Bushnell Scopes Reviews: 5 Best Rifle Scopes on the Market

Are you looking for a reliable brand where you can get high-quality performing rifle scopes?

Look no further than BUSHNELL.

Bushnell’s scopes are guaranteed to provide you with some of the most excellent rifle scopes and firearm optics for the best outdoor experience.

I’ve made a list of the best Bushnell rifle scopes for you to check out for your next hunting trip.

So get your rifles ready, and let’s get into it!

Best Value

Bushnell Prime 1-4×32

• Magnification: 1-4x
• Diameter: 32mm
• Eye Relief: 3.9-4 in

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Best Overall

Bushnell Trophy 3-9×40

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Diameter: 40mm
• Eye Relief: 4 in

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Best Budget Pick

Bushnell Banner 3-9×40

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Diameter: 40mm
• Eye Relief: 4 in

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5 Best Bushnell Rifle Scopes

1. Bushnell Trophy 3-9×40

BEST OVERALL

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Specifications:

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Lens size: 40mm
• Reticle: Multi-X
• Eye relief: 4 inches
• Second FP
• Elevation and Windage: 60 MOA / 16.5 MIL

The Bushnell Trophy is a popular choice, and here’s why:

This classic elite scope is built with 91% light transmission, fully multi-coated lenses, and a fast-focus eyepiece to give you super clear images!

I was amazed by how clear the images were, making it super easy to land my targets!

You can take this rifle scope anywhere and land shots with precision every time.

With its 1/4 MOA adjustments and 100% waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof build.

In my experience, this scope has had its fair share of bumps and drops, but I am pleased that it’s held up pretty well.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well it performs. With the Trophy, you can definitely count on it to do its job.

If I could point out areas for improvement, I would like it to include an EXO barrier for even more protection.

I mean, if the other scopes on this list have it, why can’t this one?

2. Bushnell Prime 1-4×32

BEST VALUE

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Specifications:

• Magnification: 1-4x
• Objective lens: 32mm
• Reticle: Multi-X (a.k.a Duplex)
• Eye relief: 4 inches
• Second FP
• Elevation and Windage: 100 MOA / 29 MIL

The Bushnell Prime is a compact, lightweight rifle scope perfect for beginners and short- to mid-range targets.

I picked up a Prime when I was still in my learning phase, and it was EASY and INTUITIVE for me to land some shots.

The scope’s small specs give you a wide field of view, which is great for hunting in the woods.

With the Prime scope, you get a Multi-X reticle (which is Bushnell’s version of a Duplex). This simple design will help you with precision and accuracy and land easy shots.

You also get the Bushnell EXO barrier for ultimate protection, which I mentioned earlier.

• The EXO barrier molecularly bonds to the lens, filling in any gaps.
• This results in a thicker coating for preventing scratches, repelling water, dust, oil, fog, and other hindrances to your target shooting.
• Regardless of how much you use this scope, the EXO barrier is BUILT TO LAST!

I also appreciate its fully multi-coated optics, which give you excellent sight quality. This is rare for a scope this cheap, yet the Prime makes it happen!

The 32mm lens size gives you a good amount of light transmission and a brighter image.

If you are looking for an LPVO scope, look no further than the Bushnell Prime.

However, I must say this scope falls short in the mounting department.

3. Bushnell Banner 3-9×40

BEST BUDGET PICK

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Specifications:

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Objective lens: 40mm
• Reticle: Duplex (or Multi-X)
• Eye relief: 6 inches
• Second Focal Plane (SFP)
• Elevation and Windage: 60 MOA/16.5 MIL

The Bushnell Banner is a classic choice that is a favorite among many shooters.

Its affordable price, sleek matte black design, and high-quality performance make it the perfect rifle scope for beginners and professionals.

If the previous scope has an EXO Barrier, this one has the Dusk & Dawn Brightness lens coating.

With this, I get sharpness, optimal focus, and image clarity during low-light situations. 

As the name suggests, the Dusk & Dawn lens coating is perfect for day and nighttime shooting.

Additionally, this scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof, so rest assured that you can take it anywhere, anytime and still maintain its durability.

Now, back when I was strapped for cash, I was fortunately to save some money on this SUPER CHEAP (but not cheaply made) scope!

Depending on where you buy from, you can get this scope for UNDER $100! If I was looking to go shooting on a budget, I wouldn’t pass it up.

However, it’s not a perfect scope, as I did experience some quality control issues. I also wish it had a side knob for parallax.

4. Bushnell Nitro Riflescope 6-24×50

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Specifications:

• Magnification: 6-24x
• Objective lens: 50mm
• Reticle: Deploy™ MOA
• Eye relief: 3.7 inches
• First and second FP
• Elevation and Windage: 50 MOA/14.5 MIL

One of Bushnell’s newest scopes, the Nitro variable scope, is among the best choices for long-range hunting and shooting.

