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6500 Opinions

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14293
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 01:51
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Topic: 6500 Opinions
Posted By: peashooter
Subject: 6500 Opinions
Date Posted: December/27/2008 at 20:21
   I am in the market for another scope.  I have been eyeing up the Bushnell 6500 2.5-16X42.  I have several 3200s and one 4200, but I have never even seen a 6500 up close and personal.
 
  Any opinions good or bad on the new 6500 would be greatly appreciated.  Or, if you think there is other scopes better than the 6500 for about the same $$, I'm all ears/eyes.
 
Thanks



Replies:
Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: December/27/2008 at 21:44
http://www.swfa.com/pc-12405-2172-bushnell-25-16x42-elite-6500-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx - 652164MD http://www.swfa.com/pc-12405-2172-bushnell-25-16x42-elite-6500-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx">Bushnell 2.5-16x42 Elite 6500 30mm Rifle Scope                                                                          Bushnell 2.5-16x42 Elite 6500 30mm Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Side Focus
  • Rainguard
  • Free SunShade
  • http://www.bushnell.com/special_offers/rangefinder_rebate.cfm - Click here for Free Waterproof Jacket Coupon
SWFA: $699.95
http://www.swfa.com/pc-12405-2172-bushnell-25-16x42-elite-6500-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx">More Info... http://www.swfa.com/addtocart.aspx?returnurl=showcategory.aspx&productid=12405&variantid=12419">Buy Now
Nice scope -- also worth consideration are these:
http://www.swfa.com/pc-4425-227-trijicon-25-10x56-accu-point-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx - TR22 http://www.swfa.com/pc-4425-227-trijicon-25-10x56-accu-point-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx">Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope                                                                          Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accu-Point 30mm Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Amber Triangle
  • 30mm
SWFA: $806.95
http://www.swfa.com/pc-4425-227-trijicon-25-10x56-accu-point-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx">More Info... http://www.swfa.com/addtocart.aspx?returnurl=showcategory.aspx&productid=4425&variantid=4402">Buy Now
8707 Kahles 4-12x52 Helia CL Multizero http://www.samplelist.com/picture_form.aspx?pic_url=8707_ior%20reticle%20006.jpg"> 51733, Matte finish, plex reticle, 1" tube, side focus, fast focus eye piece, allows you to zero your scope at five different ranges, close to new condition. $1,392.00 $799.95
8630 Kahles 3-10x50 Helia CL Multizero http://www.samplelist.com/picture_form.aspx?pic_url=8630_ior%20reticle%20009.jpg"> 51723, Matte finish, 1" tube, plex reticle, side focus, fast focus eye piece, allows you to zero your scope at five different ranges, close to new condition. $1,315.00 $749.95


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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Big Squeeze
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 10:33
Originally posted by peashooter peashooter wrote:

   I am in the market for another scope.  I have been eyeing up the Bushnell 6500 2.5-16X42.  I have several 3200s and one 4200, but I have never even seen a 6500 up close and personal.
 
  Any opinions good or bad on the new 6500 would be greatly appreciated.  Or, if you think there is other scopes better than the 6500 for about the same $$, I'm all ears/eyes.
 
Thanks
................Before I can give an opinion, what is your rifle, cartridge, game and the majority of your hunting distances in yardage and the terrain?

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300 WSM/375 Ruger....."All science, is truly the study of God`s wonderful work!"..."Bad news for liberals, is good news for America!".."What liberals hate, I love!".."What liberals like, I despise!"


Posted By: peashooter
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 10:54
Originally posted by Big Squeeze Big Squeeze wrote:

Before I can give an opinion, what is your rifle, cartridge, game and the majority of your hunting distances in yardage and the terrain?
 
 
     Good point,  I guess I'm not sure which rifle I will mount it on.  I just purchased a Colt HBar II in 223.  Don't know it I will mount it on this rifle or swap it with another rifle.  If it doesn't go on the Colt I will mount it on either my 300WSM, 30-06 AI or 280 AI.  So, I guess I don't really have a home for it yet. 


Posted By: Big Squeeze
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 11:56
Originally posted by peashooter peashooter wrote:

Originally posted by Big Squeeze Big Squeeze wrote:

Before I can give an opinion, what is your rifle, cartridge, game and the majority of your hunting distances in yardage and the terrain?
 
 
     Good point,  I guess I'm not sure which rifle I will mount it on.  I just purchased a Colt HBar II in 223.  Don't know it I will mount it on this rifle or swap it with another rifle.  If it doesn't go on the Colt I will mount it on either my 300WSM, 30-06 AI or 280 AI.  So, I guess I don't really have a home for it yet. 
.................If you`re going to mount it on the 223 and use it for longer range varmit hunting the 6500 is a good choice.
 
Aside from varmit use or long range target scoring, I`m just not a big fan of the 6500. 16x on the high end for your 300 WSM, `06 or 280 under any hunting conditions or hunting distances, is too much imo.
 
Like on another thread on which some vigorous debate occured regarding magnification, I don`t want to start a pissing contest here, so I will carefully craft my verbage here and try to avoid one.
 
