The Comprehensive Burris Optic Roundup

As I lasered the target at 800 yards using the Burris Eliminator 6, I felt the same exuberance I remember after powering up my first smartphone. That phone had a built-­in camera, GPS mapping and an internet browser. The Eliminator 6 is like that. It combines multiple tools in one device, including a rangefinder, ballistic calculator, weather station and level. No longer do we need to take our eyes off the scope if an animal meanders off into the distance. It’s all right here. With the press of a button, the data and aiming point are instantly updated. Electronic components have shrunk, making these tech-­ready marriages like the mounting of a traditional scope. Featuring Bluetooth connectivity and my handload data uploaded through the BurrisConnect app, the Eliminator 6 takes the guesswork out of the equation, leaving me with a precise, ethical shot.

Eliminator 6

The Eliminator 6 is an advanced scope. It shouldn’t intimidate those who have already decided to invest in their long-­range shooting capability. Burris launched its first laser-­rangefinding scope in 2006, and the Eliminator arrived in 2010. Burris has been at this for a while. The system technology inside starts with the 
BurrisConnect app, which you download to your phone. The scope communicates with the app by Bluetooth, sharing ballistic information programmed into the app or sourced from ballistic libraries of factory ammunition. It works like a DOPE card. The uploaded data remains in the scope’s memory and does not need the app open to run in the field or at a range. Besides the 2,000-­plus-­yard laser rangefinder, the Eliminator 6 factors local temperature, density altitude, inclination angle, humidity, and pressure data to develop a ballistic solution. Burris Eliminators have long been known for advancing rangefinding technology within scopes, but the Eliminator 6 takes this to the apex.

The Eliminator 6 looks something like a traditional riflescope, too. It has a traditional-­looking magnification ring, but inside is a position sensor that allows the computer to compensate for magnification. The traditional-­looking diopter is also adjustable, and there is a side-­focus adjustment marked “25” yards to infinity.

The engine within the Eliminator 6 uses multiple systems to calculate bullet velocity at a ranged distance, as well as bullet energy. This scope is like a bridge to a ballistics table and a weather station, providing information on a heads-­up display (HUD). With the press of a button, the Eliminator 6 serves up the range, wind hold and aiming point without having you take your eye away from the scope. If the target moves, simply range it again to update the aiming point and HUD. This scope also updates the elevation and wind holds when you zoom in or out of magnification.

Burris engineers reduced the size of the Eliminator’s electronics, which is why it looks like any quality long-­range scope having a 34mm tube, a set of adjustment turrets or an illumination and parallax dial. The Eliminator 6 is available as a 4-­20x52mm scope with a second focal plane (SFP) MOA-­based reticle. There are 177 holdover aiming points underneath the X-­axis of the reticle, solving compensation to one-­sixth MOA. In a worst-­case scenario, the turrets are mechanical and can be used to dial elevation and wind holds. The Eliminator 6 combines several tools into one.

Veracity PH 4-­20x50mm

Burris’ Veracity PH 4-­20x50mm is another innovation that incorporates a unique elevation turret system called “P¯EK,” or “Programmable Elevation Knob.” It, too, uses a ballistics table factoring inclination angle. Like the Eliminator 6, ballistic data and environmental data can be supplied to the scope through the BurrisConnect app.

The P¯EK turret is linked to the ballistic table. When turned, it shows the distance through the HUD. This works when the shooter ranges game with a handheld rangefinder and then adjusts the turret until the HUD displays the same distance you’ve ranged. There is no need to convert distance to minutes, mils, or reference a DOPE card. The turret is mechanical, too; if the battery dies, you can manually dial an MOA value using the turret. The HUD also displays wind-­holds, a bubble level, battery status, and determines if the inclination angle is on or off. Wind speed and direction are set in the app, and the wind-­hold value changes according to distance dialed.

The turrets on the Veracity PH offer 70 MOA of elevation and 37 MOA of windage adjustments. The scope measures 15 inches long and weighs 26½ ounces.

A friend who has an allergy to ballistic calculators (and is new to rifle shooting) used the Veracity PH scope to shoot his first pronghorn. He raved about how easy it was to dial the range for his shot.

Signature LRF 2000

If you want to hit a far target, it helps to know the distance. Handheld laser rangefinders (LRF) are generally affordable and well-made. There’s no reason a shooter shouldn’t have one. In 2023, Burris launched the Signature LRF 2000, which quickly ranges from 5 to 2,400 yards using sport, hunting or auto-­range modes. It will also scan a field of view with instant ranging. The unit features 7X magnification and high definition (HD) glass, which is what distinguishes this model from most other long-­distance rangefinders. The unit weighs 6 ounces and measures 4¾ inches long by 3¼ inches tall by 1½ inches wide. During Guns & Ammo’s evaluation, the Signature LRF 2000 was light and easy to palm single-­handed.

