Author Topic: Bushnell Banner on a handi? (Read 1400 times)

carbineman · « **on:** February 19, 2007, 05:52:22 AM »

I was thinking of using a Bushnell Banner in 6-18x50mm on my soon to arrive HR Ultra Varmint BB in .223 What are your thoughts? What rings and what height rings would you recommend?

cattleskinner · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:37:31 AM »

Alot of people like that scope, I used a 6-24 banner for about 2-3years and have nothing bad to say about it. I like the weaver quad lock high rings you get from walmart for under 10bucks....works for me!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:39:34 AM »

I don't have one, but others have em and like em a lot, hopefully Digger and Lik2hunt will offer advice on ring height, which will depend mostly on the power ring/ocular bell position above the hammer, I have several 50mm scopes mounted on Handis, medium rings will usually work, but that depends. You can always take a little of the tip of the hammer with a dremel to make just a little room if ya need it, just be aware that it may discourage any free warranty work.

Tim

AZ223 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:41:13 AM »

Whatever rings you choose, they only have to be high enough to avoid hitting the rear eyepiece. My Ultra and .17HMR both use Weaver, and the height is just right. Good luck!

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:51:57 AM »

I have a couple of 4-12's on 22 hornets & 223's with no problems

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:15:19 AM »

This pic of a 6.5-20x50mm Simmons WTC18 mounted in medium Burris Signature rings on a Handi will give you and idea why position and size of the ocular bell/power ring is critical to scope mounting and hammer clearance, mounted a little more forward or to the rear, and high rings would be needed without modifiying the hammer.

Tim

carbineman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:02:06 AM »

I see what you mean quick. Looks like this could be a guessing game. I'll know more once this all arrives to Poverty Paradise here in the frozen tundra.

just bill · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:55:10 AM »

I have had several of the banners. There o.k; I trust them in that price range. The 6-18x50 is prefered over the 6x24-40 brighter,better contrast,etc.

On my handi hornet with a banner 4-12x40 to keep it low I had to grind off a little of my hammer top and re-blue it. I don't like my scopes up high. Quick job on a bench grinder. As noted above it really depends on the scope design if grinding is needed when keeping it low or not. My guess on a Banner it will be needed.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2007, 10:21:12 AM »

My 223 Ultra wear's the 6X18X50 along with some other rifles,andI use the high rings for hammer clearance.This is one scope you're going to love,especially in very low light situations. I have 2 of them on varmit rifle barrels and use them on very late evening hunts. I've also used them on 45 70's and other hard kicker's working up loads,and they come through it with flying colors. Digger

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2007, 10:52:19 AM »

If you have the hammer out of the gun for a trigger job, the bench grinder works great to reshape it, but a dremmel cut-off tool works great while it's in the gun, just lay a newspaper over the frame and punch the hammer thru so it's the only thing exposed and cut the spur off so it's flush with the top of the extension with the open side up or toward the muzzle, this will give you the most clearance without changing the hammer any more than you have to. Then clean up the ground end with a file and touch up reblue it.

Tim

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2007, 11:22:52 AM »

I have a Bushnell Banner 6x24x40 and like it very much. It has been a good scope but I think 24 power is a bit to much and I plan on buying a 6x18x50 my self in the near future. For the price I don't think you can beat the banners.

carbineman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:02:13 PM »

I really appreciate all the information that you fellas have supplied. Now I'll have to decide on high rings or hammer alterations from what you fellas have posted. Do you still put the hammer spur back on after reshaping the top of the hammer?

This will be a learning experience for sure. I reload .223 so I'll just save out all the commercial brass for the Ultra and keep the LC for the Kel-Tec. I'll be using 55 grain fmj and pointed soft points.

just bill · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:24:20 PM »

Quote from: carbineman on February 19, 2007, 12:02:13 PM

Do you still put the hammer spur back on after reshaping the top of the hammer?

Yes, in my case I do.

I can cock the hammer with out, it's just easier with it. I doubt it really changes loc time enough to effect my accuracy if at all. Either way I am not worried about it and like the hammer spur. Easier to re-set also with it if you don't fire.

ro · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:20:50 PM »

i have a 3x9x40 bushnell banner scope on my 500 S&W, to clear the hammer i ordered a ultra base from nef, i used weaver grand slam steel rings i have shot over 250 rounds thur this set-up the scope and rings have did great, the banner has held up good for me.

Fred M · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2007, 04:46:59 PM »

I have a 4-12 Bushnell Banner that I had for quite some time. Last year I tried to sell it for really cheap on GB classified never even got a call. I wanted to sell it because I thought it was a bit hazy, only to find out that all my other scopes were a bit hazy too.

