I tested two examples of the Bushnell/ B&L Elite 2x6 handgun scope for testing. One is from the last
batch made under the Bausch & Lomb name and the other is one of the very first specimens to come out
under the Bushnell name. A short while back Bushnell who long ago purchased B&L decided to drop the
B&L name from its Sports Optics and just use the Bushnell name. This brought the B&L Elite 3200 and
4200 scopes under the umbrella of the Bushnell name. This change should definitely cause no one
concern. Perhaps it is only my imagination or my eye playing tricks on me but honestly I believe I can
see a minor but apparently difference in the clarity and brightness of images through the two scopes with
the newer Bushnell branded one being the better of the two but by only a slight margin. Both are
excellent. I've long used the Bushnell Trophy 2x6 handgun scopes and been pleased with them. These
Elite models go them a little better by adding Multi-coated optics. All optical glass surfaces are
multi-coated to further enhance viewing and reduce eye strain.
These two scopes are mounted on a Freedom Arms FA83 Premier and a Taurus Raging Bull both in the
powerful .454 Casull caliber so they are getting a good test of their strength. After several hundred
rounds each of pounding by the .454 Casull revolvers both scopes are still intact and I've noticed no
harm done to them. These are some tough scopes and will hold up to the recoil of your gun also. In
common with the Trophy scopes I've been using for years these Elite scopes have bright clear images
and the multi-coated optics make them even better in that regard. At 6X I have no trouble at all seeing
bullet holes as small as .22 caliber when in the lighter colored areas of targets. Sometimes when the
bullets land in the black I can see them but sometimes I also can't. When the caliber is .30 and above then
the holes are obvious even in the black. No matter the quality of optics there is a point where lack of
power just makes it impractical to expect to see small fine details at long range. This is just a fact of
optics and not a fault of these scopes.
I've put them through the usual tests of moving 2" left, up, right and then down and they track as expect
of high quality optical instruments. Click adjustments are both positive and precise. When you apply the
clicks the change takes place as it should but sometimes doesn't on cheaper instruments of which I'll not
mention brand names here. Suffice to say when the price is under $100 then you get what you are paying
for generally. Buy quality and you won't regret it later. From my extensive testing of the Bushnell
handgun scopes (both Trophy and Elite) these are quality instruments you can depend on. One minor
complaint I have is the FOV of these scopes. I really would like to see it increased if that is possible. I
realize that to enhance one feature you must lose a bit of some other. The constant eye relief would
probably have to suffer to gain more FOV but that is a compromise I would willing make but I've heard
from others who feel the constant long eye relief is really important to so maybe I'm in the minority here.
At the 2X setting the FOV is only 10' at 100 yards and I would really like to see somewhat more for
hunting in thick woods. So far it hasn't caused me to miss an animal or fail to get off a shot so I guess it
isn't the biggest of deals, just something I think would make an already excellent scope even better.
This is a review of the scopes and not of the guns on which they were mounted but I'll mention here that
these scopes have allowed me to get all the accuracy out of them that I believe is possible at 6X and with
the recoil level that the .454 Casull generates. It really takes a lot of concentration to sit there at the bench
and keep on shooting round after round down range with that recoil level and not lose concentration after
100 rounds or so of 300-340 grain bullets being pushed to 1500-1700 fps. It also gives the scopes a
pounding the same as it does the shooter. Both of these scopes have held up to some days of as many as
150 rounds of full power ammo, better than I did in fact!
You can get the Elite 2x6 in either a silver finish to match your stainless steel guns as the test scopes are
or a blue/black finish to match your blued guns. Either way you are getting the same fine scope.
If you are looking for a high quality scope with excellent bright clear optics and a constant eye relief then
look no further. The Bushnell Elite 2x6 will deliver that to you. I give them the Graybeard Seal of
Approval
and highly recommend them to you. My guns will continue to wear both the Trophy and Elite
2x6 scopes for many years to come just as they have for many years already.
Visit the Bushnell Performance Optics website by CLICKING HERE to see the complete line of optics offered.
Listed below are the product specifications on the Bushnell Elite 2x6 handgun scope taken from the
Bushnell website.
Product Specifications:
Model: 32-2632G Blue and 32-2632S Silver Finish (tested)
Actual Magnification: 2x-6x
Obj Lens Aperture (mm): 32
Field of View ft@100yds/m@100m: 10/3@2x, 4/1@6x
Weight (oz/g): 10/283
Length (in/mm): 9/229
Eye Relief (in/mm): 20/508
Exit Pupil (mm): 16-5.3
Click Value in@100yds: .25/7
Adj Range in@100 yds/m@100m: 50/1.4
Selection: Constant 20" eye relief at all powers w/max. recoil resistance.
Bushnell Corporation
9200 Cody
Overland Park, KS 66214-1734
Important Phone Numbers:
In Kansas City area - (913) 752-3400
Consumers - (800) 423-3537
Dealers - (800) 221-9035
Fax - (913) 752-3550