Author Topic: Advice on Scope for 44 mag handi (Read 2156 times)

mkgeorgetown · « **on:** December 15, 2008, 02:04:46 PM »

Hi all, need some recommendations for a scope for a 44 mag handi (I don't actually have the rifle yet, but look to order this week

). Since it is a 44 mag and most of my shots for deer are 70 yards or less, would it be acceptable to use a shotgun scope? They seem to be smaller and for a small rifle I don't want a big bulky scope for so short range. A fixed power would even work. Let me know your thoughts and opinions, would like to spend maybe $100 bucks or less. Thanks!

Mark

45/70fan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:11:04 PM »

Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32

Should be able to find for under $75. Nice and clear with lots of eye relief.

Graycg · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:13:55 PM »

ditto on the banner above, but don't count out the Nikon prostaff 4x32....

regards,
graycg

Sourdough · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:16:09 PM »

A good low power shotgun scope will give you more eye relief, and can help with clearing the hammer spur.

Big Blue · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:19:23 PM »

I have two fixed power scopes that I like to use for this type of rifle. Both I had gotten used on used rifles that I bought, I resold the rifles for the same price I paid after removing the scopes, so both ended up free. The first is an older Leupold M8-3X scope and the second a very old Bushnel Scope Chief 2.5X. These are two of my favorite scopes. A shotgun scope is usually set up for 50 yards and should work fine for what you describe. One problem is that many shotgun scopes come with a diamond reticle which may or may not be desirable to you.
Don

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:21:49 PM »

On my .30-30 I have a Simmons Shotgun scope that is a 1.5X5. It has a really strange looking recticle. It's a fine crosshair with a diamond that runs around the center. It does give you an aiming point for hold over and hold under. It works for me.

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2008, 03:31:49 PM »

I have a Simmons 2.5X20 shotgun scope on a Savage 24 30-30 over 20 gauge. It has regular cross hairs and works good, something like 4 to 5 inches of eye relief, not a bad way to go. Larry

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:30:31 PM »

Here's one you'll have a hard time passing up, Weaver 4x32 shotgun scope, duplex reticle, 100yd parallax setting, mounts in medium rings, less than $100 shipped. I have two of em on Handis, great scope made in Japan.

Tim

http://natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SN849421&src=tpCtgOp

revbc · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:46:28 PM »

Bushnell Trophy camo mossy oak 1.75x4x32

Natchez shooters has them on sale for 69.95 great scope, greater price!
part# BH731422MO

or search trophy camo, they are a little hard to find on the website. They won't last long at this price. Cabelas had them for 129.00

Hope this helps.

Bobby

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2008, 04:59:04 PM »

Of all the choices offered only the TROPHY I would suggest against. Dont get me wrong, its a GREAT scope for the money. its just NOT handi FRIENDLY. With that huge power adjustment, it becessatates the ultra high mounting and that kills it for me and many other shooters.

What first came to mind is my beloved Leupold VXII in shotgun variety, power of your choice. (I like the 1X4X20) But second I'll mirror what Tim suggested in the 4X32 Weaver shotgun scope. They also used to offer a 1X20 that was a dandy.

CW

Bayou Stalker · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2008, 05:03:42 PM »

I have a Burris 4X20 on my 45-70 and it works great and has good eye relief.

OSOK · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2008, 05:38:57 PM »

It is hard to beat a good fixed 4X scope. Not too powerful for close shots, and plenty of magnification for the ranges you will shoot a .44.

Default · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2008, 08:10:15 PM »

I have enjoyed using the 4x32 Nikon found at wally world on a number of good rifles (357 mag ,two 44 mags and a 7600 remington) with excellent results.. Its stays in that $100 range you mentioned and compact too ..

Great glass for not a whole lot of money and the lifetime warranty they offer isnt a bad thing either ...And in my opinion perfect for 100 to 150 yards ,grabs light like a pitbull and clear as a bell .

Default

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2008, 09:12:59 PM »

I think a shotgun scope is just what the doctor (mkgeorgetown) ordered. There have been several good suggestions. Get it in 2.5 or 4X. I am in the same belief you are; get it in a straight power - no variables. If you get one with enough eye relief (in the +5" range), you can mount it just ahead of the hammer and mount it low. Even though the 44 mag does not recoil that much, I feel that recoil resistance is an important part of a Handi rifle. We have all been instructed to "snap" the action shut to get repeatable lock up. I feel that this means you need a scope that can handle the shock of snapping the action shut. To me a scope that can handle recoil with out shifting POI is more important than long eye relief. There has been some complaints of POI shifting vertically, I would look to the scope first to make sure it does not shift with the action shutting. I would think that the Weaver 4X would be a good choice. I have 2 older Tasco Bantoms in 2.5X. They are very short with long eye relief and can be mounted just ahead of the hammer. There are better scopes as far as light gathering is concerned, but they are rugged. Unfortunately they have been discontinued. Tasco is still making a 4X Bantom, but I have no experience with them and as a result I can not recommend them based on experience. I am sure the Weaver is a good scope and would be my next choice for a scope on a 357 or 44 mag. Good Luck and Good Shooting.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2008, 01:38:01 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on December 15, 2008, 04:30:31 PM

Here's one you'll have a hard time passing up, Weaver 4x32 shotgun scope, duplex reticle, 100yd parallax setting, mounts in medium rings, less than $100 shipped. I have two of em on Handis, great scope made in Japan.

