Would you use a scope on a BP gun for hunting?

I typically hunt in close-quarters, say, no further than 70 yards. For that distance, I really do not need a scope as I can shoot pretty well with iron sights.

However, if I was to be shooting my blackpowder out to 200 yards or so, yes, by all means, it would have a Leupold base, rings and 3-9x40mm scope on it, preferably a Vari-X-III.

With modern technology like scopes it all comes down to how traditional you are. I personally don't use scopes, I never have liked them but then again my vision is above average. That being said, if you need a scope to help you put that ball or bullet where it needs to be then by all means do it. The great thing about scopes is that if your eyes need help we have the tool to help you enjoy your sport.

Levi

I have a scoped Traditions Buckhunter pistol. Much improved accuracy and it really isn't a traditional style gun anyways.

The White Mountain Carbine is a short barrel (it really is a carbine) rifle, light weight and quite accurate. It's very useful in heavy cover but not particularly good for long range shooting. Adding a scope to such a gun is a bit unusual, but for situations where the eyes need a bit of a boost it's probably a very good marriage. I'd do it. However, don't be too set on a high power scope. I'd recommend a low power to enhance target acquisition at short ranges to preserve the gun's best attributes.

They were using scopes on 1858 Remingtion's for hunting well over 50 years
ago. I think the fellow's name was Al Goge or something like that.

no game animal is safe...........

within 220 yrds of myself when im armed with a thompson 50 cal with gorilla grip mounted 3x9 tc scope,250 gr hornady sabot,over 150 gr 777 1 moa.......I cant resist a running shot at mi whitetail,and i never miss at long range ......nock on wood........close range uh ooo uuh buck fever.....dawg gone it!

A 4x is a fine choice for a shorter range gun like a White Mountain carbine. I'd mount it up, enjoy it and not give a hoot what others might think.

hi-luxoptics.com leatherwood toby bridges 3x9x40 or 42 is calibrated for 45/70 and bp cartridges.i got 2.they are availables direct from leatherwood or natchez shooting supplies.

Mount it up.

My eyes have begun to fail and I have no issue scoping a Perc Rifle.

Oh Boy, another one. I just love these guys that never miss, 220 yds. WOW!
Always hit what they aim at. Trouble with me is I'm from Missouri.The "Show Me" state. I've been hearing about these kind of guys for over 50 years. Problem is, I've never seen one. Kinda like Santa Claus, you know he's out
there, but you never see him.

I would not but we're not talking about me..., and my eyes haven't reached the stage where I have trouble with my iron sights (knock on wood)...,

As a hunter you are supposed to do your best when it comes to accuracy so that you may place a shot that will provide a humane harvest of the animal. So aesthetics may be ignored, if you have thought on it and have come to the conclusion that you need such, then do it.

LD

...don't be too set on a high power scope. I'd recommend a low power to enhance target acquisition at short ranges to preserve the gun's best attributes.

Click to expand...

Mykeal gives some good advice here. A low-power scope, say 1.5x to 3x if you can find one, will really sharpen up the target image. It will have a wider field of view for quicker target acquisition as he noted, and for an offhand shot won't tend to magnify sighting errors (read..the shakes :banghead to the point where it can be a problem. Hope this last makes some sense.

Back in the 60s and 70s, my favorite squirrel gun was an 1851 .36 cal navy colt replica that I had a local gunsmith mount a 1.3 Bushnell Phantom pistol scope onto. It was an accurate fun gun. Long eye relief was perfect. Bill

The Leupold 2X7 would be another excellent choice.

A scope can also be useful to identify a "legal" buck.

[email protected] said:

Oh Boy, another one. I just love these guys that never miss, 220 yds. WOW!
Always hit what they aim at. Trouble with me is I'm from Missouri.The "Show Me" state. I've been hearing about these kind of guys for over 50 years. Problem is, I've never seen one. Kinda like Santa Claus, you know he's out
there, but you never see him.

Click to expand...

There is always a "sharp shooter" in a crowd. On another site, a Texan claimed he could put one inch groups @ 50 yards with a Taurus 1911 pistol!

Back to the topic.

My choice of "primitive" rifles is modern in line. Not very primitive if you ask me. I know it will reach out to 200 yards but I can't aim and hit vital area that far with open sites.

