Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9 scope any good?

[MichelD]

I was helping my buddy sort through his storage lockers yesterday and he gave me two scopes. One is a vintage Redfield 3-9 and the other a newish Bushnell Elite 3200 also a 3-9 variable.

The Bushnell is just SO much brighter that the Redfield it is remarkable. To think that Redfield was considered top of the line in its day too is interesting.

I was wanting to know what your experience with a Bushnell Elite 3200 rifle scope is.

Are they reliable? Durable?

Can they take a little bit of normal knocking about? I don't mean abuse, but being put in and out of a vehicle, surviving a fall in the bush, normal hunting activity kind of thing.

I have Leupold fixed 4-power scopes on my main rifles now but I'm thinking that the 270 would definitely benefit from a 3-9 on it.

[416]

I was helping my buddy sort through his storage lockers yesterday and he gave me two scopes. One is a vintage Redfield 3-9 and the other a newish Bushnell Elite 3200 also a 3-9 variable.

The Bushnell is just SO much brighter that the Redfield it is remarkable. To think that Redfield was considered top of the line in its day too is interesting.

I was wanting to know what your experience with a Bushnell Elite 3200 rifle scope is.

Are they reliable? Durable?

Can they take a little bit of normal knocking about? I don't mean abuse, but being put in and out of a vehicle, surviving a fall in the bush, normal hunting activity kind of thing.

I have Leupold fixed 4-power scopes on my main rifle snow but I'm thinking that the 270 would definitely benefit from a 3-9 on it.

What makes you question whether it could take the normal wear and tear of being used for what they are designed to do? Wouldn't hesitate to put on a .270. I have a few of them as well as the 4200's and have had no problems any of them. Also have a vintage Redfield as well that l know is over 40 years old.....may not be quite as bright as modern offerings, but still functioning and still holds its zero........nice score for helping your buddy! :)

[Kermodie]

It'll be fine. Just check that the adjustments work properly when you install it.

[RiverOtter]

JUNK.....

As far as "rugged", unless you happen to fall into a pile of feathers or knock it on foam mattress, you'll be scope shopping real soon......

[Foxton Gundogs]

Best bang for your buck IMO, clear and bright and tuffer than chit. I have 3 2 3-9x40s and a 3-9x50 and love them all, in fact I am looking for another 4-16x50. I have other models as well including an old 3-9 Scope Chief that has been on everything from a 22 rf to a 338WM. I have only had 1 Bushnell scope let me down and they replaced it no questions asked. To tell you how good their warrantee is I had an old bore sighter I bought in the mid 70's. It finally packed it in a year ago and Bushnell sent me a brand new upgraded current model no questions asked. I am a big fan.

[decker9]

I put one on my t3 300wm when I bought it back in '07, its been threw hell and back, has many hard mountain trips on it, and alot of scars from them, it's never lost its zero or given me grief.
On another note tho, I bought a set of elite binos the same season, and they finally fell apart last fall.

[MichelD]

"What makes you question whether it could take the normal wear and tear of being used for what they are designed to do?"

I am a curious and inquisitive kind of guy, that's why. And besides, a lot of things don't live up to their advertised capabilities.

[Legi0n]

The 3200 are good scopes.
I had my 30-06 dropped on concrete at the range (with a 3200 on) a couple of years ago.
The scope got a permanent mark on one of the adjustment caps and needed re-zero (I suspect the 2 piece bases moved a bit).
Other than that, no issues ever since.

[moosinaround]

I have a 3-9x40 3200 on my 300 win mag. It's been a pretty good scope. If I was buying a new scope though, I like the vortex line up. Good score on the scopes!!! Moosin

[pescado]

Price was right, use it. Have used the 4200 with no problems and liked it. I would be more surprised if it didn't work for you than if it did.

[Fred1]

It will work for a while... I had one on my 338. It made it 6 guide seasons!! It will eventually fail and/or you will decide to jump into the $$ scopes for better low light quality/clarity. As for now I would mount that Bushnell and "use it up".

[Foxton Gundogs]

It will work for a while... I had one on my 338. It made it 6 guide seasons!! It will eventually fail and/or you will decide to jump into the $$ scopes for better low light quality/clarity. As for now I would mount that Bushnell and "use it up".
If this happens just ship her back in about 6 weeks there will be a new one on your door step NQA.

[Blainer]

I have Leupold's on all my firearms, but for the price, they are Great value.

[open-sights]

The best beer in the world,,,,,, free beer! Middle of the road optics will do 85% of what top of the line optics will do at least 75% of the time.

[longstonec]

I have acouple bushnell elite scopes 4200 and 3200. they are afew years old now so cant vouch for "new?" er ones.... but they shoot straight!
as long as you dont fall down too much that is.

[browning308mag]

I have used one on 2 magnums {308 norma & 300 wsm} not had any problems, shot over 200 rounds with this scope.

[wlbc]

A hunting partner has had one on his 7MMRM for years. Seems to holdup fine. I view these as a reasonable entry level scope.

[Bistchen]

I have two as I stocked up when they were on sale at nearly 50% off retail.

The two I have I believe are 3.5-10x 40 in Elite 3200

They are mounted on a Remington BDL 300 win mag and a Weatherby Vanguard in .308

No complaints yet. Took the .308 on a 3 day alpine hunt trip in all sorts of various weather, and stood up well.

Its a simple no B.S. riflescope thats decent quality for a good price in my opinion.

