Tell me about handgun scopes for hunting

[Smiley]

I am very interested in going Hunting next season with a handgun and since my eyesight seems to be not as great as it could or was. I was interested in what place/advantages scopes have with handgun hunting.

What do you use? Red Dot? What about magnification? What brand do you use?

I am planning on Black Bear in Mass this coming september.

Any insight or suggestions?

 

[hd1.]

I use a 2x Burris on my S&W 629 8-3/8 barrel for white-tail deer. The scope gives additional clarity at dusk and dawn. The gun is accurate at distances beyond what I can see with open sights. (The front sight that came on the gun is quite wide, and covers a large portion of the target.) I like the scoped handgun for deer, but personally, I would be more comfortable with open sights if I was in a situation where encountering agressive animals was likely.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I'm assuming we're talking a hard bucking magnum here?

If that's the case, burris and leupold are your best bets at standing up to the abuse.

I prefer fixed power over variable(fewer parts to break). I've found that 4X works best for me. Less than that, I could use more, more than that tempts me to take shots I shouldn't.

This is just one mans opinion though.

 

[rick_reno]

handgun scopes

I use a 2x Leupold in a TSOB mount on my Freedom Arms 6 inch 454. Works good. It must be built right to handle the battering this gun delivers.

 

[Pappy John]

I switched from 2X Bushnell optics to a small dot scope on my .44 Redhawk. The scope gave me more accuracy at 100 yds when seated, easily all six in a whitetail's kill zone, but I hated the balance for offhand shooting while standing.

I'll have to pass on the longer shots from now on, but the sudden closer shots where you don't have time to set up should be easier.

That reminds me....I should probably put that 2 power up for sale. I could probably get enough money for a tank of gas.

 

[toolmaker]

I've had really good results from my two Weaver 2x pistol scopes. Japanese made, great clarity and repeatability. Large objective with great light gathering. Mounted on .357 Rugers and havn't given me any problem yet. just my findings.

 

[Rinspeed]

I would spend a little extra and get a Leupold as they are worth the money.

Rinspeed

 

[huntsman]

I hung a leupold 2X on my super redhawk 44mag (for whitetails)tried it 1 season then took it off. I got really long arms and it felt uncomfortable were I had to hold my arms to get a good sight picture. maybe I did it wrong, but I'm a stump sitter and under 50yards is my range so the open sights will work but I might give the scope another try.

 

[Chuck Dye]

My 7½ inch Redhawk Hunter wears a Leupold 2x out over the barrel. It is great for plinkng and still shots. I doubt, though, that I’ll ever actually get off a shot on a critter that jumps up and heads at speed for the next county: I am just too slow getting a sight picture on a moving target. As I have little difficulty passing up a shot, this is not a problem for me, but the very idea drives a couple of friends nuts.