Bushnell Prime 3-12x40

• 3-12x magnification range: Covers the practical middle ground between close woodland shots and longer open-country holds, so the scope stays useful across stalking, mountain hunting, and general-purpose centerfire use.
• Side-focus parallax adjustment: Lets the image and reticle stay aligned from 9.2m to infinity, which helps maintain aiming precision at varying distances instead of accepting a fixed-focus compromise.
• Second focal plane design: Keeps the reticle visually consistent through the zoom range, making it easier to pick up quickly at low power while preserving a familiar sight picture at higher magnification.
• Fully multi-coated optics: Improve contrast and light transmission for a clearer image in mixed light, helping with target definition during early morning and late evening hunting periods.
• Compact 1-inch scope body: The 25.4 mm tube and 305.00 mm overall length make mounting straightforward on common hunting rifle setups while keeping weight to a manageable 482.00 g.

About the Bushnell Prime Series

Bushnell Prime sits in the brand’s hunting-focused optics range as a practical series built around dependable field use rather than specialized competition features. Introduced in 2018, the Prime lineup brought together the essentials many hunters want in a general-purpose riflescope: fully multi-coated optics, weather-sealed construction, and nitrogen fog-proofing for changing temperatures and damp conditions. Across the series, Bushnell used a straightforward mechanical layout intended to be easy to mount, easy to zero, and easy to live with in the field.

Prime riflescopes are built around second-focal-plane reticles, a format that keeps the reticle size constant as magnification changes. That suits hunters who want a familiar sight picture at every setting and a clean view at lower power. Depending on the model, the series has been offered in versatile configurations such as 3-9x40, 4-12x40, and 6-18x50, with select versions adding side parallax adjustment for more precise focus at varying distances. Bushnell also specified EXO Barrier lens protection within the Prime riflescope family, reinforcing the series’ emphasis on practical outdoor durability and clear viewing in everyday hunting conditions.

About the Bushnell Prime 3-12x40

The Bushnell Prime 3-12x40 is a versatile hunting riflescope built for shooters who need one optic to cover short-to-medium woodland distances and more deliberate shots across open ground. Its 3-12x magnification range gives a useful spread: low power remains manageable for faster target acquisition and a broader view of the surroundings, while the upper end provides enough image scale for more exact shot placement when distance increases. The 40.00 mm objective lens keeps the scope trim and easy to mount without making the rifle feel top-heavy.

This model uses a second focal plane reticle, which keeps the reticle appearance constant through the zoom range. In practice, that means the aiming point stays easy to see at low magnification and does not become visually heavy at higher power. The side-focus parallax adjustment, working from 9.2m to infinity, is especially useful on a 3-12x scope because it allows the shooter to fine-tune image sharpness and reduce aiming error as distances change. Bushnell pairs that with a fast-focus eyepiece for quick reticle sharpening to the user’s eye.

Mechanically, the scope is set up for practical field use. The 1/4 MOA click value is familiar and precise for zeroing, while the capped tactical-style turrets protect settings from accidental movement during transport or rough handling. With 50.00 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment, a 25.4 mm tube, and a weight of 482.00 g, it remains a compact, straightforward optic for hunting rifles where reliability, manageable size, and adaptable magnification matter more than unnecessary bulk.

About Bushnell

Bushnell was founded in 1948 by Dave Bushnell, who began selling optical products from a photographic shop in Pasadena, California. The company developed into a well-known name in sports optics and outdoor products, with product categories that include binoculars, riflescopes, red dot sights, rangefinders, spotting scopes, and trail cameras. Its optics are widely associated with hunting, target shooting, birding, and general nature observation.

Within the riflescope market, Bushnell’s lineup spans accessible hunting models through to more specialized tactical optics, with families such as Prime, Legend, Elite Tactical, and AR Optics. One of the brand’s notable proprietary technologies is EXO Barrier, a lens coating developed to repel water, oil, dust, and debris so the glass stays clearer in poor weather and dirty field conditions. Bushnell became part of ATK on November 1, 2013, reinforcing its position as a long-established manufacturer focused on practical field optics.

Main Features

• Magnification: 3.00 x - 12.00 x
• Objective lens diameter: 40.00 mm
• Exit pupil: 13.30 mm - 3.30 mm
• Field of view: 9.60 m/100m
• Eye relief: 88.90 mm
• Fast focus eyepiece: Yes
• Reticle position: 2. focal plane - SFP
• Adjustment per click: 7mm/100m - 1/4MOA
• Turret type: Capped - Tactical
• Turret locking: No
• Zero stop: No
• Turret turns: MT - Multi Turn
• Turret rotation direction: CCW
• Elevation adjustment range: 14.50 mrad / 50.00 MOA
• Windage adjustment range: 14.50 mrad / 50.00 MOA
• Elevation per turn: 15
• Parallax adjustment: Yes - side focus
• Parallax setting: 9.2m - Infinity
• Length: 305.00 mm
• Weight: 482.00 g
• Tube diameter: 25.4 mm
• Lens coating: Fully Multicoated
• Filled with: Nitrogen
• Waterproof: IPX-7
• Fogproof: Yes
• Shockproof: Yes
• Color: Black

Warranty

10 years. Bushnell specifies a 10-year warranty for this riflescope, providing defined long-term coverage for normal ownership and field use.

In the Box

• Bushnell Prime 3-12x40 riflescope
• Standard MOA elevation turret knob (pre-installed)
• Additional elevation turret knobs for 17HMR, 22LR, 250 & 300 Gr. 2 Pellet (also works for 20 GA.), 250 & 300 Gr. 3 Pellet (also works for 12 GA.), 350 Gr. 3 Pellet, and 450 BUSHMASTER
• Large threaded turret cover