Is There a Good Bushnell Scope for Springers Nowadays?

Bushnell used to have 2 Trophy models that were excellent for springer use.  That is, they were not only clear and bright, but they were also very-durable when it comes to the infamous springer 2-way recoil (or should I say, "2-way hammering"?).  Like others in the Trophy line, they were also reasonably-affordable.  Those were the 4-12 x 40 AO and the 6-18 x 40 AO models, with a very-user-friendly front bell you adjusted for parallax setting, not a side wheel.  I'm talking about the 'old' Trophy line that I remember was discontinued somewhere around 5 or 6 years ago.

Some of you may remember them.  I'll go a step further and say I bet some of you still have at least one of them atop a springer and it's never given you any problems.  There was a year or so when some problems suddenly-surfaced, but the problems were soon rectified and they stayed good again until they were totally-discontinued.

Bushnell still makes "Trophy" branded scopes, but the line was totally-revamped, and not for the better from what I've heard and read about them.  That is, it's my understanding that they don't have an exact replacement for the 2 versions I mentioned.  They're just not as durable anymore (I'd love to be wrong about that statement).

Just to be clear here, I'm not talking about scopes that are labeled "Airgun Rated".  That's just a buzzword used by sales and marketing departments to lure in buyers.  I'm talking about, 'air gun suitable' or 'air gun durable', whereby you can trust the scope to take a serious hammering for thousands of shots and rarely if ever fail. 

One of my favorites in that regard for MEDIUM recoil springers (not HEAVY like those Trophy models), is a Tasco varmint scope that I've been using and recommending for years.  But, wouldn't you know it, Murphy jumped in there, too.  The Tasco product man I spoke to not long ago at the US headquarters for their products said that model has recently been discontinued.  So, now, to my dismay, the new version of THAT scope has also become an unknown, like the Trophy's).

I know you can buy some Leupold models and get the job done, but, let's face it.  Leupolds can be quite expensive.  One of the best features of those old Trophy scopes was their affordability--they weren't bargain basement cheap mind you, but the price was within reason.

This MAY be a photo of one of the old Trophy's of which I speak--I seem to remember the telltale green and yellow writing on the AO bell:

Any takers on this one?  

Thanks!

Oh, yes, I just remembered something else.  Bushnell used to sell the Elite 3200 and Elite 4200 models that were also very-suitable for use on heavy-hitting springers.  They cost more than the Trophy models, but they were still less than a lot of the Leupold models.  Like the Trophy models I described, they also had that wonderful adjustable front AO bell that I like so well.  I've just never warmed-up to side-focus scopes, but I'm willing to go that route if a scope fits the bill in every other way.

Ed, I probably have an extra old Trophy or two.

David Enoch

Put a 6 - 18 Bushnell Trophy on my first TX200 back in 91' and that was the only scope ever on that gun. Guy I sold the gun to in 2001' has since died but the scope is still on the gun. Been trying to get the gun/scope back from the family  for a year now. I think that scope was about 150.00 back in 91' ? That would be comparable to the Hawke Airmax line now ? 

Yep, those were great springer scopes, just great scopes period!  You sound a lot like me: old school.

I too much prefer a 1" front AO scope. Especially on a springer, and for anything but field target, mounted as close to the bore as possible. 

I also really like those old Trophy scopes. But don't be so quick to dismiss the newer models. I've had the 4-12 mounted on a Vortek kitted M34 in .22 and that scope hasn't budged or fudged one iota. And it's my truck gun!

Did you ever get to try out a Bushnell Legend? The AO bell is really stiff, but the glass is great, mildots, heavy recoil rated. These come up for sale every so often, more so than the older Trophy, but at least you scan scan the Yellow Classifieds with your morning coffee,  you just never know...

 I have been using a Legend on my AA TX200,works great...back in the day the Bushnell Scopechief was a great scope,some of the Chiefs have AO.... I do not like the "cheaper" Bushnells and another plug for the older Tasco

Posted by: boscoebrea

 I have been using a Legend on my AA TX200,works great...back in the day the Bushnell Scopechief was a great scope,some of the Chiefs have AO.... I do not like the "cheaper" Bushnells and another plug for the older Tasco

I remember the Legend 5-15 x scope.  I never owned one, but one of my tuning customers swears by them and owns several with no problems on any of them.

Posted by: stevevines

Yep, those were great springer scopes, just great scopes period!  You sound a lot like me: old school.

