Handgun scopes

[Synergy]

Hi Friends

I'm trying to get better with my superblackhawk, not doing so great with irons so probably gonna try some kind of scope, so just a quick question: a red dot or a scope with some magnification for a hunting revolver, and why?

thanks

 

[JimP]

I have never shot a handgun with a red dot so I really don't know about them but don't they require a battery that could go dead on you at the wrong time?

I have two scoped barrels for a TC Contender. One is a 2 1/2x on a .357 Herrett barrel and the other is a 2.5x7 Burris on a 7-30 Waters. The 357 Herrett could go quite easily without a scope and I would have no problems taking it off but that 7-30 Waters just loves to shoot out past 150 yards and as I get older my eyes just don't work that well while shooting a pistol. With that scope on the Waters I can put 5 shots inside a quarter at 200 yards off of a good rest which you should always try to use when shooting a handgun.

 

[Divernhunter]

On my Ruger SRH I had a 2X Leupold. I preferred it over the 4X. I tried a variable but just could not get the eye relief to work for me.
On my Encore pistols I have 4X Leupold scopes and like them. With a Leupold I have an excellent scope which will not fail me.

 

[edward]

Leupold's my favorite.2.5x8 on my contenders and encores.4x on revolvers.
Bushnell 2x-6 on a 12 inch barreled s&w 460.it holds up to the recoil with no prob.Burris 2 to 7 on a couple. all have served me well over the years.

 

[Grumulkin]

Hi Friends

I'm trying to get better with my superblackhawk, not doing so great with irons so probably gonna try some kind of scope, so just a quick question: a red dot or a scope with some magnification for a hunting revolver, and why?

thanks

If ranges will be fairly short; i.e., no more than 50 yards and the target will be fairly large; i.e., big game, a red dot would be preferable. A red dot is not as precise but is a lot faster than a scope.

As for scope brand/type, I use Leupold's 2.5-8X handgun scopes on all my handguns.

 

[shuter]

I like a fixed 2x for a revolver...either Leupold or Burris, both are tough as nails. 2x is enough magnification to take a deer-size animal out to 100 yards, which is as far as any revolver is likely to be used; the field of view is relatively large; they're relatively short and light; and they're simple, which is a very good thing. With a little practice, they're surprisingly quick and easy to use. For a Contender or Encore, etc., a 1-4x, 2-7x, 2.5-8x, etc. makes more sense.

 

[JimP]

One thing that I have also learned with a scoped handgun is to check all the screws that hold the scope onto the handgun. Both the rings and the base screws.

I had a problem a few years ago on one of my Contender barrels and scope. You could rock the scope back and forth since the base screws had come loose, and yes I put loctite on all of the screws. There is just something about the stress that shooting a rifle round or a heavy handgun round in one with a scope that just causes problems. My problem was that I was 40 miles from a parts house and one of the ring screws had stripped out the allen head, so I had to drill it out. I then had a problem finding a new screw. I ended up buying a who new base and rings to get myself back into the hunt.

 

[IronCowboy]

The Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32 has treated me very well. The Bushnell Elite 2-6x is a great scope for half the price also, and the Simmons ProHunter 2-6x has held up surprisingly well for half again the price. You do get what you pu for at all 3 of these price levels.

BUT!!!!

Leupold is going to announce a replacement at SHOT for the VX3 line, including the handgun scope. Supposedly it'll have better glass, better coating, and more precise adjustment. The handgun version is supposed to start shipping mid-2016, if you can wait that long.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Synergy, take a look at this article as it might give you some ideas on your Super Blackhawk.

Scoping Ruger's 454 Casull / 480 Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk Part 1
http://www.realguns.com/articles/747.htm

Scoping Ruger's 454 Casull / 480 Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk Part 2
http://www.realguns.com/articles/750.htm

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Members, please if I may ask:
Is it possible to purchase a handgun scope that will double for my .375 H&H Magnum Coggswell&Harrison Scout rifle? I did search for an answer but it all is vague when this question comes up..

Thank you kindly

Gert

 

[JimP]

All handgun scopes are set for a eye relief of a arms length away from the shooters eye. One that I have the eye relief is between 18" and 24" or .45 and .61 meters. So you want to look at the amount of eye relief that you need on your rifle where most rifle scopes are set for just a couple of inches.

So if you could find a mount for your rifle that attached to the barrel it may be possible for the scope to do double duty.

 

[Grumulkin]

Members, please if I may ask:
Is it possible to purchase a handgun scope that will double for my .375 H&H Magnum Coggswell&Harrison Scout rifle? I did search for an answer but it all is vague when this question comes up..

Thank you kindly

Gert

I think a handgun scope would work fine for a scout rifle setup. What you have to do, is compare the eye relief of the handgun scope with the eye relief you would need for the rifle. The various web sites that sell scopes like MidwayUSA would have that information under the heading "specifications."

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I did extensive research on Scout scopes ...the seems to be the best value for money..some forum members on other forums mentioned I should not mount a handgun scope on a .375 H&H Magnum caliber rifle...your opinion?
FX-II Scout IER 2.5x28mm

 

[Grumulkin]

This is one of my 375 H&H Magnums and it has a handgun scope on it; a Leupold 2.5-8X. I don't know why someone said not to mount a handgun scope on a 375 H&H Magnum. Mounting a handgun scope on a rifle is much less stressful than mounting the scope on a handgun. If your gun won't break a rifle scope, it won't break a handgun scope either.

Of course, use a quality handgun scope.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Grumulkin, you have a beautiful handgun... Please tell me, how accurate does this .375 H&H Magnum Thompson Contender shoot, how strenuous is the recoil on your wrists? I would really love to have such a hunting pistol..it would be great!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grumulkin]

Thank-you.

A group measuring a little over 1.5 inches at 200 yards.

It's an Encore rather than a Contender, by the way. Recoil is a lot more than a 44 Magnum and similar to the recoil of the 444 Marlin, 460 S&W Magnum and 500 S&W Magnum. When you shoot an Encore handgun chambered for a heavy recoiling cartridge it's best to wear a glove and put some tape at the base of your thumb if you don't wish to lose skin. Good hearing protection is also a must.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Unbelievable accurate, I can not even do that with my rifle....excellent...thank you for the explanation..

 

[Synergy]

Uffff the 44 magnum is my upper limit, I don´t even dream about shooting a 375

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Me neither, I will keep to something with a large piece of good wood to hold on to...but I really would have liked to have an Encore handgun.....

 

[BigJohnx13]

Hi Sinergy

I use a Tasco Propoint 30mm Big dot (PDP 3) on my pistol. Hold its aim after 20 000 shots. Will hold up to 375/44. Used it on a shotgun for a while. Big dot easy to use up to 50m,

Use a Tasco Propoint 25mm Small dot (PDP 2) on my R5/(LM5). Good for up too 200m. Both also perfect for nightshooting.

No problem with eye relieve for revolver or rifle as there is no magnification. Prefer this over the Reflex or single lens sights as aiming feels more natural and faster through the tube. Make sure your dot size does not obscure your target at you maximum desired range. The PDP 4 just feels too big and cumbersome. An extension tube will also obscure reflecting sunlight at low angles.

If you need amplification go for a scope