How much is my scope worth?

NHSHOOTER · November 1, 2014, 02:46 PM

I mounted my scope on a friends rifle so he could try it out, "the rifle not the scope" now he wants to buy the scope from me. It is a Bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40. Any idea on how much it is worth, it is in perfect condition. I didnt originally buy the scope, it came on a used rifle I bought so I have no idea on how much is was new.

SSA · November 1, 2014, 04:10 PM

They sold for $180-200 new. Maybe less, sometimes.
The 3200 wasn't fully multicoated.
They were in the same general class as the Nikon Prostaff and the Burris FFII. Those are both fully multicoated, and now you can get either of those for less than $150.

Chuck Dye · November 1, 2014, 04:49 PM

A cursory web search brings prices from $230 to $310, depending, apparently, on reticle. Start with replacement cost (including replacement with similar or better scopes,) discount that for age, condition, lack of packaging and paperwork, discontinued manufacture, etc. Then, perhaps, discount that for any friendship factor that may apply. I have faced the question only a couple of times and wound up making a gift of a decades old Weaver K4 (no accompanying goodies) and a Ruger Super Blackhawk (LNIB with all packaging and documentation.) In both cases the friendship factor far outweighed any cash value. On the flip side, I once paid fair market value for one shotgun, received roughly twice again that in other guns. YMMV

SSA · November 1, 2014, 05:04 PM

$230-$310 for a discontinued 3200?

Chuck Dye · November 1, 2014, 05:44 PM

I copied and pasted the OP description into Google, clicked on the Amazon link.

Value is value whether it continues in production or not. That 60+ year old K4 is working just fine on my friends' rifle. My 61 year old Model 70 groups less than 1 MOA with ammo it likes. If a gadget does what is required, it need not be new or as currently made. Sure, newly manufactured optics stand a good (but not guaranteed) chance of out performing those they supersede, but assessing relative value is up to the purchaser. Caveat emptor? Caveat venditor, too!

SSA · November 1, 2014, 05:59 PM

For less than $230 you can get a new Bushnell Elite, and it's a better scope than the 3200 was.
For $160 you can get a new leftover 3200 from Natchezss, with a pricy reticle, so it's hard to figure that a used one is worth more than that.

Blindstitch · November 1, 2014, 10:41 PM

Depends is it a good friend or just a friend?

I prefer to barter. Seems unwanted by you and wanted by him. There has to be something the other way around.

NHSHOOTER · November 1, 2014, 11:16 PM

The main problem here is that I really dont want to sell the scope, I dont need it at the moment but who knows when I will pick up another rifle that needs decent glass, and I cant think of anything he has that I could barter for. I really appreciate all your opinions though, feel free to keep em coming.

Snyper · November 2, 2014, 02:11 AM

Quote:

I really dont want to sell the scope

Then just tell him that, and let him buy another to replace yours

Jimro · November 2, 2014, 06:19 AM

If you don't want to sell, ask for 220. If your buddy pays 220, buy a leftover scope from Natchess for 160 and keep the rest as trouble for your time.

The Elite 3200 series were good scopes, made by LOW in Japan for Bushnell.

Jimro

NHSHOOTER · November 2, 2014, 06:27 AM

Great idea jimro, or I could just pick out a scope and have him buy it for me so he doesnt have to re sight his rifle

Jimro · November 2, 2014, 06:30 AM

Yup, having him buy you the scope you want is a great option.

Good luck!
Jimro

November 1, 2014, 02:46 PM	#1
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	How much is my scope worth? I mounted my scope on a friends rifle so he could try it out, "the rifle not the scope" now he wants to buy the scope from me. It is a Bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40. Any idea on how much it is worth, it is in perfect condition. I didnt originally buy the scope, it came on a used rifle I bought so I have no idea on how much is was new.

November 1, 2014, 04:49 PM	#3
Chuck Dye Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2002 Location: Oregon-The wet side. Posts: 949	A cursory web search brings prices from $230 to $310, depending, apparently, on reticle. Start with replacement cost (including replacement with similar or better scopes,) discount that for age, condition, lack of packaging and paperwork, discontinued manufacture, etc. Then, perhaps, discount that for any friendship factor that may apply. I have faced the question only a couple of times and wound up making a gift of a decades old Weaver K4 (no accompanying goodies) and a Ruger Super Blackhawk (LNIB with all packaging and documentation.) In both cases the friendship factor far outweighed any cash value. On the flip side, I once paid fair market value for one shotgun, received roughly twice again that in other guns. YMMV __________________ Gee, I'd love to see your data!

November 1, 2014, 05:44 PM	#5
Chuck Dye Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2002 Location: Oregon-The wet side. Posts: 949	I copied and pasted the OP description into Google, clicked on the Amazon link. Value is value whether it continues in production or not. That 60+ year old K4 is working just fine on my friends' rifle. My 61 year old Model 70 groups less than 1 MOA with ammo it likes. If a gadget does what is required, it need not be new or as currently made. Sure, newly manufactured optics stand a good (but not guaranteed) chance of out performing those they supersede, but assessing relative value is up to the purchaser. Caveat emptor? Caveat venditor, too! __________________ Gee, I'd love to see your data!

November 2, 2014, 06:19 AM	#10
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	If you don't want to sell, ask for 220. If your buddy pays 220, buy a leftover scope from Natchess for 160 and keep the rest as trouble for your time. The Elite 3200 series were good scopes, made by LOW in Japan for Bushnell. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

November 2, 2014, 06:30 AM	#12
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Yup, having him buy you the scope you want is a great option. Good luck! Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

November 1, 2014, 04:10 PM	#2
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	They sold for $180-200 new. Maybe less, sometimes. The 3200 wasn't fully multicoated. They were in the same general class as the Nikon Prostaff and the Burris FFII. Those are both fully multicoated, and now you can get either of those for less than $150.

November 1, 2014, 05:04 PM	#4
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	$230-$310 for a discontinued 3200?

November 1, 2014, 05:59 PM	#6
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	For less than $230 you can get a new Bushnell Elite, and it's a better scope than the 3200 was. For $160 you can get a new leftover 3200 from Natchezss, with a pricy reticle, so it's hard to figure that a used one is worth more than that.

November 1, 2014, 10:41 PM	#7
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,692	Depends is it a good friend or just a friend? I prefer to barter. Seems unwanted by you and wanted by him. There has to be something the other way around.

November 1, 2014, 11:16 PM	#8
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	The main problem here is that I really dont want to sell the scope, I dont need it at the moment but who knows when I will pick up another rifle that needs decent glass, and I cant think of anything he has that I could barter for. I really appreciate all your opinions though, feel free to keep em coming.

November 2, 2014, 06:27 AM	#11
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,002	Great idea jimro, or I could just pick out a scope and have him buy it for me so he doesnt have to re sight his rifle