Finding a new and better scope for your rifle can be a difficult task. It is easy to get confused with so many brands and so many scopes to choose from.
The one thing you can do to find the right scope is to carry out proper research. Not only will it help you get the scope with the right features for your needs, but it can also save you money on unnecessary expenses.
To help you make your decision, we picked one super-compact, affordable optic that is easily available and works on many firearms. Have a look below at our UTG Bug Buster review!
One popular scope that can meet your needs is the Leapers UTG 3-9×32 Bug Buster. The scope offers a nifty design, varied adjustments, and optimal performance. It can be the perfect rifle scope for hunters and shooters on a budget who want a sturdy scope for their rifle.
The UTG Brand
UTG has a long history as a manufacturer and supplier of firearms systems and tactical weapons. The company was originally founded in 1992 in the USA. Operating out of its main facility in Michigan, the company manufactures a wide variety of quality products for customers on a budget – History of Rifle Scopes and their Use by Sharpshooters.
During the early years, their product quality was largely hit or miss, and shooters preferred them mostly due to their low prices. In recent years, however, they have made noticeable improvements in their sighting and scoping equipment. The Leapers UTG BugBuster is one such product that offers a significant scoping aid for short to mid-range shooters.
UTG 3-9×32 Bug Buster Scope
For a scope priced under $100 (What is the Best Rifle Scope under $500 – $600? – Reviews and Picks), the Leapers UTG 3-9×32 BugBuster scope is no toy. It offers a ton of useful features that put it on par with some of the more expensive budget scopes from recognized brands. It comes in a nice clear box and rings are included, making it easier to attach. Additional accessories include flip-open lens caps and a 2-inch sunshade.
Bug Buster Scope Specs
When you compare it to other rifle scopes in the market, the Bug Buster is comparably a compact scope. It’s about 8.5 inches long and weighs only 13.9 ounces. The tube is about one inch in diameter. The scope objective lens size is 32mm in diameter and the exit pupil is 10.6 mm to 3.6 mm, depending on magnification – How do you Correctly Measure Scope Ring Height for any Rifle Optics?
The UTG 3-9×32 BugBuster goes from 3x to 9x magnification. The scope has a 1/4″ click value for MOA at 100 yards. It offers parallax adjustment which is unique for a lens at this price and range but a welcome feature. The parallax goes from 3 yards to infinity. The field of view at 100 yards is 37.7 ft to 14 ft.
The lenses are emerald-coated. They are shockproof, fog proof, and rainproof. The eye relief is about 3.2″ to 4.2″. This is standard but maybe a little low on the eye relief at the highest magnification. You might want to be careful and check out that it’s sufficient eye relief if you want to use the scope for rifles with heavy recoil.
Bug Buster Turrets
The BugBuster scope has three main targeting knobs. The Windage and Elevation adjustments are common on most scopes and self-explanatory. Windage and elevation adjust in 1/4 MOA increments – Knowing The Essentials In Adjusting Your Rifle Scope.
There is a third RGB dial that adjusts the reticle illumination rheostat. The RGB dial controls the illumination color of the crosshair reticle, making it versatile for use in various weather and lighting conditions.
Mil-Dot Reticle
The mil-dot reticle is another feature that most Leapers UTG scopes have had since their introduction to the market. The Bug Buster uses the Tactical Range Estimating mil-dot reticle – Comparing Hunting vs Tactical Scopes – What are the Differences?.
When you line up the reticle, you will clearly see the superiority of the Bug Buster versus other scopes with the mil-dot array.
Most other scopes have around 4 – 6 targeting points in their mil-dot reticles. These dots of the UTG Bugbuster 3-9×32 span out in four directions and provide 9 – 15 total aiming points for targeting across windage and elevation adjustments.
The Leapers UTG Bug Buster takes things to a whole new level. It offers 9 mil-dot reticles. If you aim with both the elevation and windage, you will get up to 21 targeting points, including the origin points and inner edges of the outside duplex for each line – What is the Rule for Rifle Scope Magnification vs Distance?
