Recommend a Scope for my Browning Buckmark

[funkeecowboy]

Hi all,

I've decided to scope my Buckmark 22 but I know next to nothing about pistol scopes, especially for a 22lr. Main uses are squirrel hunting and plinking.

Recommend away...

 

[CraigC]

Red dots are fine for close work and plinking but for a dedicated hunting pistol, I like a fixed 2x scope. Anything from Weaver, Nikon or Burris will do fine.

 

[RustHunter87]

I used to have a red dot tube on mine, now its got a holographic type on top, both work really good for me, never used a scoped hand gun... might have to try that out

 

[mbopp]

I've had 2X glass, a tube red dot, and an open red dot on my .22.
For precision plinking I liked the 2X scope, mine 's an older Leupold.
For general use I prefer the open red dot.

 

[hardluk1]

I perfer a dot but to keep small groups you really want a 1 or 2" dot. Not a 5" dot. Many reflex sights today can be bought with a 1" dot inside a 30 to 60" ring. Those work great for hunting. Unlike a scope if the dot is up in a corner your still going to hit where the dot is when you pull the trigger . With a scope you really have to have a rock solid sight picture to hit what your aiming at. Plus red dots 's or reflex sights are much lighter and more compact. Don't think dots are not accurate ether. I have used them and scopes on hanguns over 25 years . My hunting revolvers and wifes 22lr all wear dots and 3" groups with a pistol at 100 yards is very practical.

If your shooting a rifle cartidge at longer distance then buy a scope for that handgun.

 

[CraigC]

With a scope you really have to have a rock solid sight picture to hit what your aiming at.

You've obviously spent way more time with red dots than scopes.

 

[hardluk1]

First scoped rifle was in 1976 , still have it 2.5-10 bushnell on a 308. Plenty of time shootingboth. Even had a rem xp-100 in 7br. Had a 2-8 scope on it. My first dot was on a 357 revolver for hogs in 1977 or 78. That was good for 20 years and lots of hogs. Plenty of time with scopes shooting for fun and hunting. Just for closer and quick shots with a 22 pistol , dots and reflex sight do have a place .

 

[CraigC]

Yes but we're not talking about rifles. Big difference. IMHO, most folks who think a scope on a handgun is too difficult to use never put in enough time with one.

 

[ngnrd]

Main uses are squirrel hunting and plinking

Since neither of these are typically long distance activities, a scope is probably not necessary. I use my Buckmark in a similar fashion, hunting rabbits and grouse, as well as general plinking. My Millet red dot does the job just fine.

 

[CraigC]

Since neither of these are typically long distance activities, a scope is probably not necessary.

No but a squirrel and particularly its head, is not a very large target 50yds away. I reckon it depends on what exactly you consider your maximum effective range to be. I always figured on 50-75yds for small game and for that, a 2x pistol scope is a real asset. Especially on squirrels. Actually, if I was hunting late in the season when all the leaves have fallen, I'd use my Buckmark Bullseye with its Burris 4x.

 

[hardluk1]

Craig c maybe I did not write clearly enough. My red dots are on pistols not long guns. 22lrs up to 44mags. A 1" dot only covers 1/2" at 50 yards . Tree rats head is a darn site bigger than that. Now is your handgun is good enough. This is the one thats been on my wifes ruger pistol for several years. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/91...-1-moa-dot-25-moa-circle-with-6-moa-dot-matte Good tree rat getter. But not really yours or my choice ,right. Just don't be so closed minded and just assume the scope is always the cats rearend or the only choice. Now go buy some 5 to 7 moa dot and its not good for hunting .

 

[Krogen]

My Buckmark and my Model 41 both have Matchdots on them. I like the adjustable dot size and the precise adjustments. They are lightweight and mount relatively low to the bore.

I also tried a C-More on both of them. While the C-more doesn't block as much of the view, it's adjustments are not predictable. Once you get it adjusted, though, it stays put. I didn't care for its height over the bore. In years past, I used a 2x Leupold pistol scope. It's quality was excellent, but being full of glass it was heavy. I didn't care for the way my pistol handled with it mounted.

So for me, the Matchdot has the best combination of features. I would think it ideal for squirrels and plinking.

 

[hentown]

Try the lightweight, lifetime-guaranteed, 3 m.o.a. dot Bushnell TRS-25. I'm using one on a Glock and on a couple of ARs. They're plenty accurate enough for hitting squirrels at 50 yds, which is farther than you'll probably be taking shots at squirrels.

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trop...id=1353332241&sr=8-1&keywords=bushnell+trs-25

 

[CraigC]

I've been using this Buckmark Standard with an old Tasco ProClass 2x for small game hunting for 20yrs. IMHO, a red dot would be a downgrade and unnecessarily limit its potential, regardless of dot size.

 

[hardluk1]

Just one opinion!!

 

[CraigC]

Just one opinion!!

Obviously, but at least I've done it both ways, with the handgun in question, for the purposes intended. If ten people who have never hunted with a pistol and only used red dots at the indoor range all tell him to buy a red dot, is that really enough information to make an informed decision? Bearing in mind that I'm not against red dots, I just don't find them as useful as a 2x scope for hunting with a pistol.

 

[funkeecowboy]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning towards a scope because of the magnication. I've got terrible eyes and have had to scope all the rifles that I hunt with as well over the past year.

 

[2nd 41]

I'm using a MatchDot, Ultra Dot L/T and a Ultra Dot A/V on my .22's. Any of these are excellent. I cannot use iron sights anymore. However the Ultra Dots are not perfect indoors. The dot can be slightly fuzzy. Outdoors the dot is as sharp as can be.

 

[hardluk1]

Indoors turning down the dots intensity makes for a sharper tighter dot. Setting 1 or 2 typicaly is fine in the pore lighting in some indoor ranges but if hunting, it does not matter.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would (and did) put a Browning Buckmark Reflex Sight on my Buckmark pistol. They go well together and it's a very good sight. BUT, I would shop around because the price on the Browning site is too high, they can be found for $49.95...

I like Reflex sights for .22 pistols. I feel they work well and are just about perfect for .22LR hunting and plinking because they allow you to acquire the target quickly.

 

[Slatronica]

I have a old Aimpoint (the beer can) on my old buckmark. Loads of fun!

 

[wally]

If you really want a scope I've a couple of Burris pistol scopes I don't use. Shoot me a PM and I'll dig them out and tell you exactly what they are and maybe we can make a deal.

I tried the scopes first when I got old, red dots work a lot better for the type of shooting I do.

 

[budman46]

cowboy,

i've been very pleased with nc star's scopes. i've used their 2x7 pistol scopes many times. here's a link.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-pistol-long-eye-relief-scope-2-7x32-pistol-scope-blue-ring-spb2732b.html

 

[sscoyote]

I have a Nikon 2x on my Ruger Mk III. That optic has over 100 MOA of low profile turret travel and will get you 300-400 yds. screwin' around if you ever so desired. If you haven't attempted to hit coke cans at 200-300 yds, on 1st shots from this kinda' setup, you haven't lived, believe me. Crank it back down to 50-yd. zero and you're ready to get serious for squirrels.

BTW Craig, that's one of the finest lookin' scoped handguns i've ever had the pleasure of layin' eyes on sir!

 

[Acera]

I have used this setup for over 15 years now to kill a bunch of squirrels, possums, armadillos and a few other things in the woods of East Texas.

The inexpensive red dot has held up real well.