Review: Crimson Trace Brushline Pro 4-16X 42 mm BDC

Available in 22 configurations, including handgun-, shotgun- and muzzleloader-specific versions, the Brushline Pro offers do-all power with performance-enhancing features.

by
posted on January 6, 2022
Crimson Trace Brushline Pro

Crimson Trace of Wilsonville, Ore., is best known for its innovative, firearm-mounted laser sights and lights; however, the company has expanded its offerings to include tools, dot-style sights and riflescopes. Concerning the latter, four new lines debuted in 2021—Hardline, Hardline Pro, Brushline and Brushline Pro—and the Brushline Pro 4-16X 42 mm BDC is the subject of this review.

Available in 22 configurations, including handgun-, shotgun- and muzzleloader-specific versions, the Brushline Pro series is available with either a 1" or 30 mm, two-piece, matte-black, aluminum maintube. Consistent across the line is an oversize ocular housing, on which the magnification band and eyepiece focus are found. Measuring 1.80" at its widest, the housing reportedly allows for faster adjustments but could interfere with the rifle’s operation, depending on the setup. The magnification band and eyepiece focus have purchase-enhancing grooves, and similar elements are found on the turret caps and the objective focus knob, which is graduated from
50 to beyond 1,000 yards.

tool-less zero-reset feature turret
The 4-16X 42 mm Brushline Pro features a tool-less zero-reset feature—making for a simple return to zero—and its turrets offered positive, repeatable adjustments.

Valued at 1/4 m.o.a., the Brushline Pro’s clicks are positive, tactile and audible. Thanks to its tool-less zero-reset feature, it’s simple to return to zero after dialing in a shot, as well as to quickly confirm the turret wasn’t inadvertently moved. The eye relief of the 4-16X 42 mm model measures a forgiving 3.7" to 4".

According to Crimson Trace, it uses a proprietary multicoating called “MOC” denoting Maximum Optical Clarity on its lenses. The benefits are: 90 percent light transmission, scratch resistance and improved image quality.

Designed for use by hunters, the Brushline Pro 4-16X 42 mm BDC has a compensating-type reticle, though it’s non-illuminated. The company is currently developing a customizable, ballistic calculator to determine holds. Keep in mind, though, that as a second-focal-plane riflescope it will need to be set to a specific magnification (usually highest) to effectively employ the reticle.

crimson trace brushline pro specsCrimson Trace makes bold claims about the resilience of the Brushline Pro series; in fact, the company offers a lifetime warranty. Still, we put it through the wringer.

First, to test the company’s claim about zero retention over a lifetime of recoil, we mounted the scope atop a Savage Impulse Hog Hunter chambered in .300 Win. Mag. More than 300 rounds were fired through the rifle with no change in zero. That’s telling. It was during this time that, when shooting across a wide range of lighting conditions, we noted the fine edge-to-edge clarity, brightness and resolution of the scope. In side-by-side tests, its optical quality was equal to—if not better than—scopes from other long-established brands.

To assess its ability to withstand temperature extremes and water infiltration, the scope spent the night in a freezer, followed by immediate submersion in extra-hot tap water. No bubbles were observed, which is indicative of quality seals, and only the faintest internal fogging occurred, which dissipated within minutes.

For the final test, we mounted the scope atop a Savage Model 111 Long Range Hunter in .338 Lapua Mag. and proceeded to “shoot the square” at 100 yards. The process created four, three-shot groups, and from their consistent dispersion, the scope’s adjustment mechanisms were judged to be accurate and repeatable.

In diversifying its offerings, Crimson Trace has entered a congested marketplace. But, given the price-to-performance ratio of its Brushline Pro scopes, the company has the potential to make significant inroads.

Latest

Revolutionary Art Of Don Troiani
Revolutionary Art Of Don Troiani

The Revolutionary Art Of Don Troiani

By using surviving artifacts, eyewitness testimony, accurately reproduced uniforms, original firearms and the thorough study of battle sites, Don Troiani has done more than imagine what happened 250 years ago. His art is as close as it can get to a true representation of what period combat would have looked like.

The Armed Citizen® April 21, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Captain John Parker's Fowler: Witness To History

While thousands of firearms were used in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, few survive today. One survivor is the flintlock fowler used by Capt. John Parker of the Lexington militia.

New For 2025: Mossberg 590M Standoff & 500 Slugster Pump Shotguns

The Mossberg 500 is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever made. That doesn’t keep the company from making updates and improvements, as evidenced in the new-for-2025 590M Standoff and 500 Slugster series.

Preview: Warthog Sharpeners V-Sharp Elite A4

Warthog USA’s V-Sharp Elite A4 pairs the company’s most feature-packed portable blade-sharpening unit with a detachable wooden base for added stability.

The Men & Guns Of Lexington Green

On April 19, 1775, 250 years ago, approximately 80 armed militiamen from Lexington gathered on their village green to confront several hundred British infantrymen. The events of that morning began a conflict that would ultimately establish the United States of America.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.