Scope question

[DeadFlies]

I recently purchased a rifle with a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x50 scope. I know nothig of optics so I have two questions:

1) Can anybody tell me about this scope in particular? It's on a Win Mod 70 30-06. 100 yard plinking and occasional deer hunting in the WI woods. Seems like a decent scope, suitable for both tasks but I really don't know.

2) As I stated, I know virtually nothing of optics. Is there a resources either here at THR or elsewhere containing a good optics primer, specific to rifles? Might be a good idea for a sticky.

Thanks

 

[jerkface11]

I've got an elite 3200. It holds zero well and has pretty clear optics. The turrets don't track as well as they could but for a hunting rifle it's not that big of a deal.

 

[Haxby]

Good scope. Should work well for you.
Optics Planet website has some 'how to' articles on scopes.
OpticsThoughts has lots of info.

 

[hentown]

I have the Elite 3200 Tactical, 5-15 and love it.

 

[greyling22]

it's a $250ish scope new, and you could probably get $150 for it used. It's good glass, and as well thought of as anything else in that price range. Scopes are kind of a price point item. You pretty much get what you pay for. There are not real "steals" or hidden values. No offbrand $50 scope as good as a $200 name brand one.

A 50mm front lens is a little big. It is supposed to let more light in and be better in low light hunting, but mostly it just adds bulk and weight. Forces the scope to be mounted a little higher too. Most scopes are 3-9x40.

Everybody has an opinion on scopes, and there is no real consensus as to what is "best". Generally speaking, anything in the $200-300 is quite good, and over $300 you get into diminishing returns pretty fast (unless you are moving up in power. A quality 6-20x scope will probably run you $200 more than it's 3-9x little brother.)

 

[MIL-DOT]

I'm a fan of Bushnell's Elite series, I currently own a 4200 3-9x40 that's on a CZ-527 (.223) and a 3200 4-12x40 that's on a mini-14.
I had a 3200 tactical 5-15x42 (I think it was) with the big target knobs and mil-dot reticle, on a Beeman R9 .20 pellet rifle, and believe it or not, traded the whole rig (and lots of quality ammo) for an AR-15 .
Anyway, the 50mm. objective lens will likely force you to use some higher rings/mounts, which may adversely affect your cheek weld on the rifle (but probably not a mjor issue).
Also, being a 3-9, I'm pretty sure there's no parallax adjustment. The scope's parallax is almost for sure set for 100 yards, so you won;t have any issues shooting at the distannces you said you would be. Shooting much farther out though and you could have some parallax issues. I would do a search here, or a Google search and read up a little on parallax, it's interesting and good info to have.
I believe the numbers model 3200,4200,etc. have been recently discontinued in favor of just "Elite".
I've found the 3200 glass to be fine, but noticably less clear than my 4200 (which is fully multi-coated, not just multi-coated). As I understand, the 6500's are even clearer still.
These scopes are Japanese-made with lifetime guarantee, and the one time I had to use it, i was very pleased. Most everything I've read about Bushnell's CS has been positive.
I just bought an old Marlin 30-30 with a cheaper Bushnell on it, and just minutes ago was looking around at used scopes, and I'd jump on a used 3200 if I could get a deal on it, especially a lower-powerd 3-9 like yours (though I'd prefer a smaller 40mm objective).
Anyway, if you do some interweb searching you'll have a difficult time finding a bad word about the Elite's, you have a solid scope.

 

[DeadFlies]

Good stuff so far. Thanks all.

 

[jmr40]

Not a bad scope. I wouldn't want the 50mm objective, and I prefer features offered on other brands. But you could do a LOT worse.

 

[morcey2]

I've got an Elite 3200 3-9x40 and it's a great scope. Not top-end glass by any stretch, but extremely good for the price.

 

[Art Eatman]

In the FWIW department, I sight my '06 in for 2" high at 100 yards. That's right at dead-on at 200 and about six inches low at 300. I've tried 3" high, but then I have to think to hold low at around 100--which slows things down a bit. With 2", just point it and pull.

Walking hunting, I always keep a variable scope on its lowest magnification. Field of view is the important thing, to me. I know from experience that 3X is plenty for Bambi at 350 yards.