Looking for scope advice for a Encore Katahdin barell 500 S&W

[pastorbuck]

  I may have just toasted my Leupold Vari X II 2 x 7 scope.  It does not seem to be responding properly to adjustments since it's been on the 500 S&W.  I'm shooting fairly tame rounds for that caliber, 275 grain Barnes XPB, 41.5 grains of Hogdon Lil'Gun.  Has anyone of you ever had similar problems with this gun or scope on a magnum like the 500?  I called Fox Ridge Outfitters that is connected with TC and they told me that most guys will use their TC scopes that are recoil resistant.  I was hoping to use this set up this fall, but I need to find a scope that will be reliable for this caliber.

Thanks in advance,

Scott B.

[Grumulkin]

If I were you, I would send the Leupold scope back to Leupold and they'll fix it even if you weren't the original buyer.  I use a Leupold Vari X II scope on a 458 Lott which probably has a bit more recoil than your 500 S&W and I've had no problem with it.  Any scope can break; at least Leupold will make it right.

I also have experience with T/C Recoil Proof scopes.  Between a 460 S&W Mag. and a 500 S&W Mag. handgun barrel, I broke 2 of their 1-6X models (but they sent replacements with no problem) so, their "recoil proof" scopes aren't necessarily recoil proof.  I believe the construction of their 2-7X and 3-9X Recoil Proof scopes is of higher quality; they'll probably hold up to 500 S&W recoil.

[quickdtoo]

I've got a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 Shotgun scope in lapped Leupold PRW rings on my 500S&W Handi, it's held up to max loads of Lil'gun with 350gr, 440gr and 700gr bullets with no problems, it's got over 120 rounds down range so far. That scope works so well I bought two more of them for other rifles when Midsouth had them on sale last year.

Tim

[jy951]

i've got a nikon monarch 1.5-4x on my 500 S&W.  no problems so far with it, but i've been thinking about getting something with a little more power.