upgrade from a banner?

[car15bill]

I have a 225 Winchester model 70 with a 6-18x50 bushnell banner scope. I have had it on there a few years, and while it used to be "usable", it seems to have gotten worse, the sight picture at 250 yards is really bad. I found a blown out o ring on the elevation turret, so I am assuming that whatever gas it was filled with is now gone.

I have been eyeballing bushnells 3200 10x40 fixed power, does anyone have experience with these? I mainly just shoot for groups off a bench at 100 and 250 yards.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I'd agree the gas has probably leaked out.

I honestly have trouble keeping up with all of Bushnell's series numbers, so I can't give a definitive answer. I will say that my Elite Tactical is more than clear enough to serve your purposes. If the 3200 is close, you may be just fine with it.

 

[2ndtimer]

For about the same price as the Bushnell, you could get a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X with Mil-Dot reticle and side focus.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentId=productDetail&prodId=NK6469&green=3DDD9F59-BE86-530B-9735-CFF8D9DB2C4E&src=mbProd
Or if you are really on a budget, I suggest taking a look at the Nitrex TR1. You will be very pleasantly surprised at the quality for the price. Of course, you may want more than 9X on the top end, but optically, you would be very pleased with this made in Japan scope.
http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=WE&prodID=WE94562&prodTitle=Nitrex%20TR%20One%203-9x42mm%20Rifle%20Scope%20Gloss%20Finish%20TrexPlex%20Reticle

 

[Cypress]

Any of the elite series are considerably better than the Banner. I have several in 3200 and 4200 and have never had an issue. They are also backed by a lifetime warranty.

 

[car15bill]

I took a little different direction, I ended up ordering a Weaver V-16 from optics planet on Wednesday, with the fine crosshair reticle. anyone have any experience with these?

 

[rondog]

It's funny, but when I was a kid my Dad hunted with a Model 70 that had a 4x Bushnell Banner on it (I'm 57 now). When he got a Remington 700 he moved the Bushnell to it, and later swapped it out for some cheaper scope that was variable power. We put the Bushnell on my single-shot .22 and I used it for years, eventually taking it off and putting that same variable-power scope on it.

That Bushnell languished in his closet for many, many years, and when he passed away I brought it back to CO along with a lot of his other stuff. Just a few weeks ago I decided to get my Winchester .44 Trapper ready for my first deer hunt, and decided to put a scope on it. So, I dug out the old Bushnell, cleaned it up and mounted it on the Winnie.

I'm very happy to say that scope works perfectly on that Trapper, it's still just as clear and sharp as it can be, and I think that scope may actually be happy to be back in use again! I had some accuracy issues, but that turned out to be the lead bullets in my handloads. With jacketed bullets, that Winchester and Bushnell combo is quite formidable at 100 yards, I was very surprised.

Sorry for the thread drift, I'm just very happy with the resurrection of this God-only-knows-how-old-it-is 4x Banner, and had to tell the story! I'd assumed it was no good for years, but a piece of lens tissue and a good wipedown was all it needed. I'm even using the same ancient Weaver rings that have been on it all these years. I'll be thrilled to hunt with the same old scope my Dad used to hunt with 50 years ago, I'm sure he'd smile too.

 

[car15bill]

I wish my banner worked that well......

 

[mtrmn]

The old Banners were excellent scopes for the times.........

 

[Captcurt]

New Legend.

I was looking for a rimfire scope at the LGS and the owner suggested the new Legend Ultra HD. It isn't a rimfire scope but with the knob on the left side it can be focused under 10 yards at 9 power. I own Leupolds, Nikons, Bushnell Banners and the old Legends, but the new Ultra HD is fast becoming my favorite. Now I am looking at their Ultra 4X14 for my Weatherby. Check them out.

 

[CB900F]

Car15bill;

Well there I was, all set to make you an offer. I have a Nikon Buckmasters 6-18X that I want to change out to a mil-dot scope. But noooo, you went & let that money burn a hole in yer pocket. Dang kids anyway.

And, 2.383 times "several" years ago I bought that Weaver V16 FCH & put it on a very accurate gun. That scope has been an excellent purchase & done it's job very well. But, I also am pretty sure that the Weaver company has gone through a couple of different owners in the meantime, so I'm not sure if it's an apples to apples comparison anymore.

900F

 

[2ndtimer]

But, I also am pretty sure that the Weaver company has gone through a couple of different owners in the meantime, so I'm not sure if it's an apples to apples comparison anymore.

While it is true that Weaver has changed ownership a couple of times over the years, I believe that their scopes are still the assembled in the same factories that they were previously, other than their newer models like the 44/40 and Buck Commanders. I believe their newer models like the 44/40 are made in the Phillipines and IIRC, their Kaspa line is from China. The older V9, V16 etc. were originally made in Japan and I hope they still are. My new Nitrex TR1 is also made in Japan and it is a very impressive scope for the $. I had a Weaver V9 many years ago that was from Japan and it also was a very nice scope for the money. Does anyone know if the current V series Weavers are still manufactured in Japan? Or has production been moved to a cheaper location like the Phillipines. BTW, the Burris Fullfield II line of scopes, also pretty decent for the money, are also made in The Phillipines for the last 10 years or so. And so are the Nikon Buckmasters.

 

[car15bill]

it FINALLY got here sat. afternoon (don't anyone use the free shipping at optics planet, it takes forever!), and got it mounted last night. I will be taking it to the range soon to see what it will do, although looking thru it I already know I made a good choice, the glass is extremely clear compared to the banner.