I too much prefer a 1" front AO scope. Especially on a springer, and for anything but field target, mounted as close to the bore as possible. 

I also really like those old Trophy scopes. But don't be so quick to dismiss the newer models. I've had the 4-12 mounted on a Vortek kitted M34 in .22 and that scope hasn't budged or fudged one iota. And it's my truck gun!

Did you ever get to try out a Bushnell Legend? The AO bell is really stiff, but the glass is great, mildots, heavy recoil rated. These come up for sale every so often, more so than the older Trophy, but at least you scan scan the Yellow Classifieds with your morning coffee,  you just never know...

Steve, a couple of things.

You: "But don't be so quick to dismiss the newer models. I've had the 4-12 mounted on a Vortek kitted M34 in .22 and that scope hasn't budged or fudged one iota".

Me: Can you be more specific as to the exact model number of that new model Trophy 4-12 scope to which you're referring?  I'd like to take a look.  Maybe a side-focus model would eventually grow on me (or, maybe not--lol.  'Old dog, new tricks', you get it).

As to the Legend with the Mil Dot reticle, I just posted a reply about those.  As I wrote, I like them, and my customer likes them even more because he's gotten to test them in the field.  But, it sounds like I'll need to find a used one if that's the route I want to go.

Thanks for your reply.

The Bushnell line of the scopes around 20 years ago were very good.  Out of the trophy/3200/4200, the 3200 was the best bang for the dollar.  Much nicer build in a similar package.  The trophies were not bad either, but you can tell they were a budget scope.  The 4200 were really nice, but a bit long for a lot of guns that required clearance.  The new era of scopes have a much better selection of reticles, but do not know about the build quality.

Posted by: ekmeister

Posted by: stevevines

Yep, those were great springer scopes, just great scopes period!  You sound a lot like me: old school.

I too much prefer a 1" front AO scope. Especially on a springer, and for anything but field target, mounted as close to the bore as possible. 

I also really like those old Trophy scopes. But don't be so quick to dismiss the newer models. I've had the 4-12 mounted on a Vortek kitted M34 in .22 and that scope hasn't budged or fudged one iota. And it's my truck gun!

Did you ever get to try out a Bushnell Legend? The AO bell is really stiff, but the glass is great, mildots, heavy recoil rated. These come up for sale every so often, more so than the older Trophy, but at least you scan scan the Yellow Classifieds with your morning coffee,  you just never know...

Steve, a couple of things.

You: "But don't be so quick to dismiss the newer models. I've had the 4-12 mounted on a Vortek kitted M34 in .22 and that scope hasn't budged or fudged one iota".

Me: Can you be more specific as to the exact model number of that new model Trophy 4-12 scope to which you're referring?  I'd like to take a look.  Maybe a side-focus model would eventually grow on me (or, maybe not--lol.  'Old dog, new tricks', you get it).

As to the Legend with the Mil Dot reticle, I just posted a reply about those.  As I wrote, I like them, and my customer likes them even more because he's gotten to test them in the field.  But, it sounds like I'll need to find a used one if that's the route I want to go.

Thanks for your reply.

Ed- apparently the model I was referring to isn't that "new" anymore -

https://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-trophy-xlt-4-12x40mm-matte-riflescope-with-doa-600-or-multi-x-reticle-734120.html

I have the one with the DOA reticle, and it works well for me.

And BTW, I have a Bushnell 4200 6X24 MilDot on one of myTX's, and a Bushnell 3200 7X21 Mildot on my R9. Great scopes.

I shot with a guy this past year in field target,  he had a Bushnell scope on his HW97 he was shooting in WFTF.  Front focus. Don't know which bushnell it was but he said it wasn't expensive.  Wish I had paid more attention. He was on the U.S. World's team 2 years ago shooting that gun / scope. Jay Hannon. That's his name. Jay, if you read this I would love to know what that scope is.

Ed- apparently the model I was referring to isn't that "new" anymore -

https://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-trophy-xlt-4-12x40mm-matte-riflescope-with-doa-600-or-multi-x-reticle-734120.html

I have the one with the DOA reticle, and it works well for me.

And BTW, I have a Bushnell 4200 6X24 MilDot on one of myTX's, and a Bushnell 3200 7X21 Mildot on my R9. Great scopes.

Steve, I just tried looking on the Bushnell site itself, and it also says that scope is "no longer available".  Thanks for your efforts, though.

