(Brad Fitzpatrick photo)
December 30, 2020
By Brad Fitzpatrick
Burris broke ground with the release of the original Eliminator, the first optic for hunters that took the guesswork out of long-range shooting. Prior to the launch of the original Eliminator, hunters had to range targets, plug-in ballistic data, compensate for environmental factors and angle to the target. In most cases, when a big bull elk or mature whitetail offers a chance at a shot, there simply isn’t time to perform all those calculations. Hunters quickly realized that the Eliminator offered the most sophisticated and efficient way to make accurate shots at extended distances.
The original Eliminator was a huge success with hunters, and today Burris is offering their fourth generation of Eliminator optics and the newest iteration is the product of years of extensive lab and field testing to generate the most versatile hunting optic available. The Eliminator IV features a built-in laser rangefinder
(Brad Fitzpatrick photo) The Eliminator IV is available in either 3-12x44 or 4-16x50 models, and both mount quickly and securely to your rifle. Designed to fit on either a Weaver or Picatinny-style rail, the Eliminator IV secures in place quickly using the provided hardware, and three plate sizes are included to adjust for 10, 20, and 30 MOA of down elevation adjustment as needed. The beefy mounting clamps secure the optic firmly to the rifle and there’s no need to worry about magnum cartridges shaking the optic loose.
How does Burris do this? Part of the secret lies in the scope’s onboard computer with enhanced ballistic software, which takes the user’s pre-entered ballistic and environmental data and instantly provides feedback. Inputting the data is very fast and easy: to begin, use the provided cartridge list book to determine the drop value at 750 yards for your particular caliber and load. I planned to be shooting a .300 Winchester Short Magnum firing a 180-grain AccuBond bullet at a muzzle velocity of 3,010 feet per second. That load was one of over 40 listed for the .300 WSM, and there are over 100 different factory loads listed for the .30-06 Springfield, so odds are you’ll be able to find the exact load you plan to use when hunting.
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(Brad Fitzpatrick photo) Once I located the correct values for my load and installed the batteries in the optic, I entered the set-up mode by pressing the forward button and then one of the on/range buttons and held it for six seconds. Within the reticle, the first number that appears will be the software version and current ballistic table setting. To program a new setting, press the forward button. Afterward, you’ll press the up or down buttons to toggle between yards and meters and then press the forward button to confirm. Pressing the up or down button will then allow you to select zero distance, and that will vary depending upon the weapon you are shooting. You may select from a 50, 100, or 200 yard zero (most centerfire hunting rifle rounds use a 200 yard zero), and once that is complete, you will then input your drop number and ballistic coefficient. Once you’ve done all that, the optic will be ready to operate and you’ll be ready to shoot. The Burris manual is straightforward and very easy to follow, and even the most technically challenged hunter or shooter will be able to input files quickly.
From there, it’s simply a matter of ranging the target by pressing either the left or right button on the front of the scope’s main tube. The Eliminator IV
Burris has built technology into their laserscopes that helps eliminate the risk of someone taking a shot they shouldn’t. The Eliminator IV, like previous iterations of this optic, flashes the reticle when the target is beyond the limits of the selected cartridge. The scope will indicate this with a “too far” warning by flashing the dots in the reticle. The Burris also indicates when it doesn’t obtain an accurate range measurement if an object blocks the laser.
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The Burris Eliminator IV also comes with a wireless remote that allows the shooter to take a range with the press of a button, which is another first in this market. Also included with each Eliminator IV an adhesive label that allows you to fill in sight in altitude, BC, drop and more. The label is then affixed to the shelf above the battery compartment for quick reference.
(Brad Fitzpatrick photo) MSRP on the Burris Eliminator IV is $2,039, which is a great bargain for such a versatile laserscope.
In the Field
At the heart of every good scope is good glass, and Burris gets that. The Eliminator IV comes with multi-coated lenses that offer very good edge-to-edge clarity. Even in low light conditions, I could see objects clearly through the optic, and having adjustable brightness settings makes it easy to match the brightness of the optic to ambient light conditions.
Despite all its high-tech features, the Eliminator IV’s controls will seem very familiar to most shooters. There’s an elevation turret up top and a windage turret on the right side of the main body tube, both of which are ¼ MOA click adjustable and capped. The parallax ring is located on the objective lens bell of the scope and there’s a rear focal ring as well. As stated, you can select either the 3-12x44mm or 4-16x50 version.
(Brad Fitzpatrick photo) The Eliminator IV I tested on my .300 WSM was the 4-16x50 model, and it’s a great optic for any hunting situation. Despite all of its on-board tech, the Eliminator IV weighs just 28.8 ounces. That’s not much more than many competing non-rangefinding scopes, and it’s especially attractive when you consider that the Eliminator IV doesn’t require you to carry along an additional rangefinder. That not only cuts weight but reduces the risk that your rangefinder batteries will die or that you’ll leave it in camp.
I zeroed my rifle at 200 yards and plugged my ballistic data and other variables into the Eliminator IV. Once the optic was programmed, I started testing the rangefinding feature and found it offered good ballistic data as far as I could see behind my home, which was just a bit under 800 yards. One feature I’ve always appreciated about the Eliminator optics is the speed with which they transmit holdover and wind data, and the Eliminator IV is every bit as fast.
(Brad Fitzpatrick photo) Once the rifle was zeroed, I began shooting steel targets out to 500 yards to see if the Eliminator IV tracked correctly. It did. I could range a target, get a readout in the optic, and deliver a shot on the plate within a matter of seconds, which is the real benefit of this optic. There’s no doubt that the ballistic and laser technology in these scopes is superb, but the real benefit is just how streamlined the process really is. I’m also a big fan of the push-button remote. Instead of having to reach up and press the button on the side of the reticle, I was able to activate the Eliminator with my non-shooting hand, which is a nice feature. Should you lose your remote, you can still range using the ambidextrous buttons on the scope body.
The Eliminator IV 4-16x50
With the most high-tech, up-to-date ballistic software available, the Eliminator IV really is a game-changing laseroptic. If you’re a serious hunter, you know how fleeting opportunities at game can be. Don’t risk capitalizing on that once-in-a-lifetime tag because you weren’t able to get accurate holdover data in time. Instead, rely on Burris’s excellent Eliminator IV to do the heavy lifting—and game dropping—for you.
Burris Eliminator IV 4-16x50 Laseroptic Specs:
Laser Rangefinder Max Range: 2,000 + yards
Programmable: Yes
Focal Plane: Rear
Mounting Hardware: Included (for use with Weaver or Picatinny rail)
Length: 15.3 inches
Weight: 28.8 Ounces
Field of View: 33-9 ft at 100 yards
Eye Relief: 3.5 to 4 inches
Power source: 2 x AAA batteries
Click Adjustments: ¼ MOA
MSRP: $2,039
For more information, visit burris.com
