The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

As some know, I bought a Bushnell Elite 3200 in 2-7x32mm with the firefly option for my White M97 .451 rifle. I wanted a short, moderate range scope with good clarity, good warranty, and not break the bank with it. Natchez was selling them for $119.00 so I could not pass that up. I set the scope with Warne QD rings (which is all I use).

Last night I sighted it in for 13 yards on a door knob and matched the bore to the scope so I knew it would be on close today. I then trudged through the nasty soft snow (twisting a knee in the process) and set a Birchwood Casey Shoot N-C target up at 50 yards. I was shooting the M97 .451 caliber with 70 grains of Triple Se7en 3f and a 488 grain Bull Shop Conical using CCI Magnum #11 caps.



Shot #1 was a very nice surprise on a clean bore. Shots 2-4 were tight enough at that distance that I made the first adjustment. I then fired 5&6 and made just a few more clicks to the left. Shots 7-12 were good enough for now. I know I fired a total of 12 conicals but was having trouble finding all the hits, even in that fancy target.

It was in the 50's but there was about a 35mph cross wind, so I knew I was not going to do real well with the rifle and scope's final adjustmentthis time out. Besides I have a lot of time to play with the rifle.

I then walked out to photograph my target (which is where I twisted my knee) and decided I better bring it all in. Well I got back to 25 yards and decided I could hobble that far again. So I set the target up and wanted to try some different powder in the rifle. This time I wanted to see how the scope and rifle with Pyrodex P did at 25 yards.

All I had left of my Birchwood Casey Shoot and See target stickers was the small demonstration sticker to show the potential buyer how they work. I figured at that range it would be easy to see that through the scope, and I was right. That Bushnell Elite 3200 is an EXCELLENT SCOPE!! At 25 yards I could even see the tiny red dot in that 3/4 of an inch little sticker.



I swabbed the barrel clean to be fair to the rifle and the powder. I have a powder measure for shooting Pyrodex and it was set at 75 grains. I decided that would be fine. On the clean barrel it shot a little different from the fowled barrel. On the fowled barrel, holding dead on that little red dot, I squeezed off those other shots. Then I must have got a cap stuck under the hammer striker as it was almost impossible to pull back, so I called it quits for the day. Actually the rifle shot pretty good with Pyrodex P.

So far I am really impressed with the White Rifle. All the other White owners used to tell me how accurate that caliber is, but I was pleased with my other Whites in .504 . this one is no different. Also the new Bushnell Elite 3200 is a great scope. I might buy another one to just keep it around the house for some other rifle.

I was playing with the firefly option last night. Shine a flashlight through the scope for about ten seconds, and the cross hairs turn a pale green. Very easy to see, even in total darkness. Should make some of those last minute sitting in the tree during season shots in the marsh, a little easier for me.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

WOW Dave - That rifle looks like it going to be a good one. Scope or no scope. I can't wait until your snow melts so you can shoot it at 100 yds. I would be anxious to see how well it does. Glad to see you like your scope and you got such a good deal on it. I don't need a scope - but for that price I may look into one.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

cayugad

COOL!:D

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

Man, it's just so boreing when a gun puts all of the bullets together like that. Shot after shot - you know right where they will go. Where's the fun in that? :D

Good shooting Dave. Glad you got a good one.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

Nice shooting Dave,your local whitetails are in some trouble:D
I have one of the new Bushnell 6500 2.5 x 16 scopes waiting to be mounted on the 270 barrel for my Encore,cant wait.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

Dave; Your usual excellent shooting, do you think the slight right grouping is from the wind or right hand barrel twist, I have seen slight wind drift left or right depending on which way the wind is blowing. Maybe just my imagination? The .451 seems to be one heck of a rifle, I am still going to try and talk a friend out of his. He says it's too long for him. 26in bbl, maybe he will need some $. I can only hope!!!

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

I really do not know but it seems I always shoot a little to the right. Even after I "think" I have the scope adjusted. Although that wind was really howling (and still is) out there today. But I really wanted to shoot the Elite 3200. It was everything I could want in a scope, just like the people I pay attention to, claimed it would be. It is an excellent deal. Although the firefly model does have FAT cross hairs. Not the very center mind you, but the posts are thick. I think they will act as a BDC of sorts. I want to get to my friends hay field with this rifle and see just how far it will shoot.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

i am going to try and pickup a 2.5 weaver on my way up to the cabin this wk. It is for the wmc 21in gmb, don't want to overwhelm the carbine w/ a scope too big. .50cal, 2.5x, 70 to 80 gr powder 250 to 300 gr lead ought to take care of anything in Mi. I want to shoot!!!

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

WOW nice shooting !! I just bought 4 of those 3200 bush in the browning logo... Nanchez had them on sale hope they are as good as yours !! Thx for the insight :)

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

Well they don't have them scopes any more. At least I couldn't find them - the 2-7x Elite 3200 were $199.
We should all let each other know when good deals come up. Like this scope and the 21" GM carbine barrel. (Thanks Dave). BTW - those 2 MLs I posted earlier about on gunsamerica are gone. I'm not sure if someone in here got them or not.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

I've got the Elite 3200 3-9x40 with the firefly on my KRB. Ireally likeit.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

bronko - I just found out about them a little while ago. Now I just checked because I was going to get a couple more and they are out of stock.. That one that Chris bought in the 3-9x40 would be a good one too.. I just have no need for a scope that big where I hunt. Although I could sure make it work. Most the time I have my scopes on 5X other then when walking...

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

Nice shooting. I'm sure it was totally the scope and didn't have anything to do with the shooter.

I have the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn in 3-9 on my KRB. Excellent clarity from it. I think I'm going to get one for one of my other guns. The crosswires don't glow, but then I also only paid $80 for it.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

I have a Dusk to Dawn Bushnll Banner on my Black Diamond XR. I could not agree more with the quality of the scope. I was able to see into the woods in the last few minutes of the day even better through it then my cheap Simmons binoclulars I carry. I swear, had a shot presented itself, I would not have hesitated to shoot. Also I have pushed some strong loads through the rifle and that scope has never budged... Good scope for the money without a question.

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

another range day was excellent!!!!






Even though it was trying to rain today, I wanted to shoot more with the .451 and the Bushnell 3200. I figured I was not going to melt from a little rain. And it is good to shoot in all conditions.

So I started with a clean barrel, just swabbed out is all. I loaded 75 grains of Triple Se7en 3f and let fly (Group #1). I had made an adjustment to the scope since it was shooting to the right on the last time out. I might have over did it a little. I then shot two more rounds. It was not too bad I thought.

So I clicked the scope back six clicks and swabbed the barrel. I then loaded with Pyrodex P. Since the rifle seemed to like it the other day. I do not honestly know if the one hit outside the group was the first shot, as I never went and looked until I had shot five more times.. The rifle shot a lot lower then it did with the Triple Se7en. (Group #2)

I then did not swab. I went and marked all the hits and was just going to shoot at the red tape again, but instead used an old black magic marker and drew a square in an unshot part of the target. This time I loaded with Triple Se7en 3f again, aimed for that square and shot until I ran out of conicals... (Group #3)

When I checked the target I considered getting some other conicals out, but the UPS guy showed up with a new toy for me to try out on the range.. So I called it quits and went and cleaned my guns. Things will get exciting around here in a few days if I can get back to the range.. I got a lot of work to do this weekend around the house, and company...

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

WOW!!! Looks like some really good groups there, can't wait to see what new toy you got !!!!

RE: The Bushnell Elite 3200 is EXCELLENT
 

New Toy What kind of new toy another flintlock maybe or Knight