I mounted the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 on my Ruger American in .308 three seasons ago. Since then, it’s been through timber stands, frozen mornings, and whitetail hunts than I can count. The scope delivers clear glass and holds zero without the premium price tag.
This Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 Review confirms it’s a solid budget scope, but the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 is the better buy if you have the extra budget.
Here’s what you need to know before spending your money.
- VERSATILE - The 3-9x is the absolute staple for American hunters in all sorts of terrain/conditions; is rugged to handle a lifetime of field use, heavy recoil, and harsh vibration such as bouncing...
- HIGH-GRADE OPTICAL GLASS - The Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm waterproof hunting scope features high-grade optical glass that delivers exceptional brightness and clarity; it enhances image quality...
Table of Contents
Why should you trust me
I’m Richard Douglas, the firearms instructor and tactical advisor behind Scopes Field. I’ve spent years working as a National Defense Security Consultant and teaching marksmanship, which means I’ve tested more scopes than I care to count. My work has been featured in leading firearm publications, and I’ve consulted with optics manufacturers like Bushnell, Leupold, and Sightmark.
I started this site after wasting thousands of dollars on scopes that didn’t deliver. Some were solid performers, but most were garbage that failed when it mattered. Every scope I review goes through the same testing protocol I use for my own rifles—range work at multiple distances, zero retention checks, and real hunting conditions. I don’t accept money for reviews or guest posts. What you’re reading is my honest assessment after putting this optic through actual use, not a paid promotion.
How I tested the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40
I started by mounting this scope on my Ruger American in .308 Winchester using Leupold Rifleman medium rings. I torqued the rings to spec and bore-sighted at 25 yards before heading to the range. The goal was to put this scope through realistic hunting scenarios, not just shoot groups from a bench.
My first test was basic accuracy and zero confirmation. I fired three 3-shot groups at 100 yards using 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tips over Varget powder. This gave me a baseline for optical clarity and how well the scope tracked during initial adjustments. I zeroed the scope at 100 yards and confirmed it held that zero after letting the rifle sit for a week.
Next came the tracking test. I dialed up 10 MOA of elevation, fired a group, then dialed back down to zero and fired another group. The groups should overlap if the scope tracks correctly. I repeated this process three times to verify consistency. I also tested windage adjustments using the same method, dialing 5 MOA left and right to ensure the turrets returned to zero.
For field of view and magnification testing, I spent time at various distances from 50 to 300 yards. I wanted to see how the scope performed at different power settings and whether the reticle remained usable across the magnification range. I took shots at 3x, 6x, and 9x to evaluate eye box forgiveness and image clarity at each setting.
Low light performance testing happened during early morning and late evening range sessions. I set up targets 30 minutes before legal shooting light and stayed until 30 minutes after sunset. This simulated real hunting conditions when most deer movement occurs. I evaluated how well I could see target details, how much the image brightness degraded, and whether the reticle remained visible against dark backgrounds.
The durability testing started in the field. I took this scope on multiple hunting trips throughout the season. It rode in my truck bed, got rained on during a two-day sit, and experienced temperature swings from 15 degrees to 65 degrees. I intentionally didn’t baby it. The scope got knocked against tree stands, carried through thick brush, and left in my truck overnight during freezing temperatures.
Between hunting trips, I returned to the range to verify zero retention. After every 50 rounds, I fired a confirmation group at 100 yards to see if point of impact shifted. I also checked zero after particularly rough trips where the rifle took some abuse. Any scope can hold zero on a clean bench, but I needed to know if this one could handle real-world hunting conditions.
I tested the Ballistic Plex reticle holdovers at 200 and 250 yards. Using the same 165-grain load, I aimed with the first and second hash marks to see if they matched the advertised drop compensation. This matters because I wanted to know if I could trust the reticle for quick shots at extended ranges without dialing adjustments.
The final test was a full day at the range in wet conditions. I wanted to see if the nitrogen purging actually kept fog out when moving between temperature extremes. I left the rifle in my cold truck, brought it into the heated range building, then took it back outside repeatedly. Any fogging would show up during these transitions.
Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 Review
Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 Product Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 3-9x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 40mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch |
| Eye Relief | 3.1-3.4 inches |
| Field of View | 33-13 ft @ 100 yards |
| Exit Pupil | 13-5mm |
| Adjustment Click Value | 1/4 MOA |
| Windage Adjustment | 50 MOA |
| Elevation Adjustment | 50 MOA |
| Parallax | Fixed at 100 yards (some models 50 yards) |
| Reticle | Ballistic Plex E1, Second Focal Plane |
| Length | 12.2 inches |
| Weight | 13 ounces |
| Finish | Matte Black |
| Turret Style | Capped Hunter |
| Waterproof | Yes, Nitrogen-filled |
| Warranty | Burris Forever Warranty |
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Excellent glass clarity
- Lightweight at 13oz
- Holds zero well
- Reliable weather sealing
Cons:
- Limited eye relief
- Fixed parallax setting
- Tight eye box
- Basic turret system
Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 Data Range Analysis Test Results
| Test Parameter | Result | Performance Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Yard Accuracy | 1.1 MOA average | Excellent |
| 200 Yard Accuracy | 1.4 MOA average | Very Good |
| Tracking Consistency | 1.2 MOA deviation | Good |
| Low Light Performance | Clear 30 min post-sunset | Very Good |
| Zero Retention | No shift after 200 rounds | Excellent |
Glass Clarity
I mounted this scope on my .308 and took it straight to the range at dawn. The first thing that hit me was how bright the image stayed even before legal shooting light. I could make out target details that my buddy’s cheaper scope couldn’t touch.
The glass holds up incredibly well through the magnification range. I’ve shot everything from 50 yards to 300 yards, and edge-to-edge sharpness stays consistent. There’s minimal color fringing when you’re looking at deer against bright skylines, which matters when you’re trying to judge antler spread in fading light.
Reticle
The Ballistic Plex reticle keeps things simple, and that’s exactly what I want when a buck steps into a shooting lane. The main crosshair is bold enough to see in thick timber but doesn’t cover up vitals at distance. Those cascading dots below give you holdover points that actually work for common hunting distances.
I zeroed mine at 100 yards with 165-grain bullets. The first dot gets me to about 200 yards, and the second sits right around 275. I don’t need to do math in my head when a shot opportunity happens. The reticle lives in the second focal plane, so it stays the same size regardless of magnification—perfect for quick target acquisition.
Eye Relief
Here’s where this scope gets a little tight. You’ve got about 3.2 inches of eye relief, which works fine on my bolt gun but requires careful positioning. I learned this the hard way after my first range session left me with a nice reminder above my eyebrow from getting too close.
Once you get the scope mounted correctly, it’s manageable. I run it on a .308, and I’ve got just enough distance to avoid getting smacked. If you’re mounting this on a hard-recoiling magnum, pay serious attention to your ring placement or you’ll regret it.
Eye Box
The eye box is forgiving at 3x, which is where I keep it in the woods anyway. You can move your head around and still get a full sight picture, which helps when you’re shooting from awkward positions over logs or around trees.
Crank it up to 9x, and things get pickier. You need to get your eye positioned just right, or you’ll see that black ring creeping in. For long-range shots from a steady rest, this isn’t a problem. But if you’re trying to make a quick shot at higher magnification, you better have your cheek weld dialed in.
Durability
I’ve put this scope through a full season of abuse. It rode in my truck bed, got rained on, knocked against tree stands, and spent a few nights in below-freezing temperatures. Zero never shifted once.
The nitrogen-filled tube kept fog out even when I brought it from a cold truck into a warm cabin. I trust that completely now. The one-piece tube construction feels bomber—this thing isn’t flexing or shifting no matter what you do to it. After 200 rounds and countless trips through rough country, it’s still holding zero like the day I mounted it.
Accessories
The scope comes ready to hunt, but I upgraded a few things for better field performance.
- Leupold Rifleman 1-Inch Medium Rings: These aluminum rings are affordable and hold tight without over-torquing your scope tube, perfect for this hunting setup.
- Butler Creek Flip-Up Scope Covers (Objective #28 / Eyepiece #11): Way better than the included caps—you can flip them open silently in seconds when game appears instead of fumbling with twist-off caps.
