Handgun scope

[BoogieMan]

I am waiting for permits to pick my 8" 460XVR. In the mean time I have been buying accessories and ammo to feed it. I plan to scope it so that I can take advantage of its flat shooting. At least out to 150 yds.
I have been surfing after the Leopold, Burris, Nikon, Bushnell and Weaver. Weaver is the lowest price point and Leopold the highest. I have herd great reviews on both of them as well as Bushnell. S&W only recommends Leo & Bush for the XVR. Anyone have any good or bad experience with any of them on a heavy recoil HG? Should I look at fixed 4x and Variable 2-7x? I have never shot a HG with a scope. I do have a red dot on my 22/45 and I can say that my own shake is very evident when shooting free hand at 25yds, I expect to shoot distance with the XVR from sum form of a rest, might only be leaning against a tree, might be able to rest barrel on a branch depending on the hunt.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

I shoot a 454 casull with a 8" barrel. I used a BSA scope for a couple years before it went south. Ive killed hogs out to 80 yards so far, and can hit a base ball at 100 yards with a good rest.

I have been waiting on the new Nikon Force XR 2.5-8x28 Matte BDC for about two months now. I went with the Nikon because of the long eye relief.

I have two other Nikon scopes (ProStaff and BuckMaster)on my 45-70 and my 30-06. No problems at all with them.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/Nikon-Products/Riflescopes/8468/Force-XR-2.5-8x28-Matte-BDC.html

[BoogieMan]

Capt- The price is right for a variable. I have shot several Nikons and liked them but never seen one of the Nik handgun scopes. Nice shooting also. A baseball at 100 is a fair shot with a rifle.
Nikon is almost 2" shorter than leopold VX, it is a little heavier, .6oz.. Field of view is considerable less

[Inspector3711]

Good luck with Weaver on my 460XVR Performance Center so far. I went with the variable power model.

[btmj]

I have a weaver 2X pistol scope on my Ruger Super Redhawk. I like the fact it is light weight and doesn't add too many ounces to the gun.

[McShooty]

I have had a Leupold 2X fixed for a long time. Have used it on a Model 29 and also on a Ruger Bisley Black Hawk in.45 Colt. With the latter the scope helped me shoot 3.5" grps at 100 yards using heavy loads of H110 behind a 255 gr bullet. The scope has held up well.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

I think the extra weight of the heavy scope helps with the recoil.......

The ported barrel is nice too......

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa67/ReelFishhead/th_video-2012-10-18-14-37-212.jpg (http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa67/ReelFishhead/video-2012-10-18-14-37-212.mp4)

[BoogieMan]

I am sure the scope helps with recoil, but they also become a projectile all to often with the big mags. You could park a truck on these things and they will still jump. For the money I may give the weaver a shot. If it doesnt hold up I will send it back to weaver and try the next one up. What is the opinion on fixed 4x -vs- variable? Am I more likely to thrash a variable? Does the extra power make it more dificult to put on target because of the shake?

[gbran]

Burris 2x on my .454

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gbran/454SRH-1.jpg

[Gmony.308]

I have a Nikon monarch 2.8X8 on my Encore. Excellent eye relief, bright optics, solid construction, and no issues after several hundred .308 rounds.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

,,,,,,,,,"Does the extra power make it more dificult to put on target because of the shake?"

What kind of shake are you talking about?

[bluetopper]

Get as much zoom power as you can if the money is similar.

Burris scopes are stout and last a lifetime.

[Captains1911]

I use a Burris 2x on my 454 SRH. Any more power on a handgun scope is undesirable IMO.

[TeamTurpin]

I had to hunt around for a long time, but eventually tracked down a 1.5 X 4 Burris for my Contender. Love it.

[bedlamite]

I've got a Burris 2x on my Redhawk, my dad has a Weaver 2-7 on his super Redhawk., and a friend has a Leupold 4x on his super. If I was to get another it would be the Leupold FX-II 2x20. Off sandbags more power is nice, but once you step away from the bench the wider FOV is worth it.