Hi Ed,

I put a Trophy 4-12x40SF DOA600 on a soft-tuned BSA Supersport SE about a year ago. The gun has an HW50S/ARH XLD type spring in it and makes around 12fpe.

A few months ago I turned the magnification ring on the scope, and the entire ocular stem turned with it. I asked Bushnell for a mailing label since the scope was in use less than year, but they were not forthcoming, so I need to send it in for repair on my own dime.

Posted by: DanD

Hi Ed,

I put a Trophy 4-12x40SF DOA600 on a soft-tuned BSA Supersport SE about a year ago. The gun has an HW50S/ARH XLD type spring in it and makes around 12fpe.

A few months ago I turned the magnification ring on the scope, and the entire ocular stem turned with it. I asked Bushnell for a mailing label since the scope was in use less than year, but they were not forthcoming, so I need to send it in for repair on my own dime.

Not good.  Thanks for the info.

Gentlemen I have a Bushnell Engage that sat atop of my RX2 and she is holding on nicely. Its a moa reticle as well

Posted by: josh3rd

Gentlemen I have a Bushnell Engage that sat atop of my RX2 and she is holding on nicely. Its a moa reticle as well

Thank you.  Do you have the exact specifications or exact model number?  There is more than one model of the Bushnell Engage on the Bushnell site, and all of them have the MOA reticle so that didn't narrow it down for me.

Here's the link to all of the models in the Bushnell Engage series of scopes:

https://www.bushnell.com/Products/Riflescopes?collection=Engage&page=1

My bad brother. It was pretty sparse my description that is. REN41240DW this is the one I have

I've been wondering the same about current Bushnell scopes.

I have three of the old 4-12x40mm scopes (made in Japan)... I believe the model number is 73-4124, engraved on the bottom of the scopes.

The most recent one that I bought (#3) was purchased several months ago off of ebay for my old HW77K... I never had any issues with my first two... I think they are great scopes.

I did buy a new Bushnell AR 223 optics 3-12x40 with a side-wheel AO for my FWB300SU... nice 12" scope... my first and only side-wheel, and was kind of curious about getting one... haven't shot the FWB300SU a whole lot, but so far so good... seems like a nice scope.

I wanted another Trophy to put on my R9TK, because the scope that I have on it, is too big and bulky, but not so easy to find.

I was curious about the Bushnell Rimfire 3-12x which looks similar to the AR/223 scope, but for only about $100 on Amazon... I was actually going to post here to see if anyone has any experience with it.

Do love the old Trophies... never got the 6-18x, but I do have a couple of the 4200 6-24x scopes... nice, but big... good for a FT rig, like my TX200.

Posted by: josh3rd

My bad brother. It was pretty sparse my description that is. REN41240DW this is the one I have

Thanks, that's helpful.  The price is decent, although I tend to prefer either a Dual-X or Mil Dot reticle.  That's not necessarily a total deal breaker, though. I'll do a little more searching to see what I can find out.

That would be this one:

https://www.bushnell.com/Products/Riflescopes/Engage/4-12X40/?sku=REN41240DW

REN41240DW

I have 2, 8-32x40 4200 Elites as well as a 6-24x40 4200 Elite. These have been flawless and the 6-24 has been on springers since 2000 with at least 100,000 shots on it. I started with a 6-18 Trophy, back in the late 90's, but the ocular quick focus eventually became loose and would move up, down and side to side. The objective ring also came loose, but it was on a .177 Pro Elite. I had a 4-12x40 3200 Elite on a .22 Pro Elite and it had grease come loose and splatter inside the ocular lens. After a fix by Bushnell, it did the same thing within 10 shots. They eventually sent me a new one and I sold it on unused. Trophy was good for the price point, 4200 Elites have been great, 3200 Elite, not so great. 

Hi Ed, sadly it seems that Bushnell is moving away from their front focus line of scopes. Leupold has done the same and I'm not pleased. Perhaps the tactical sniper style is what's selling right now... don't really know but I'm not happy (said that already  )

I really liked a similar Leupold product... 4-12 x 40 AO. Now they've changed to side focus, a higher price tag, and more tactical features... not what I want.

Just an idea, but my last purchase was a Burris Timberline:

https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-timberline-4-5-14x32mm-ballistic-plex-riflescope-201344.html

You can get that scope at a 5 to 10% discount off the list price just by calling and negotiating... not bad and it's well built. The glass is clear but the small objective (32mm) will limit the amount of magnification you can use in dim lighting. Overall I'm pleased.