The Nitro is also a fully multi-coated scope that delivers clear optics and high-contrast images.

Its high objective lens size of 50mm lets in a great amount of light transmission for good optical clarity.

It was almost like seeing with the naked eye!

Bushnell’s patented Deploy™ MOA reticle allows for easy compatibility and versatility on multiple calibers.

I was able to use it on both my AR and bolt-action rifle with minimal adjustments.

This rifle scope is designed with a true zero stop and a power change lever to easily assist you with zooming in and out, all while maintaining accuracy and precision.

Trust me; zeroing with this baby is a BREEZE!

It also comes equipped with Bushnell’s EXO barrier, which serves the best amount of protection against your lens.

This scope is more expensive than others, but rest assured that its top-notch quality is worth it!

I would not recommend this scope for short-range shooting, though.

5. Bushnell Engage 3-9x50mm

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Specifications:

• Magnification: 3-9x
• Objective lens: 50mm
• Reticle: Deploy™ MOA
• Eye relief: 4 inches
• Second FP
• Elevation and Windage: 60 MOA / 17.5 MIL

The Bushnell Engage has some of Bushnell’s latest optic technologies.

For starters, it gives you the Toolless Locking Turret or (TLT), which allows for toolless zero resets.

Locking turrets keeps your scope on ZERO and keeps your scope strong and durable.

The Engage is also built with lightweight but strong aluminum with an IPX7-rated seal to keep your scope waterproof in the most extreme weather conditions.

I was daring enough to try this scope in the rain and I still got to use it the next day with no issue!

As mentioned earlier, you also get the MOA Deploy reticle, which does not obstruct your target.

The MOA marks also help with windage and elevation holdovers.

You also get the EXO barrier, which will keep your glass scratch-free and protected.

This rifle scope is also conveniently equipped with a fast-focus eyepiece and fully multi-coated optics to improve light transmission, optical clarity, and color.

Though it is a little more expensive than the Banner, the Engage is guaranteed to still deliver on the field!

I find its locking turrets to be the most reassuring of its features. However, this scope is not the best for long-range shooters.

Is Bushnell a Good Brand That Makes Good Optics?

Bushnell has been supplying customers with high-quality optics for years and is a leader in the optics industry.

When you visit their company website, you can see that Bushnell has created a wide platform for big game and small game shooters with their range of high-quality products.

These Bushnell optics range from scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes to laser rangefinders!

Bushnell is one of my go-tos for hunting and competition shooting optics.

Whether you’re looking for scopes or other sports optics products, rest assured that Bushnell is a good and reliable brand that’s devoted to providing customer satisfaction and top-performing products!

Things to Consider Before Buying Bushnell Rifle Scopes

Before you buy your first Bushnell scope, there are a lot of factors you have to consider.

To find a rifle scope that best suits your needs, here are a few things to consider:

#1 Magnification

Magnification is one of the most important factors when choosing any scope.

As the term suggests, magnification is how much your target is MAGNIFIED to give you a clear image.

The magnification is the range that you multiply to what you can see with your naked eye.

In the case of a sample product, let’s say the Bushnell Banner 3-9×40, it has a magnification range of 3-9x, meaning the image will appear 3-9x bigger to your eye than it would without magnification.

The two types of magnification are:

• Fixed – The field of view is fixed (a scope at 4x stays at 4x)
• Variable – The field of view is adjustable within a specific range (you can adjust the Bushnell Banner to a range of 3x-9x).

What magnification range should I get?

It depends on what kind of shooting you are going for.

Different magnifications are used for different reasons, whether it is long-range, short-range, or mid-range:

• 1-4x magnification if you are shooting for simple 100-yard target practice. I’d use these scopes for small-game hunting or home defense.
• 5-8x magnification for 200 yards target practice or landscape hunting, like in forests or mountains
• 9-12x magnification for target practice beyond 200 yards and wider landscapes like deserts

If you’re looking for a specific magnification, I also have a buying guide on the top 1-6x scopes for some great options.

#2 Reticle

Also known as the CROSSHAIR, the reticle is your point of reference or where to aim to hit your target. There are different types of reticles, and all serve different purposes.

Here are some commonly used ones:

Illuminated Reticle:

• As the term suggests, this type LIGHTS UP to create a stark contrast between your target and reticle, making it easier for your eyes to focus on the target.
• This type is usually battery-powered and useful in low-light conditions.

Duplex Reticle:

• A duplex looks like a standard crosshair, except this type has thicker lines surrounding the thin middle cross.
• This simple design is really helpful for beginners as it also helps the eyes focus on the target.
  • I find it most useful when I want a sight that draws focus without an excessive number of hash marks.

Full Mil-Dot Reticle:

• This type looks similar to a Duplex, but this one has dots on the lines, which allow the shooter to accurately estimate the range and distance of the target.