[onlybrowning]

Be aware that the higher the power, the smaller the field of view. I only like variables on Encore or Contender setups using rifle calibers. The 1.5-4 Burris is long, but is a great compromise for a variable. Personally, I use Leupold 2X or a good red dot on revolvers.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/19/ata9ehyn.jpg

[newfrontier45]

Burris or Leupold for anything .44Mag and bigger.

[damienph]

For any of the heavier recoiling calibers, I prefer Leupold. This is an older 2x M8 in a JD Jones SSK Industries TSOB mount and rings on my Super Blackhawk.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/damienph/PA142062.jpg

I have other brand handgun scopes, including Swift, Simmons (Japanese), and Bushnell but would not put any of them on a 460 and expect them to last. Leupold or Burris, maybe a Nikon, but only a Monarch model. The recoil of your 460 is going to be hard on any scope.

If you go with a Bushnell I would recommend an Elite, the Trophy is a decent scope but I wouldn't put it on anything with more recoil than a 44 magnum.

[BoogieMan]

I have fought back and forth with the choices. I was planning on going with the 4x Weaver. But now I am going to opt for the Burris variable. It has a huge field of view. It is a little heavy, but lets face it im not going to one hand this cannon and pull off 100+yds. If the Burris breaks down I ll send it back for repair and mount the returned scope to a 357 or 44.

[BigD_in_FL]

My XP-100 in 7mm BR wore a 4X Redfield in TSOB set up - handled the recoil well

[treeprof]

I have a 1.5-4x Burris with posi-lock on my .44 SRH. My dad has a Bushnell on his 454 SRH. After using mine, he now wishes he had a Burris. You'll not regret yours. I'd opt for the posi-lock on a 460, but that's me.

[TMD]

Don't go with the Nikon on your .460 mag. I broke two of them on mine. Yes Nikon replaced them both times and swore that their scopes would withstand the recoil but they dont. I switched to a Burris and never had another problem.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

The "new" Nikon Force XR 2.5-8x28 Matte BDC is not even on the market yet..............

I was told by Nikon that they have made a lot of improvements on this one.

[Gdawgs]

Don't be afraid to look at used ones. You can pick up the 2X Leupolds like those in the above pictures for around $150. Keep in mind that both Burris and Leupold have lifetime guarantees on thier scopes, even if you are not the original owner, and you don't need any paperwork. If it breaks, send it in, and they will either fix it or give you a new one.

I'm not sure about the warranties on the other brands you are looking at.

[Stevie-Ray]

2X Burris on my Redhawk for nearly 25 years now. My 4X Leupold on my Contender may have gone TU on me during last range session. Next trip will tell the tale. But that Burris has been perfect, even with 300 gr loads. I would consider Burris for strength.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/GitchiManitou/100_0456.jpg

[TMD]

http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac126/tmd11111/IMGP1204_zps60bf59c5.jpg

.44 mags and .454 Casull's may be hard on a scope but the true test is this beast. .460 mag and my pet load is a 300gn XTP with 44grains of Lil'Gun. Pushes it a little over 2000fps and about 2900lbs of energy.
Like I said earlier, the Nikons don't hold up and their lifetime warrany isn't worth the headaches after breaking two of them. The second one they sent me only lasted about 10 shots. The Burris is darn near indestructable.

[Stevie-Ray]

my pet load is a 300gn XTP with 44grains of Lil'Gun. Pushes it a little over 2000fps and about 2900lbs of energy.You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

[kcub]

Nikon are very bright and clear and priced very fair for being as good if not better than Zeiss, Swarovski, and other high end optics.

[blfuller]

UltraDot on a DE. No magnification. Point and shoot.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HOjWQozkvzc/UU4f9BDqmlI/AAAAAAAAAM8/-yTPGpgWl7A/s748/IMG_0864.JPG

[BoogieMan]

@TMD- Is that the posi-lock Burris or the standard?

[TMD]

Heck if I know. Its their 3x12 pistol scope. Its fun to tag a 12" steel plate @ 300 yards though.