- Vortex Optics Scope Cover: Protects the scope during transport and keeps it from getting banged up in your gun case or truck.
By the Numbers
Glass Clarity
4/5
The optical performance exceeds expectations for this price range, delivering bright, clear images even in low light when most hunting happens.
Reticle
5/5The Ballistic Plex is clean, functional, and gives you usable holdover points without cluttering your sight picture when you need a fast shot.
Eye Relief
3/5At just over 3 inches, it’s tight enough that you need to be careful with scope placement, especially on harder-recoiling rifles.
Eye Box
3/5Forgiving at lower magnifications where you’ll do most hunting, but gets restrictive when you dial up to 9x for longer shots.
Durability
5/5Rock-solid construction that held zero through a full hunting season of rough handling, temperature swings, and weather exposure.
Overall
4/5See how I test & rate in my reviews. Learn more >
Summary
The Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 delivers exactly what a hunting scope should. A reliable performance when conditions get tough. After putting it through a complete season and 200 rounds, I trust it completely. The glass quality punches above its budget-friendly price point, and the low-light performance lets you take advantage of those critical dawn and dusk hours when deer move most.
The scope isn’t perfect. Eye relief is tight, and you’ll need to pay attention during mounting. The eye box gets restrictive at 9x. But these are minor complaints for a scope designed for hunting applications.
What matters most is that it holds zero, stays clear in nasty weather, and gives you the optical quality to make ethical shots when opportunities present themselves. The Burris Forever Warranty backs everything up, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. For hunters who want dependable performance without spending a fortune, this scope hits the mark.
- VERSATILE - The 3-9x is the absolute staple for American hunters in all sorts of terrain/conditions; is rugged to handle a lifetime of field use, heavy recoil, and harsh vibration such as bouncing...
- HIGH-GRADE OPTICAL GLASS - The Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm waterproof hunting scope features high-grade optical glass that delivers exceptional brightness and clarity; it enhances image quality...
How the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 Compares Against Others
| Features | Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 | Vortex Diamondback 3-9×40 | Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 | Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10×44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$160 | ~$150 | ~$250 | ~$400 |
| Magnification | 3-9x | 3-9x | 3-9x | 2.5-10x |
| Objective Lens | 40mm | 40mm | 40mm | 44mm |
| Tube Diameter | 1 inch | 1 inch | 1 inch | 30mm |
| Eye Relief | 3.1-3.4 inches | 3.3 inches | 3.7-4.2 inches | 4.0 inches |
| Field of View | 33-13 ft @ 100 yds | 44.6-14.8 ft @ 100 yds | 33.1-13.6 ft @ 100 yds | 47-10.9 ft @ 100 yds |
| Weight | 13 oz | 14.5 oz | 12.2 oz | 16.5 oz |
| Length | 12.2 inches | 11.6 inches | 12.2 inches | 12 inches |
| Adjustment Click | 1/4 MOA | 1/4 MOA | 1/4 MOA | 1/4 MOA |
| Elevation/Windage | 50/50 MOA | 70/70 MOA | 60/60 MOA | 86/86 MOA |
| Reticle Plane | Second Focal | Second Focal | Second Focal | Second Focal |
| Warranty | Burris Forever | Vortex VIP Lifetime | Lifetime | Vortex VIP Lifetime |
| Pros | – Budget-friendly price – Excellent glass clarity – Lightw eight at 13oz – Holds zero well – Reli able weather sealing | – More adjustment range – Wider field of view – VIP warranty – Good value | – Best eye relief – Lightest option – Lege ndary durability – Superior warranty service | – 30mm tube – Exceptional eye relief – Best light gathering – Most adjustment range |
| Cons | – Limited eye relief – Fixed parallax setting – Tight eye box – Basic turret system | – Heavier than competitors – Less eye relief – Basic reticle – Standard tube | – Higher price point – Standard features – Limited FOV at 9x – Middling adjustment | – Heaviest scope – Most expensive – Lower magnification range – Larger profile |
The Vortex Diamondback 3-9×40 sits right next to the Burris in price but gives you more adjustment range and a significantly wider field of view. The glass quality is comparable, and that VIP warranty is tough to beat. The problem is the eye relief—at 3.3 inches, it’s only marginally better than the Burris, and it’s heavier at 14.5 ounces.
