Bushnell 4200 for 700 .223 - side focus vs front AO?

[YodaVader]

Looking at these two Bushnell 4200 Elite 4200 scopes:


These are the 6X-24X 40mm Elites with target dot for use on a Rem 700 SPS .223 with a HS Precision stock and Jewell trigger. The rifle now is "borrowing" a Weaver V16 from one of my rimfire rifles.

I have heard a lot of good reports of the old longer style 4200 with the front AO. But not much about the newer style with the side parallax focus. Does anyone know how the optics of the two models compare?

I had bought a Weaver Grand Slam 6.5X-20X last year but the dot was too small for me and I ended up sending it back. I have a Vari-XIII Leupold 6.5X-20X 50mm target dot on my 700LTR which has been perfect but they hard to find and cost more used than what I piad new for mine 10 years ago.

Any info on the two Bushnells is appreciated!

 

[Ash]

They compare very well. The SWFA scale puts the 4200 above the Leupold Mark 4 VX III, VX-L, VX-II and Rifleman, but below Zeiss, Khales, and the Leupold VX-7.

Ash

 

[skinewmexico]

Mine has been great. I had heard about issues with the side focus, but it was a side focus issue, and not 4200 specific. Something about more backlash.

 

[YodaVader]

Mine has been great. I had heard about issues with the side focus, but it was a side focus issue, and not 4200 specific. Something about more backlash.

So you have the longer version with the front AO? I have read on one of the benchrest forums where there were issues with Leupold's side focus. They did not review any Bushnells.

The scope will be used for target shooting , mainly @ 100 yds for now. I like the fact Bushnell gives the option of a target dot on some of their scopes.

The SWFA scale puts the 4200 above the Leupold Mark 4 VX III, VX-L, VX-II and Rifleman, but below Zeiss, Khales, and the Leupold VX-7.

If the optics were even remotely close to my old Vari-X III I would be thrilled!

 

[skinewmexico]

I have the front AO. It's ruined me for cheaper scopes. Maybe it was Leupolds that had the backlash problem, although by mentioning that, you're risking the rath of the Leupold fans. I had also read that the side focus wasn't as accurate, Maybe, maybe not. I think it's a lot of marketing.

 

[Bendutro]

Leupold is no better or worse than the Bushnell Elite, just 40% more expensive.

FWIW I just ordered a Nikon Monarch in 5-20X44 for my Stag Arms Varminter with the BDC reticle.

 

[browningguy]

The 4200's are very nice scopes, I use a Grand Slam on my .243 but it's really used only in good light so the small dot doesn't bother me.

If you are doing a lot of prone shooting with constantly changing ranges the side focus can be useful. I've got to say though that even when shooting prarie poodles it's rare for any of us to actually bother changing the AO, I usually just set mine to 200 or 400 yards depending on the average distance where we are shooting and leave it at that. In target shooting you have a known distance for each course of fire so it's a non-issue.

 

[George Hill]

"Leupold is no better or worse than the Bushnell Elite, just 40% more expensive."
There it is... the funniest thing I've read all day. Thanks for the chuckle.

 

[rangerruck]

I must say, something about a good side focus is fantastic, but if your ranges are going to stay primarily the same, throughout a shooting period, then a front focus is by deff, more stable. But man, side focus...

 

[skinewmexico]

Mmmmmmmmm.....Leupold kool-aid....

 

[.22guy]

I have the side focus model and like it a lot. It's on a Savage 12BVSS in .223.

 

[45crittergitter]

I only have experience with the AO version and it's fantastic. The SF version should be a bit brighter due to fewer lenses.

 

[YodaVader]

Well , a few days ago I finally ordered the 4200 Elite with the front AO. The decision was easy since it was the only model I could find with the target dot reticle. Should be here in a few days. Will be interesting to see how much of an improvement it is over the Weaver V16 I am using now.

Thanks for the replies.