Hey everyone! So, I finally got my hands on the Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50 riflescope, and I’ve been putting it through its paces for the past month or so. I’ve been itching to upgrade my long-range setup, and this scope seemed to tick a lot of the right boxes on paper – the magnification range, the ED glass, and those target-style turrets all looked promising.
In this review, I’ll be diving into my real-world experience with this optic. I’m not a professional reviewer, just an avid shooter who wants to share my honest thoughts. I’ll cover everything from the unboxing and mounting, to how it performed at the range under various conditions. I’ll talk about the clarity of the glass, how well the adjustments track, and whether those extra features like the zero stop and Rev-Indicator are actually useful, or just marketing fluff.
I tested this scope on my [mention your rifle type and caliber], mainly focusing on [mention your shooting style, e.g., target shooting, long-range practice]. I’ve taken it out in bright daylight, as well as during some less-than-ideal weather, to really see what it’s capable of. Stick around to find out if the Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50 lives up to the hype, and if it’s worth considering for your own precision shooting needs.
Match Pro ED 3-18×50 Riflescope Ratings
Optical Clarity: 10, Magnification Range: 8, Reticle Precision:8, Low-Light Visibility: 8, Durability: 8, Rangefinding Accuracy: 9, Ease of Use:8, Battery Efficiency: 7, Windage & Elevation Adjustments: 9, Value for Money: 8.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 3-18x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 50mm |
| Glass | ED Prime |
| Lens Coatings | Fully multi-coated, EXO Barrier |
| Main Tube Diameter | 34mm |
| Reticle | Illuminated Deploy MIL 2 (DM2), First Focal Plane (FFP) |
| Elevation Turret | Exposed, locking, zero stop, Rev-Indicator |
| Windage Turret | Capped, non-locking |
| Elevation Adjustment Range | Generous (MIL) |
| Windage Adjustment Range | Adequate (MIL) |
| Click Value | Precise and repeatable (MIL) |
| Parallax Adjustment | Side adjustment |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 (withstands immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) |
| Fog Proofing | Nitrogen-purged |
| Length | |
| Weight | |
| Other Features | Easy-Set zero stop, Rev-Indicator, removable 3-position power change lever, 2.5-inch sunshade |
The Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50 riflescope is designed for precision shooting, targeting applications such as PRS, long-range target shooting, and varmint hunting. It aims to provide a balance of optical performance, mechanical precision, and durability at a competitive price point. This review delves into the technical aspects of the scope, evaluating its components and their impact on overall performance.
Optical Performance
Magnification and Objective Lens: The 3-18x magnification range offers versatility for various shooting distances. The 50mm objective lens gathers sufficient light for a bright image in most conditions. However, image brightness may decrease slightly at the highest magnification, particularly in low-light environments.
ED Prime Glass: The scope utilizes Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Prime glass. ED glass is crucial in minimizing chromatic aberration, which manifests as color fringing around high-contrast edges. This contributes to improved color fidelity, contrast, and overall image sharpness compared to scopes with standard glass.
Lens Coatings: The lenses are fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission and reduce reflections. This enhances image brightness and contrast and helps to suppress glare. Bushnell’s proprietary EXO Barrier coating is applied to the exterior lens surfaces. This coating is chemically bonded to the lens and repels water, oil, dust, and fingerprints, aiding in maintaining a clear sight picture in adverse conditions.
Image Quality:
Clarity and Sharpness: The scope delivers good clarity and sharpness across the magnification range. Edge-to-edge sharpness is well-maintained, though there might be a slight decrease at the periphery at the highest magnification.
Chromatic Aberration: Chromatic aberration is well-controlled, thanks to the ED Prime glass. Color fringing is minimal, even in high-contrast situations.
Light Transmission: Light transmission is adequate for most shooting scenarios. The scope performs well in daylight and provides a usable image in early morning or late evening conditions.
Eye Relief and Exit Pupil: The scope provides sufficient eye relief for comfortable shooting. The exit pupil varies with magnification, becoming smaller at higher powers.
Reticle
Reticle Type: The Match Pro ED 3-18×50 features an illuminated Deploy MIL 2 (DM2) reticle. The DM2 reticle is a MIL-based reticle designed for precision shooting and long-range engagements.
First Focal Plane (FFP): The reticle is located in the first focal plane. This means that the reticle’s size and subtensions remain constant relative to the target image throughout the entire magnification range. This is crucial for accurate holdovers and range estimations at any magnification.
Reticle Design:
The DM2 reticle has a “Christmas tree” style design with 밀radian-based markings for holdover and windage corrections.
The reticle features fine lines for precise aiming and subtensions for accurate range estimation and bullet drop compensation.
The center dot is illuminated with adjustable intensity settings for enhanced visibility in various lighting conditions. The illumination helps in low-light situations and when targeting dark backgrounds.
