BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[djb-co]

I am looking at a new scope for my Weatherby Vanguard. I have tentatively narrowed it down to a Leupold Rifleman or a Bushnell 3200 Elite. I would like to get some feedback comparing the two. (also has anybody used the 3200 firefly compared to the standard reticle)

:o

[donmillion]

In this case you get what you pay for. My guess is that the Leupold is a lot more expensive. That's because it's a much better scope.

[djb-co]

Actually they are priced identically

[MMichaelAK]

The Bushnell 3200 is a marginally better scope than the Leupold Rifleman. Granted, you are looking at two different levels of each manufacturers line-up so the price point may be the same but the features aren't.
You might want to look at each website and print off the specs so you can compare them side by side. Check them off each sheet if matching and then see what the differences really are between coatings, light transmission, clarity and so on. I think you might find that once you factor in the warranty, the Bushnell 3200 stacks up more closely with the Leupold VX-1 or VX-2 or even a slightly older Vari-X II from the last couple of years. Then compare how the prices match. I would bet that the Leupold runs a little bit more.

For the money, if you can't see what you want to shoot, it doesn't matter that you got such a great deal on your low priced scope. Buy good optics. Shop a lot before you buy so you know what you are getting and then buy what you want for the price you want. Check midsouthshooterssupply.com or midwayusa.com or cabelas or your local big box sporting goods place for prices and even your local little guys. With Leupold, Burris and the higher end Nikons don't be afraid to buy used because they all have incredible warranties and do good warranty work. Bushnell too for their higher end scopes. If you do find a good used scope, make sure you know what the going price for a good used scope is. Check eBay as they are a good source for pricing information even though you found one locally.

I hope this helps. It has paid dividends for me over the years in good scopes for reasonable prices.

[fuzzybear]

Your going to get better clarity if all of the lenses are coated and a stronger construction if the tube is one piece. Warranties are fine but, don't help one bit, in the field.
I believe the Rifleman is the low end leupold and the Bushnell 3200 is one of the patents that Bushnell bought from another high end maufacturer that does not produce hunting optics anymore.
I looked at the 3200. Very nice scope.

[djb-co]

Thanks for all the help and the great input; all the info added to the rain guard coating on the Bushnell has me leaning that direction