The good, the bad, and the broken

[stillquietvoice]

Well I went to the range yesterday, to test loads for my 243 and 7mm08 using h4350 and ramshot hunter. The good news is that I got some promising groups with both powders. The best was 49.0 grs of Hunter under a 139 hornandy interlock btsp. Group size of. 3 wide by .4 tall, until my 4th shot struck a half inch left opening up the group. That group was shot at 200 yds. The best with h4350 was 52.1 he's with same bullet. At 100 yds group was .35 by. 45, 3 shots only to conserve powder for further testing. The problem is that right after shooting the best group at 200 my optic got fuzzy in the center, I continued shooting then the whole optic blurred out.

Despite the unclear image I did manage to put 10 rounds of a known, to my rifle, accurate load on steel at 300 meters, but I need a new scope. I finished my range day with my 223 went 50 for 50 at 300 m steel. Overall a good day.

The optic in question is a Nikon buskmaster 2 4-12x40, not an expensive optic, but it has accounted for 5 deer in 4 years. If I wait for Nikon service the gun will be out of service for the upcoming season. Nikon will likely replace it cause it's a cheaper option for them. In the meantime what do I reach it with? I put a Burris ff2 4.5 - 14 in the cart at midsouth shooters supply. Is this a suitable replacement?

 

[LoonWulf]

Well I went to the range yesterday, to test loads for my 243 and 7mm08 using h4350 and ramshot hunter. The good news is that I got some promising groups with both powders. The best was 49.0 grs of Hunter under a 139 hornandy interlock btsp. Group size of. 3 wide by .4 tall, until my 4th shot struck a half inch left opening up the group. That group was shot at 200 yds. The best with h4350 was 52.1 he's with same bullet. At 100 yds group was .35 by. 45, 3 shots only to conserve powder for further testing. The problem is that right after shooting the best group at 200 my optic got fuzzy in the center, I continued shooting then the whole optic blurred out.

Despite the unclear image I did manage to put 10 rounds of a known, to my rifle, accurate load on steel at 300 meters, but I need a new scope. I finished my range day with my 223 went 50 for 50 at 300 m steel. Overall a good day.

The optic in question is a Nikon buskmaster 2 4-12x40, not an expensive optic, but it has accounted for 5 deer in 4 years. If I wait for Nikon service the gun will be out of service for the upcoming season. Nikon will likely replace it cause it's a cheaper option for them. In the meantime what do I reach it with? I put a Burris ff2 4.5 - 14 in the cart at midsouth shooters supply. Is this a suitable replacement?

I'd say that's a reasonable upgrade over a BM2, more akin to the original Buckmaster line.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The Fullfield is one of the best budget scopes ever- I have two and am very happy with them.

 

[cdb1]

The Fullfield II is a much better scope than the Buckmasters II IMO.

 

[marksman13]

I’ll throw my hat in the ring with the above posters and tell you that the FullField II from Burris may just be the best scope in its price range. I have a couple of them and they are great glass for the money. Much better than the Nikon Buckmaster 2.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Thanks guys, pulled the trigger so to speak, it should be here around the 10th if their shipping estimate holds true.

Just a bad time to have to change optics, could be worse though, if it does during the season.

 

[Speedo66]

Just curious where you’re using a 12 or 14 power scope in NY, maybe for varmints?

Most of my deer shots there were 50 yards or less. lol

Good luck with your new scope!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Just curious where you’re using a 12 or 14 power scope in NY, maybe for varmints?

I was wondering that as well. Perhaps the high end magnification comes in handy for positive target identification?

 

[ojibweindian]

I’ll throw my hat in the ring with the above posters and tell you that the FullField II from Burris may just be the best scope in its price range. I have a couple of them and they are great glass for the money. Much better than the Nikon Buckmaster 2.

How well does the FullField II track?

 

[marksman13]

How well does the FullField II track?

I’ve never shot a box drill with a FF II, but mine seemed to track well enough while zeroing.

 

[cdb1]

How well does the FullField II track?

I don’t believe I’ve ever read or heard anyone commenting on how the Fullfield II tracks. All I can say is they do it well enough to sight a rifle in. Judging by the design though I don’t imagine it’s a strength of the scope.

 

[ojibweindian]

I’ve never shot a box drill with a FF II, but mine seemed to track well enough while zeroing.

I

I don’t believe I’ve ever read or heard anyone commenting on how the Fullfield II tracks. All I can say is they do it well enough to sight a rifle in. Judging by the design though I don’t imagine it’s a strength of the scope.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Varminterror]

How well does the FullField II track?

Better than the Buckmaster II.

I will be interested to hear whether Nikon has any more inventory of warranty replacement Buckmasters on hand. They ceased production of riflescopes in Nov 2019, and the last I had heard for a handful of models, inventory has already dried up such a warranty claim yielded a coupon for equivalent value as half off of new binos.

 

[rust collector]

I don't commonly get all twisted up about companies virtue signaling, but Nikon's departure from rifle scope sales was a long time coming. They had prohibited retailers from selling rifle scopes and spotters if they sold Nikon photo equipment for a number of years. With so many good alternatives out there, I have little use for Nikon on sporting or camera side.

 

[redneck2]

My neighbor is a rep for Burris. He can get anything we wants. He uses FF 2’s. I just looked through them briefly, but they appear to be clear.

