I agree, the scope needs its own thread. Below are some George's comments.
Scope Details
Just prior to shot show 2013 I talked to Tom Fuller and Tim Tanker from Bushnell, they were interested in doing an Optic for long range hunting, not just a tactical scope or target scope to put on a hunting rifle. They wanted a shot at creating the best Xtreme hunting LR optic covering all the bases. So we set up a meeting for the shot show and I told them I would Invite the Guy to talk to. Pat Sinclair!! I don't know too many people that can hunt 365 days a year in every condition there is but I know Pat does, and has for a long time. Anyhow the meeting was a success and the scope was speced out over a couple hour meeting behind closed doors at the shot show.
Parameters set:
3x12 power no more than 15
30 mm tube
Side focus, keep the knob in tight.
42-44 mm Obj
no more than 13" long
weight under 24 oz
Low profile elevation knob, 10 mils of elevation in one turn, great clicks, with a hard zero stop and elevation stop. Meaning that you get 10 mils and cant be a rev off , ever!
Large letters on elevation knob for salty eyes to see.
Capped windadge knob. But allow the knob to be used if the user wants to uncap it. 5 mils of movement. Keep the knob as small as possible capped.
FFP, Fisrt Focal Plane
Reticle was discussed as initially as being new, And being created to be faster to acquire targets and easy to use as a up close optic for dangerous game in close, IE Brown Bears in the Alder bushes of Alaska. Or a B&C animal that presents itself close.
I later had a meeting with Tom and Tim in Kansas city over a few German Beers and we drew the reticle out. Tim later provided drawings that we tweeked till it was right.
Bushnell got it all done. I actually got the scope the first day of the Wyoming 307 Speedgoat hunt. Bushnell shipped it to Scotts house and we mounted it up the evening of day one. The next morning Pat zero'ed it and by 10:00 am it connected with a Doe antelope at 1268 yards on its very first pull of the trigger on fur! Hopefully this is a sign of its success to come!
Should have a few more to get into testers hands soon. And it will debut at the Shot show in January 2014. My guess there will be units available in Jan -Feb time frame but I am just guessing on that timeline.
The initial prototype is getting a couple little minor tweeks to make it a little better yet.
This scope is also probably the best DMR scope platform for a SPR or 308 carbine as well as its intended use as a LRHS.
Ill post a couple pics now but I need to get this thing photographed better this week and I will update it.
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On the ocular lock, its rapid for the simple fact that lots of guys wear glasses and they get fogged way more often in cold weather and when you are breathing hard. a can think of alot of times where my glasses were thrown from my face fast to make a quick shot. The ability to rapidly use the focus was to myself and others a must.
The Reticle is the best part, I think if you tried one you would like it, I may be wrong because once your used to something and it sounds like you are, its hard to make a change from it when it works for you. The scope in design is a Long range scope, with the up close mods in the reticle for secondary use in up close and Oh Shit situations.
Total of 25 Mills of travel. The Scope if zero'ed on a 20 min base should yield you about 16-17 Mills of elevation. On a flat base or Talley LW setups 10-11 Mils is about what you will get. give or take a mil. There is a screw that can be set that limits the travel to 10 mils and keeps you on a single turn like the S&B singleturn knob.
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I know thin centers are great for punching paper and shooting small 4" pieces of steel at 600 yards but we are talking about a hunting scope. A through and through hunting scope to be put on a hunting rifle. the thin cross hairs are almost impossible to see in thick cover or on dark background. We already have tons of choices for target scopes there are many this is designed to be a hunting scope period. I would tell you its certainly not the pest choice for a target rifle.
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The tube is a whole new design. The glass inside is different is has an incredible eye box real easy to get on fast. Very crisp. The eyepiece housing was the same as the current 3x12. But Rev 2 is changing that. The 3x12 was the best choice to start from its probably the most common power we all use while hunting, It looks like they will do a 4-16 with all the same features for 2015. So the guys that think they need more power will get it eventually.
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Got word today that the scope Indicated Retail for $1479, That's Retail, should not change from this.
Im guessing that they will sell in the neighborhood of $1250-1350 being that nobody gets retail.
Its a Great Scope and will be out for order for SHOT SHOW. Prototypes like the one I have will b in a few people's hands prior to to give worthy feedback. The Great part is Bushnell listened to Real Hunters/Shooters on this, Pat and I got to 100% spec this scope. Both having used it Im telling you they hit a Homer. Never mind a Grand Slam!!