Black Powder Scopes?

zippy13 · October 4, 2010, 06:01 PM

Most of us are aware, rifle and pistol scopes have different eye reliefs; but, what makes one a "Black Powder" scope? I was looking at some general scope specs and didn't notice anything special/different about the ones that claim to be for black powder guns. What am I missing?

RWBlue01 · October 4, 2010, 06:29 PM

I think a lot of it is marketing. I decided not to buy a specific BP scope. Instead I moved another scope over to my Encore.

Pahoo · October 4, 2010, 07:42 PM

Eye relief is one difference as well as the reticles, like the Pro-Diamond types. Usually see these listed as Muzzleloading/Shotgun scope. Usualy low power and Paralax may be set different. Can't speak to mechanical strenths and weaknesses.

Be Safe !!!

Jim Watson · October 4, 2010, 07:49 PM

Agree with Pahoo.
A shotgun scope would likely have long eye relief against the recoil and shorter range parallax setting because of the limiting trajectory of a shotgun slug. A muzzleloader scope would be much the same. Unless it is just advertising.

arcticap · October 6, 2010, 10:09 AM

Shotgun/muzzle loader scopes usually have 4"-6" of eye relief, while rifle scopes are usually under 4" of eye relief.

zippy13 · October 6, 2010, 09:11 PM

I thought Black Powder scopes might have some provisions to make them more suited to the "dirtier" environment associated with black powder shooting.

mykeal · October 6, 2010, 10:59 PM

The scope manufacturers make no such claim, so I doubt it.

Pahoo · October 7, 2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

I thought Black Powder scopes might have some provisions to make them more suited to the "dirtier" environment associated with black powder shooting.

Not really and that is one reason they sell those rubber protectors to keep the underside of the scope from accumulating any residue. Now, they do make armored scopes but that is a separate issue and not related to being used on M/L's. One still has to clean the underside of the scope.

Be Safe !!!

wogpotter · October 7, 2010, 12:52 PM

Some claim to have BDC reticules better suited to BP trajectories. If this is true or just hype escapes me.

TEXASMAC · October 7, 2010, 10:16 PM

For an article on BPCR scopes go to the following site

http://www.texas-mac.com/Searching_f..._Solution.html

Wayne

zippy13 · October 8, 2010, 12:52 AM

Thanks, Wayne. Hope your book is a great success.

October 4, 2010, 06:01 PM	#1
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Black Powder Scopes? Most of us are aware, rifle and pistol scopes have different eye reliefs; but, what makes one a "Black Powder" scope? I was looking at some general scope specs and didn't notice anything special/different about the ones that claim to be for black powder guns. What am I missing?

October 4, 2010, 06:29 PM	#2
RWBlue01 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2008 Posts: 178	I think a lot of it is marketing. I decided not to buy a specific BP scope. Instead I moved another scope over to my Encore.

October 4, 2010, 07:42 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Eye relief is one difference as well as the reticles, like the Pro-Diamond types. Usually see these listed as Muzzleloading/Shotgun scope. Usualy low power and Paralax may be set different. Can't speak to mechanical strenths and weaknesses. Be Safe !!!

October 4, 2010, 07:49 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,190	Agree with Pahoo. A shotgun scope would likely have long eye relief against the recoil and shorter range parallax setting because of the limiting trajectory of a shotgun slug. A muzzleloader scope would be much the same. Unless it is just advertising.

October 6, 2010, 10:09 AM	#5
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Shotgun/muzzle loader scopes usually have 4"-6" of eye relief, while rifle scopes are usually under 4" of eye relief.

October 6, 2010, 09:11 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I thought Black Powder scopes might have some provisions to make them more suited to the "dirtier" environment associated with black powder shooting.

October 6, 2010, 10:59 PM	#7
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	The scope manufacturers make no such claim, so I doubt it.

October 7, 2010, 12:52 PM	#9
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Some claim to have BDC reticules better suited to BP trajectories. If this is true or just hype escapes me.

October 7, 2010, 10:16 PM	#10
TEXASMAC Junior Member Join Date: October 20, 2005 Posts: 7	For an article on BPCR scopes go to the following site http://www.texas-mac.com/Searching_f..._Solution.html Wayne

October 8, 2010, 12:52 AM	#11
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Thanks, Wayne. Hope your book is a great success.