FWIW....I used a 4x for deer for years, and later a 4-14. Guys get all twisted up because it goes to 14x.

NEWS FLASH (which they all seem to overlook), if you set it at 4x, that’s what was considered optimum for a fixed scope for years

 

[stillquietvoice]

Just curious where you’re using a 12 or 14 power scope in NY, maybe for varmints?

Generally I shoot to ranges of 300 meters on paper and steel, in preparation for hunting season. I have shot a couple of bucks at ranges greater than 200 yds, but only one in NY. I also have a cornfield or two that require higher magnification, but haven't shot anything there yet. Also I'm turning 55 soon and my vision isn't what it was, even at 40.

Most of my deer shots there were 50 yards or less. lol

Good luck with your new scope!

That has been my experience as well but did get a couple does at about 75 in the woods.

Thanks for the luck I got an email saying that it shipped today with a tracking number. We'll see how fast it gets here. Will report then.

 

[LoonWulf]

How well does the FullField II track?

I’ve never shot a box drill with a FF II, but mine seemed to track well enough while zeroing.

I

I don’t believe I’ve ever read or heard anyone commenting on how the Fullfield II tracks. All I can say is they do it well enough to sight a rifle in. Judging by the design though I don’t imagine it’s a strength of the scope.

They arnt turret twisters that's for sure. My two ff2 3-9s tracked ok and, stayed set. The turrets really arnt ment for continued use in the field, so part of it is just the vagaries of the design and the way they feel.
The 4.5-14 E1 has easier to use turrets, and dialed in perfectly in 2 shots....and I only got to play with that scope that one day, because it left with the rifle it was on that afternoon.

Again I don't think I'd TRY dialing any FF a lot, but they work plenty good enough to get you zeroed.

 

[troy fairweather]

My typical deer shot seems to be 150-200 yards, tho I've had to shoot some very close the last few years, probably because new property's I'm now hunting. I still keep my scopes on 4x tho if I have time I'll crank it up for a farther shot, not that it's needed just to look at the deer better.

the new Burris ff iv are out I'd like to pick one up and try it, hoping they just improved a already great valued scope.

 

[stillquietvoice]

the new Burris ff iv are out I'd like to pick one up and try it, hoping they just improved a already great valued scope

I looked at those online as well, but for 189, 204 after taxes couldn't pass it up.

Free shipping as well

 

[CptnAwesome]

Not much more I can add to what's already been said. Great choice going with the FFII. I own a couple FFII's and a few FF E1's. After shooting with a couple of mine my brother has since bought 3. I think you'll be very happy with your choice.

As far as tracking, I did shoot a box drill with the first FFII I bought, a 4.5-14x42 and it worked as it should. Never tested any after that but I know I haven't had any trouble at all zeroing my rifles and they've stayed where I put them.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Not much more I can add to what's already been said. Great choice going with the FFII. I own a couple FFII's and a few FF E1's. After shooting with a couple of mine my brother has since bought 3. I think you'll be very happy with your choice.

As far as tracking, I did shoot a box drill with the first FFII I bought, a 4.5-14x42 and it worked as it should. Never tested any after that but I know I haven't had any trouble at all zeroing my rifles and they've stayed where I put them.

My first Burris scope, I've had several from Nikon, Bushnell and one Leupold, that I actually got to use. If it's close to the monarch or vx3l it will serve well.

Thanks I've heard a lot of good things about the ff2's

 

[stillquietvoice]

I got a surprise today. The email I got saying that my scope had shipped, said it should arrive on 10/09. Well it was delivered today instead so I'm happy with that. It came in a rather large box surrounded by paper. The optic was wrapped in bubble wrap. I could see pretty well into a dimly lit kitchen about 30 ft from me.

I haven't installed it yet but will tomorrow after work.

 

[CptnAwesome]

I got a surprise today. The email I got saying that my scope had shipped, said it should arrive on 10/09. Well it was delivered today instead so I'm happy with that. It came in a rather large box surrounded by paper. The optic was wrapped in bubble wrap. I could see pretty well into a dimly lit kitchen about 30 ft from me.

I haven't installed it yet but will tomorrow after work.

I have that exact same scope on my 300 Weatherby and love it. It's taken the pounding and still going strong.

 

[stillquietvoice]

I had a chance to get out to the range and do a quick sight in on my new Burris ff2. I only had about an hour after the 20 min drive to the range. Had been busy all day with my wife and grandson.

My first shot, at 25 yds was a half in low and about 6 in left, made several gross adjustments right and 8 clicks up. The first shot is bearly visible in the picture near the 5. Five shots in I had zero. I shot a second group to check, it produced 2 separate groups 3 in one hole and 2 in a second.

The next 5 shots, target 2 were at 100 yds 4 in the 10 ring and in I the 9. I then fired 5 at 300 steel plate. Usually I'd zero at 200, but time was running out so I settled for 100. I hit 3 of 5 the 2 misses were low due to operator error, I used the first sight for instead if the second.

Overall it's a really good optic clear with great light transfer in the dating light. The elevation turrets felt positive with audible clicks. The temperature was 56 degrees with a slight wind from 11:00. I feel that this Burris scope is on our with my monarch 4-16x42.