MN state law mandates no scope unless you have a note from the MD eye doctor. Then zero magnification. This applies only during ML season.

IMHO, I think the law is wrong. We owe to the deer a clean, quick death. There are those folks out there who have no problem shooting at running deer, or ones further then 100 yards. Odds are, unless your Daniel Boone with the open sights, a wounded deer is the result.

I say scope anything and everything you hunt with.

Buckskin guys? Enjoy yourself.

theicemanmpls said:

Odds are, unless your Daniel Boone with the open sights, a wounded deer is the result.

Click to expand...

Wow. That's so far from reasonable I have a hard time processing it.

I know, from much practice, at what range I can hold a 6 inch circle with whatever gun I'm using scoped, buckhorns, peep or whatever. I don't shoot if the range is beyond that distance. Your generalization ("Odds are...") that irresponsible shooting at ranges beyond open sight capability is more common than otherwise is, in my opinion AND experience, unwarranted and unfair. Yes, some people are unethical hunters. Most, again my opinion and experience, are capable and ethical.

And just to put a fine point on it, using a scope does not improve the odds of a clean kill at any particular distance unless the hunter is practiced and skilled with it. Which, by the way, is also the criteria for effectively using open iron sights. A scope will increase the one shot kill range of any hunter who knows how to use it and has practiced with it well beyond that same skilled and practiced hunter's open sight range - no question about that. But a scope doesn't automatically make any hunter a long range hunter or more accurate shooter all by itself.

theicemanmpls said:

There is always a "sharp shooter" in a crowd. On another site, a Texan claimed he could put one inch groups @ 50 yards with a Taurus 1911 pistol!

Back to the topic.

My choice of "primitive" rifles is modern in line. Not very primitive if you ask me. I know it will reach out to 200 yards but I can't aim and hit vital area that far with open sites.

MN state law mandates no scope unless you have a note from the MD eye doctor. Then zero magnification. This applies only during ML season.

IMHO, I think the law is wrong. We owe to the deer a clean, quick death. There are those folks out there who have no problem shooting at running deer, or ones further then 100 yards. Odds are, unless your Daniel Boone with the open sights, a wounded deer is the result.

I say scope anything and everything you hunt with.

Buckskin guys? Enjoy yourself.

Click to expand...

You are entitled to your opinion....even if it IS wrong!

Yep, I've had people tell me they wouldn't shoot a deer under 500 yds. Just
no sport in it. They say a real "man" shoots his deer between 500-1,000 yds.
and that's only if they are running.

Would you use a scope on a BP gun for hunting?

Absolutely. At age 65 , the good ship "iron sights" has sailed. I owe it to my quarry to try for a quick and humane harvest, and for me to do that, optics are required.
FWIW
YMMV

Dern tooting. With my old eyes I need all the help I can get. Actually if the light is good so am I, but scopes allow for more precise shots which results in less lost/wounded game which is our goal to make clean kills.

a WHAT? hell, i don,t even have a rear sight. get a supository gun if you want...a scope(?)
but really, guess it all comes down to why you shoot a smoke pole(ya do,nt burn pyrodex do you? eeewwwwww!). it,s your rifle, if you want a scope, put a scope on it.

A nice 3-9, will do wonders. Keep it on 3, for when you are stalking, and if you are in the stand up the power. I'm not familiar with your particular gun, but around here many people can mantain good groups out to 200 yards with saboted handgun bullets. Whether they should be taking game at that distance is another debate. Oh, and just for the record, I, can shoot through a donuts hole one handed, with a J frame, using .22 shorts, but I, do have to use both hands.

To each his own, I used a Hawkins replica in .54 caliber, and shot a few Muleys all under 50-60 yards and the furthest one of 'em ran was about 25 yards, all with open sights. I've also shot several Whitetails with my Thompson Scout in .50 caliber again within 50-60 yards all with the open sights, neither of the Whitetails moved except to go down in their tracks. I would call all those shots very humane. But I practiced quite a bit before going out to hunt, and knew my limitations. I don't have a problem with someone using a scope on a BP rifle. However, now that my eyesight ain't what it used to be I shoot a high powered rifle in .270 or 30-06 with a quality scope attached.