I agree with you, Skeeter. The recoil from a muzzleloader is more like a shove, rather than a quick rap from a centerfire. I need more eye relief on my Ruger M-77R .338 Win Mag than my Remington MLS, but the B&L Elite 3000 (now Bushnell) that I have on my .338 has more than enough eye relief.

However, folks, I must say this. Save yourself the money (in the long run) and aggravation (in the short term) and stop buying these $49.99 scopes! They are going to let you down sooner or later; most likely sooner. If you do not have a lot of cash, buy a Leupold VX-1 for between $170.00-$190.00. Yeah, it's more than $49.99, but you'll be buying another scope soon anyway.

Remember the old axiom: you buy junk, you get junk.

Brian

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3.3" is not enough for that rifle. Are you reloading lighter than normal loads for it? Personally, I won't even consider a scope unless it has at least 4" ER.... rainguard or not. I'll buy a spray bottle of anti-fog for my scopes. One bottle lasts upteen years.

The VX-I is crap... Sorry... No positive click adjustments, no fully multicoating, 3-piece tube. It is more similar to a Bushnell Banner than a Bushnell Elite. I am sick of people raving about the Leupold VX-I the facts are the facts....

Leupold VX-I
3x9-40
fully coated lenses (not multicoated)
"friction" windage/elevation adjustment
eye releif = 4.2-3.7 inches (not constant)
max field of view @ 100 yards = 32.9 feet
price = $199.95

Simmons AETEC
2.8x10-44
fully multicoated lenses
1/4 positive click moa adjustment
eye releif = 5 inches (constant)
max field of view @ 100 yards = 44 feet
price = $129.95

Triple 7, isn't that the key? Some don't find that eye relief is really as much a problem as others when considering a scope! As mentioned I had a similar eye relief on a 300 wby. and it never caused me any concern. Now my 7mm rem mag has 3.5 fixed eye relief topping it (Zeiss Conquest) and nor has it even come close( the loads are pretty much max). I think most will agree or find these 2 CF recoil more than most ML loads. Unless you find ER to be a problem I think personally much more is made out of the value published than needed in many cases. Of course if you are one who finds ER important than it may play more into your decision but please do not assume we are all the same. Simply said if you have noticed problems in the past with close to or eyebrow touching(that isn't the result of poor shooting technique), then make it a priority. For those who have not then it is less of a concern. Especially a ML! Just MO.

Newguy, I agree 100% on the VX I. I would take many other prior to it, but in the end it is really up to the person who is using the equipment. Mental aspect is a big part of the sport so if you feel better with X brand than more power to yeah! AGAIN PERSONAL!!

Skeeter...

I just don't see how an informed consumer could make that decision, that is why I beleive most people whom buy the Leupold VX-I are not informed (or mis-informed by salesman). The profit margin on Leupolds far exceeds all the other major brands out there. This does not include Swarovski, Kahles, etc.

There is no reason to pay signficantly more for inferior equipment. This is not an opinion... It is FACT... The numbers don't lie. They aren't even close!

Some people will say my VX-I is brighter than let's say an AETEC... Physically is not true. Their peception has been skewed by branding. But I guess that is the American way.

By the way I like the Bushnell 3200... I LOVE the Bushnell 4200! I PERSONALLY (IMHO) think the 4200 is the best scope in that price range.

Triple 7, my loads for my .338 are not reduced. They are maximum charges of IMR-4350 and 250 grain Hawk softpoints. Recoil is noticeable, but the eye relief is not a problem. At least not for me.

Brian

I have a Bushnell 3200 1.5x4.5 on an Omega. I don't have any issues with the ER. I did get bit on the bridge of the nose last year first time I was out hunting with the new gun. Had a deer run in front of me at 20 yards, I had about a second before she went into some thick stuff. I threw the gun to my shoulder looked through the scope and jerked the trigger. Lesson learned.

I've since put a slip on Sims recoil pad and, for me, that really helps with how the gun fits my length of pull.

I think most people don't worry about eye relief unless they've had a very bad experience, then it's a top priority from then on. I don't know, but my guess would be that cayugad has gotten a pretty kiss from a scope.

I just bought a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 and mounted it on a 270 WSM, which recoils quite a bit more than my T/C Omega. The eye relief on the Bushnell is not as good as a Leupold but so far it has not presented a problem.

I'm a Leupold fan but IMO the Elite 3200 is atleast equal to a VXII in terms of brightness and clarity. It is definately brighter and clearer than the VXI and the older VariX-II's. If eye relief is a concern to you then you might ought to look at something else. I have a Leupold on a lighter recoiling rifle that I can swap out if the eye relief becomes a problem.

etothepii, agreed we don't know each others experience or technique used since it is the internet. Many reasons for scope touching that are not directly tied to the ER a scope affords, poor shooting technique, improper mounting, etc. I will not say that this holds true to those who require max ER on a scope but on the same token it appears ER is the new buz word (if you will) when considering optics and personally think many are influenced by this published number when they themselves haven't found it to be as much of a concern in the past as certain users. I merely mentioned it as I personally haven't found recoil or ER to be a concern on a number of ML's or for that manner CF's I have shot in a variety of configurations and I am sure others will be in the same boat. So again if ER is a concern then make it a priority when selecting a scope but if not you shouldn't be as caught up in the ER published, let your previous experiences dictate what you need PERSONALLY.