Bushnell mped best scope for under 1k?

[PerpetualSeanX]

I just picked up a tikka t3x roughtech ranch in .223. I mainly plan to use it for precision shooting from bench, but I also plan to use it for coyote hunting and the rarer occasion of 600-1000 to test myself.

I’m torn on whether or not to spend 1.5-1.8k for a used higher end scope, or if the Bushnell mped will be more than enough for me. For the most part I’d probably only be going out for around 300-500ish max as I don’t have a range that goes too much further. But most frequently would be 100. If I want to go further I have to go out on public land. So, it’s not that I won’t go out further, I just don’t go out much because of the hassle.

I may give competitions a try if I feel I’m doing well enough with the rifle. Bench and/or prs type stuff.

Sorry if that was long winded wanted to give the most info I could to help. Is the mped the best bang for my buck and gonna be plenty for me or should I save a bit and go bigger?

 

[wind gypsy]

Dont know, never used one. But I'd personally scoop up a used SWFA 5-20 for less than a grand before paying the same for a more highly featured made in china scope. Used trij credo is another you might find around $1k.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

I guess I should have said, I don’t want a max power less than 25. I’ve currently got a xtrii 3-15 that I’ll be using while I figure out what to get. The magnification is just barely sufficient for what I want to use it for at 100 and the crosshair is definitely a bit too thick.

 

[KenLee]

Use some $ on contacts or Lasik if you need 15x at 100 yards.

 

[SDHNTR]

I guess I should have said, I don’t want a max power less than 25.

Yes you do. FOV matters. You want as much as possible.

 

[wind gypsy]

I get it. For me punching paper i do like 15x on the RS1.2 more than 12x on the LRTS. Takes less concentration to see fine details of aiming point. Doubt it makes a difference in the groups it shoots though. 20x is a bit nicer yet.

Yes you do.

At least at the sub $1k price point..

 

[tikkashooter88]

I'd try to find a used Bushnell Elite DMR3 or XRS for around $1k. Elite series is made in Japan and much better quality scope than the China models.

Onx Elite got you 25% off Bushnell optics a while ago. Not sure if it still does.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

Yes you do. FOV matters. You want as much as possible.

The nice thing about having more than you need is you don’t have to use it. You can always use less when the occasion calls for it.

 

[KenLee]

The nice thing about having more than you need is you don’t have to use it. You can always use less when the occasion calls for it.

It's "turrble" as Sir Charles Barkley says. You're giving up low minimum magnification for those close in, running, or thick shots. On cheaper scopes, you also give up low light usability if you can't get down to low magnification.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

I'd try to find a used Bushnell Elite DMR3 or XRS for around $1k. Elite series is made in Japan and much better quality scope than the China models.

Onx Elite got you 25% off Bushnell optics a while ago. Not sure if it still does.

Ya. If I can find a good deal on an xrsiii I don’t think I’d turn my nose up at it. I’ve also heard good things about the dmr3, but not as much.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

It's "turrble" as Sir Charles Barkley says. You're giving up low minimum magnification for those close in, running, or thick shots. On cheaper scopes, you also give up low light usability if you can't get down to low magnification.

Most scopes that are 25-30 max have a 5x min give or take. I don’t know when I’d ever go lower than that. Even at 30ish yards 5x is more than usable imho. Though, I have not done prs or running and gunning. Most prs top ten shooters seem to be around a max of 25 with most of them not going below 10 most of the time. I’m sure there are exceptions to that. Thats just according to a post I saw that had ran a pole with the top ten shooters. I don’t recall what year that was specifically, that being said. Maybe it was older and things have changed.

With my limited knowledge I decided I’d go with what seems to work with people that win that sort of thing not to mention I’m coming from .22lr ara Benchrest where 50x for 50yards is what I use. Lol.

 

[KenLee]

Precision bench shooting ain't hunting. Coyotes don't like to pose for you to shoot them. I know many crazy accurate bench shooters who melt when they need to quickly shoot a breathing animal.

 

[SDHNTR]

The nice thing about having more than you need is you don’t have to use it. You can always use less when the occasion calls for it.

On a FFP, yes. But just keep in mind that high mag often means high zoom erectors. That comes at a cost. Especially if all that is crammed into a short scope tube, there are going to be unpleasant compromises.

 

[tikkashooter88]

I have two DMR3. One on NRL22 rig and the other on a 6.5 Creedmoor that's setup for more competition style. Great scope, uber reliable, great glass and solid tracking. Just too heavy and not good reticle for hunting at low power and low light. Honestly you are not going to find any FFP scope with high magnification that is good for hunting in low power/low light. That's why on this forum you are going to get a ton of pushback. You simply can't effectively see the reticle in a "oh crap it's first light and there's a buck at 50 yards in the timber".

