BUSHNELL AR OPTICS 1-4X24MM REVIEW

I was recently introduced to optics by a friend of mine. I didn’t take notice of them before, but after that one encounter, I thirsted for more. My friend then told me to check out the Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm Riflescope. Thus, this review was born.

Before I proceed with this review, I’d like to share this great article I came across while searching what optics will work best for me. Written by Rifle Optics Team posted in Rifle Optics World, this article gives good pointers for first-time optics buyers.

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm Review

The four points in the article are as follows:

• Determine what you want your optics to help you with, then take a look at the features, the materials it is made of, and the manufacturer.
• Since AR is lightweight, the optic must also be compact and light.
• If you are buying optics for defensive or tactical use, it must withstand recoil as well as minor and major impacts. 
• The most important feature should be the ability to see your target clearly at all times and in every kind of condition. You bought an optic for target acquisition, not decoration. For this reason, you must also check if the scope is waterproof and fog proof, especially if the optics uses electricity.
• I will be using these parameters as I go along. Now, onto the review.

Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm

The Bushnell Company, according to a New York Times Article, was started in 1948 when David Bushnell started selling Bushnell binoculars which he brought from Japan, where he had spent his honeymoon. His patented specifications were a huge success and he eventually expanded to riflescopes and spotting scopes. Now Bushnell is one of the top names in the optics industry.

There are three AR Optics products with the 1-4x24mm specification. These are the Riflescope at $149, the Riflescope Illuminated BTR-1 FFP at $299, and the Illuminated Riflescope FFP and American Eagle .223 Bundle. I’ll be reviewing the Riflescope, which is also a bestseller

Features

With the parallax fixed at 100 yards, the Bushnell AR Optics Riflescope magnifies to 112 feet at 1x and 27 feet at 4x. The reticle is Drop Zone 223, which will be discussed later on in the review. The elevation and windage adjustment is at 120 MOA or 34.9 MIL. The elevation and windage turrets are MIL-based, exposed, and non-locking.

The AR Optics is 9.4 inches and weighs 18 ounces. It is both waterproof and fog proof at IPX7. It is multi-coated, meaning it has multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all air-to-glass surfaces.

My take on the Riflescope

I particularly like the reticle on this one because it helps a lot with long-range shots. Since I am not doing any night shooting, or I hope I don’t, it’s okay that I didn’t get the illuminated scope. Although I admit, it might have been a better investment.

I also tried how waterproof the scope was by sticking it in a pail of water. It held up quite well and I’m half-relieved for that. Otherwise, I would have wasted a lot of money for nothing.

Customers’ Review

In an anonymous review posted on Rifle Optics World, the author gave the Riflescope a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating. The major points of his review include the lack of parallax adjustment, second focal plane nature of the optic, and the advertisement on the body, though the third is more of a question of preference for his “subtle” taste.

The author also gives an insightful look into the BDC Reticle. Essentially, it is a standard duplex reticle with dots that marks the bullet drop that is designed specifically for 223 rounds. This model has dots that compensate from 200 to 600 meters. To be accurate, the author says, the bullet drop compensator has to be in the highest setting.

Adriel, writing for Hunting Gear Guy, focuses on the turrets, which adjust the MIL specification with every turn of the knob. He notes that they have the perfect grip and the clicks are audible. Adriel also writes that the sharpness held up in all levels of magnification and gave a lot of Chromatic Aberration or purplish fringing in broad daylight.

The Bushnell Riflescope placed third in the Gunzone’s list of Top 5 Optics of 2020. In the list written by William Taylor, he notes that this model is a second focal plane design. He further explained that it lets you change the power instantly when you are dealing with a moving target.

He also praises the black matte finish as it ensures the elimination of any unwanted glare in the field. However, the only con he listed was that it was too heavy. As compared to the other optics on the list, it certainly is.

Tim of Sniper Rifles provides the materials which comprise the Riflescope, something that I have been searching the website for, but couldn’t find. The scope is made from aluminum alloy and is anodized finished.

Pros

• Inexpensive optic
• Quality is guaranteed

Cons

• Bushnell’s poor customer service
• A little on the heavy side of optics

Conclusion

From the data I’ve gathered above, I can safely say that a Riflescope is a good investment. I can’t wait to review the rest of the models next time.