Rifle Scopes Bushnell 3.5-21 G2DMR vs. Leupold Mk 6 3-18

[Kirk111]

Okay guys... Admitted FNG here. I have my rifle. I bought a Tikka T3 Sporter .308 24". Now I need a scope to complete my "snipery" setup (jk) and I'm about 1-2 weeks out.

I am considering the Bushnell 3.5-21 G2DMR and the Leupold Mk 6 3-18. I have read every piece of info I could get on both of the scopes. Not being able to get my hands on either I could use some guidance on this purchase. I will be primarily using the setup at the range learning marksmanship and hunting to a much lesser extent. I would like to compete in the future, but I'm a long way off. Long way.

I have tried quite a few Leupold scopes out locally including the MK 4 3-10x (or whatevery mag it is). I do like the optical quality and the overall build quality. For some reason, the Leupolds I've tried are not as easy to maintain the proper placement of my eyes; this was compared to Nightforce, Trijicon, and a few others. My eyes are at the stage where my close vision is getting worse. So I tend to like a large exit pupil and a forgiving eyebox (I'm not sure of the exact term for this, but I've noticed some scopes are much more finicky about your eye being in the exact right spot). Not sure which scope would be more forgiving and I'm sure the Leupold would be fine once mounted, but not sure.

Pros for Bushnell IMO for me: Great value for the money, great mag range for me, I really like the reticle

Cons for Bushnell: Heavy, can't put my hands on it to tell how it would fit me, unsure about optical quality

Pros for Leupold (assuming optics and build are equal to MK4): Great build quality, battle tested, 1lb lighter, good optical quality

Cons for Leupold: higher price by about $5-600, smaller objective, reports of too much play on turrets when locked (?), not sure I like their reticles as much

I am leaning toward the Bushnell, but I keep trying to talk myself into a Leupold or a Nightforce (too pricey I think for me). I really like the overall package of the Leupold (mag range, weight, tested name). My rifle is already 9.7 lbs and it would be nice to have a lighter scope. But I keep hearing a lot of noise about the movement of the locked turrets. I'm not sure that will be a big deal for me.

Oh, does anyone know what the exit pupil size is for the Leupold? Does it come in Mil / Mil? I think I read it did.

I'd appreciate hearing any feedback you guys might have to help me with this purchase. Thanks.

 

[phreakmode]

Buy the HDMR or DMR, spend the difference (from the Mk6 price) on a few classes and be way ahead in the long run.

The Mk6 has locking turret, it boggles my mind why people sweet over it moving some. How the hell did people manage with non locking turrets that move even more?

 

[bp7178]

It boggles my mind why someone would pay $2,100-4,500 for a scope and settle for it being any less than perfect.

A huge con for the DMR is the weight over the Mark 6. Its a very substantial difference.

The larger the magnification range, to more finicky you can expect the eye box to be. If this is an issue, at the very least check the return policy before buying. You might want to look at scopes in the 6-24x power range.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

I can understand where you are coming from with this debate, it is exactly where I have found myself stuck. I don't really need another S&B, and the Leupold really looks great, especially its light and compact size. However the Bushnell is definitely tempting too. For me I'm having a harder time with a comparison of glass and overall build quality as there is nowhere local that I can get my hands on one. Hope this thread gets a few people with some hands on experience with both.

 

[redirt78]

Bushnell has a cash back one year guarantee on its Elite Tactical line.

The G2 reticle is great in the G2DMR. I have used it for long range steel and hunting. The 3.5-21 is heavy, it's built like a tank. Take advantage of that cash back guarantee and try one. If you don't like it, no skin off your back (or out of your wallet)

 

[cjgemm]

I have both:

The DMR weighs more, but has a better reticle and more mag. Mine has the 5mil turrets and no ZS. The ERS that adds 10mil turrets and a ZS which would be a better comparison to the MK6, puts them about the same price.

The MK6 is lighter, but has less mag. the TMR is nice, but only 5mil's of hold over and no windage holds (Christmas tree). I like the ability to be able move the zero ring tool-less. The play in the locking turrets doesn't bother me. When you actually use the scope it's pretty easy to tell whats going on with the knob.

All the above being said, both of these optics are available with Horus ret. which could take the turrets out of play entirely if that's your thing. Then Its a trade off between weight and magnification and which is more important. I guess price at that point too, cause with the Horus, 10mil ZS knobs might be less important.

 

[Night Eagle]

I bought a bushnell 3-21x50 last month and found it had only 20 mils of play. It would not zero. I sent it back for a refund and got a refund check within about 2 wks...no fuss no muss... I did not lick the turret lock on that scope as u have to pull up then adjust mills then push back down...this seems very redundant and with the type of shooting I do this would not work as the drills we do are timed and we frequently are changing mil holds over and over up and down up and down.

I haven't tried the leupold but after diesel geeks review I'm liking that and will prob go tht route

 

[Cobracutter]

I bought a bushnell 3-21x50 last month and found it had only 20 mils of play. It would not zero. I sent it back for a refund and got a refund check within about 2 wks...no fuss no muss... I did not lick the turret lock on that scope as u have to pull up then adjust mills then push back down...this seems very redundant and with the type of shooting I do this would not work as the drills we do are timed and we frequently are changing mil holds over and over up and down up and down.

I haven't tried the leupold but after diesel geeks review I'm liking that and will prob go tht route

What do you mean only 20 MILS?

