Bushnell 6500 Tactical

[angus-5024]

Has anyone used the Bushnell 6500 tactical? Its down to that or a Mark 4 with a second sighting system (for 100 yards or less). I can get the Mark 4 cheaper than the Bushnell by about $200. I know that the glass is better in the Leupold, but I'm very interested in the 2.5-16 variable power of the bushnell.
the leupold would be the 4.5-14.

 

[Tikka Lover]

Haven't used one but make sure you check Ebay, seen those 6500 Tacticals go for as little a $550.

 

[angus-5024]

thats decent. i live in B.C so everything doubles when it crosses the border in retail stores. with the Mark 4, i can get one new for $850 Can.

 

[Magnumdude]

I wouldn't say the glass was better. I've compared a Leupold Mark IV side by side with a Bushnell 6500 with both set on 6X. I think the Bushnell looked clearer and resolved better.

 

[MAX100]

I've compared a Leupold Mark IV side by side with a Bushnell 6500 with both set on 6X. I think the Bushnell looked clearer and resolved better.

Why only on 6x. The real test is on a scope highest magnification setting. Many scopes are clear on their lower settings.


GC

 

[joep17]

Should be able to have a valid comment in a week or so. I have been waiting for 1 to try out and the gun shop called yesterday to say it finally came in (Q2 shipping in Canada). On the way by mail as i write this. Will be able to do side by side with 6.5-20 and 8.5-25 Leupolds and 5.5-22 NSX. I think it will be a cost effective alternative. Will post again once it is in hand.

 

[joep17]

Well, I finally got a chance to try my new 6500 Tactical 4.5-30 this past weekend.

I wish I could get my money back!

Most of my long range rifles have Ken Farrell 20 MOA bases on them. Years ago, Ian put me on to them. The particular rifle was a Rem 700 VSF in 308 that had a 20 MOA base.

When I went to bore sight it at 25 yards, I could not get it down enough even when the elvevation turret was turned all the way to the basement.

With the elevation bottomed out, I went ahead and fired at the target at 100 yards. It was 11" high at 100 yds!. Having never encountered this issue before with any Nightforce or Leupold scope I thought I should check its total elevation range.

ONLY 45 MOA from the bottomed out to the top. So, if i went with a regular base and lost 9 MOA to zero, there would not be enough left to come up for 1000 yds.

I am looking at the Ken Farrell website for a 10 MOA base and hope to only be 1 inch high? Then have some wonky comes ups from there?

Any way you look at it, 45 MOA total elevation in no way qualifies this as a Long Range scope or a Tactical Scope.....unless putting on turrets allows you to call it a Tactical Scope.

On the same day I had my Cooper Phoenix 6.5-284 (another recommendation from Ian) with an NSX 5.5-22x50 and an MG Arms 204 with a 30mm Leupold 6.5-20. I would give the clarity and optics on the Bushnell 6500T about 65% of the Leupold and about 55% against the Nightforce.

Biggest disapointment is the adjustment range. I could live with the optics quality based on the price tag but not the elevation.

Bright spot of the day? There was one. Just for the heck of it, I pointed it over at the sihouette range and toppled the ram at 500m......with the scope at the bottom of the adjusment. Wonder how much lower I would have to hold it on the chickens?


Over all: Thumbs down. It will go on a varmit rifle that won't go over 500 yrds or up for sale. I bet Bushnell ends up with a warehouse full of these once the details on elevation gets out.

 

[RoughNeck182]

"ONLY 45 MOA from the bottomed out to the top"

I don't know about the tactical model but the regular 6500 elite 2.5-16X42mm is supposed to have 78MOA , and mine actually goes 90 MOA (360 1/4 MOA clicks) from bottom to top. I think there is something seriously wrong with your scope and I would call Bushnell because I would think that falls under the warranty.

 

[angus-5024]

Did you perhaps keep the adjustment in the middle rather than all the way down? If RoughNeck 182 is geting 90 out of his, and your getting 45, it sounds like you've gott'er in the middle.

 

[geargrinder]

Did you perhaps keep the adjustment in the middle rather than all the way down? If RoughNeck 182 is geting 90 out of his, and your getting 45, it sounds like you've gott'er in the middle.

Nope, their both correct.

The 4.5's are only supposed to get 50moa

The 2.5's are supposed to get 80moa.

 

[joep17]

Thanks guys. Somehow, 2 threads got going on the same topic.

When this first appeared on the Bushnell Website, it stated 70 MOA adjustment. I ordered one and they did not ship in Canada until Q2 this year.

After the cluster with the scope, I went back to the website the adjustment range is now changed to 50 MOA. 45 is all I could get top to bottom. I have 35 years experience playing with scopes so it is not a rookie error of doing it incorrectly.

I DID call Bushnell Canada to discuss the issue and the run around I got was so bad that I am selling the *** on principal and will never purchase another product from them.

Leupold has stood behind their products and the few times I have had an issue or concern it was addressed above and beyond my highest expectations. My conversations with Nightforce with questions has resulted in another loyal customer for their outstanding products.

You know, we all try our best to do a good job with our customers and our products regardless of what price point we are trying to hit. However, when customer service gets as bad as it did on the phone call with Bushnell Canada, it is time to cut the losses and go with a winner. And that will be Leupold and Nightforce.

Did I mention i was disappointed in Bushnell?

 

[Bravo 4]

WOW...$1000's + for a Bushnell!!! That right there would sway me towards the Leupold. I have the 4.5-14 on my issue weapon and used one on my elk hunt with AJ Peacock last October. The one I took on the hunt was a loaner, mine was getting serviced and I needed one asap. They sent me one overnight mail. You think Bushnell would have done that?

 

[joep17]

I know. I have 3 Leupold 6.5-20's and 1 Leupold 8.5-25 and 1 NF NSX 5.5-22. I thought I would try one of these because they are cost effective. Both of these companies have OUTSTANDING customer service and they stand on their heads to answer even a simple question. A week later I am still steaming over the condescending attitude I received from Bushnell Canada.

I learned my lesson and wasted just shy of $1100 CDN including taxes and shipping.

I would be okay on a 400 yd varmint rifle but never on a 1000 yd long range rifle. With that limiting factor, what good is having the turrets on it.

Too bad our good friend Ian is still with us. He always had wise and calm words for me in handling situations like this.

 

[dwm]

You could always tell your wife you need a new flatter shooting rifle to go with this new scope that has limited verticle capabilites ...

Would it work on a .270 Allen Mag or something like that?