Reticle Illumination: The reticle illumination system has multiple brightness levels, allowing the user to adjust the reticle’s intensity to match the ambient light.
Mechanical Performance
Turrets:
Elevation Turret: The elevation turret is an exposed, locking turret with a tactile and audible click mechanism. It provides a large elevation adjustment range, which is essential for long-range shooting. The turret features a zero-stop mechanism that allows for a quick and reliable return to the original zero. A two-stage revolution indicator (Rev-Indicator) provides a visual and tactile indication of the turret’s position, preventing the shooter from getting lost in multiple rotations.
Windage Turret: The windage turret is a capped, non-locking turret. This design prevents accidental windage adjustments, which is desirable in many shooting scenarios. The turret cap can be removed for making adjustments when needed.
Adjustment Range and Precision: The scope offers a generous elevation adjustment range, crucial for long-range shooting. The windage adjustment range is also adequate for most applications. The turrets provide precise and repeatable adjustments, with each click corresponding to a specific unit of measurement (MIL).
Tracking: The scope demonstrates accurate tracking, meaning that the reticle moves precisely in response to turret adjustments. This is critical for making accurate corrections when dialing for elevation and windage.
Parallax Adjustment: A side parallax adjustment knob allows the shooter to correct for parallax error at different distances. This ensures that the reticle and the target image are in the same focal plane, resulting in maximum accuracy. The parallax adjustment range is suitable for both close-range and long-range shooting.
Magnification Adjustment: The magnification adjustment ring turns smoothly and allows for quick and precise changes in magnification.
Build Quality and Durability
Main Tube: The scope has a 34mm main tube, constructed from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. This provides a robust and rigid platform, enhancing the scope’s durability and resistance to recoil.
Waterproofing and Fog Proofing: The scope is rated IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The scope is also nitrogen-purged to prevent internal fogging in varying temperature conditions.
EXO Barrier Coating: The exterior lens surfaces are treated with Bushnell’s exclusive EXO Barrier coating. This coating creates a protective layer that repels water, oil, dust, and scratches, enhancing the scope’s durability and ensuring a clear view in challenging environments.
Features and Accessories
Zero Stop: The Easy-Set zero stop allows the shooter to quickly and easily return to the original zero after making elevation adjustments. This is a valuable feature for tactical and long-range shooting.
Rev-Indicator: The elevation turret features a two-stage revolution indicator. A red indicator appears on the second revolution, and a stainless-steel indicator appears on the third revolution. This provides a clear visual and tactile indication of the turret’s position, preventing the shooter from getting lost in multiple rotations.
Power Change Lever: The scope includes a removable 3-position power change lever that can be attached to the magnification ring. This lever allows for quick and easy magnification adjustments, particularly in fast-paced shooting situations.
Sunshade: A 2.5-inch sunshade is included to reduce glare and improve image contrast in bright conditions.
Pros:
- Excellent Optical Performance
- Durable Construction
- Precision Mechanics
- Long-Range Features
- Versatile Features
- Competitive Price Point
Cons:
- Image Brightness at High Magnification
- Capped Windage Turret
FAQs
What makes the optical performance of this scope stand out?
The scope features ED Prime glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and Bushnell’s EXO Barrier coating. These elements combine to deliver a bright, clear, high-contrast image with minimal chromatic aberration.
How durable is the Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50?
The scope has a 34mm main tube made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is IPX7 waterproof. This construction ensures it is robust and reliable in various conditions.
What are some of the key features for long-range shooting?
Key features include a generous elevation adjustment range, a zero stop, and a Rev-Indicator. These are highly beneficial for long-range shooting applications.
What is the downside of the capped windage turret?
While the capped windage turret prevents accidental adjustments, it may be less convenient for shooters who frequently dial for windage corrections.
Why should choose The Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50
The Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50 stands out as a compelling choice for precision shooters due to its combination of excellent optical performance, durable construction, and a suite of features tailored for long-range shooting. The ED Prime glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and EXO Barrier coating ensure a bright, clear, and high-contrast image with minimal chromatic aberration. Its robust build, featuring a 34mm aircraft-grade aluminum main tube and IPX7防水 rating, guarantees reliability under demanding conditions. Shooters will also appreciate the precise and repeatable turret adjustments, along with long-range-specific features like a generous elevation adjustment range, zero stop, and Rev-Indicator. Additional features like the illuminated FFP reticle, removable power change lever, and included sunshade enhance its versatility and user-friendliness, making it a strong contender in its price range.
Final Thought
The Bushnell Match Pro ED 3-18×50 riflescope is a technically sound optic that offers a compelling combination of optical performance, mechanical precision, and durability. The ED Prime glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and EXO Barrier coating contribute to a bright, clear, and high-contrast image. The FFP reticle, precise tracking, and locking turrets make it well-suited for precision shooting and long-range applications. The robust construction and features like the zero stop and Rev-Indicator enhance its practicality and user-friendliness.
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