Author Topic: Which Scope would you pick?  (Read 1148 times)

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Offline NYSdeerslayer

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Which Scope would you pick?
« on: February 21, 2009, 12:27:13 PM »
I have narrowed it down to nikon buckmaster 4.5x14x40 or a bushnell elite 3200 5x15x40.
I am willing to consider other scopes but both the above are less than $300.

Offline Cabin4

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2009, 12:31:25 PM »
Elite 3200. I own a couple of both these and I think the glass is better on the 3200.
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Online Graybeard

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2009, 01:46:41 PM »
My favorite in that class is the Elite 3200 7-21. Price at Midsouth last year when I picked up my last one was $358 might be a tad more this year dunno but likely will be finding out as I'll probably pick up another. I've had the 4-12 and 5-15 both and the 7-21 while still an Elite 3200 is for some reason made better and clearer plus has a bit better magnification range for long range work.

It is an outstanding scope I can highly recommend and yes I do use them myself.


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Offline Ahab

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2009, 04:59:23 AM »
Both are good, but I believe the Nikon is just a bit clearer. ;)
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Offline Luckyducker

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2009, 11:20:53 AM »
Go with the Nikon it has a clearer sight picture.

Offline Cabin4

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2009, 12:56:32 PM »
I would put the clarity, light gathering and edge clarity of the 3200 up there with a VX2. I look through my Buckmasters and there is clearly a differance. While these are good rugged scopes, they just do not add up to the clarity and light gathering of the 3200 nor does it offer the rainguard feature.

I also have a few Nikon Monarchs. These are defenity a step above the Buckmasters in edge to edge clarity and light.

I dare anyone to take say a 3-9 power Buckmaster and a 3-9 3200 and tell me they are equal or the Buckmaster is better in light or edge to edge clarity at all power settings.
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Offline Old English

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2009, 01:31:01 AM »
Since getting my first Bushnell Elite last year, it is all I buy now. The rainguard feature plus the excellent quality optics and ruggedly build scopes are perfect for the real world hunter. I sat out for 5 hours yesterday morning with the snow blowing at me, the rainguard just plain works!! I own lots of Nikons but the Elites are a better hunting optic. Try hunting a Nikon scope in the rain/snow when there is no time to put on scope covers........you will not see much through the scope.

Offline JimFromTN

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2009, 08:25:15 AM »
I have owned a buckmaster but not a 3200.  Both are greats scopes.  Technically, the buckmaster is the brighter scope with 92% light transmission vs the 3200 which has 90% light transmission.  The nikon prostaff has the same light transmission as the 3200.  The 4200 and the Monarch both have 95% light transmission.

Shop around for the best price.  Don't be afraid of ebay.  You can usually get your best deals there.

Offline Cabin4

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2009, 09:48:17 AM »
I have owned a buckmaster but not a 3200.  Both are greats scopes.  Technically, the buckmaster is the brighter scope with 92% light transmission vs the 3200 which has 90% light transmission.  The nikon prostaff has the same light transmission as the 3200.  The 4200 and the Monarch both have 95% light transmission.

Shop around for the best price.  Don't be afraid of ebay.  You can usually get your best deals there.

Light transmition and clarity are not the same at all power levels. Put your Nikon Buck at 9x and your 3200 at 9x, focus in on an object 200 to 300 yards out. This is the test of a good optical quality. The Buck will clearly show its reduction in light and clarity, when you most need it.
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Offline NYSdeerslayer

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2009, 11:31:43 AM »
Thanks for making up my mind everybody  ;)
Looks like I need to go find a 3200 and it might even be a 7-21.
My max range right now is around 500 yards so do you guys think the 5x15 falls short?
Just curious because there are a lot more 5x15 around for some reason.

Online Graybeard

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2009, 11:54:14 AM »
The 3200 5-15 is a good scope I've owned them but I gurantee you the 7-21 is worth the difference and I no longer have an 5-15s around here because of that difference.


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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2009, 01:30:44 PM »
500 yards.
A little short....
I guess it would depend on what your sticking the scope on and what do you want if for.
15X for deer and elk to 500 yards is a little much.
20X for P Dogs on a 22-250 no.

Offline NYSdeerslayer

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2009, 02:34:30 AM »
My main intension was to have enough scope for a Sendero in 300 rsaum that will be a bean field and/or bench rest set up. With hunting in mind there will always be chance of that 50 yard shot while sitting over a 350+ yard field. Having hunted with only 3x9's my whole life I was thinking 7 power might be hard to aquire a sight picture of a moving target (yote or whitetail) at 50 yards. I have shot plenty of deer on 9 power running but not by choice.

Offline carbineman

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2009, 05:01:35 AM »
My main intension was to have enough scope for a Sendero in 300 rsaum that will be a bean field and/or bench rest set up. With hunting in mind there will always be chance of that 50 yard shot while sitting over a 350+ yard field. Having hunted with only 3x9's my whole life I was thinking 7 power might be hard to aquire a sight picture of a moving target (yote or whitetail) at 50 yards. I have shot plenty of deer on 9 power running but not by choice.

What kind of eye relief is needed with that 300 Loudenboomer? Would that could come into play here?

Offline glockman55

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Re: Which Scope would you pick?
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2009, 06:20:51 AM »
with a 3.7" eye relief, should be ok..Good Luck
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