Opinions on variable scopes...

[DakotaElkSlayer]

Wanted your folks' opinions on variable handgun scopes; especially eye relief.  Bushnell, for instance, keeps eye relief a constant throughout the magnification range.  Others, such as Nikon and Burris, has their eye relief shorten as magnification increases.
  I was thinking the constant eye relief would be the way to go, but then the FAQ section on the Burris site got me thinking....

Why is it that when looking through my handgun scope at magnifications above 4x, I must hold the handgun closer to my eye to get a full sight picture ?
As magnification increases, eye relief shortens . When a handgun scope has a constant eye relief at all magnifications, a full field-of-view would be sacrificed . Burris scopes are engineered to maintain this important feature throughout the magnification range . While shooting off-hand, higher magnifications usually will require a rested position . When in a rested position your head naturally moves forward, compensating for the eye relief lost to using higher magnifications .

  What do you guys think?  Does Burris make sense, or is it just the smoke and mirrors of good marketing?

Thanks guys,

Jim

[Redhawk1]

I have used several handgun scopes, I am a Leupold guy myself, but I will put a Bushnell on all of my handguns. I have used Bushnell 2X6X32mm on guns from 357 Mags to my 460 and 500 Mags.  JMO.  

[EdK]

I don't know about the argument of justifying the variable eye relief but field-of-view is a serious concern. Burris seems not willing to give any away. I have neither a Burris 2-7 nor a Bushnell 2-6 however I'd like to get one or the other as all I have right now is a Leupold 2x. What I can say from experience is that I'd like to not give up any more F-O-V than I have to and I don't know if I could live with only half of the Leupolds' which is what the Bushnell 2-6 will get you on 2x

Leupold 2x fov @ 100 yd = 21.2 ft
Burris 2-7 fov @ 100 yd = 21-7 ft
Bushnell 2-6 fov @ 100 yd = 10-4 ft

[DakotaElkSlayer]

RedHawk,
What do you think about variable eye relief; constant vs. variable?

Jim

[MS Hitman]

I've got one of each and quite honestly, it's never been an issue for me.  When I got the Burris 2-7, it functioned about the same as my T/C 2.5-7 and I didn't worry with it.  When I put the Bushnell 2-6 on my .454, I noticed the constant eye relief.  

My only consideration is that I may swap scopes around so I can mount the Bushnell on one of my silhouette handguns for shooting Creedmore with it.

[Grumulkin]

I have a Thompson/Center 3-9X handgun scope.  I soon saw my error in getting that particular scope as I turned the magnification down to 5X ahd pretty much left it there.  Only once, in a hunting situation, have I felt the need to change the magnification so changeing eye relief isn't really an issue.  On that one occasion, I turned it down to 3X and didn't notice any problem.

[Redhawk1]

RedHawk,
What do you think about variable eye relief; constant vs. variable?

Jim

DakotaElkSlayer, that is why I chose the Bushnell scopes, they are consistent no matter if you are on 2 or 6 power.  I have had Burris variable handgun scopes and did not like them at all. I did not like how much I had to play with the distance I had to move the gun to get a good sight picture. I have also owned several Leupold fixed power scopes, the 2X and 4X fixed power. I always had the scope alignment problem, in other words I always fought the black out. Now the Leupold variable scopes are very good and work great. Now if you don't plan on doing any long range shooting with your had gun, I think the Bushnell 2X scope would be a good choice, but I would rather have the extra power if needed. I hope I answered your question.  

[DakotaElkSlayer]

I hope I answered your question.  

  Yup, you did this time! :grin:  I thought that was why you chose Bushnell, but wasn't sure until you spelled it out for me.

Thanks,

Jim

[EdK]

So the Bushnell's relatively narrow field of view poses no problem to anyone? How about those who have had both the Burris 2-7 and the Bushnell? Not 10-20% less but half the FOV of the competition (in the Bushnell) seems like a lot to me.

[MS Hitman]

As I've stated before, I own one of each and I've had no problems going between either.

[sawfish]

Most of my handgun scopes are Burris and Bushnell, with a few Leupolds, a T/C and a Simmons for good measure.  I like the variables at the target range (I guess because I can see where I hit) but in the field, I find that my hunting shots are usually at the lowest power.  Just as with rifle scopes.

Bushnell is the best of the lot as far as constant eye relief in their variables.  Next to them I like Burris variables.  Especially their 3 x 12 with Ballistic Plex on a long range handgun like a .308 Win..  At fixed power, I do not find a lot of difference in eye relief, and like the Burris and Bushnell 2X scopes for revolvers.  Burris is usually better in the FOV department.  The Leupold 2X is fine, but I get the black out syndrome with their 4X (new model).

