Mueller APV or Bushnell Legend for .17 HMR?

[minutemen1776]

I bought a Savage 93R17FV at Bass Pro yesterday. It was on sale already, but with all the applicable discounts I walked out with the rifle at just under $200, taxes included.

Now, it's scoping time, and I've narrowed the field to two contenders. The first is a 5-15x40 AO Bushnell Legend. The second is a 4.5-14x40 AO Mueller APV. Both scopes are very similar, but the Mueller costs $115 whereas the Bushnell comes in at about $175. I know well that you usually get what you pay for in optics, but I also don't want to get (much less pay for) something I don't need in a scope. So far as I can tell, the only general drawbacks of the Mueller are that it is only designed for rimfires and that it lacks the Bushnell's Legend's mildot reticle. However, since my particular scope will be mounted on a .17 HMR, is there really a drawback to going with the Mueller? Am I missing something? Would the Bushnell Legend (and its $60 difference) give me something else that I'm not considering? Does the Bushnell Legend have better glass or coatings that would make it the better buy even at more cost? Thanks!

 

[sbarkowski]

I went with the Bushnell Legend for my Savage. No complaints, nice glass for what you pay.

 

[minutemen1776]

Anyone else have some input on this? I thought the Mueller scopes, at least, had a pretty good following.

 

[Furncliff]

Have you asked over at Rim Fire Central? This question gets asked a good bit over there.

 

[Big_E]

I have a Mueller APV on my Savage .17hmr. I think its a great buy for the money. I think the optics are slightly better than my Leupold VX-1. However, I don't think I would put it through a lot of abuse. But I am happy with my purchase.

No experience w/ the Bushnell but they make god scopes as well.
My 2 cents.

 

[Lightsped]

I love my Mueller APV! Actually I am going to be buying another for my next project in a few months.

 

[Matrix187]

I really like my Mueller APV on my CZ 452 American. Some employees at my local sporting goods store whom mounted it were really impressed at the quality of the glass for the price

 

[rangerruck]

what is your application? if primarily shooting tiny holes on paper, especially at 100 yds, then neither is enough magnification, in my experience.
for tiny group shooting at 100, go with at least an 18 x, I prefer a 24, 36 is even better, such as the weaver fixed, 36x.

out of those 2 though, they are both very good scopes, i would choose the one that is lighter, smaller, and doesn't get in the way of the bolt handle.

 

[rangerruck]

If nikon or Pentax, makes one that is like 18x, but in the same price range, I would do one of those first. and yes, Mueller is very good. Nikons' entry level scope, at about 150, with something like a 4 x 14 power, I would do that one , very first. total lifetime, unconditional wrrnty, like Leupolds.

 

[24kshooter]

Nice rifle - I have one in a 17 Mach2 - trigger is better than my Marlin 17 HMR. The Pentax gamemaster is a good scope - had BDC stadia - about $150 - the Bushnell is a nice scope but has plastic turret adjustment unless they have changed in recent times. The Mueller is OK. A scope of 12x to 14x for my 17's works fine for me.