[BillCnKC]

All--

Like most long-time shooters, I have accumulated different brands of scope over the years. However, I stick with Burris and Leupold on new purchases. Here's a Leupold 2-8x32, one of my favorites, mounted on a 10" barrel . . .

http://billcnkc.com/Firearms/Desert%20Eagle/BC2.JPG

--Bill

[blfuller]

Is that DE finish polished blue with TiN accents? Looks nice.

[BillCnKC]

blfuller--

Thanks! It is black chrome with titanium gold accents. MRI has since discontinued the black chrome finish. It is hard and has held up well since 2003. My information is that they had vendor quality control problems.

The .50 has a 10" barrel and a chrome, jeweled bolt.

Another blatantly gratuitous picture . . .

http://billcnkc.com/Firearms/Desert%20Eagle/Ring%20Screws.JPG

--Bill

[newfrontier45]

.44 mags and .454 Casull's may be hard on a scope but the true test is this beast.
Not really. Your sixgun weighs at least five pounds, has a bipod and a muzzle brake. A lightweight .44 or .454 will be much harder on a scope than your short rifle. :rolleyes:

[TMD]

.44 mag has no where near the chamber pressure of the .460 and .500 mags. Not saying a light weight .44 isnt a handfull by anymeans but they are nothing like the big guns.

[newfrontier45]

.44 mag has no where near the chamber pressure of the .460 and .500 mags.
Pressure is irrelevant. Recoil energy and velocity is what is relevant and a .44 or .454 that weighs half as much will place far greater strain on a scope than your monstrosity. Your sixgun, without all that crap on it, goes 82oz. That's 5.2lbs plus an oversized scope which will be at least another pound and a bipod that probably pushes a pound too. Sorry but this is basic stuff.

[TMD]

If you say so but its all irrelevent becuae guess what "IT BROKE TWO NIKON SCOPES".

I own several .44 mags from a 4.6" Super Blackhawk and to a S&W PC model 629-4. Also have owned a .454 Super Redhawk in the past. They do not compare to the .460. And is you think champer pressure is irrelevant then you obviously never shot one. Heavy bullets loaded to the max make for a shock wave that will definately get your attention.

[big al hunter]

Get the Burris posi-lock. It has a screw opposite the adjusting turrets that locks the reticle tube in place rather than depending on springs to keep it in place. Darn near indestructible. I put a 2-7x posi-lock on my 454 after it destroyed the second scope. LOVE it.

[newfrontier45]

I own several .44 mags from a 4.6" Super Blackhawk and to a S&W PC model 629-4. Also have owned a .454 Super Redhawk in the past. They do not compare to the .460. And is you think champer pressure is irrelevant then you obviously never shot one. Heavy bullets loaded to the max make for a shock wave that will definately get your attention.
Pressure doesn't destroy scopes, recoil does. Sorry but a 7lb .460 is simply not going to punish a scope like a 40oz .454. Perhaps you're confusing muzzle blast with recoil???

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Check the books guys,,,,the .454 has the highest pressure of the 460 and the 500. I think its 64,000 SAMI

Common sense would tell you that a heaver gun in the same class would have less recoil...............

[22-rimfire]

Been a while since I checked the specs but when I bought my Leupold 2x EER it had the longest eye relief and a great guarantee. This is mounted on a 480 SRH. Had no problems with it in a number of years of use.

I'm waiting on a Ultradot that I am mounting on a 480/475 BFR. This will be my first red dot. I have been told that they are tough as nails. I envision shots out to 100-125 yds max and more comfortably in the 75 yd area in the woods.

If I were buying for a X-frame 460, I'd go with the variable Leupold (2-6x I believe) as you want to take longer shots. Use locktite (red?.. the non-permanent type) on the mount screws or it will work loose quickly.

As your first scope on a handgun, you will be in for some learning and adjusting as I expect you are comfortable with scopes on rifles. Hint: Even from a rest, think in terms of quick shots versus "scoping" the target as you might with a rifle. Even from a rest, you will see an amazing amount of movement. I suggest using a monopod hunting.