope. They've always treated me fairly.
 
I've never seen a Bushnell that bad (except the cheapie low-end ones that you get in the bubble packaging at Walmart). Maybe you just got an odd bad one.
 
I will admit that after the recomendations and reviews, I was suprised at what I got. I understand its their bottom of the line scope but I dont think that excuses the problem. As I mentiond before, opticsplanet is a great place to buy and it seems they will be easier to deal with than Bushnell and quite honestly, I dont want to play the mail order game and get another lemon that got past QC. Where I live, I dont have much choice other than to mail order or through a LGS but thier stock is quite limited. I guess I would be open to a Redfield. I've never owned one (Redfield) but I do shy away from Leupold as you seem to pay way too much for the name. Great optics but not worth the extra money IMO. I'm sure someone will argue with that but that someone probably has more spare cash than I do. Nikon seems to give you the same quality for 20-30% less $$. Anybody have any experience with Pentax? I've heard a lot of good things about them as well.
 
22lr scope

My Christmas present to myself this past year was a Savage MkII BTVSS. I had a new CenterPoint target scope on hand I had received as a present two years ago. Mounted the CenterPoint and 500 rounds later couldn't be more pleased. It is what it is, but so far no complaints.
 
If you were prepared to give Bushnell another go Id try their Trophy range. I see Optics Planet sells 3-9x 40 Trophy for $112.
Im surprised the Banner range is as bad as you say, maybe you just got a bad one. I have a 25 year old Bushnell 2.5-10x 45 Trophy & constantly compare it to 2 newly acquired scopes - a Leupold xv-3(3.5-10) & a Kahles 2.5-10, with both newer scopes costing substantially more than the old Bushnell. During daylight there is negligable difference in clarity between the 3 scopes - according to my eyes.But once the sun goes down you realise why the Leupold & Kahles cost a lot more.
 
Optics planet should replace it, no questions asked. Both of my Bushnell's have been great, ones an old sportview and the other is a brown Scope Chief.
 
This is the first Bushnell product I've tried and it will be the last.
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I would not give up on Bushnell. Just the bottom of the barrel stuff from them. I have an Elite 4200 that is just as good as my Weaver. I will not be purchssing a Banner anyway, but I do have one that is OK. I put it on a little single shot that my daughter uses.
 
I have 2 Banner's that are nothing like you describe and have been really good for me. So I wouldn't give up them.

If you are absolutely set on something different, I also have a Nikon Prostaff that is excellent. I would also suggest you check out the Alpen's. The Kodiak is their lower priced line. I haven't used one of their rifle scopes but I have one of their spotting scopes and it is terrific glass.
 
I've all but decided on the Nikon ProStaff. Do any of you use the buckmaster? Is it that much better than a Prostaff? I do like the reticle options better. I think both are overkill for a .22lr but at least that way I wont be disapointed.

Thanks again for your opinions.
 
What I like about the Nikon Prostaff is that it comes in a 4x32mm rimfire version that perfectly fits your application.

Edit: The new ProStaffs have a new rimfire 3-9x40mm. The rimfire designation probably means that the parallax is set at 50 yards, which is perfect for a 22LR.
 
I'm not very fond of fixed power scopes. I know its only a .22lr but I like to push its limits and I dont think a 4x is quite enough for me. Just personal preference. I havn't seen a Pro Staff (on opticsplanet anyway) in that configuration, nor any 32mm obj's for that matter.

Posted before your edit Abel. Thanks again.
 
Not saying this is the only way to go.. But I love this setup... Savage Mark II BTVSS with a Leupold VX-II 4-12x40mm AO

0612091537.jpg
 
I prefer a 32mm scope on my Marlin 336's because the smaller objective allows me to mount them low to the receiver. Because the comb on the 336 is configured to allow a shooter to easily see the irons, a lower mount allows me to keep a good cheek weld, even with the 336's low comb. The low mount is the greatest feature of a 32mm objective.
 
for just under $100
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I recieved it today and I couldn't be more disapointed. The optics are horrible, blurry reguardless of range or focus adjustment. The turret caps have some sort of glue all over them which took the paint off when I tried to rub it off. The focus adj. makes odd crunching sounds when rotated and dosn't seem to adjust anything.
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I was going to say that you get what you pay for, but in your case it sounds like you may have gotten someone else's return.

Bushnell does make some really good scopes in there 3200 or higher scopes, they really should leave the Wal-Mart crap for Tasco, Simmons, or Center Point and get out of the low end market, all it does is hurt there rep for there higher end stuff, that really is good stuff.
 
I cant argue with that Abel. The savage I'm mounting this on is a stainless bull barrel that did not come with irons.

Nice setup .300. Looks nearly identical to my .17 but with a cheapie Center Point from walmart. Im really wondering if these Center Points arn't the proverbial diamond in the rough. I get cloverleafs @100 and have put thousands of rounds through the rifle and the scope still holds. I gave my brother one which is mounted to a lever action 30-30. 800 rounds and counting and still goin strong. Not bad for the money. Maybe I should ditch the notion that I get better product by spending more money and just get another one of these. I had intended to upgrade the .17 to a better brand scope as well but now I'm not so sure. Any of you guys use the Center Point line?
 
I have two year old .22LRs , a Rem 597 and Savage Mark II GXP. The Remington came with a " Remington " 3-9x32mm that was just replaced with a Nikon ProStaff 4-12x40mm and I could not be happier. Now the Savage came with a Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm which I must say is faultless. I want to and am going to upgrade the scope and want to put something real nice on it (why Not you know ?) but really that bushnell in all its package - deal , probably cost 20-30 bucks glory , has been outstanding.

I was really meaning to grt one of those really nice Bushnell Elites that Midway had on closeout , like a 5-15x50 or 6-24 something crazy , I just didn't have the funds at the time so , another day.
 
I see there is a suggestion to buy the Bushnell 3200. Take it from one who has owned 2 of those, "Don't!" One died in 19 shots from a 30-30, the other died after less than 200.

My $50 BSA Deerhunter scope has outlived both of the $220 Bushnell 3200s by at least a thousand 30-30 rounds and still going strong.
 
mrgoodwrench76 said:
So my question is, what now? I looked at the Mueller APV and the guys at rimfirecentral reccomend it at $140. I have several upper end Nikon scopes which I am very pleased with but dont want to spend $600 or better on a .22lr scope. I'd like to keep it at $200 or less. Any suggestions?
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That's good advise on the Mueller APV. I have been using a APV on one of my rimfires for about five years now and it's been a fantastic scope. I bought a second APV Tactical model for a second rimfire. Glass quality and the precision tracking are what impresses me.
 
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