These are what work best for me.  Everyone's eyes are different, and (especially if you wear glasses) try different brands of PROPERLY FOCUSED scopes to see what suits you the best.

[tatonka]

I have Burris variable on all my long range handguns and have taken ground squirrels to elk effectively.

[IKE]

Way, way back I tried different brand name fixed and variable power scopes on my handguns and I just wasn't happy with the eye relief decreasing as the power setting was increased on all of them.

I tried the now discontinued Simmons Gold Medal 2x7, with the constant eye relief feature through all the power settings, and liked it although I felt the FOV was a somewhat small.

Next I tried the also now discontinued Bausch & Lomb Elite 3000 2x6's, also with the constant eye relief feature, and was really impressed so now all fifteen of my pistol length Contender and Encore barrels wear the B & L's....I've still got a couple new B & L's and one used Simmons Gold Medal ratholed for future barrels.

As far as fixed vs variable goes.....I'll normally hunt with my handgun scopes set on about 3x but I like knowing the extra power is there if I need it plus when shooting paper or developing loads the extra power comes in real handy.

Ike

[David Carey]

The Bausch & Lomb Elite 3000 2x6 is the now Bushnell Elite 3200 2x6.

For those that do not know there is two Bushnell scopes the Trophy series is about $160.00 and the Elite 3200 is about $250.00 street price. The trophy has 18" eye relief and the Elite 3200 has 20" eye relief.

I have used the Trophy on my 445 Supermag for over 10 years everyone said it would never hold up to the recoil but it does. My next scope will be the Elite 3200 I would like that extra 2 inches between my face and the gun 

David Carey

[Questor]

I use a 2x fixed powered Leupold for most handgun hunting. It's excellent for the short ranges I use it at, and is perfect for the game I am after. It's light and rugged and in all ways has served me very well.  The newer 2-7x Burris scopes are very good. I use one of those when I need more magnification, as in prairie dog shooting. The Bushnell 2-6x is very well regarded, but I do not own one (not because I don't like it, but because I have enough scopes.)

[Gregory]

Scopes I've owned and used include the Leupold 2X and 4X, Burris 2-7X, Bushnell 2-6X, and Nikon 2X.
The only one I use now is the Nikon 2X.  For deer at woods ranges it allows me to get on target fast and I don't need the precision of a higher power scope.  My 22 Mag Contender is set up the same since that is my practice gun for deer.

Only scope listed above that I ever had fail was a Burris 2-7X.  Lasted less than 10 shots on a 44 Mag barrel.

[barber]

I've never used a 'scope on a handgun before, so that might be my problem, I bought a T/C 2/12x7  'scope, and I can hardly see thru' it, the f v  is so small.  If I'd known this before, I wouldn't have bought a 'scope.Now I have one on my T/C, and a new in box, that I wish I'd never bought.

[xphunter]

You will not find one style that will meet the desires of all.  each design has certain pros and cons.
Personally, I have used Burris more than any other brand when it comes to LER scopes.  I have also owned and used some of the others mentioned here, but now I am fully a Burris user.   For what I want, the 3-12 LER serves my purpose the best.  It has an adjustable objective, and i have the Ballistic Plex reticle on all of mine (about half have a target turret on the elevation with a couple on both).
I would suggest (if it is possible) to  look through as many LER scopes as possible at the distances they will be from your eye (sitting/prone/standing) and see which one fits your preference/arm length the best.  Some SP's can mount a scope fruther forward or backwards which can give a specifc scope an advantage or disadvantage.
With a center-grip desgin like the Xp's I want the scope moved forward as much as possible so I can see a full field view at 12x.

[475/480]

I have ,Leupold,Burris,TC, Bushnell,The only scope that has broken was the Bushnel in S.Africa after a crash to the bed of a Land Rover,my fault and it hit hard on the bed.
 I use the Burris 3x12 (caliber-8mm GNR) and 2x7 (caliber-378 GNR) on TC Encores and the Leupolds (2x & 4x) and Bushnell (2x6) on revolvers and TC Contenders.
 TC Encore Reeder SW 500- SW PC 1.5x6 scope
 Ruger SBH 41 Hunter-Bushnell 2x6 scope
 Ruger SRH 480-Leupold 2x
TC Contender 358 GNR (445SM necked down to 357)-Leupold 4x
DW 7414- Leupold 4x
SW 500- Leupold 2x
The more you shoot, the eye relief will become more natural. I shoot the TC's Encores at 6x most of the time.

Sean