Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm Rifle Scope with Drop Zone-22 Reticle (Model AR72736)

Are you searching for the perfect optic to maximize the accuracy and versatility of your AR-style rifle, especially one chambered in .22 Long Rifle? Do you want to confidently engage targets at varying distances, whether for plinking, small game hunting, or tactical training, without breaking the bank? Look no further than the Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm Rifle Scope, featuring the specialized Drop Zone-22 Reticle, model AR72736. This purpose-built optic addresses the specific needs of rimfire AR platforms, delivering reliable performance, clear visuals, and a reticle designed to simplify bullet drop compensation for the popular .22LR cartridge. It's a prime solution for shooters who demand precision and ease of use from their optics.

Precision Engineering for AR-Platform Performance

The Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm scope is meticulously engineered to complement the modern sporting rifle. Its robust construction and intelligent design ensure it stands up to the demands of active shooting environments. Bushnell, a leader in high-performance optics, has crafted this scope to be a seamless extension of your AR, offering a blend of magnification, light transmission, and a purpose-driven reticle that makes it an indispensable tool for a wide range of shooting activities.

Understanding the Magnification: Versatility from 2x to 7x

One of the standout features of this Bushnell AR Optics scope is its adaptable 2-7x magnification range. What does this mean for your shooting experience?

• 2x Magnification: At its lowest setting, this scope offers a wide field of view, making it ideal for rapid target acquisition at close ranges. This is crucial for dynamic shooting scenarios, navigating dense brush during a hunt, or for quick follow-up shots on the range. It provides enough magnification to improve target identification without sacrificing peripheral awareness, making it excellent for plinking and general recreational shooting where targets might be within 25-50 yards.
• 7x Magnification: When you dial up to 7x, the world becomes much clearer at extended distances. For a .22LR rifle, 7x magnification is often the sweet spot for precise shot placement on small targets at 75-150 yards, and even further for skilled shooters. This higher magnification allows for detailed target analysis, crucial for small game hunting or when aiming for tight groups on paper targets. It provides the clarity needed to exploit the full accuracy potential of your rimfire AR. This versatility ensures that whether you're engaging a soda can at 50 yards or a squirrel at 100 yards, you have the appropriate level of magnification.

The 36mm Objective Lens: Balancing Brightness and Compactness

The 36mm objective lens on the Bushnell AR Optics scope strikes an optimal balance. While larger objective lenses (like 40mm or 50mm) gather more light, they also add bulk and weight. The 36mm objective is perfectly sized to:

• Efficient Light Gathering: It collects ample light to provide a bright, clear image, even in challenging lighting conditions like dawn or dusk, which are often prime times for small game hunting. The quality of Bushnell's optical system ensures that the light collected is effectively transmitted to your eye.
• Maintain a Low Profile: A smaller objective lens allows the scope to sit lower on your rifle, promoting a more natural and comfortable cheek weld, especially important for AR platforms where rail space and sight lines are considerations. This compact design contributes to the overall balance and handling of your rifle, ensuring it remains agile and easy to maneuver.

The Critical 1-Inch Tube Design

The Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm is built with a 1-inch (25.4mm) main tube. This is a widely adopted standard in the optics industry, offering several key advantages:

• Robust Construction: The 1-inch tube provides a strong foundation for the internal optical components, contributing to the scope's overall durability and resistance to shock from recoil.
• Common Mounting Solutions: Finding high-quality, reliable scope rings and mounts for a 1-inch tube is incredibly easy. This ensures you can securely attach the scope to your AR platform without hassle, allowing for precise and repeatable zeroing.
• Streamlined Profile: A 1-inch tube generally results in a more compact and lighter scope compared to larger 30mm or 34mm tubes, which is beneficial for maintaining the agile feel of an AR-15.

The Drop Zone-22 Reticle: Mastering .22LR Ballistics

Perhaps the most significant feature for .22LR shooters is the Bushnell-exclusive Drop Zone-22 Reticle. This isn't just any crosshair; it's a precisely engineered bullet drop compensating (BDC) reticle specifically calibrated for the trajectory of common .22 Long Rifle ammunition.

• What is a BDC Reticle? A BDC reticle incorporates multiple aiming points below the main crosshair, each corresponding to a different pre-determined distance. Instead of guessing holdovers or constantly adjusting your turrets for different ranges, you simply use the appropriate hash mark on the reticle.
• How the Drop Zone-22 Works: This reticle features aiming points designed to account for the unique ballistic curve of the .22LR cartridge, which experiences significant bullet drop at extended ranges compared to centerfire rounds. After zeroing your rifle at a common distance (e.g., 50 yards), the subsequent hash marks will provide accurate aiming points for distances like 75, 100, 125, and 150 yards. This dramatically simplifies long-range shooting with a .22LR, allowing for quicker target acquisition and more precise hits without complex calculations.
• Benefits for Shooters:
  • Rapid Engagements: No need to dial turrets, just use the correct aiming point. This is invaluable in situations like varmint hunting where quick follow-up shots might be necessary.
  • Enhanced Accuracy: Takes the guesswork out of bullet drop, leading to tighter groups and more consistent hits at varying distances.
  • Ease of Use: Ideal for new shooters learning about external ballistics, as it visually demonstrates holdovers in a practical way. Even experienced shooters appreciate the efficiency.
  • Confidence: Knowing you have a reticle designed for your specific ammunition builds confidence in your shooting abilities.