The housing is protected against bumps and rough treatment by a dark-­green rubber overmold shell. On top are three finger grooves that offer a natural, no-­slip grip. The eyepiece has its own rubber ring to protect the ocular lens, and a diopter adjustment is useful to achieve a clear view. The 7X magnification is powerful, which was critical in order to transpose the reticle over the image. Supporting the Signature LRF 2000 on a bagged rest helped to increase stability when trying to precisely aim at a distant target. Atop the housing, the index finger easily finds the ranging button. The mode button is the Burris-­mountain logo on the left side of the housing. The rangefinder uses a single CR2 battery, which can be found at hardware stores, but you should keep a spare for times when you can’t easily find a CR2. Besides the battery, the Signature LRF 2000 includes a lanyard that can be threaded through a slot at the rear housing. If you’re using the rangefinder in the field where you might need to quickly mount a rifle, the lanyard is especially useful.

Pressing the ranging button once produces the range to a target. To track a moving target, you have to hold down the ranging button. Besides continuous measurement, the Signature LRF 2000 also displays angular degrees, horizontal distance, and the line-­of-­sight to the target. Line-­of-­sight distance is critical to know when shooting at an angle. Despite the advertised 2,400 yards, that figure was only achievable against a reflective target — such as the large NRA bullseye used for high-­power shooting — from a stable position. Non-­reflective targets such as big-­game, including elk and moose, can be ranged to about 1,600 yards; 1,100 yards for deer-­ and sheep-­size animals.

FastFire 4

The FastFire 4 is a versatile reflex sight, a leap in technological advancement since the first FastFire micro red-­dot appeared in 2007. With an aluminum housing, the FastFire 4 features a glass lens — not plastic. What makes this new red dot so useful for any firearm are the four reticles. It can be used for wingshooting, competition, personal defense, security, or plinking. Especially notable is that it can be converted from a lightweight open emitter to a completely enclosed sight. The 1-­inch-­wide lens and thin lens frame means the FastFire 4 has a wide view of the target area with little distortion near the edge.

Four reticle options include a 3 MOA red dot, 11 MOA red dot, a red dot with 100-­MOA circle, and a 3 MOA red dot with a circle and hold-­off wings. Switching between the reticles was simple; the right-­side button on the housing is dedicated to toggling one reticle to the next. The left-­side strictly controls brightness, but an auto-­brightness setting is included. Pressing both buttons powers the reticle on or off with a long press.

In the box are a weather shield and rail mount adapter. The weather shield encloses the emitter and protects it from interference. It’s attached to the body using the provided screws and wrench. The rail mount, however, expands the compatibility of the FastFire 4 to many firearms. If you’ve ever been frustrated when having to rezero an optic because it needed to be removed to change the battery, you’ll appreciate that this unit’s battery is top-loading.

Signature HD Spotting Scope

Burris’ Signature HD 20-­60x85mm spotting scope has been revamped for 2024. Three big differences are its redesigned body, integrated focus ring, and reduced pricing.

The spotting scope features an aluminum-­magnesium alloy body that was shaped around HD glass. The coatings on the glass have been improved to repel moisture, dust and chemicals while enhancing color accuracy and visual acuity edge-­to-­edge. The 30mm eyepiece assembly is interchangeable, but the 20X to 60X range provides ample detail for hunters and shooters. Eyepieces with the SCR MIL and SCR MOA reticles are also available. At the objective, I found that the sunshade was built in and extended by hand. It protects the 85mm objective lens from sun, glare, and rain.

M-­Lok attachment points on both sides of the body are new and noteworthy, as is the ARCA baseplate. M-­Lok mounts replace the dedicated FastFire red-­dot optic mount, which means shooters can readily attach other red-­dot options using the M-­Lok compatible mount. Since ARCA-­style clamps are common on tripod heads popular in precision rifle shooting, having an integrated ARCA-­style plate also eliminates the need to stack another adapter plate that could come loose.

In the field, glass clarity of this spotter proved excellent. There was no color fringing and I was able to resolve details in shadowed areas at 800 yards. The fine focus ring operated smoothly and quickly adjusted to sharpen images. Mounting a new FastFire 4 red dot to the spotter’s body made locating a target simpler, as was expected.

In Summary

A common theme among new Burris products is functionality. It is apparent that these optics were designed by avid shooters. Some have features we’ve asked for; the top-­loading battery in a reflex sight is one example. Other products introduce clever innovation; the Veracity PH and Eliminator 6 incorporate technology to advance optic solutions, while the FastFire 4 received updates to address the closed emitter trend while making it more versatile for different firearm types. To connect with a target, you first have to see it. Burris makes that possible. 

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