Weaver just came out with a 30MM scope 2.5x10x56MM for $550 bucks. How do these compare to Bushnells elite 4200 and 6500 30MM scopes?
Weaver Classic extreme
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MSU Marksman
Well-Known Member
I see one dealer has these on sale for around $260 so I wouldn't mind getting a review on them as well.
jeffjackson
Member
I can provide a few details. I just picked up a 2.5-10x50 Weaver Extreme at ~$290. I can't directly compare to the two requested scopes as I do not have either.
I was curious about these scopes when they first came out, but there seemed to be very few reviews and/or information about them last year. But when I saw the current prices I couldn't resist. I have several Grand Slam scopes and have always thought they were very good for the $.
The scope is heavy, but not unduly heavy compared to other 30mm scopes I have. And not really all that long, although it is only 10x. All moving components function very smooth; side focus (parallax), turrets, rheostat for illumination, and eye piece focus. The turrets click positively and are 12 MOA per revolution. It appears to have about ~90MOA of total elevation travel and ~70MOA of windage travel. Turrets are very easy to re-zero. Pull up on them, then they will "free-wheel" around, once positioned (zero'd) push them back down.
The optics are very bright and clear. The eye relief is VERY forgiving. A full sight picture is very easy to obtain.
I mounted it on a Steyr 338 Federal I have. 4 5shot groups gave group sizes with what I usually get from this gun and load, it maintained zero throughout. These are 250gr loads and have a fair amount of recoil.
The illuminated reticle is just a very fine dot at the center of the cross hairs. In low light there is a little flare from the illumination on the highest settings, but the center dot remains crisp. The rehostat has 10 settings and can easily be read from behind the scope. As well the power reading is on the left hand side of the scope. So a right handed shooter can easily see parallax setting, power and rehostat setting from behind the scope.
I got the German #4 reticle and, in my opinion, the center cross hairs are way to thick. They appear to be 0.25moa thick. While at 100yards I was able to still shoot about the same, it felt a little more difficult for a precise hold. I was also shooting another rifle with a NightForce at the same time where the crosshairs are 0.08moa (very fine) and when switching back and forth the Weaver's appeared hugh. I would be curious if anyone else has the Dual-X on the Extreme and how thick the crosshairs are. The German appears to be 10moa between the thick posts and center cross hair and the thick posts look to be 2moa thick.
Overall, I think it was a steal for the price. My only real disappointment is the reticle.
I was curious about these scopes when they first came out, but there seemed to be very few reviews and/or information about them last year. But when I saw the current prices I couldn't resist. I have several Grand Slam scopes and have always thought they were very good for the $.
The scope is heavy, but not unduly heavy compared to other 30mm scopes I have. And not really all that long, although it is only 10x. All moving components function very smooth; side focus (parallax), turrets, rheostat for illumination, and eye piece focus. The turrets click positively and are 12 MOA per revolution. It appears to have about ~90MOA of total elevation travel and ~70MOA of windage travel. Turrets are very easy to re-zero. Pull up on them, then they will "free-wheel" around, once positioned (zero'd) push them back down.
The optics are very bright and clear. The eye relief is VERY forgiving. A full sight picture is very easy to obtain.
I mounted it on a Steyr 338 Federal I have. 4 5shot groups gave group sizes with what I usually get from this gun and load, it maintained zero throughout. These are 250gr loads and have a fair amount of recoil.
The illuminated reticle is just a very fine dot at the center of the cross hairs. In low light there is a little flare from the illumination on the highest settings, but the center dot remains crisp. The rehostat has 10 settings and can easily be read from behind the scope. As well the power reading is on the left hand side of the scope. So a right handed shooter can easily see parallax setting, power and rehostat setting from behind the scope.
I got the German #4 reticle and, in my opinion, the center cross hairs are way to thick. They appear to be 0.25moa thick. While at 100yards I was able to still shoot about the same, it felt a little more difficult for a precise hold. I was also shooting another rifle with a NightForce at the same time where the crosshairs are 0.08moa (very fine) and when switching back and forth the Weaver's appeared hugh. I would be curious if anyone else has the Dual-X on the Extreme and how thick the crosshairs are. The German appears to be 10moa between the thick posts and center cross hair and the thick posts look to be 2moa thick.
Overall, I think it was a steal for the price. My only real disappointment is the reticle.
I ordered the 2.5x10x56MM with the Dual-X . I brought two rifles up to shoot with two scopes this Classic extreme being one and the other a Bushnell 2.5x16x50MM elite 6500. 1st off the red dot in the Classic wasn't centered,#2 Mounted on my AR-15 Flat top,POI was high and to the right by oh 10" I adjusted the cross reticule as any other with 1/4 minute clicks and POI changed about half of what I thought it should. Adjusted again and still not enough.Anyhow I finally zeroed it,and I compared optic quality to Elite 6500 and it was a level below. The side focus worked fine but was it really needed? On a 10x ? How much weight did that add? Then turned on red light and shot . Shots were high and red light lit up the whole scope........... So I said to my self" this scope semi sucks" and sent it back with no hassles .I'm saving my cash for a Trijicon 2.5x10x56MM I check one out at Cabela's it was super light and optics were a couple grades better then my 6500. So I vote thumbs down on Weaver Classic extreme.
MSU Marksman
Well-Known Member
I also picked up the 2.5-10x50 with the German reticle. I think it's a decent scope for certain applications, but mine wasn't one of them.
Origionally I was planning on putting it on a 30-06, but with two piece bases on the rifle, there wasn't anyway to actually mount the scope. I'm sure I'll get around to ordering a single piece steel base sooner or later that will allow me to mount it on that rifle.
For the time being the scope is sitting on a 308 with a single piece base. Now the problem is that it sit's rather high and I'll need to pick up a cheeck rest riser of some sort. I thought about shorter rings, but the front of the base would hit the front of the scope if I did that.
Not to mention that sucker is heavy.
Origionally I was planning on putting it on a 30-06, but with two piece bases on the rifle, there wasn't anyway to actually mount the scope. I'm sure I'll get around to ordering a single piece steel base sooner or later that will allow me to mount it on that rifle.
For the time being the scope is sitting on a 308 with a single piece base. Now the problem is that it sit's rather high and I'll need to pick up a cheeck rest riser of some sort. I thought about shorter rings, but the front of the base would hit the front of the scope if I did that.
Not to mention that sucker is heavy.
Originally that scope was listed for $569.00 on Optic Zone. I was thinking of buying it. Looking back if I did I'd be a angry (at my sucker self) hobbyist . Any how Weaver has discontinued that line ( I don't blame them) I guess they wanted to rid themselves of the headache via Natchez. Hey pick up a Trijicon 2.5x10x56MM for a feel of quality.