The scope comes with about 100MOA of elevation (50 in each direction). Throw on a 20 MOA base and you have 70 Moa ...............OR ` 20 mills of ajustment to work with. Add the retticle and now you have 30 Mils.

There are VERY few scopes that will have that much usable elevation, so I really would like to know what your talking about.

Sounds like someone is getting a gently used at the the discount outlet for a steal.

 

[Cobracutter]

I was just going to add that I own the G2DMR, But not the MK6

I fully reccomend the bushnell, with the caveat that it is heavy. If weight is a big deal to you (DMR Gun, light hunting/tactical rig), and the additional money is not an issue, get the MK6.

The extra pound does not bother me, and It soaks up some of the recoil.

The Bushy is the absolute best value in tactical optics there is without sacrifcing quality. I plan to buy a few more in the coming months.

 

[Night Eagle]

What do you mean only 20 MILS?

The scope comes with about 100MOA of elevation (50 in each direction). Throw on a 20 MOA base and you have 70 Moa ...............OR ` 20 mills of ajustment to work with. Add the retticle and now you have 30 Mils.

There are VERY few scopes that will have that much usable elevation, so I really would like to know what your talking about.

Sounds like someone is getting a gently used at the the discount outlet for a steal.

Sure pal. I'm lying. It was defective...it's supposed to have about 32 mils or so but this only had 20. Turrets would move only 2 turns. 10 mil turrets times 2 turns equals 20 if u need me to help u w the math
The point I was trying to make was the return policy was decent

 

[Kirk111]

I certainly seem to hear mostly great things about the Bushnell. Since the rifle is already heavy, I'm guessing this is going to become primarily a range rifle and I'll pick up a lighter rifle for hunting in the future. So an extra lb really is not that big of a deal.

Considering the money back guarantee on the Bushnell, that really does make sense.

I've looked at a quite a few different reticles. As I'm relatively new to the game, I'm not really sure what I'll like here. That being said, I want to be able to do holdovers for elevation and windage and be able to mil targets well. The G2DMR seems to be the one that makes the most sense to my mind (which is a feat itself). The Horus reticle really seems distracting and I could see myself getting confused on my exact location there. Again, I'm sure experience will help here.

I keep coming back to the Bushnell. Thanks everyone.

 

[Cobracutter]

I was not calling you a liar, your post was unclear, missing critical information , and confusing.

Bushnell - ERS 3.5-21x 50mm
Advertised with 50 MOA of range (in each direction obviously)

Are you saying you bottomed out the optic (As in turned in two revs down) and then you could only come up two revs? (or it went 1 rev in each direction).

Either way you need to clarify.

 

[Cobracutter]

I certainly seem to hear mostly great things about the Bushnell. Since the rifle is already heavy, I'm guessing this is going to become primarily a range rifle and I'll pick up a lighter rifle for hunting in the future. So an extra lb really is not that big of a deal.

Considering the money back guarantee on the Bushnell, that really does make sense.

I've looked at a quite a few different reticles. As I'm relatively new to the game, I'm not really sure what I'll like here. That being said, I want to be able to do holdovers for elevation and windage and be able to mil targets well. The G2DMR seems to be the one that makes the most sense to my mind (which is a feat itself). The Horus reticle really seems distracting and I could see myself getting confused on my exact location there. Again, I'm sure experience will help here.

I keep coming back to the Bushnell. Thanks everyone.

If you want to save some money look at some of the 30MM FFP models too. If you can swing MIL/LEO, here are some of the prices direct from Bushnell:
BUSET18524 1-8.5 BTR 2 $1504.14
ET1624F 1-6.5 BTR 2 $980.01
BUSET6245FG $704.21
BUSET3124FJ $699.78
BUSET35215G $1009.43
BUSET35215GZA $1418.99
BUSET45305GZ $1504.14

 

[Night Eagle]

I was not calling you a liar, your post was unclear, missing critical information , and confusing.

Bushnell - ERS 3.5-21x 50mm
Advertised with 50 MOA of range (in each direction obviously)

Are you saying you bottomed out the optic (As in turned in two revs down) and then you could only come up two revs? (or it went 1 rev in each direction).

Either way you need to clarify.

no sweat, no harm no foul
so ill try to make this as clear as mud. I received a bushnell that only had 20 mils of elevation in the turret. so yes the scope bottomed out not allowing me to even zero on my gap crusader .308. in other words, I could only turn the top turret 2 full revolutions, where I should have been able to turn it 3 full revolutions...supposedly these scopes have about 32 mils or so of elevation in the to turrets. so mine was either defective or preowned...either turned me off enough to cause me to return the scope for my full refund.
I did not like the locking turret set up but that in itself would not have caused me to return scope.

 

[ZombieMonkey]

If you want to save some money look at some of the 30MM FFP models too. If you can swing MIL/LEO, here are some of the prices direct from Bushnell:
BUSET18524 1-8.5 BTR 2 $1504.14
ET1624F 1-6.5 BTR 2 $980.01
BUSET6245FG $704.21
BUSET3124FJ $699.78
BUSET35215G $1009.43
BUSET35215GZA $1418.99
BUSET45305GZ $1504.14

I thought they did not have a LE/MIL program. Is there a link or something else for more info for those of us who qualify?

 

[Cobracutter]

I thought they did not have a LE/MIL program. Is there a link or something else for more info for those of us who qualify?

Call Bushnell CS and ask to Speak to Alpha. He's their Military guy and can get you taken care of.