Review: Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x (BTR-2 Reticle/FFP)

[nickdrak]

Bushnell was kind enough to send me one of their 1-6.5x24 "Elite Tactical" scopes to "T&E" with their BTR-2 reticle with a FFP (First Focal Plane) model #ET1624J.

I am going to use this thread to add my findings over the next month while I have it for testing.

To put a bit of context on my experience with magnified optics, I have been running a Trijicon TR24G 1-4x for the past 3+ years on my patrol/duty carbine. That has been my only (extended) experience with a quality magnified optic. I have run my TR24G Triji at multiple monthly club and LE matches. I have also run it at the NPRC (National Patrol Rifle Competition) held up near Detroit, MI. So while I have put my TR24G Triji to good use over the past few years, my experience is very limited with other makes & manufacturers magnified optics.

I'll start it off with a few pics and some initial impressions of the scope....

Packaging:



Mounted on my work carbine in a LaRue Tactical LT-139 SPR-E mount. (My test bed will be my custom built by me, Noveske 16" SS middy work carbine):



Reticle:


Here is my attempt at some indoor reticle cellphone pics. Illumination was set on the #6 brightness setting for theses pics:

1x:


3x:


6.5x:


6.5x (No illumination):


Weight: 18.5oz (compared to 15oz with my Triji TR24G for reference)

Length: 10.50" (Bushnell) vs. 10.25" (Triji TR24G)

The Bushnell feels very well built. It is made in Japan (As is my Triji) so I expect the quality to be excellent.

The only thing that has me slightly concerned is the durability of the adjustable pop-up turrets. They appear to be made of plastic? They are covered turrets of course, but with the Mil/hash reticle I can imagine dialing with this scope isn't something that would be out of the question. Going off of "feel", I think a normal impact to the ground could damage the pop-up turrets if left uncovered. Everything else about this scope feels very solid.

Turrets:


Glass is as good as anything I have ever handled/shot within this class of scope. I have very limited hands-on/shooting experience with the new Vortex 1-6x, the new (yet to be released) Leupold 1-6x and the 1-6x Elcan Specter.

Illumination seems to work perfectly in all lighting conditions I have available to me today. I plan to take it out a couple of times over the next week and take some more outdoor reticle pics for this review.

Standbye over the next few days & weeks for more detailed info as I run the Bushnell through it's paces....

Stay safe,
Nick

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Oh this is great please continue to tell us. I have been looking at the HDMR a lot just cant pull the $$$

[Singlestack Wonder]

Thanks for doing the review! Looking forward to outdoor daylight pics of the illumination.

[bp7178]

How is the eye box compared to the TR24?

[nickdrak]

On 1x I would say the eyebox is as good or better than the TR24G. On 6.5x it gets a little tight but still good.

[nickdrak]

I decided to do a "real world" battery test. Got a rough zero with it down in my PD range. I turned it on the 31st @ 12:20pm and will leave it set on the #5 setting as a default which is perfect for inside of my house. During my shift (midnights) I typically dial it down to 3 or 4, and during my daytime range sessions I will dial it up to 8 or 9. We shall see how long it runs on one 2032 battery with the various illumination settings I typically would uses day-to-day.

[a0cake]

Best reticle I've seen on a 1-X variable yet. They've clearly got somebody who thinks working for them. Thanks for the review; keep it coming.

[nickdrak]

Indeed. This reticle rules.

[Failure2Stop]

That actually looks really good. Think I'd like to see some thick crosshairs leading to the reticle.
The optic itself looks a little big, but sometimes that's the price of doing business. What's the weight of the unit with mount?

Typos brought to you via Tapatalk and autocorrect.

[Singlestack Wonder]

Does the scope feature zero stops on the adjustments?