There is unquestionably no more distinguished or respected name in firearm history than that of John Moses Browning. No other inventor has even come close to Browning in his breadth of creative genius. Today, the Browning name is associated not only with firearms, but also a line of optical products-Browning Sports Optics-made by Bushnell.

Browning Sports Optics' 2005 catalog lists a 15-45x65 mm spotting scope, six binoculars (from a compact 8x26 mm model to two full-size 10x42 mm models), and six riflescopes: 2-7x32 mm and 3-9x40 mm compact models; a light-gathering 3-9x50 mm model for general hunting; and high magnification 5-15x40 mm, 4-12x40 mm and 8-24x40 mm for longer-range shooting. The Browning scopes are comparable to Bushnell's higher-end 3200 series, with some aesthetic touches, such as Browning's BUCKMARK logo, and checkered rubber gripping panels on the turret caps, power selection and objective adjustment (parallax focusing) rings. All models feature one-piece aircraft aluminum tubes and saddles with matte black finishes, long eye relief (3.4 to 3.7 inches) for extra protection during recoil, fast-focus eyepieces, finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets with 1/4-minute clicks, resettable-zero dials and 94 percent light transmission. In addition, all are waterproof, fog-proof and nitrogen filled, with fully multi-coated lenses protected by the proprietary Dura-Brite coating. Parallax adjustment on the objective bell is available on the new 8-24x40 mm model, reviewed here.

Unlike the duplex reticle found on the other Browning riflescopes, our 8-24x40 mm scope featured a duplex mil-dot. Since the reticle is in the rear focal plane and does not change in apparent size with changes in power, its dots have the proper one-milliradian spacing only at a single magnification, 12X. This is indicated by a red "12" on the power ring instead of the gold numbers used for other powers.

We installed our 8-24x40 mm Browning riflescope on a highly accurate F-Class target rifle consisting of a heavy-barreled Howa 1500 turnbolt action in .308 Win., in a McMillan A2 fiberglass stock. Scope mounting was accomplished using a Farrell one-piece Picatinny-style base and Tactical Precision Systems' 1-inch low steel rings.

At the range, the Browning riflescope proved clear and sharp, able to distinguish .22-cal. bullet holes at 200 yards at 24X. The field of view appeared uniformly bright and in focus all the way to the edges, and when viewing a rectilinear object (a wall consisting of even courses of bricks) there was no apparent barrel or pincushion distortion.  The 1/4-minute clicks for windage and elevation adjustment were positive and clearly audible, and the power and focusing rings turned easily. Our test shooter, who wore prescription lenses, appreciated the fast-focus eyepiece and accurate objective adjustment ring, as well as the long eye relief and the rubber-covered eyepiece, which eliminated any concerns regarding scope cuts.

Consistency and accuracy of windage and elevation adjustments were evaluated through the tried-and-true method of shooting a square. The resulting pattern was perfectly square, with the last group coinciding with the first.

In all respects, the Browning 8-24x40 mm had the feel, appearance and performance of a quality optic thanks to its Bushnell 3200 lineage. It would be a good choice for long-range varminting or target shooting. Given the example set by this scope, Browning's line of sports optics would seem to be fully worthy to carry John M.'s illustrious name.

Manufacturer: Browning Sports Optics; (800) 806-1990; Browningsportsoptics.com
Model: 888244M
Magnification and Objective: 8-24x40
Finish: matte black anodizing
Field Of View(Ft. at 100 Yds.): 12 ft. (8X), 4 ft. (24X)
Eye Relief: 3.5"
Click Value: 1/4" @ 100 yds
Windage and Elevation Adjustment Range: 40" @ 100 yds. (W), 40" @ 100 yds. (E)
Reticle: duplex mil-dot
Length: 14 1/5"
Weight: 19.6 ozs.
Features: objective adjustable for parallax from 10 yds. to infinity; fast-focus ring, zeroable windage and elevation dials
Accessories: scope covers
Suggested Retail Price: $590