Author Topic: Bushnell Elite 4200 (Read 1000 times)

Whopper Stopper · « **on:** December 27, 2003, 12:23:14 AM »

I am planning on putting one of these scopes on my new savage 25-06 varmint. My question is I was thinking of a 50mm for low light. I see where many talk of the 40mm being the one to have because of the height above the bore. Does it make that much difference? I am thinking of a scope in the 4-16 AO range. If you guys think the 40mm will give me plenty of light in the early hours then I may think 6-24 AO. Any comments are appreciated. thanks.

woodseye · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2003, 12:42:13 AM »

If you are going to use higher power settings the 50mm may be right for you and work well. I'm sure with a Savage varmint that weight is not an issue and another ring height higher will only change the trajectory curve slightly and make the rezero point slightly further. I use a 4200 Elite 4x16x40 AO and love it on my Savage 12BVSS 22-250 but don't use it that much in the extremely low light periods of early morning and evening or during our all night coyote hunting. I use a scope with a larger objective for all night coyote hunting as you can't get too bright!

woods

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2003, 03:17:13 AM »

I personally would go with the 40mm. I am not a big fan of the 50's, due the ring height and the added weight. They do add a little extra light, but a 40mm usually will be all you need for normal shooting hours.

Bullseye · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2003, 03:35:39 AM »

In my opinion the quality of the optics has more to do with a scopes low light ability than high big the objective lens. Look at a Leopold M8 pistol scope, they are pretty dang bright and they have a 20mm objective lens. Now I must admit that I only base my opinion on my field use, not on light transmission percentages and all the other things that others use to compare, so I might be totally wrong, that is just my opinion.

woodseye · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2003, 05:49:02 AM »

Quote

In my opinion the quality of the optics has more to do with a scopes low light ability than high big the objective lens

Actually the size of the objective lens is what determines how much light is transmitted into the scope, it is therefore an important part of light transmission into the scope and determines exit pupil size and twilight factor ( for what these things are worth due to varying opinion).
The difference between a 20-30mm and a 50-56mm objective lens would be quite noticeable actually.

The lens quality - lens coating quality and quanity - and size of internal lenses help determine how much light transmitted into the end of the scope actually reaches your eye. They are both important in scope brightness and work together to really make for brightest optics. you can only go so far with either one without the other.

Bushnell Boy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:23:48 PM »

woodseye is right the 50mm only helps you on higher powers. I have a 2.5-10x40 4200 on my hunting rifle and it is plenty bright. I shot a hog last year, two hours before sun up, in pitch black, and no spotlight. I could see him fine with that scope. I also have the 6-24 but I have never used it in low light situations. Great varmint scope though.

Zachary · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2004, 05:11:18 AM »

I too agree about the 50mm objectives at the higher magnification settings. But you really have to ask yourself two questions:

1) will you really be using power over 12x? and
2) will you really be shooting during low-light conditions?

If the answer is yes to both, then I recommend the 50mm.

Also keep in mind that, even if you will use power under 12x and will shoot during bright conditions, then bigger objectives are still helpful because, since the light being transmitted is "thicker" - meaning 4mm or 4.5mm or 7mm, or so on, that means that you are have more "working room" to adjust your eye. Otherwise, when you use high powers and smaller objectives, you have a narrow window within which to look - so if you move your eye a little too high or low, or left or right, you'll loose sight. As such, a larger objective is more forgiving to your eye alignment.

Zachary

big6x6 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2004, 01:56:45 AM »

"1) will you really be using power over 12x?"

ACTUALLY it's is 8X, 40(objective diameter)divided by 5(pupil diameter in darkness/low light) = 8X.

Higher magnifications ARE a benefit expecially if you hunt in a "6 pt or better" or "8 pt or better" area. You WILL be able to make a better judgement.

ALSO if using higher magnification in low light it is easier to FIND the exit pupil with a larger diameter objective.

I am RARELY sorry I purchased a larger diameter objective scope.