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A "tough" hunting scope

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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=20323
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 06:36
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: A "tough" hunting scope
Posted By: glock24
Subject: A "tough" hunting scope
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 12:14
Today my boss showed me pictures of the huge Wyoming whitetail he harvested last week.  He also mentioned it took him six shots with his 300 Winchester Magnum!  When I asked why, he handed me the 3-9x Bushnell Legend which was sitting on top his Howa 1500 during his hunt.  The scope and rifle are three years old and have seen about 100 rounds.
 
When I took the scope from him, I could immediately feel something rattling around inside the tube.  Upon taking a peak through the ocular bell, I saw a reticle that was canted about 45 degrees, and a large glass chip obstructing part of the view.  My boss thinks the scope started to let go on the bumpy road trip in the back of his pick-up, and ultimately failed completely while he attempted to shoot his trophy buck.
 
He asked me what I thought he should do about this problem.  He would like to invest in a scope that can handle bumpy rides across State lines once a year.  Whacko  Unfortunately his budget is limited.  He'd like something under five bills.
 
I mentioned the Burris Fullfield line as I read that all Burris scopes use at least two support springs to position and hold the erector tube.  I'm assuming the Bushnell only uses a single spring.
 
Other than Burris, I can't say that I know of any other brands that are advertised as being any "tougher" than another brand.
 
Anyone have other ideas for him?

Thanks



Replies:
Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 12:16
Bushnell 4200 and Leupolds are also known to be tough.

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 13:06

  First off he needs to send that Legend back to Bushnell.

  Bushnell 4200's,Leupold's,Zeiss have withstood the test of time as have Burris scopes.  I wouldn't be afraid to try any of these:

   http://swfa.com/Burris-3-10x40-Signature-Select-Rifle-Scope-P2829.aspx - http://swfa.com/Burris-3-10x40-Signature-Select-Rifle-Scope-P2829.aspx
   http://swfa.com/Bushnell-25-10x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P245.aspx - http://swfa.com/Bushnell-25-10x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P245.aspx
   http://swfa.com/Leupold-35-10x40-VX-3-Riflescope-P12649.aspx - http://swfa.com/Leupold-35-10x40-VX-3-Riflescope-P12649.aspx
   http://swfa.com/Zeiss-25-8x32-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-P6598.aspx - http://swfa.com/Zeiss-25-8x32-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-P6598.aspx
 
  Of course he could spend a bit less and do ok:
  
   http://swfa.com/Leupold-25-8x36-VX-3-Riflescope-P12643.aspx - http://swfa.com/Leupold-25-8x36-VX-3-Riflescope-P12643.aspx
   http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P12497.aspx - http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P12497.aspx
   http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx - http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx
 
  That's a start and I'm sure others will suggest more.


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"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: 300grains
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 14:51
A Zeiss will take recoil. I have both conquest and victory on my Sako 85 SS. in .375 HH.


Posted By: Randall45
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 15:32

Any of these scopes are very rugged ,Weaver Classic Extreme,Bushnell Elite series, Zeiss Conquest.The Bushnell Legend I own has taken the abuse of hundreds of shots from my 300 WSM without a problem.Send it back for repair.



Posted By: trigger29
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 16:10
Originally posted by 300grains 300grains wrote:

A Zeiss will take recoil. I have both conquest and victory on my Sako 85 SS. in .375 HH.
The conquest to break my Conquest STILL continues. Rocky firetrails in a vehicle in the Black Hills, and a 6lb. .300 wby couldn't do it, but I'm still trying...............maybe I should run it over with my truck.Bucky

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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 16:33
I have also had 12 years of success with a Leopold atop a Browning Abolt SS 7mmRem mag.  It bounces in my truck from Aug 15 - Jan 1 every year for deer season, often only in a soft case.  Adjusted vertical twice--less than 1 inch at 100 yds and 1.5 inches horizontal--in these 12 years.  Is there better glass?  Without question. Has it withstood all the shocks sent to it?  Yes.


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 16:34
and for what it's worth, I replaced the Bushnell banner that was on the Abolt because it spun a reticle--bushnell fixed free of charge but I sold the scope.


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 17:05
Originally posted by trigger29 trigger29 wrote:

Originally posted by 300grains 300grains wrote:

A Zeiss will take recoil. I have both conquest and victory on my Sako 85 SS. in .375 HH.


The conquest to break my Conquest STILL continues. Rocky firetrails in a vehicle in the Black Hills, and a 6lb. .300 wby couldn't do it, but I'm still trying...............maybe I should run it over with my truck.Bucky


That's funny right there.


Posted By: glock24
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 18:29
Thanks guys!  He now has plenty of information to think about.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 20:19
ive got a 4200 elite on my .375H&H and its survived 100 rounds so far.

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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"


Posted By: RONK
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 20:28
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

ive got a 4200 elite on my .375H&H and its survived 100 rounds so far.
 
I have seen a Bushnell 4200 Elite survive an UNBELIEVABLE beating and continue to work fine. Good glass quality too.
 
My old Leupold Vari-XIII has been well-traveled and beaten like a red-headed step child and still works just fine too.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 20:29
my old varixII thats on my .300win mag is the same way.

-------------
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"


Posted By: John Barsness
Date Posted: November/12/2009 at 20:33
Hard to beat a good fixed-power from any quality company.


Posted By: brodeur272
Date Posted: November/13/2009 at 10:30
Just go with a Swarovski.  PH models can be had at reasonable prices now that the Z3 and Z5 have been introduced...


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: November/13/2009 at 18:07
Start by buying a hard case  like a pelican case as a soft case just wont protect from the same abuse.   You simply cant throw a rifle scope in the bed of a truck bounce it all over the place 4wheeling and expect it to be right - you wouldnt put the glasses from the kitchen cabinet in the back of the truck drive them down bumpy roads and expect to have anything left that would hold water. 
Leupold FX3   6x42 with long range duplex.

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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: martin3175
Date Posted: November/13/2009 at 19:26
Keeping the rifle in a well padded case is a good point


Posted By: 1911man
Date Posted: November/13/2009 at 19:44
You just can't go wrong with a Bushnell 4200 or Leupold VX3 series scope for ruggedness!!!!

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Bill Wilson
www.wilsoncombat.com


Posted By: glock24
Date Posted: November/14/2009 at 08:08
The rifle and scope always reside in a Plano Air-glide hard case wherever they travel.





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