Chuck Hawks does a good write up here........
http://www.chuckhawks.com/bushnell_elite3200.htm

[jtred]

I've had the Bushnell 3200 Elite 3x9-40 on my 270 for 8 years with absolutely no issues. I don't have a quad and it's never been on a horse but it has been on a number of backpack trips and it has always stayed zeroed. I've had a number of Bushnell products over the years and I've never had any problems.

[Browning 3\d]

You would not go wrong. I have 3 bushnell`s on my rifles all elites love them all.

[Phoneguy]

I like mine on my Husky 30-06.

[RugDoctor]

Came across this ole thread and would like to revive it. I just sent my 3200 for warranty. I was hoping they'd just send a new one...4200 since I don't think they make a 3200 anymore. Apparently they have repaired the old one and are shipping it back. So the issue with it was that it was erratic....sometimes shooting well, and other times WAY off (not just me either, I had others shoot it to confirm).

I'm wondering if it just won't hold up to the recoil? It's on a T3 Lite 300 wsm...so it's a pretty punchy gun. I do have a .308 that's looking for a scope....maybe I should buy something else for the 300? I don't really want to take any chances in the field with a scope that may, or may not be accurate....but I also don't really want to go buy another optic if I don't need one.

I see on this thread that others are putting them on 300 wm, and 338s.....any thoughts as to the recoil on a lite 300 short mag?

[Barracuda]

they hold up plenty well to recoil ,I think more scopes are wrecked by guys cranking the adjustments all the time .

[RugDoctor]

Alright....when it get's back, I'll line 'er up and give it another shot. Haha...shot....get it?

Thanks for the reply...I will give it another try before spending more jingle.

[MichelD]

Update: Mine screwed up on a hunt in 2014. Sent it in earlier this year and they repaired it.

[RugDoctor]

MitchelD...did you end up putting it on the 270? And has it held up good since you got it back?

[ruger#1]

Update: Mine screwed up on a hunt in 2014. Sent it in earlier this year and they repaired it.
What was it doing? I have one on my 6.5X55.

[pit bull]

i have had a 3200 on my 300 wby for years and it has performed flawlessly for years.

[Pioneerman]

I had a redfield on my 416 rem mag years ago and the cross hairs broke , then I put ion a 3200 and it was great, never an issue. I still use a 6500 and it also is great, no problems

[MichelD]

No, that was on a 280. And put back on the 280. I seem to be plagued with this kind of stuff. This year it is a Leupold scope that's acting up.



MitchelD...did you end up putting it on the 270? And has it held up good since you got it back?

[MichelD]

What was it doing? I have one on my 6.5X55.


Wandering zero.

It would shoot what looked like a good group in one portion of a target, then with only the slightest movement on my part, the next group would be in another corner of the target.

[ruger#1]

I haven't had that happen yet. And hope it doesn't happen. I have a B&L 3000. On my 7 mil mag. So far no problems. I hope they have fixed it for you.

[Barracuda]

the B&L scopes were great bit heavy but durable . I have one on my 375 and it never misses a beat .

[Iron Glove]

Have had a Bushnell 3200 on my 30-06 for maybe 7 years, never a problem.
I'm old, fall a lot too. :)
Every Spring, off to the range for sighting in, have never had to adjust it.
I'm happy.

[ruger#1]

Have had a Bushnell 3200 on my 30-06 for maybe 7 years, never a problem.
I'm old, fall a lot too. :)
Every Spring, off to the range for sighting in, have never had to adjust it.
I'm happy. Ha Ha John. Can you shoot freehand from your walker? And is it legal to do so?:lol:

[skidderman]

This fall my buddy and I were side by side 10 minutes after legal shooting light. He had a bushnel like yours and I had a leupold VXIII. He could not see the horns, I could. I shot & got my elk, he did not and he did not get his elk. Nuff said.

[wideopenthrottle]

I haven't had that happen yet. And hope it doesn't happen. I have a B&L 3000. On my 7 mil mag. So far no problems. I hope they have fixed it for you.

my B&L fogged up and so I sent it to bushnell repair for seals and a gas recharge...B&L was bought by bushnell and they honoured the lifetime warranty...for 15$ postage I got a new 3200 scope as they "did not have repair parts" for the B&L.. http://bushnell.com/global/customer-service/canadian-repair-services

[Iron Glove]

Ha Ha John. Can you shoot freehand from your walker? And is it legal to do so?:lol:

I have a Kolpin gun holder on the walker along with a spare oxygen bottle and a place to tie the leash for my assist dog.
To shoot, I simply let go of the walker and I fall, generally into the prone position, aim and shoot.
Sure is a bugger getting back up tho'.
Might get an able walker, you know, the motorized one for next year, have to check if the ATV rules apply. I probably should be wearing a helmet anyways, even for walking.
But, through it all, the Bushnell takes a licking and keeps on ticking. :mrgreen:

[SSG-man]

Sometimes clear and bright is not the best lense when you are at snow level and the sun is coming up in your line of sight

[Sunzuki]

There is a 3200, 4200 and a B&L 3000 here.
The 3200 has been sent it and the 3000 needs to go in again.
I've been replacing my Bushnell's with Leupold as the deals
wander by.
I'm about done with buying Bushnell products.
Nothing seems forever with this brand of optics.

[widger]

Put a 3200 on my T3 300wm eight years ago and have beaten it up over the years without the scope missing a best. Would not hesitate to put another one on the gun again. Good scope.