Bushnell elite 4200 vs. leupold vx3(the new, upgraded one)

[Longrifle2506]

Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40

I own them both; but which one is more worthy of sitting atop a Sako Finnlight?

I just compared optics at dusk on 4x, 6x, and 10x. It seems pretty close, but I think the Elite 4200 has a very slight edge when it's almost dark. The elite has proven itself to me since I bought it in 2003. I just got the Leupold VX3 last year and my 22-250 maintains sub-MOA groups with it. I love the leupold aluminum flip-up caps with magnetic closure, i was just thinking that the leupold might be a great scope on the finnlight 25-06. The elite has rainguard and leupold has the real nice flip-up covers. The elite does have a larger field of view as well. This new vx3 supposedly has twin bias springs to hold the erector tube still after making adjustments. The click adjustment system is cryo treated, the lenses have a real scratch resistant coating called diamond-coat, and some kind of deal called twilight that enables better performance in low-light. The elite on the other hand is awesome. I mounted the elite on my 270 WSM and the rifle shot 2.5" at 300 yards which is still inside MOA. I have always loved my elite 4200's; I just would greatly appreciate it if anyone would share your opinion.

Which scope do you think would better serve a sako 75 finnlight 25-06? a rifle primarily used for coyotes but would serve as a back-up deer rifle(to another sako in 270 wsm). I could use some input(having a hard time deciding which one to go with).

 

[chaser_2332]

im going bushnell, there entire elite line is awesome.

 

[Longrifle2506]

Yeah I have been a big believer in elite 4200; I bought 3 of them from 2003 to 2006. Two were $309 and the other was $333. You would think that with the VX3 costing $479; it should be noticeably better. But the elite 4200 has always amazed people when comparing them to higher priced scopes. The Japanese glass is not to be underestimated. I can look through elite glass for a long time and have no eye-strain. The place in Japan that makes elites(and nightforce, sheppard, weaver grand slam, weaver tactical, and more) is called Light Optical Works. They were making scopes for Bausch & Lomb and bushnell way back in the 60's; I have a bushnell 3-9x38 they made in 1974 and you would think its amazing for '74. But anyway I was meaning to say that Light Optical Works must really have It down for rugged internals as well as good glass because the elites are very tough; nightforce too. The 4200 is built to withstand ten thousand rounds of recoil from a 375 H&H Magnum. But it sounds like Leupold really upped the ruggedness on the vx3 with the twin springs. I always thought elite was the "best for your money." but thought I should give a vx3 a try since they upgraded. They are both very nice.

 

[Robert]

My M70 wears a Leopold VX3 2.5-8x. One of the best scopes I have ever used. So I voted for Leopold.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I own both and like both. Only bad thing i have to say about either is if you have problems bushnells customer service will gray your hair and leupold will still be standing behind theres when your hair gets gray naturaly

 

[chaser_2332]

ive had nothing but great things to say about bushnells CS

 

[Walkalong]

I have a 4200 3X9 I bought for $217 shipped. heck of a good scope for the money. It is as good or better than my older Leupold 2.5X8X32 Vari X III as far as glass, but the filed of view of the Leupold is far superior and better for close work in wooded ares, even compared at 3X for both. I have a Vortex Viper 2X7 and the 4200 is better IMO.

I have not even looked through one of the newer Leupold VX3 scopes.

 

[Skyshot]

Elites are great, VX3's are great, toss up, field of view goes to the leu, but hunting in bad weather, the elite with rainguard rules.

 

[JDGray]

You can't go wrong with either. I have an elite 3200, vari X III, Mark 4, all great scopes, worthy of any rifle...

 

[jmr40]

Bushnell's extremely short eye relief elimanates them from consideration for me. I'm sure the glass is very good, but that is only 1 thing to consider in optics. Leupold has the largest eye box of any scope I've used. Leupold is the winner for me.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

got to agree with jr40 there. Opticaly there comparable but any gun that has any kind of a scope mounting challange will be easier to deal with using a leupold. Much more forgiving eye box and better eye relief. But keep in mind that most times eye relief is gained at the expense of field of view.

 

[heeler]

My thoughts are the same as jmr40.
Eye relief is critical on any scope I own.
And Leupolds eye box is truely great for fast aquistion to target.