If you think you "need" the high magnification, just be willing to accept that it's gonna suck or pretty much unusable under 8-10x in hunting situations. Most everyone on this forum understands that you don't want to be on high power even at long distances because it makes getting back on target to see your impact very difficult. So for hunting purposes (this is a hunting forum) not many here are going to agree that high magnification is a good thing.

Here's my 8 year old hitting an 18" plate at 800 yards with a Maven RS1.2 on 10x. Holding .5 mil wind.

DMR3 for $950 on snipershide, https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/bushnell-dmr3-walk-950.7237935/

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

Precision bench shooting ain't hunting. Coyotes don't like to pose for you to shoot them. I know many crazy accurate bench shooters who melt when they need to quickly shoot a breathing animal.

Fair point. I haven’t don’t prs, but I have done my fair share of hunting including yotes though and coming from bench where I’m trying to scrape every bit of accuracy I can into .75” or realistically much less to a yote with a much larger and forgiving spot is much easier in my experience. A kill is a kill.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

I have two DMR3. One on NRL22 rig and the other on a 6.5 Creedmoor that's setup for more competition style. Great scope, uber reliable, great glass and solid tracking. Just too heavy and not good reticle for hunting at low power and low light. Honestly you are not going to find any FFP scope with high magnification that is good for hunting in low power/low light. That's why on this forum you are going to get a ton of pushback. You simply can't effectively see the reticle in a "oh crap it's first light and there's a buck at 50 yards in the timber".

If you think you "need" the high magnification, just be willing to accept that it's gonna suck or pretty much unusable under 8-10x in hunting situations. Most everyone on this forum understands that you don't want to be on high power even at long distances because it makes getting back on target to see your impact very difficult. So for hunting purposes (this is a hunting forum) not many here are going to agree that high magnification is a good thing.

Here's my 8 year old hitting an 18" plate at 800 yards with a Maven RS1.2 on 10x. Holding .5 mil wind.

DMR3 for $950 on snipershide, https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/bushnell-dmr3-walk-950.7237935/

I didn’t think about the fact that this is mainly a hunting forum. Im used to discussing all manner of modalities simultaneously. But that does make a lot of sense on the the FOV talk. I appreciate all angles, I’m definitely not blowing anyone’s take off, and it’s giving me things to consider. So I appreciate the discussion.

Lot of dead people and animals from a good distance away using 10x, no doubt about that.

Love that you got your kiddo into it and what a shot at that distance! I keep trying to get my daughters into it, but unfortunately it been a losing battle for me.

 

[KenLee]

I didn’t think about the fact that this is mainly a hunting forum. Im used to discussing all manner of modalities simultaneously. But that does make a lot of sense on the the FOV talk. I appreciate all angles, I’m definitely not blowing anyone’s take off, and it’s giving me things to consider. So I appreciate the discussion.

Lot of dead people and animals from a good distance away using 10x, no doubt about that.

Love that you got your kiddo into it and what a shot at that distance! I keep trying to get my daughters into it, but unfortunately it been a losing battle for me.

I've seen many girls get into shooting and hunting when they start liking boys and want to show the boys up.

 

[flyfisher117]

This isn't the forum to discuss the MPED. If it's not SWFA, Trij, or NF this forum don't want it!

The MPED was hot at first . They are still one of the top budget scopes for entry into the precision rifle games. They have not been perfect though. And be warmed they have been difficult to get warranty work done lately. They've fallen out of favor because of it.

 

[PerpetualSeanX]

This isn't the forum to discuss the MPED. If it's not SWFA, Trij, or NF this forum don't want it!

The MPED was hot at first . They are still one of the top budget scopes for entry into the precision rifle games. They have not been perfect though. And be warmed they have been difficult to get warranty work done lately. They've fallen out of favor because of it.

Lmao. That’s ok. Every forum has their clique and favs.

Warranty work seems to be fairly difficult with a lot of somewhat popular brands. Looking especially at you Burris. Don’t get me started with electronics. I hear March is the only one with more than a few years on that sort of thing.

That said, everytime I do think about warranty issues, vortex definitely comes back into mind.

 

[ChrisAU]

If you don’t care about weight, crap FOV, Chyna-ness, or reliability anyway, skip the MPED and get a DNT The One from @gr8fuldoug . I’ve had an MPED and currently have a DNT on a trainer and the DNT is better in every way.