Here's how it looks on a pistol:

Wyo

Posted by: WyoMan

Hi Ed, sadly it seems that Bushnell is moving away from their front focus line of scopes. Leupold has done the same and I'm not pleased. Perhaps the tactical sniper style is what's selling right now... don't really know but I'm not happy (said that already  )

I really liked a similar Leupold product... 4-12 x 40 AO. Now they've changed to side focus, a higher price tag, and more tactical features... not what I want.

Just an idea, but my last purchase was a Burris Timberline:

https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-timberline-4-5-14x32mm-ballistic-plex-riflescope-201344.html

You can get that scope at a 5 to 10% discount off the list price just by calling and negotiating... not bad and it's well built. The glass is clear but the small objective (32mm) will limit the amount of magnification you can use in dim lighting. Overall I'm pleased.

Here's how it looks on a pistol:

Wyo

Wyo, 

I sort of feel like an antique with my proclivity (I continue to work on my vocabulary) for front AO bells.  It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one.

I think the Burris scope in your photos is the exact model one of my customers bought.  He said he really likes it, but he didn't send it with his rifle--or at least his last rifle because another tuning project for him is pending on an R9--so, I never got a chance to take a peek through it.  But, my past experience with Burris scopes was good--great optics, usually nice and sturdy, too.  It looks good on your pistol. 

I also like that it appears to have a locking ring for the ocular lens as opposed to a fast-focus eyepiece.  I like the way those stay put where you set them, especially on springers where they can so easily get vibrated-away or knocked-away from their initial setting.  I'll try to keep your Burris scope in mind for possible future use.  BTW, if the occasion arises where you get to test its durability on a springer, especially on one with some real kick, I'd love to read the report.

Posted by: FPoole

I have 2, 8-32x40 4200 Elites as well as a 6-24x40 4200 Elite. These have been flawless and the 6-24 has been on springers since 2000 with at least 100,000 shots on it. I started with a 6-18 Trophy, back in the late 90's, but the ocular quick focus eventually became loose and would move up, down and side to side. The objective ring also came loose, but it was on a .177 Pro Elite. I had a 4-12x40 3200 Elite on a .22 Pro Elite and it had grease come loose and splatter inside the ocular lens. After a fix by Bushnell, it did the same thing within 10 shots. They eventually sent me a new one and I sold it on unused. Trophy was good for the price point, 4200 Elites have been great, 3200 Elite, not so great. 

Thanks for the reports on the 3200 and 4200 series scopes.

The fast-focus problem you described on the Trophy model is the exact problem to which I was eluding in my post to WyoMan only 30 minutes ago or so--and it's not unique to the Trophy scopes. 

In my case, I was able to work around that fast-focus Achilles heel by wrapping some masking tape around both the ocular lens and the scope body once I got it set exactly where I wanted it.  I colored the beige tape with a black permanent marker to hide my handiwork.  It worked well--especially since masking tape can be removed and replaced without leaving any gooey residue like electrical tape tends to do.

I have used the Burris Timberline scope on springers with no problems.  The eye relief is kind of long but not too bad.  The scope is pretty short and light, plus it has good glass.  I like them.

Bob in WV

Good eye... it does have a locking ocular ring.

I have a 350M in .177 that will shake your root canal loose... but I'm not sure I'll make that switch. If I do I'll report.

As a footnote... I tend to stay away from scopes that say they are springer-rated... reminds me the of the motels in the '70s that advertised they had color TV. LOL-

Wyo

Not a fan of the Trophy  I use 4200's only.

Art the airgun guy has a load of them.

SOCASA.ORG leave him a message

I don't have any of the new series but I have the older Trophy and the next in line Trophy XLT. The older model even feels like it is a more quality scope. The reticle is better, the AO and ocular move smoother, clicks are more distinct, etc....  The older model is also shorter if that makes a difference. 

XLT on the left.......Older Trophy on right

i have the Bushnell Banner 4-12 living on my 25 cal Mrod and i have no complaints about it... ?  ? 

Posted by: dcw

i have the Bushnell Banner 4-12 living on my 25 cal Mrod and i have no complaints about it... ?  ? 

I have found the Banner scopes to be 'fair' on springers.  Sometimes they last, sometimes they don't.