The trouble is not with the scopes but my eyes cateracs. I had this scope on all sorts of rifles for load testing including a 300Win Mag. It never gave any trouble I now got it on a Win Low wall 17HMR for testing before that I tested a 375Win Ruger #3.

No trouble with the adjustment either, I am glad I did not sell it, a good scope for the money.

Mickthetaxidermist · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:02:02 AM »

Hiya fellas, This seemed like a great thread to jump into for my maiden post!
A year ago I purchased an Ultra Varmint Fluted in 22-250 and looked at several of the Bushnell scopes when deciding on optics. The two that I narrowed it down to, were the banner series 6-18x50 and the trophy series 6-18x40. Comparing the two side by side, I did end up going with the trophy series with slightly smaller objective. For my eyes anyways, the bigger objective of the banner was outweighed by a brighter, crisper image in the better scope. Though I have some higher quality rings on my heavier recoiling rifles, I used standard simmons high rings on this rifle, and it hasn't moved since mounted. Now I may have been swayed a little to purchase the higher end scope as I managed the sports department for a chain, and received a 30% discount off retail. I'm sure either scope would work fine for you though. Not sure if the pic will work with PB, but here's a shot of the combo wearing camo...

carbineman · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:32:22 AM »

Mick, Welcome and thanks for the info. Nice looking Ultra! I am going with the 6-18x50 Banner. I found a like new Banner at a bargain price.

Mickthetaxidermist · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2007, 03:56:06 AM »

Thanks for the welcome Carbine! I've seen several dozen of these two scopes sold, along with a couple hundred handis over the past year, and have heard no complaints from any customers, so that says a bunch about NEF's quality in my book. I enjoy them so much, that I just picked up a superlight youth combo pack in 243/20/22 this past monday for my girlfriend,lol.

joshco84 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2007, 12:30:51 PM »

this is going to be my next scope actually. really liked it at sportsmans warehouse, but liked the pentax a little better. I do want a little more mag now so i am going to go back and get the banner in 6x18x50

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2007, 02:14:25 PM »

Did you do that camo paint job? I really like it alot I just put the same gun on layaway. If you did do the paint job please explain how and the products used. Thanks for any info.

Quote from: Mickthetaxidermist on February 21, 2007, 03:02:02 AM

Hiya fellas, This seemed like a great thread to jump into for my maiden post!
A year ago I purchased an Ultra Varmint Fluted in 22-250 and looked at several of the Bushnell scopes when deciding on optics. The two that I narrowed it down to, were the banner series 6-18x50 and the trophy series 6-18x40. Comparing the two side by side, I did end up going with the trophy series with slightly smaller objective. For my eyes anyways, the bigger objective of the banner was outweighed by a brighter, crisper image in the better scope. Though I have some higher quality rings on my heavier recoiling rifles, I used standard simmons high rings on this rifle, and it hasn't moved since mounted. Now I may have been swayed a little to purchase the higher end scope as I managed the sports department for a chain, and received a 30% discount off retail. I'm sure either scope would work fine for you though. Not sure if the pic will work with PB, but here's a shot of the combo wearing camo...

Mickthetaxidermist · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2007, 02:37:35 AM »

Hi Dale,
Yes I did the camo job myself. It was nothing special really, I was looking for a pattern that would blend in to a brushy background. I used lacquer based taxidermy paints, but the same effect could be had with krylon spray cans as well. Basically I sprayed the entire gun,minus barrel, with a sealer coat and allowed that to dry. I then searched my paints for a tannish beige that would come close to the color of dried grass, and sprayed the entire project. As it dried, I tore and cut strips of masking tape into long and short, wide and narrow, that approximated leaves of grass. I placed these strategically around the stock forend and action. From there I just shaded different areas with different browns and blacks, then added some lines of brown to give the appearence of sticks. After that, it was just a matter of peeling off the various strips of masking tape, to let the original tan grasslike strips show through. Kind of a reverse stenciling, that adds a little bit of depth. The barrel is simply strips of camo tape layed on lengthwise. I went with tape there with the intention of changing it out to white easily for winter. All together the entire proect probably only took a little better than an hour, with cutting and applying the tape stencils taking the most time. For a quick and easy job though, it blends in well with our northeast woodlots and hedgerows where I typically setup. We're planning on relocating to the high desert of the west in the next several months, and from the looks of the pics I've studied of the terrain there, I suspect the pattern will be pretty effective on the western predators as well. Here's another shot of the same rifle in a natural scene...

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2007, 01:16:20 PM »

Really a great job. Thanks for the info.

handirifle · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2007, 04:50:07 PM »

Welcome! Very nice camo job. Nice simple idea too. Thanks!

bigjeepman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2007, 04:29:56 AM »

Welcome again to GBO Mick ...

It's always good to hear about projects such as yours. You explained it very well and made it sound easy enough for others to try ... and I like what you did to your shooting stix ...