As to be expected, the Bug Buster is a second focal plane scope. The illuminated reticle will stay the same size while you dial in your magnification. For long-range shooting, you’d opt for a first focal plane reticle scope but that’s not what you’ll use this optic for.
UTG 3-9×32 Bug Buster Scope Features
The salient features of the BugBuster Scope that make it stand out include the following.
- The UTG 3-9×32 is built with sturdy materials and has a solid design that can withstand shock, water, and other elements. It is built with a high-quality aluminum casing and has a sealed, nitrogen-filled tube.
- It maintains performance even in the worst of situations. That means if it starts to rain in the middle of a hunt, or visibility goes down due to foggy conditions, you don’t have to worry about a thing.
- The low price of the UTG Bugbuster scope makes it a very attractive option for people on a budget or as a second replacement scope.
- Another benefit of the scope is its unique set of features that you won’t find anywhere else. The RGB controller is quite rare to find on most scopes. The TRE 9 mil-dot reticle is also unique on a low-range scope and will make it easier for you to transition to more expensive scopes later. It also offers Smart Spherical Structure that has a synergistic effect between the inner and outer tubes.
- The scope has lockable turrets that prevent accidental adjustments. The locking features make this scope ideal for tactical operations where you have to move around a lot.
- You will need to reset zero from time to time when you do extensive shooting for a while. This scope allows you to rest and “lock” the zero with ring lock adjustment turrets.
- The parallax adjustment goes from 3 yards to infinity, removing chances of errors when shooting.
- Hunt from dawn to dusk without worrying about packing up early due to lighting conditions.
- Precise ¼ MOA adjustment dials for greater accuracy.
- Sufficient eye relief ranging between 3.2″ to 4.2″
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Who Will Benefit from this Scope?
If you consider online ratings and reviews, the Bug Buster 3-9×32 scope has been successful with a large number of hunters and shooters. It is considered a versatile and sturdy scope with a compact design. This makes it easy to mount (Guide to Choosing the Best Types of Rifle Scope Mounts) on various rifles for many types of shooting activities.
The Bug Buster scope from UTG is compatible with a large variety of firearms. You can use it with M&P 15/22, 7.62 x 54r, AR556 Ruger, 7.62 AK, and 30-06 Remington, etc. (Looking for the best 300 BLK scopes? Check them out!)
This scope will appeal to shooters who are looking for a powerful scope at a reasonable price. It is ideal for shooting in different weather and lighting conditions so it will fit the needs of security personnel, farmers, and close quarter combat. Beginners and shooters with moderate experience will also find the scope useful for target practice as it will help improve your skills.
The UTG BugBuster is part of our recommendations for the best air rifle scope! Check it out!
Final Verdict
As we noted earlier, finding the right rifle scope can be a challenge with all the choices available in the market today. Since you have so many options to choose from, you must figure out the right rifle scope that will make a perfect combination with your rifle.
A useful Scope for many Different Rifles
The UTG 3-9×32 Bug Buster scope can be the right choice because it fits so nicely with so many varieties of rifles. It’s a compact, lightweight scope that is built with a solid design and high-grade materials. The simplicity of the scope will appeal to many shooters and its rich features will be useful for hunters (a way more expensive hunting scope: Leupold VX-5HD – Riflescopes for Hunters) and tactical shooters alike. It’s a great optic to get if you’re looking for a first scope to use. It’s easy to use, easy to mount, and does the job if you’re not trying to use it for long-range shooting.
Easy Mounting Options
A beginner will like the ease of mounting and using the tool while a more experienced user will still find that it offers enough options to keep their shooting accuracy high. The best thing about the scope is its price. You can buy the UTG Bug Buster for under $100 which makes it ideal for people on a budget.
Now don’t get us wrong. This scope certainly does not and cannot compare to scopes that are costing 5 or 10 times the price. You can’t reasonably expect that you will get the same quality glass and other materials. However, you do get a great scope for the money with the UTG Bugbuster. There’s no question about that.
Do you have more questions or something to add? Share your experiences by leaving a comment below.