BDC Reticle:

• BDC reticle stands for Bullet Drop Compensator, which helps the user estimate for bullet drop, which is the vertical distance of the bullet below the line of departure.
• Some scopes also have an illuminated BDC reticle for nighttime shooting.

Focal Plane Reticle:

• A 1st FP reticle will INCREASE AS YOU MAGNIFY THE IMAGE, making your target proportional to the reticle.
• A 2nd FP reticle DOES NOT INCREASE ALONG WITH MAGNIFICATION, meaning that your reticle maintains its size, resulting in landing a more precise shot. 

#3 Objective Lens

Also known as lens size, the objective lens controls the amount of light that enters the scope. This is the number after the “x” in the product name. (50 in 4-9×50, for example).

The LARGER the objective lens, the MORE light will enter and the brighter the image will be.

It is important to consider the objective lens, especially if you are hunting at night or dawn, in which case you will need a large enough lens size to get a good amount of light in.

#4 Parallax

Parallax is the position of the reticle in relation to your eye.

There are times when you think your reticle is not completely centered on the target; it could appear more to the left or to the right.

This is where parallax comes in, and you can use the parallax side knob to gain more precision and compensate for that off-centeredness.

#5 Elevation and Windage

Elevation and Windage are used to determine the where the bullet lands on the target.

You can use the Elevation and Windage turrets to adjust the reticle and, therefore, the bullet’s vertical (elevation) and horizontal (windage) direction.

It is best to have elevation and windage turrets that make a loud click sound, so you can easily keep track of the adjustments.

#6 Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope.

If your eye is TOO CLOSE to the scope or placed directly on the eyepiece, the recoil when you shoot could cause a scar or bump on your eyebrow.

If your eye is TOO FAR from the eyepiece, the image may be too blurry, leading to inaccurate shots.

To prevent this, you want a scope that has a good amount of eye relief where you can:

• Shoot without worrying about your scope hitting your eye from recoil.
• See your target through the scope eyepiece clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Are Bushnell Optics Made?

There are many types of Bushnell rifle scopes, most of which are manufactured in either South Korea or China or, in some cases, both.

For the most part, the scope and its parts are outsourced from other countries and sold in the United States.

Does Bushnell Make Good Red Dot Sights?

YES! Bushnell makes great red dot sights as well.

Bushnell specializes in creating the best optic products for shooters and hunters, including red dot sights.

The company’s red dot sights are great for getting up close and personal with your targets.

I found them to be on-par with red dot-specific manufacturers like Aimpoint and Eotech.

Bushnell even went the extra mile and made specific red dot sights for specific needs, such as hunting specific animals like hogs and deer.

Are Bushnell Forge Scopes Any Good?

Like many other Bushnell optics, the Forge is a great scope commonly used by professionals or advanced-level shooters.

Here are some noteworthy features:

• The Forge also comes with the EXO barrier, which, as we all know, provides ultimate protection. 
• As you try out the adjustment knobs, you will find that the point of impact is EXACTLY where you want it to be.
• The Forge’s elevation knobs have a return-to-zero lock, which brings you back zero after fiddling too much with it.
• You also get a choice of four reticles in either the first focal plane or the second. The Deploy MOA is the optimal choice for precise aiming!

Although one of the more EXPENSIVE ones on the market, it is still worth looking into, especially if you are more experienced.

My Top Picks

Best Budget Pick – Banner

The Banner is one of the best Bushnell rifle scopes for being one of, if not the CHEAPEST, rifle scope out there!

For only under $100 (may vary depending on where you buy from), you will enjoy everything this scope has to offer.

You will not have to spend a huge amount of money on this quality rifle scope!

Best Value – Prime

The Bushnell Prime scope is an LPVO scope that is easy to use and has all the features to get the job done!

Because it is an LPVO scope, you can enjoy a fixed view at 1x or increase it to 4x, giving you more flexibility and versatility on the field!

You can enjoy the consistency of a red dot sight as well!

Thanks to its EXO barrier, the Prime does not disappoint in providing you with protected glass and clear images, not to mention, it’s totally affordable!

Best Overall – Trophy

There’s a reason why this scope is called the Trophy.

Simple yet effective from the reticle to its build, the Trophy scope combines all elements, from the light transmission to affordability, to give you the best Bushnell scope you can get.

With no fancy-schmancy tricks or extra tools needed, the Trophy is guaranteed to give users the finest shooting experience!

Final Words

That’s a wrap on these Bushnell rifle scopes!

There are many wonderful firearm optics brands out there, but Bushnell can do no wrong if you’re looking for a new scope.

Bushnell rifle scopes are made with professionalism, quality, and customer satisfaction as their priorities.

Once you purchase a scope from Bushnell, rest assured that you and your rifles will have much luck for hunts and target shooting!

FINAL TIP: If you’re looking for more scope reviews from different brands, take a look at our top recommendations for rifle scopes under $500.