Bushnell Banner opinions?

These are on the low end of the scope spectrum, but lots of folks are using them. If you can pick it up and handle them turn the power adjustment ring up and down. I've found that the new 4 to 12 I bought from Wally world had a really hard to turn power adjustment ring and that's a real pita in the field.

I don't know if you live near a Cabela's, but I've found their Pine Ridge brand of scopes a lot of scope for the money. If your going to use this for a calling scope you may want to consider a lower power scope. I like a 2 by 7 or a 3 by 9 for a calling scope. Field of view is really important when calling as you'll often get a coyote in close and it's near impossible to pick them up close with a high powered variable. Any scope with around a 40 foot field of view at a hundred yards is much better for calling and 7 to 10 power is plenty for coyotes at long range.

I shoot both a 6 by 24 and an 8 by 32 for spring and summer ground squirrels, but switch out to lower powered scopes such as the 3 by 9 Simmons or 2 by 10 Weaver Classic for fall and winter coyote calling.
 
To Me Bushnell makes a great inexpensive scope IMHO. Never had problems with them (Have 1 on Muzzleloader and 2 - 3200 elite firefly's on my critter gitter's). Not sure if they're as shockproof as the big boys, but they are clear enough for me and doesn't change the zero. I'm not droppin my gun to find out. Had a tasco 3x9 once ($50) at Walmart to put on my 10/22 for plinkin. Well dropped my gun (on grass) and had to resight in. Scope was way off but worked well until i dropped the gun. Remember...in the end...no matter what it is....ya generally get what ya pay for.
 
I have never had any problems with any of the Bushnell scopes. Their top end scopes are really good and will hold up well in comparisons to the higher priced scopes, especially in light pickup power.
 
I have several and never had an issue with any of the Banners. I agree they are not at the top of the quality list but for what I have paid for them I have been happy.

They hold zero, good clarity, and decent light gathering qualities. The only issue I found was as mentioned before, they magnification ring is tight on most of them.
 
A magnification ring that is a little tight shouldnt be a problem on a stand. I leave my scopes on 6 power for hunting coyotes. If you are taking the time to mess with power adjustment you are taking a chance on losing the shot. I have several banners and have been very happy with them. Yes they dont compare to my bushnell 3200's or my burris FF II, but they didnt cost as much either. My brother had one on his 7mm. It held up fine. I have a couple rifles that still have a banner on them and they shoot less than 3/4" groups. Great scope for the price. Just about all my scopes are 4-12 power but I have been looking at the banner 6-18 for my AR in the summer for prairie dogs.
 
I have 3 Banner (6x18x50AO). One on each of my 22-250s and one on my AR. I had a Leoupold (sp) and on the AR for awhile and took it off and put the Banner back on. If I was going to get another scope I would get another Banner. So far neither one has let me down, so I will keep going with them. Shoot, for 130 can't beat it.

In Christ,

Song Dog
 
I have a 3X9X40 Banner on one of my guns. I have had no problems with it, and it holds its zero. As others have said, the power ring is a little tight.

For $75, I am completely satisfied, and would definately buy another.
 
I have one on my 30-06 (3x9x40) and like it so far. I have only had it for 2 years. It is not as bright as my dad's nikon marnarch (sp?) at night but it is still a clear sharp picture.
 
Seriously I had two and they are complete junk. Both broke with light use. Clarity is horrible and tracked like $h!t I may have had bad luck but I will never buy another. I would look higher in their product line or perhaps look else where. Two coyotes are happy I tried them.
 
I have had one on my Remington 700, 270 for years with no problems what so ever. Lots of travel time on it between Texas and Wisconsin and have not had to adjust for zero in over 5 years, allways shoots less than 1/2" groups at 100 yds. Adjustment ring is a little tight as stated above. Tony
 
Had one on my Weatherby Vanguard package gun, and it was just fine. I'd still have it but I got AR-15 disease! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Tim
 
I have a 4x32 on my 336RC and I LOVE that scope. I dont think the banner series can be beat for the money. great in low light, dependable, lifetime warranty. I'd go for another any time.
 
I bought a 3x9 Banner back in 76, used it every year on my 270 Rem for deer hunting. Well this year prior to season opener I was out checking the zero and was surprised at what I found. The clarity was absolutely gone, and after shoooting I don't know what happened to the sight in. Shot several loads that were proven in the past and they were all over the place. I guess its time to retire it. Have to say its been a good scope for all those years. If the new Banners are as good as that was to me I don't see where you can go wrong unless you want to spend big $$ for a high end scope.
 
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