Author Topic: Which Bushnell Elite 4200 (Read 489 times)

tuve · « **on:** July 25, 2004, 12:43:27 AM »

Hi I am about to buy a new scope for my CG-96 6.5x55SE (an old army mauser converted for hunting). The riffle is really cheap but good shooting though and I have decided to buy a really good scope. Sooner or later I plan to buy a better riffle with barrel switch system (Sauer 202, Mauser M03, Schultz & Larsen M97) and I my plan is to move this scope to that riffle, so I really need, for my purpose, an all purpose scope.

I hunt in Sweden (57degreess north about the same as central canada or south alaska) where legal times for elk and deer is one hour before and after sunrise/sunset. My primary goal is to make use of the full legal hunting time for deer. I also want to do some night time hunting for fox, wild pigs etc. but this can be restricted to about a week around full moon. I live quite near the ocean so there is not much if any snow to help up the light.

I have narrowed my scope selection down to Bushnell Elite 4200 of three different models.

2.5-10x40
2.5-10x50
2.5-10x50 with illuminated rectile

my concerns are price/weight/performance, is the 40mm lens enought for my purpose. is the illuminated rectile worth the extra money and weight?

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2004, 12:48:45 PM »

I would go with the 2.5x-10x 40mm for mutiple reasons.
1: The smaller objective will set lower to the receiver helpin stability and gives you a more secure shot. You will also naturally shake less and believe me that little bit of difference between medium and large rings does make a difference.
2: Big objectives snag more branches than big game plus you will appreciate the slightly less weight after a few hours of packing it around
3: Some people may argue with it but looking through a scope with illuminated reticle actually lets you see less...your eye will focus on the light thus creating a darker image...my Dad taught me when I was little how to shoot at night granted you have the time(worth triing, I have got more animals this way than I have missed) Close your eyes and count 1- 1000 all the way to 10-1000 then open your eyes. you will have what may Dad always called a "superboost"

I am no expert but I hope I helped a little if not sorry for wasting your time. No matter what the Bushnell 4200 is a great scope regardless of the exact model

tuve · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2004, 01:41:17 PM »

Thank you for the advise and the "superboost" tip, that ruled out the illuminted rectile and the 50mm I guess but made me think again of the Elite 3200 3-9x40... less money ($160) and weight (368 g vs 453 g) but also not as good light transmition i, is the diffrence in lighttransmission worth the extra 160$ and the 85 grams?

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2004, 05:59:06 PM »

Again this is something that can be argued. My true honest opinion is this...If you are comfortable and experienced with the rifle I say get the 4200 but if your skills could be honed a lot more get the 3200 and spend the $160 on ammo and practice more...be sure to practice in VERY awkward positions as well as free-handed...your welcome for the tip just remember the "superboost" only lasts a few seconds (until your eyes readjust to not-total darkness) practice with this as well and most importantly practice at night...a lot of people can't shoot 20-30 min after sunset because they just simply dont know how. Sorry for the length of post, but triing my best to help.
Taking in consideration you wanting to keep it to swap to another rifle I would for sure get the 4200 but It is always good to have a good backup rifle you are comfortable with. So keep in mind to maybe get the 3200 for this rifle and buy a seperate scope in the future for your new rifle. I know money don't grow on trees but a good back-up rifle can sometimes be worth its weight in gold.