Burris Optics Review – A New Family Tradition
Andy Husek 12.10.21
In this review, we are going to walk you through the Eliminator IV, Signature HD, and Fullfield IV from Burris Optics.
Although it may not be marked on a national calendar, November 15th is certainly considered a holiday here in Michigan. The farther north you travel in the state the sparser classrooms become as parents have plucked their kids from school for at least one day to enjoy this time-honored tradition. November 15th marks the opening day of rifle deer season here and for me, and I am sure for many others, this day sparks a flood of memories, traditions, stories, and excitement.
Whether it is a special meal the night before opener, a traditional libation that no one likes except grandpa or a specific movie that you put on as everyone is getting settled in for the night, those traditions and rituals are what keep everyone coming back for the sacred “opening day.” My camp is not much different than a lot of others in Michigan and I would assume even out of state camps. We are made up of mostly family, both new and old, close friends and a new face here and there but the core always remains the same. While the faces may change slightly from year to year the location, menu, camaraderie, and lies all stay the same. We all have that one thing that we did an eternity ago at deer camp but, no matter how hard we try we can never escape, and it always manages to make its way into the round table at some point during deer camp.
One thing that is constantly evolving though is the gear that everyone shuttles into camp. Some of it is great and a lot of it is the latest gimmick someone saw on a late-night infomercial. Those products are usually the ones that lead to a story being etched into the history book of that family’s deer camp and that memory you want to disappear but never does. It never rings truer but if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
I am very fortunate to work in a business that allows me to check out and test the latest and greatest that the hunting industry has to offer. This year, I was able to lineup up a wide array of optics from Burris and share those with my family and friends to use at this year’s camp. So, this year was pretty special, my family lineup of hunters would be using an all Burris Optics family lineup of scopes.
I hand-picked each optic either for a particular stand or a particular hunter based on style and application. I had also already used all of these optics on some of my other hunts, so I knew that is something went down there was no blaming the glass. First in the lineup was the Burris Eliminator IV.
I had already been extensively using the Eliminator IV earlier in the year on some of my destination hunts and was very familiar with the product. I would be sitting on one of our larger food plots and deer can come in from just about anywhere. The Eliminator IV allows you the ability to range targets in real-time and give you proper hold overs based on shot distance. Perfect for a huge food plot where shots could be up close and personal or several hundred yards. The magnification specs are 4-16 x 50mm and with the Eliminator IV you can range targets out to 2,000 yards. A nice added feature is the new wireless remote or key fob which allows you to refrain from having to reach up to the front of the scope to range targets. I find this particularly useful when laying prone and keeping it in you not shooting hand. In a blind in the Midwest though it is certainly no problem to set down your hot coffee, slightly shift forward in your comfortable chair and hit the range button as you prepare for your shot. Deer blinds are a whole different topic and some of ours resemble modern marvels. Who ever said you must be miserable and uncomfortable when deer hunting? I, for one, am a creature of comfort and I am not ashamed to admit it!
Next in the all-family lineup was the first Burris scope I ever used, the Signature HD in 5-25x50mm. This is a great option for someone who again, may be shooting at range but prefers the more traditional style of “dialing” to distance. This rig would be overlooking another of our larger food plots but would be controlled by a crotchety old bridge troll who hunts there and, “doesn’t need all of those new bells and whistles to hunt deer.” That’s fine, we just disguise all of the new technology in a familiar package that he is used to, the Signature HD fits this mold perfectly. If functions just like any scope you may have grown up with from decades before but boasts a 30mm nitrogen-filled tube and is available with three different reticle options. You can choose from the 6.5 Creedmoor illuminated reticle, which is what I have, the fine plex version which is ideal for those looking for a simple and precise sight window or the Ballistic E3 illuminated reticle. The Signature HD also comes with side parallax focus and zero-stop turrets. Luckily for us, the bridge troll was successful on opening day so he will likely be a little less grumbly for the remainder of deer camp.
Rounding out our all-Burris lineup in deer camp is was what I called the “Meat and Potatoes” option. That is, if your eating filet mignon and garlic whipped truffle potatoes. The Burris Fullfield IV may look like your every day, run of the mill basic rifle optic but it is far more than that. There are Five Fullfield IV models are offered each with improved 4x optical system, premium multi-coated lenses for edge-to-edge clarity and low light performance and a wide selection of reticles. Eight to be exact, you can choose up to eight! Different reticle options. I am certainly no math magician but let me try this out. Five different models times eight different reticles…..computing……computing…..carry the one….that gives you 40 different variations to choose from making this what I would consider the work horse of the lot. Surely everyone out there can find some variation to suit their style and needs, even a grump bridge troll.
All of these models are covered by Burris’ “Forever Warranty” so you can rest easy knowing that they have your back should something go wrong! We had a great time at this year’s camp and are already looking forward to heading back “up north” next year for another sacred opening day deer camp. Strangely enough everyone has already laid claim to which Burris they plan on using next year, proof that you can teach even old dogs, or bridge trolls, new tricks. For more information on the Eliminator IV, the Signature HD or the Fullfield IV head on over to www.burrisoptics.com and check them out.
This review was brought to you in partnership with Burris Optics.
