When you’re scouring the market for an AR-15 scope, it makes things easier to opt for a scope that already has a pre-calibrated reticle for the .223 Rem.
With this in mind, it should put the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro with the BDC Predator reticle to the top of your shortlist.
There’s no doubt about it that this is a coyote scope made for the AR-15.
Quick Overview…
What We Like: CT BDC Predator reticle
What We Don’t Like: New manufacturer to scopes
Best Uses: Big Game Hunting, Predator Hunting, Varmint Control, Close to Mid-Range, Light to Heavy Caliber Rifles, AR-15
- Magnification: 4-12x
- Objective Diameter: 40mm
- Coatings: FMC
- FOV: Unknown
- Eye Relief: 3.5”
- Adjustments: ¼ MOA
- Dimensions: 14.1”/15.5 oz
Our Verdict: It’s new and hot and ready for your AR-15 in .223. The Brushline Pro is made to be your hunting scope for your hunting rifle. With the BDC Predator reticle, you are already set up to confirm holdovers at the range. There isn’t more to it except to get out in the hunt.
Who is the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 4-12X40 BDC Predator Best Suited to?
The Brushline Pro scope is for hunters. Tactical use like home defense and duty officers can look to the Hardline Pro series of scopes which include the Hardline Pro 4-16x50 (which we tested hands on), but the Brushline is for dedicated, serious hunters.
While you can mount the scope to any rifle and it will hold zero, the BDC Predator reticle is specifically calibrated for the .223 Rem.
If you use another caliber, don’t worry. Crimson Trace has 17 other reticles to choose from, and they’re also working on custom calibrated reticles for multiple calibers including rimfires and slugs.
Basically, if you’re hunting and need a scope for your AR-15, the Brushline Pro with the BDC Predator reticle couldn’t be more ideal.
How Does the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 4-12X40 BDC Predator Perform?
The Brushline Pro scope has great features worth its price point like its ED glass, .223 calibrated BDC reticle, and quality build.
However, without parallax correction, an FFP reticle, and illumination, it is still somewhat limiting, but it has its purpose that is more than adequate for most hunters. Besides, it’s also what keeps the cost down.
For a manufacturer new to building rifle scopes, they have shown that they know what they’re doing. The scope keeps up with its competition in its price point with a good build, grippy limbs, great glass, and a simple BDC reticle.
It’s made for fast employment out in the field when all you want to do is aim and shoot. With ¼ MOA increments, you can dial in for precise point of impacts and expect the scope to hold zero. It’s been tested to the max for shock, vibration, zero retention, high caliber recoil, and for ensuring that it will hold up to a lifetime of recoil. If it doesn’t, CT has the scope covered with a complete lifetime warranty.
Features & Benefits
CT BDC Predator Reticle
The BDC Predator reticle on the Brushline Pro scope is a variation of a standard BDC reticle. Instead of dots or hashmarks, this reticle has three see-through diamond pattern aiming points with the largest at the center of the crosshairs.
It’s essential to pay attention to the specific reticle name as there are approximately 18 reticles available with the Brushline scopes. The CT BDC Predator reticle is pre-calibrated for the .223. Remington. Perfect for the AR-15 aye?
If you want a pre-calibrated .308 Win BDC reticle, opt for the CT BDC or the CT BDC Pro reticles.
Furthermore, the CT Custom BDC reticles can be custom built to be caliber specific for 350 Legend, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and rimfires.
Great Glass Quality
For an inexpensive AR-15 scope, Crimson Trace sure went all out. The optics are not only fully multi-coated (FMC), but they’re also made out of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass or what CT calls ELD glass.
This ensures that you’ll have color-true, sharp, and high-resolution image quality throughout the entire magnification range from edge to edge. For the price, it’s excellent to see that it has a major foundational feature covered.
Scope for Hunting
The Brushline series of scopes from CT are specifically designed for hunters. Everything from its knurled build to its lightweight frame and BDC reticle is made for hunting conditions.
As a 4-12x40 scope, it’s well suited to close to mid-range distances. You can likely stretch the distance even more but without a side focus or adjustable objective, you could be risking clarity and accuracy.
The turrets are capped as is the hunting style. They’re spring-loaded for fast dialing in and dialing back down. Since they’re resettable to zero, it’s convenient for fast operation without ever losing where you are.
Increments are in ¼ MOA and since the reticle is calibrated for a .223, you’ll have enough travel to get zeroed in and holdover for out to 400 yards (approx.).
The reticle is also in the SFP (second focal plane), so crosshairs will always be visible regardless of the power setting. You will need to crank it up to 12x for accurate BDC holdovers. Kentucky Windage it for holding for wind.
Great Build Quality
The Brushline Pro is built to handle the conditions and all the abuse that comes with hunting.
For its long 14.1” length, it’s awfully lightweight at 1 lb (approx.). This is due to the aerospace-grade aluminum CT used to give a high strength to weight ratio resulting in a strong and robust but lightweight frame.
The scope is also O-ring sealed for waterproofness and is nitrogen-purged to protect the internal optics from fogging up in extreme climate and temperature changes.
Even the power ring, diopter, and turret caps have been heavily knurled for easy use with and without gloves.
Lifetime Warranty
It’s great to see that manufacturers are providing decent competition when it comes to warranties. Not long ago, Vortex and Leupold warranties were considered the best while everyone else offered mediocre, limited coverage. Now, manufacturers are keeping up with the trend in offering industry-best customer service and warranties.
The Crimson Trace warranty is complete lifetime coverage that is fully transferable and no proof of purchase or registration is required. If repair or replacement is needed, there is no charge to the owner. It’s what a real warranty should be.
Limitations
New Manufacturer to Scopes
While everyone knows Crimson Trace for their lasers, they’re relatively new to manufacturing rifle scopes. With the release of 50 new rifle scopes that are still up and coming to be released, the brand has not only entered the market but exploded the market. That’s a sure-fire way to make an entrance.
The only downside is that there are many critics who are waiting to see if the Brushline scopes will prove themselves as the verdict is still out with criticisms of unproven glass.
It’s no fault of the brand that there is doubt that can be smelled in the air, but it’s part of the growing process. With promised quality and performance of the Brushline Pro scope, it will prove itself.
Popular Questions
The Brushline Pro 4-12x40 BDC Predator scope comes with scope caps and a lens cloth. You will need 1” rings and a mount.
We would classify the 4-12x40 as a mid-range scope. Assuming that the scope has at least 60 MOA in elevation, it will be enough to get sighted in and reach mid-range distances, but beyond 1000 yards, it will require more than what this scope has to offer.
The Brushline and Brushline Pro series share the same great features. The main differences lie in the available specs and reticles. The Brushline are limited in variety while the Brushline Pro line features scopes from 2-7x to 6x24 with apertures from 28mm to 50mm and has quite the variety of reticles.
Crimson Trace rifle scopes are made in Japan.
Crimson Trace scopes have been pumping out budget scopes and high-end scopes both in hunting and tactical-style platforms. Just from their entry-level models, they provide good value and performance for the money. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, they’re worth the price and worth trying out given that they’re still relatively new to the rifle scope industry.
Conclusion
The choice of reticle can mean everything in the hunt. The BDC Predator is made for the .223 Rem and is perfect for nailing its namesake – predators.
With great features that ensure performance and with a quality build, the Brushline Pro scope is a heavy-hitter for your AR-15.
Made for hunters, made for coyotes, it’s destiny bound to be mounted to your favorite ‘yote rifle.
Further Reading
