I have been using Bushnell Banner and Trophy Scopes for about 35 years. Leupold, Burris, Simmons and Swift are all in my collection. I have only seen one scope break and it wasn’t one of mine. It was on a 3.5 inch Turkey Gun that kicks with 60 pounds of recoil energy. A 458 Magnum is 58 pounds. Practicality tells me I need a good rifle and a good scope. But I don’t need it to cost twice a much as the rifle.
I don’t shoot past 300 yards on game. Its my own choice so I choose to get as close as I can. A 3×9 power covers just about everything I’m interested in. I do have a 4×16 Bushnell on my 7.62×39 and a 6×18 Bushnell on my CZ target rifle. My CZ-452 may have been fired 50,000 times or more and the scope still adjusts perfectly. That says a lot for Bushnell.
Recently a Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x entered my collection and went right to work on my Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle in .308. I killed a medium sized wild hog that was on the run at 40 yards. It was all too easy with the V-Bright reticle. The little red dot is perfect in the backwoods. The real test came moments later when I was hit by a serious thunder storm and I was over a mile from anything. I had water proofed the rifle with bore butter, but the scope impressed me, it cleaned up good as new and never fogged. I told Vortex and they sent me another scope for another rifle for testing.
I’m not that hard on equipment but some are and then complain when it doesn’t work. The Bushnell Banner and Vortex Crossfire ll are not expensive and they both work on anything from a 22 to a 45-70. If you want you can upgrade if you like but remember this rule. Technology only works if the user can exploit it; it will not take the place of good marksmanship.
Keeping your scope simple means less that can break. The common Duplex reticle is the most popular. With me I like the small illuminated dot and the Bushnell dusk till dawn reticle. Its a hard choice My two Henrys a 22 and a 45-70 have Bushnell’s and both are tack drivers. Inside we have a duplex that also has mildots with illumination in Red or Green. It works great on the range and in the Field. Years with Bushnell and most recently with Vortex only tells me more hunting and shooting adventures are on the way. So I keep it simple shoot straight and ….Pass it on.