Bushnell Elite 4500 - any good?

[Cape_Yorkee]

Hi all

Looking to put a Bushnell 4500 Elite 2.5-10x40 on my Brno 308. I've got 30mm rings and from my research online this scope seems like a quite a decent scope for the price and has good specs. I don't think I need lots of magnification hence why I like it from 2.5 power... be hard to see me using it past 5 or 6.

Has anyone got any feedback on this scope? I have used a lot of Bushnell stuff in the past e.g. binos, trail cameras etc but never a scope. They seem a little better than the bottom of the rung brands but certainly no Zeiss or Swarovski.

Otherwise any other good scopes around the same price ($400 - 500) or same specs that suit 30mm rings?

Cheera

[Fester]

My mountain deer rifle needed a lightweight scope and I compared a $800 Leupold and a $400 Bushy 3500 series.
It was a bright sunny day but to my eyes the Bushy was the winner.
It never moves off zero with its simple design with no parallax adjustment dial it can just be relied on trip after trip.

They were Jap built back then and I have a handful of cheap Bushies and a Tac Elite 6-24 on my long-range rig.
Other mid-priced scopes never seem to be quite as good as my Bushies in one way or another.

Keen to hear how the later Chinese ones go.

My bet is they changed when those $200 AR models came out as it is my least fav, still clear but the eye relief is a bit too critical as well as a bit longer. They are AR and tacticool I guess but I prefer "practical".

[Oldbloke]

You do realise the 30mm tube scopes are heavier than 1" ?

[Cape_Yorkee]

Thanks Fester

OldBloke - PM'd you back

[bluehorse]

i bought 2 bushnell elites ithink4 to16x 50. . wellI eventually sent1st one back to check holding zero got a new one sent back and told not holding zero and tried replacement but not happy . i bought new zero tech to compare and it was really good showed my heavy barrell was 223 quite accurate{ Not bull barrel} at 100measured metres . elite went back for refund and vendor was quite happy to do so because second one was checked and found not holding zero. after 30rounds that zerotech suddenly refused to group for me and that vendor argued about it . i keep targets and photos of targets as a reference with notes too and i find that does pay dividends .,.Hope I answered your question.

[bluehorse]

Hello I am probably straying from the point of the subject BUT Boresighters should be more accurate if the arbors were a better fit in the barrel .Its very hit and miss if u want to go straight to100metres . The early model bushnell from 60's from memory didnt require testing after boresighting at 25 to 40metres . From memory we would to 80 to100 metres and be able to adjust . ITS all in the clearence of the arbor so the more expensive ones with adjustable probably would give better results than its cheaper cousins .
I put up a post describing how to reduce the clearence if u can get the gist of my directions .I get thoroughly when I boresight with modern versions of a boresighter . To put it bluntly its very hit and miss..Sometimes I have gone straight to100metres and found paper and get with in 2 inches or less especially with 243 . Its all about arbour clearences inthe bore whether one is lucky enough to have it very centrall.
A quick way to TRYreducig the clearences of the offending arbors is to use brass shim wrapped around the arbour Ihave tried 002 though and done ahalf wrap but it wasnot sufficient to eliminate the clearence much better . maybe a wrap around will slip inthe spout with an arbor . Some of the arbors are ten thou shy of a neat fit soif you are unlucky youmight miss the paper at 30meters as Ihave done . Terrible pain in the arse and costly too to have toblaze away to discover where the scope is then have the basis to adjust the sights then . The whole basis of using a boresighter is to eliminate the ****** time especially if the shooter has totraveltohissporting shooters venue to test and set his scope . Icant imagine how frustrating this would be .
If u buy an assortment of Champion brand brass shim from memory u get 002,003 005 and 1 sheet of 010. . . To wrap the arbour start witha small size wrapped about half way then play with results . U can cut brass shim with scissors . [ dont use your other halfs best dressmaking scissors 0r you migh be sleeping alone for quite some time ] . A cheap set of scissors will cut brass shim . . IF you can reduce the flop of the arbor then possibly you will improve the actual initial setting of the scope . . Any improvement is a step forward especialy if youhave a few rifkes to do and limited time to do it in .. The frustration sets in and the whole process becomes a nightmare. You can try various thickness and even a half wrap can lessen clearence looking down the scope u will notice changing positions of the crosshair on the grid , and maybe u have anassistant to wobble the boresighter while you look thru it . The aim of the exercise is to reduce that wobble thereby giving a better initial setting

[Wapiti]

Hey Bluehorse, do you use this boresighter to just initially "boresight" the scope to help zero it, or use it to check your scope's zero between hunts/shoots?
I didn't think they were that precise.

Coming from a bloke who just boresights every scope installation...

