Scope

**JimT** · 11-05-2004, 08:06 AM

If I do not get a deer in the next week I will be taking out the mz on a sunday to set it up. I need a scope for it. I am partail to 3x9x40. This gun will also be my primary bear gun starting next year. It is a Black Diamond .50. I would really like something like the FireFly Bushnell Elite, but do not want to spend more than $300.00. Bears have a tendancy to come in right at dark. The brighter the reticle the better. Any suggestions?

**AaronS** · 11-05-2004, 09:00 AM

The 3200 Elite is $229 at Cabela's. You might check local shops as well. I bought the 1.5 - 4.5 x 32 for my muzzleloader at a local shop for a little less than Cabela's price and didn't have to pay shipping.

**VTbowman** · 11-05-2004, 10:47 AM

Not sure which scope you need but its hard to beat a 50mm front objective lens for light gathering capabilities...
I wish I had a nice 3-9x50 on mine. Our ML season is mid-December and low light hits real early, plus with overcast. Would give me another 20 minutes of light light out to 100 yards, that a smaller scope could not give. You know yourself that can make the difference of not seeing anything or seeing a shooter...

Never liked the illuminated cross-hair scopes. Not sure if thats what you were asking about or not. (???)
Just seems like they would take away from your eyes ability to adjust to the dark foreground and background. Could loose your target with lighted cross hairs. JMO
(I feel the same way about lighted sight pins on a bow.)

gt2003 · 11-09-2004, 11:12 PM

Simmons aetec. Super bright, fully coated optics and you can find brand new ones on ebay for about 130 bucks. They are about $169-179 at bass pro I think. Its simmons top of the line scope. Mine is a 2.8-10x44 and gathers tons of light. The eye relief is about 4-5 inches also which can protect you from eye scars with a muzzleloader. I've got the same scope on my 7mm and love it.

**wtnhunt** · 11-10-2004, 09:47 AM

Went with a cheap bushnell sportsman 3-9X40 on my black diamond last fall and been pretty happy with it so far. It is not the brightest, but it is pretty clear. For a ml that I am going to be shooting under 150 yards with and get only a few times a year to hunt with it has served me fine so far.

I like the simmons 44 mag and aetec scopes for the money. They do gather a lot of light and are very clear.