Review for Bushnell Banner 3.5-10x36 .17 Super AO Riflescope, Matte, Multi-X Reticle, New - 713510

Author: Derek Shapiro {!} , weekend shooting competitor/plinker , from Athens,Georgia on Feb 23, 2011
Pros:  good budget glass, range adjustment works well, compact size
Cons:  at this price, no cons.
Would recommend:  yes

Derek Shapiro wrote:

I have this scope on a 16" bull barreled 10/22 in an axiom stock. I wanted to keep the sight line low and close to the barrel and use very low rings. I also wanted to keep it relatively compact to match the short barrel and lightweight stock. This scope was the perfect choice. The glass looks at least as good as any other Banner I've seen, which is to say, much better than anything else until you approach a 50% price increase. The adjustments were amazingly exact and repeatable, which lends itself to the excellent bullet drop compensator adjustment. With a 36 grn hollowpoint at ~1190 measured fps, the drop compensator will allow me a 50 yard zero, with distance points of 75, 90, 100, 115, and 130 yards. So, if you want a 50 yard zero and are shooting typical high velocity stuff of 36-40 grains, you will still have enough bdc adjustment to reach 130 yards. I used a ballistic calculator and put the distances on the dials myself. The factory supplied turrets assume a 100 yard zero. That's great for a .17 hmr, or a .22 wmr, but I wish the supplied turrets for the .22lr assumed a 50 yard zero, as that is closer to the typical rimfire range. The optics are clear, there is very little distortion. The lense coatings are very effective when the sun is to your back compared to a cheaper scope or many that are more. Light transmission and exit pupil diameter are so much better than can be found on most 3-9x32 type scopes. Plus, you get a little extra zoom. However, this scope fits on any of my rifles with the same ring height one would use for a 32 mm objective scope, and weighs on slightly more. This is the lowest I would go on a scope for an accurate 22lr, especially if you like to shoot past 100 yards at small targets. It will help you to practice range estimation. I like this scope more than the previous 4 that were on it, and it is the second cheapest one I've used. If you want to spend less, there are scopes that will work, like a Simmons .22 Mag scope, but I can tell you for sure that the lenses and versatility of the Bushnell were well worth the extra $30-$40. This is not a scope for a heavy benchrest rifle, but it is a great lightweight and moderately compact scope when compared to a 40mm scope, which suits it very well to most rimfires and smaller rifles, or a rifle that needs to stay light and handy so it can be carried all day. Let this scope show you the love.