[bluehorse]

I posted yesterday about my experience of Bushnell elite scope x 2 .
I am not saying dont buy these at all .
My 223 with heavier barrel shot well . It was tighter group than this scope was capable of . While I used humane shooting targets as required by the department for aspiring Roo shooters .
I used this target at 100metres and kept the records . I could never produce a tight group yet 99% of allshots would have been kill shots and were within this target of about 73 mm .
Long ago I shot much further than 100metres . with6x Pecar Berlin Champion. If I could get Dupont powder I had impressive results percentage wise .So I am not satisfied with a scope that cannot complement my rifle .That is produce tight groups if the if the rifle is capable . Ihave other scopes that canproduce better results for me . I am getting too old and spoilt by 12 x scopes towant to use a 6x pecar berlin Champions cope.Although Ihave it earmaked to go on a 270 .
For somebody who is not as discerning as me { bloody Fussy } the elite scope did the job But if uwant tocut clover leaves from a good rifle such as my 22 250 dont waste your time . A group of 1 and a quarter inch at 100metres will not perform well at 300 or more .
I was known to knock dogs out to 350m plus with model70 with pecar on it . I demand at least that capabilty . .This is why I rejected quite a few scopes all stacked in a cupboard . I have a 6x Pecar Champion and if u can pick one up and mount it so mounts dont move then you have a good outfit .
PS i had to silver solder with staybrite solder . 4%siver but if u want to do that practise on waste steel. Much easier said than done . I have a copper scope on parker hale 243 and its reliable witha very good line .
I waffled on to demonstrate the difference in scopes I have used . . and for what its worth 243 is an excellent calibre but u need to match projectiles to the quarry .Not really a fox rifle LOL . Also you need a very tight shooting outfit if uwant fox out to150meters if u want to sel quality skins without holes . It takes practise but under the nose leaves no holes .with an accurate outfit .Idont thinkelite scope could produce results at 150 meters Unless you much luckier than me in getting a well made scope .

[Cape_Yorkee]

Ended up going with a 1-8×24 Sabre X8 of all things. Played with a few 30mm tube scopes (Nikko, ZeroTech, Bushnell) and the Sabre was very impressive. The Zerotech wasn't far behind - it had excellent functionality but the Sabre had incredible field of view and great glass. I'll be keen to try this at the range real soon.

[bigrich]

Ended up going with a 1-8×24 Sabre X8 of all things. Played with a few 30mm tube scopes (Nikko, ZeroTech, Bushnell) and the Sabre was very impressive. The Zerotech wasn't far behind - it had excellent functionality but the Sabre had incredible field of view and great glass. I'll be keen to try this at the range real soon.

glad to hear you got something you like. post a review on it if you can . i had a bushnell elite like the one you originally posted about , wish i'd kept it . i'd checked out zero tech at my local gun shop and they seem like a lot of scope for the money . these days i keep my eyes open for older second hand vx2 and vx3 leupolds and send them off for the free service and re-gas through my local gun shop . the lifetime guarantee on leupolds is exceptional service from a manufacturer

[Fester]

Interesting theory from blue horse about scopes affecting group shooting as I thought they just worked or they didn't.

My LR vision must be pretty good and the shooting eyes don't really need top Euro glass, binos I can understand but not just looking through a scope for seconds and letting the shot off.
If a cheap scope holds zero and is clear enough, it can shoot a single ragged at 100 with an inherently accurate cal like a .223 or 6.5 using tuned reloads.

My first cheap Tasco was crap and needed re-sighting every range visit and just on a .22lr.
Then it would shoot fine for the session.
Upgraded to a Bushy Trophy and that scope still goes well on 22s, 4-12x40 and about $200.
A mate bought 2 of these Tascos that seemed OK, one on a package so he bought another.
One was fine on the .223 but the one he bought for the 22 was useless.
I spent about 3 days and every time I sighted it, it was off, just wouldn't hold zero.

My eyes like Bushy scopes and I have a handful.
From $200 to $1,200 and the only one I don't love is the Chinese AR model, still clear but a longer and fussy eye relief.

My big one for the LR rig is an Tac Elite 6-24 30mm tube and it has never faulted and tracks fine.
I can shoot 1MOA plates at 500m with wind on any day, not every shot is a hit and the barrel is past it's best.

I have tried some other brand mid-range scopes and some are OK but never seem to get it all right like the Bushies, I could be just lucky to not get a bad one the won't hold zero.

I do like the Zerotechs but like a Nightforce, too heavy for a mountain hunting rifle.
That's where the Leos and Bushies come in.

I am running a $600 Vixen on my CZ 22 now and it goes well but a bit odd as the reticle seems to change and look so fine that I can't see the holdover marks but it comes good if I re-adjust the eye focus.
Seems like it changes with zoom like a FFP scope.
Also seemed hard to get the parallax adjustment right so I emailed the main distributor and seller in WA.
No reply so I will not deal with that brand or mob again.
It's a Jap built scope, but they didn't get it quite right although it works and I have shot a few 1/4" groups to prove it.

For me the moto is never buy a scope in any price range without having a good look through it.
Outside the shop as you won't see much in a room.

[safeshot]

I have not had a Bushnell scope but I have not heard of any ill about them either. I recall Nick Harvey praising a Bushnell scope on one occasion.
I suggest a coupe of rules of 'thumb'.
A highly experienced shooter once told me these.
"You get what you pay for." (Not always 100% but it is close.
and,
"You spend on top what you spent underneath".. So spend on a scope to the quality of what you put it on.So you dont put an "el Cheapo" scope on a rifle that cost much denero.
In addition to that, "Putting a scope on a rifle is like breeding horses, you put the best on top." ..believing a good scope will get the best out of a rifle.
I hope this is not confusing.
best wishes and a safe and happy Christmas time to all.
PS. We all talk about scope but not much mention is made of the all important ...mounts.