Why Choose the Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm for Your AR-15/.22LR?

This scope isn't just a collection of features; it's a complete solution designed to elevate your shooting performance.

• Exceptional Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand the rigors of the field and the range, the Bushnell AR Optics scope is:
  • Waterproof: O-ring sealed optics prevent moisture from entering inside the scope, even when fully immersed in water. This means unexpected rain or splashes won't compromise your optics.
  • Fogproof: Nitrogen purged to remove any internal moisture, preventing fogging in cold or humid conditions. You'll maintain a clear sight picture regardless of temperature fluctuations.
  • Shockproof: Engineered to absorb the recoil and impact of repeated firing, ensuring the scope holds its zero consistently. This robust construction provides peace of mind that your optic will perform reliably shot after shot.
• Crystal Clear Optics: Bushnell employs multi-coated lenses, which means multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all air-to-glass surfaces. This process significantly improves light transmission, resulting in brighter, higher-contrast images and superior resolution. What you see through the scope is sharp, clear, and true to color.
• Effortless Adjustments: The scope features precise, repeatable windage and elevation adjustments. These turrets are often capped, protecting them from accidental bumps and ensuring your zero remains consistent. Adjusting your point of impact is straightforward and intuitive, allowing for quick and accurate zeroing.
• Outstanding Value: For the quality, features, and performance offered, the Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm scope provides exceptional value. It delivers premium features typically found on more expensive optics, making it an accessible upgrade for any AR-15 owner. This scope proves you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve reliable, accurate performance.
• Bushnell's Legacy of Trust: Bushnell has been a trusted name in optics for decades, known for producing durable, high-performance products that shooters rely on. Choosing a Bushnell optic means investing in a brand with a proven track record of innovation and quality. Their commitment to optical excellence is evident in every detail of this AR Optics series scope.

Ideal Applications and Use Cases

The Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm with Drop Zone-22 Reticle is an incredibly versatile optic, perfectly suited for a variety of popular shooting activities:

• Recreational Shooting and Plinking: Enjoy endless hours at the range hitting targets with precision. The 2-7x magnification range and the intuitive Drop Zone-22 reticle make it easy to transition between close-up fun and challenging longer shots, making every range trip more rewarding.
• Small Game Hunting and Varmint Control: For ethical and humane hunting of small game like squirrels, rabbits, or even prairie dogs, precise shot placement is paramount. The clarity, magnification, and specific .22LR BDC reticle allow you to accurately place shots where they count, even on challenging, smaller targets at typical rimfire hunting distances.
• Training and Skill Development: This scope is an excellent tool for new shooters to learn about holdovers and external ballistics without the high cost of centerfire ammunition. The visible aiming points on the Drop Zone-22 reticle provide instant feedback on how bullet drop affects accuracy at different ranges, building fundamental shooting skills.
• AR-15 and .22LR Conversion Kits: If you own an AR-15 and use a .22LR conversion kit for cost-effective training or plinking, this scope is the ideal companion. It mounts seamlessly to your existing AR platform and is perfectly optimized for the ballistics of the .22LR round, making your training sessions more realistic and effective.
• General Purpose Rimfire Rifle Use: Beyond AR platforms, this scope would also be a fantastic choice for any dedicated .22LR rifle where precision and ease of holdover for varying ranges are desired.

Getting Started with Your Bushnell AR Optics Scope

Mounting and zeroing the Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm scope is a straightforward process for most shooters. Once properly installed on your AR's Picatinny rail using appropriate 1-inch rings, the clear, precise click adjustments of the windage and elevation turrets allow for quick and accurate zeroing at your preferred distance, typically 50 yards for .22LR. After zeroing, simply consult your ammunition's ballistic data or test at various ranges to understand how the Drop Zone-22 reticle's aiming points correspond to specific distances with your chosen load. This direct visual aid will significantly enhance your shooting accuracy and confidence.

For shooters seeking a reliable, high-performance, and feature-rich optic specifically tailored for their AR-style .22LR rifle, the Bushnell AR Optics 2-7x36mm with Drop Zone-22 Reticle is an outstanding choice. Its combination of versatile magnification, clear glass, rugged durability, and the revolutionary Drop Zone-22 reticle makes it a smart investment for improved accuracy and enhanced shooting enjoyment across a multitude of applications. This exceptional optic, along with a wide array of other top-tier shooting accessories, is readily available from trusted sources like DEGuns and deguns.com, ensuring you get quality products with dependable service.

Feature	Detail
Model Number	AR72736
Magnification	2-7x Variable
Objective Lens	36mm
Tube Diameter	1-Inch (25.4mm)
Reticle Type	Drop Zone-22 BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating)
Finish	Matte Black
Construction	Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof
UPC	029757727361