A few well written authors who`s pieces I`ve read over the years, along with a percentage of experienced hunters will tell you, that as you increase magnification, you will also increase the scope wobble, which we all have and is out of our control. When the scope wobble is increased, it causes more delay in getting off your shot. 
 
These particular experienced hunters and writers, including myself, have taken deer sized game and larger at the longer distances of 400-500 yards and a little more, with the power setting at no higher than 6x, with some even using less power. Of course, it also depends on the condition of one`s eye-sight as to the best level of scope power.
 
While many have the higher variables that go up to 12x, 14x and 16x, I`ll bet that for their kill shots (except smaller varmits), the power settings are set well below the max magnification.
 
While the 6500 has very good glass and a very wide magnification range from the low to the high, other than for varmit use/target scoring, it is a less practical scope to use on a hunting rifle for deer and larger game. It is also larger and a few ounces heavier than the 2.5x8`s and 3x9`s.
 
If going on your 300, `06 or 280 and you`re willing to spend the bucks for a 6500, I instead would opt to cut the magnification down and go with a real nice 2.5x8 or a 3x9 in comparable or better glass.   
 
 
 
 
 


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300 WSM/375 Ruger....."All science, is truly the study of God`s wonderful work!"..."Bad news for liberals, is good news for America!".."What liberals hate, I love!".."What liberals like, I despise!"


Posted By: peashooter
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 12:17
   Sounds good BigS.  I know what you mean by too much magnification.   However,  I handload for all of my rifles and a good high power scope adds to my ability to find that perfect load.  This is one reason I am interested in the 6500.  Low magnification for everyday use and hunting and high mag for load development.


Posted By: Big Squeeze
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 12:41
Originally posted by peashooter peashooter wrote:

   Sounds good BigS.  I know what you mean by too much magnification.   However,  I handload for all of my rifles and a good high power scope adds to my ability to find that perfect load.  This is one reason I am interested in the 6500.  Low magnification for everyday use and hunting and high mag for load development.
............Good point!.......Interestingly though, there was an online article at one of the major magazine websites. The author compared his group sizes using the same loads with the same rifle, with a 1.5x scope and a 35x scope @ 100 yards. Very little group size difference.
 
On the other hand, for load developing at 100 yards and beyond, I wouldn`t even use a low 1.5x.


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300 WSM/375 Ruger....."All science, is truly the study of God`s wonderful work!"..."Bad news for liberals, is good news for America!".."What liberals hate, I love!".."What liberals like, I despise!"


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 13:14
The beauty of the 2.5-16x magnification range is that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE 16x.  If the scope fits you size-wise, go for it.  Use 10x to 16x for target shooting and 2.5x to 10x for hunting.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: dougedwards
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 13:31
I have the Bushnell 6500 in 4.5-30x50 configuration and I use the 23-30x powers only for spotting holes in targets beyond 300 yards.  Other than that the exit pupil is much too small to be extremely useful for any kind of hunting that I do.  I won't mention that the higher powers could be used to scrutinize the heads of whitetails at a distance to see which one you might like to take.  That is what binoculars are for.Big Smile

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but you brethren are not of the flesh but of the spirit if indeed the spirit of Christ dwells within you...Romans 8


Posted By: Jon A
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 17:31
Originally posted by Big Squeeze Big Squeeze wrote:

While many have the higher variables that go up to 12x, 14x and 16x, I`ll bet that for their kill shots (except smaller varmits), the power settings are set well below the max magnification.

Thank you.  That's all the clarification I was asking for.



Posted By: Jon A
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 17:37
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

The beauty of the 2.5-16x magnification range is that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE 16x.

Exactly.  If there's some other reason one doesn't like the scope and decides that magnification is not wanted badly enough to compromise on the other aspect (whatever it may be) that's a good reason to choose differently.  Being able to crank it up if desired; the scope having extra capability over a 2.5-10X, etc, is not in my opinion.

Then again, I made my "kill shot" this season on 15X...so what do I know.        Bandito


Posted By: jonoMT
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 18:12
It's true you don't have to use all the magnification but I'd go with the lowest top-end magnification you really think you'll need. Consider for example a 2.5-10X Diavari vs. a 3-12X. (I picked these because Zeiss should be able to keep the size and weight down if anyone can). Just going the next size up means 2.3 additional ounces, 1.24" additional length and a 56mm objective so your scope has to sit higher.


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 18:41
Originally posted by Jon A Jon A wrote:

Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

The beauty of the 2.5-16x magnification range is that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE 16x.

Exactly.  If there's some other reason one doesn't like the scope and decides that magnification is not wanted badly enough to compromise on the other aspect (whatever it may be) that's a good reason to choose differently.  Being able to crank it up if desired; the scope having extra capability over a 2.5-10X, etc, is not in my opinion.

Then again, I made my "kill shot" this season on 15X...so what do I know.        Bandito


Big Grin


Thunbs Up





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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: rifle looney
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 19:47
This is like watching the show( the best of the west). kinda and kinda not.

