Handgun Scope

[jerry46]

My son and I are thinking about putting scopes on our Ruger Super BlackHawks. As this is new to us, we are not sure whether to go with a fixed power or variable. Also, we have been looking at the Bushnell Elite, Nikon Force and the Weaver Classic. Any thoughts on these ? I know many people recommend the Leupold, but they are a little pricey. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Steve in PA]

My Super Redhawk has been wearing a 2-6x Bushnell Trophy Handgun Scope for over 20 years and I am very happy with it.

Some shooters like a straight power like a 2x, while other like a variable scope. Totally up to the shooter.

When hunting and sitting on stand, my scope is set at 2-3x. Any more and it becomes hard to manage. But I like being able to crank up the magnification when at the range.

 

[dgroff85]

I know that the leupold's are kind of $$ but I really like my M8 2x with EER. Also looking at buying a 4x.

 

[Blue68f100]

One thing you need to be aware of is the eye relief. Some have a short eye relief which makes it hard to shoot if you extend your arms. The Nikon and Leupold will give you the greatest eye relief.

 

[hq]

I've researched the subject a bit, mostly because my eyesight has started to deteriorate with age, and it seems that many people swear by Leupold. Their variable is a bit spendy, but both 2x and 4x seem like very nice scopes and Leupold has a good reputation in high recoil applications.

A while ago I bought a cheap, variable Zos handgun scope, just to see how I'd like the idea of scoping a handgun and while it did work, it was quickly dispatched to a less than mission critical job on a 14" Desert Eagle target barrel. I don't want to ruin a hunting trip with an unreliable, poor quality scope.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a 2x Leupold EER on my SRH. It has worked well. Unless you intend to shoot over 100 yds with some regularity, I see no reason for a variable power handgun scope. Adds more weight and you should not be using the scope to view things when handgun hunting. They are for sighting only and if I can't sight properly with the 2x, I probably shouldn't be taking the shot with a handgun.

 

[Hunterdad]

I have a Weaver 4x on my T/C Contender in .30-30 and have been very happy with it. I have over 500 rounds through it with no problems.

 

[gbran]

I use a Burris 2x on my SRH. Took off a 2-7x, have used 4x on handguns too. I've found that even a 4x is too hard to manage on a handgun.... too shaky and harder target aquisition.

[/IMG]

 

[JEB]

if I can't sight properly with the 2x, I probably shouldn't be taking the shot with a handgun.

i have also been kicking around the idea of scoping my SBH and was thinking that a 2-6 variable would be a good idea but honestly, ^ this ^ makes a lot of sense.

 

[RKRCPA]

I've been using a 2x Burris on my Bisley Blackhawk for 20+ years and couldn't be happier.

 

[bainter1212]

I use a Nikon 2x fixed power. Some Nikons have a "variable eye relief" feature that basically allows you to adjust the focus based on how far away from your eye the scope is. Most handgun scopes don't have any sort of variable eye relief, I bought the Nikon specifically because of this feature. Allows me to tune the scope to my specific reach, vision etc. Don't remember Nikon's marketing name for this though.......

 

[adelbridge]

I have a Bushnell Trophy XLT 2-6 on my T/C Contender. It is the same scope as the Busnell Elite 3200. Its a great scope for broad daylight but long eye relief scopes give up 5-10 minutes of daylight over a standard rifle scope. I have been toying with the idea of going with a long eye relief rifle scope as I am not a big fan of locked elbow handgun hunting.

 

[22-rimfire]

Thompson Contenders are a bit different potentially when deciding on scope magnification. I view them as a rifle-handgun and would scope them accordingly. It is unlikely that you will be taking many off hand shots with a Contender unless it's close.

 

[flipajig]

The only thing that I have scoped are contender and encore barrels
My SBH still has Oppen sights on it if I were to scope it I wouldn't
Use over a 4X on it and ofcorse EER with the glass.

 

[Random Discharge]

Yes, 2X is what you want for a SBH. I have a 2x on a 10" 357 and a 2-6x on a 14" 30-30 T/C Contender, both Bushnell Trophy.

The 2-6x would be a waste on the 357, which has about the same trajectory as whatever your SBH is chambered in. Field of view is more precious than magnification in a pistol scope, and a fixed 2x is plenty for revolver caliber range regardless.

 

[41 Mag]

The only thing that I have scoped are contender and encore barrels
My SBH still has Oppen sights on it if I were to scope it I wouldn't
Use over a 4X on it and ofcorse EER with the glass.

Years ago I put a Leupold 4X on my Ruger Redhawk in 44mag. It was awesome to sit at the range and shoot 2" or so groups with it from a rest at 100yds. In the woods it sucked pond water. I finally took it off when we got into hog hunting hard and heavy because it was more or less useless.

A few years later I found a need to mount it on a TC barrel chambered in 30-30AI. Again it came to life on the range and even out in the wide open pastures. This past Monday I sat on a 10 acre plot my wife and purchased more or less to have a small place to haul the grandsons to try and get them a deer. Sure nuff, I had 5 shooter bucks come by within 40yd or less, and with that 4X mounted on that 30 30AI barrel, all I could do was watch them go.

There was no way I could get it up and find the deer in the brushy area we were both in. The eye relief is plenty good, but getting the full view in the ocular lens simply is too critical for hunting up close and personal. I knew this ahead of time and it is why it wasn't on the 44 anymore. I had simply mounted it on the Contender to enable some shooting and load work ups. I grabbed it up when we headed out simply to do some fireforming and it shot so well I figured I would take it out again.

Trust me when I say stick with 2x or even lower if you can find a variable with a 1.5 to 4 you will be way ahead.

 

[LOLBELL]

I have a 44 SBH Hunter with a fixed 2X VXII on it and a 45 Colt SBH Hunter with a Bushnell 2-6.5 on it. The eye relief is fine on both scopes when the Bushnell is on 2-3 power. Relief drops off when you crank it up to 5-6.5. At the range I can crank up the Bushnell and shoot some pretty impressive groups for a revolver and crank it back down for woods hunting, best of both worlds, don't have that option with the fixed power. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.