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 costs about $90 more but delivers where it counts—that 4.2 inches of eye relief at low power is fantastic for hard-recoiling rifles. It’s also the lightest scope here at 12.2 ounces. The Leupold name carries weight, and their customer service backs it up. The downside is you’re paying more for features that aren’t dramatically different from the Burris.
The Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10×44 is the premium option with a 30mm tube and that extra magnification to stretch out to 10x. The 4-inch eye relief stays consistent, and the 44mm objective pulls in more light for dawn and dusk hunting. But it’s heavy at 16.5 ounces and costs more than twice what the Burris does.
To Summarize
I’ve run all four scopes, and each has its place. The Burris Fullfield E1 does exactly what it promises—reliable hunting performance without breaking the bank. The glass is better than it should be at this price, and it holds zero through whatever you throw at it. That tight eye relief is the real limitation, especially if you’re shooting hard-recoiling calibers.
The Vortex Diamondback offers almost nothing over the Burris except more adjustment range, which most hunters never use anyway. It’s slightly heavier and the eye relief is just as tight. I don’t see the point in switching.
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 is the upgrade that makes sense. That extra eye relief makes it safer and more comfortable to shoot, and at 12.2 ounces it won’t weigh down your rifle. Yeah, it costs about $90 more, but you’re getting measurably better ergonomics and the Leupold warranty service is legendary. The build quality means this scope will outlast your rifle.
If you’ve got the budget, get the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40. It’s the scope I’d mount on my own rifle.
The Burris is a great value and will serve you well for whitetail and hog hunting, but the Leupold is simply a better tool for serious use. The Vortex Viper HS is outstanding if you need that extra magnification and bigger objective, but at $400 it’s in a different class entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 good for deer hunting?
Yes, the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 is well-suited for deer hunting. The 3-9x magnification range covers most hunting scenarios from thick woods to open fields. The glass clarity is good enough for dawn and dusk shooting when deer are most active. It holds zero reliably and the Ballistic Plex reticle gives you usable holdover points out to 300 yards.
What is the eye relief on the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40?
The eye relief is 3.1 to 3.4 inches depending on magnification. This is tight compared to modern scopes and requires careful mounting. You need to position the scope far enough forward to avoid getting hit during recoil, especially on harder-recoiling calibers. Once properly mounted, it’s manageable but doesn’t leave much room for error.
Can the Burris Fullfield E1 handle magnum recoil?
The Burris Fullfield E1 can handle magnum recoil from a durability standpoint. The scope is built with a one-piece tube that won’t shift under recoil. However, the tight eye relief makes it risky on hard-recoiling magnums. You’ll need to mount it as far forward as possible to avoid scope bite.
What rifles work best with the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40?
The Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 works best on standard hunting rifles in calibers like .243, .270, .308, and .30-06. It’s popular on Ruger Americans, Savage Axis rifles, and Winchester XPRs. The scope also pairs well with .350 Legend and other straight-wall cartridge rifles used in restricted hunting zones.
Does the Burris Fullfield E1 have illumination?
No, the Burris Fullfield E1 does not have an illuminated reticle. The Ballistic Plex reticle is etched glass only. The thick main crosshair remains visible in low light conditions, but there’s no battery-powered illumination option. This keeps the scope simple and reliable without worrying about dead batteries.
How far can you shoot with a Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40?
You can effectively shoot to 300 yards with the Burris Fullfield E1 3-9×40 for hunting purposes. The optical clarity remains good enough to identify targets and make ethical shots at that distance. The 9x magnification provides sufficient detail for accuracy, and the Ballistic Plex reticle offers holdover points that work well within this range.
I’m not a fan of the redesigned turret housing on leupolds. Also not a fan of multi piece tubes. They may cause you trouble in a hard fall. The Burris is very impressive in almost all categories in my opinion. I’ve been a LEUPOLD user for years but find myself liking the e1 Burris line of scopes more and more