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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 20:01
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

It's true you don't have to use all the magnification but I'd go with the lowest top-end magnification you really think you'll need. Consider for example a 2.5-10X Diavari vs. a 3-12X. (I picked these because Zeiss should be able to keep the size and weight down if anyone can). Just going the next size up means 2.3 additional ounces, 1.24" additional length and a 56mm objective so your scope has to sit higher.


That is a completely orthogonal consideration.

You are picking a scope based on size, weight and mounting height, not based on magnification range.

If you get two scopes of very similar size and weight, where one is 2.5-10x and the other is 2.5-16x, which one would you pick?

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Narrow Gap
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 20:06
If it was me I would pick the scope that has the best coatings on the lenses and the best light transmission.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 20:08
For example, Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 is the same length as Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 and is one ounce heavier.  It is actually smaller and lighter than 2.5-10x50 and 4-16x40 versions of Elite 4200.

Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 is about the same size as Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 and 4-16x42 and is a little bigger than 2.5-10x42.

If you look at different scope offerings you will see that the 30mm Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 is comparable in size to most of the 1"  tubed scopes out other with top end magnification greater than 10x.  Most of the 30mm tube scopes out there are heavier than the Elite 6500 and comparable in length.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/28/2008 at 20:13
Originally posted by Narrow Gap Narrow Gap wrote:

If it was me I would pick the scope that has the best coatings on the lenses and the best light transmission.


Light transmission by itself is pretty unimportant.  You definitely want to have good coatings.

One of the things that top notch coatings allow you to do is to have more sophisticated optical systems that deliver better performance without undue internal reflections.

For example, with Sightron scopes, I think S2 Big Sky has extra three or four optical elements inside compared to regular S2.  However, top notch coating throughout make sure that this extra complexity does not result in any real penalties.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: jonoMT
Date Posted: December/29/2008 at 12:31
Koshkin, I see your point and those are good examples of scopes. I'd definitely go with the 6500 2.5-16x42 over the 4200 since the one extra ounce wouldn't matter much and the glass is probably better. However, my point was that, in general, more magnification usually comes with more weight and length and a lot of the scopes that get up into the 16X+ range seem to come with bigger objectives. So it doesn't seem orthogonal to me to reconsider one's choices given other attributes. There are hunters I know who just think bigger is better without regard to usability in the field.

My recent purchase of a Nightforce 2.5-10X32 was made because I want a scope that will be durable, have reliable tracking, decent optics and relative compactness. The main tradeoffs were: weight, potentially less low-light performance, and price.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/29/2008 at 13:04
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

Koshkin, I see your point and those are good examples of scopes. I'd definitely go with the 6500 2.5-16x42 over the 4200 since the one extra ounce wouldn't matter much and the glass is probably better. However, my point was that, in general, more magnification usually comes with more weight and length and a lot of the scopes that get up into the 16X+ range seem to come with bigger objectives. So it doesn't seem orthogonal to me to reconsider one's choices given other attributes. There are hunters I know who just think bigger is better without regard to usability in the field.

My recent purchase of a Nightforce 2.5-10X32 was made because I want a scope that will be durable, have reliable tracking, decent optics and relative compactness. The main tradeoffs were: weight, potentially less low-light performance, and price.


In terms of image quality Elite 6500 and Elite 4200 are pretty similar.  Aside from magnification range Elite 6500 has a few advantages: longer and more flexible eyerelief and easily resettable knobs.

The point I was trying to make, is that when choosing scopes we should look at the specifics of each scope.  If you generalize that 30mm scopes are always much bigger and heavier than 1" scope, then you will not notice that some scopes are clearly not subject to this generalization.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: jonoMT
Date Posted: December/29/2008 at 14:51
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

If you generalize that 30mm scopes are always much bigger and heavier than 1" scope, then you will not notice that some scopes are clearly not subject to this generalization.



Too true! I spent a lot of time wading through details to find a scope I liked...and probably overlooked some possibilities. In fact, I almost completely missed that IOR had the 2.5-10x42 Tactical, which came really close to meeting my criteria. I realize it would be a daunting task to keep updated but it would nice to have a searchable database for objective, length, weight, reticle selection and target knobs (maybe FOV and eye relief too). I'd leave it up to the viewer to ferret out the more subjective criteria like how good the glass is or a scope's durability).



Posted By: Jon A
Date Posted: December/29/2008 at 15:02
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

My recent purchase of a Nightforce 2.5-10X32 was made because I want a scope that will be durable, have reliable tracking, decent optics and relative compactness. The main tradeoffs were: weight, potentially less low-light performance, and price.

Let us know how you like that Nightforce, it looks like a very nice little scope.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: December/29/2008 at 15:03
Originally posted by Jon A Jon A wrote:

Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

My recent purchase of a Nightforce 2.5-10X32 was made because I want a scope that will be durable, have reliable tracking, decent optics and relative compactness. The main tradeoffs were: weight, potentially less low-light performance, and price.

Let us know how you like that Nightforce, it looks like a very nice little scope.

nice little spendy scope at that, nothing like the premier you have though jon that thing is nutts! looks like a telescope on top of your aboltII!


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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"



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