Tim

http://natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SN849421&src=tpCtgOp

This is a great deal!.......Thanks!

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2008, 05:56:23 AM »

Tim turned us on to some Simmons 2.5 shotgun scopes that have enough eye relief to mount just ahead of the hammer, they work great, I ordered 5 at $20 each. I also have several of the K 2.5 Weavers old and new that work real good but with less eye relief. I found an old K 1.5 that I mounted an a Win. 94, 45 colt Trapper that is very fast to use on White tail. DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2008, 06:17:25 AM »

Here's the scope DP mentioned. They also have a 4x scope on that page that others have mentioned, but I dunno about it, the 2½x20 shotgun scope is a nice little scope that many here have used, it's very clear and bright for a 20mm scope, and for $30 shipped, it's certainly a bargain.

Tim

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/si28shpocosc.html

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2008, 06:35:34 AM »

Yup those little 2.5 power scopes mounted in front of the hammer are the ticket... I've been using them for many many years. Ever since my first Handy "chop job" back in the mid-late '90's!!

I first found GBO after making up a couple doz short barrel H&R shotguns. I usually put peeps and front sites on them but a couple people wanted scopes so they got a #82 base and Simmons 2.5x20 shotgun scope with the red ring in the front!!

My only issue with them was the limited field of view. But how much do you expect for 30 bucks. If you use them as an alternative to open sites, and adhear to those range limitations. They will be just fine and a big improvement as older eyes find open sites harder and harder to shoot.

CW

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:29:39 AM »

Yer last sentence said it all about me

, open sights string vertical pretty bad any more. When front and rear sights look like dust bunnies, hard to keep er tight.

DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:44:34 AM »

Umm.... which dust bunny to use!!!

Tim

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2008, 03:19:34 PM »

Hi guys, as usual, thanks for all your input and help. I was just thinking, I have a Ruger M77 .223 I have a 4X fixed Weaver (I have had this scope since I was young, it came on a 30/30, it is probably around 18 years old, no joke). The only reason I mounted it to the .223 is I had the gun but no cash to get a scope!! I think it may be best then to mount this scope on the handi and see about getting a variable for the M77 .223. This Weaver is not a shotgun scope, it is a rifle scope, 32mm obj. Should work fine though I would think. Sorry about this, I just thought of it (I don't get to shoot the .223 that much obviously

). So, let me know what you think, but should do the trick!! I have never had any issues with this scope as far as POI or anything, Weaver seems to make a good one. Man, I love this forum.....

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2008, 08:58:23 PM »

Your Weaver sounds like a good scope and the power is right for the 44 mag. I would mount it up and see how you like it. Just a warning - I do not know how large the diameter of your scope is, you may have to mount it high to clear the hammer. Some of my scopes can be mounted enough rearward to have the hammer under the 1" tube. Look at my Avatar it is an old Bushnell Banner straight 10X, it mounts like that. Then there usually is not a clearance problem. if your eye bell falls over the hammer, then problems start. Some scopes (especially new ones) have large bells, they really take a high or extra high mount. Older scopes usually do not have an eye bell that is very big in diameter or very long. Take your rifle and scope to a store that lets you try out rings and then you can get what you need. Short of that take the rings you have on it now and mount it. If it hits the hammer, just set it on the mount and resting on the hammer. Then measure the distance between the bottom of the rear ring and the mount. This gives you a ball park figure of how much higher the rings have to be. Buy the next higher set than you measured. Most places that sell rings on the internet have charts that tell you how much each set of rings mounts the scope tube above the base. Depending on the manufacture, highs are in the .5" range. You will more than likely also need a hammer spur when mounting a scope. The discontinued Tasco I was telling you about mounts just ahead of the hammer, I do not need a spur for it, just rings high enough to clear the mount. Mounting ahead of the hammer really solves a lot of problems. Good Luck on your "old" Weaver and Good Shooting

danza · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2008, 07:00:13 PM »

whatever you decide on, make sure it's a good rugged scope and be sure to mount it very securely.

i had a 44 mag handi and it had pretty heavy recoil.

spikehorn · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2009, 03:55:29 PM »

I believe simmons is or was making a 4X shotgun scope called the pro diamond and they had them at wally world last year for 56 bucks they didn't seem to be selling so they marked them down to 40 and i baught one. it went on my rossi 357 and mounted in frint of the hammer spur. The adjustments are 1/2 moa but its dialed in and i'm shoot 1 1/2 at 100 yards. Wish i had snagged a couple of those scopes now. On my 44 mag handi i have a BSA 1.5-4.5X32 mounted with low rings and the hammer with the spur on it misses the bell and comes to rest under the tube. I don't remember how much I paid for the BSA but it was under $100

troy5775 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 08, 2009, 04:12:46 PM »

In order to avoid hammer clearance and eye relief problems on a rifle with limited range, I have a BSA red dot on both my 44 and 357 mag handi, especially since my boy dotted his eye with the last scope.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:17:00 PM »

I have the Mueller 2-7x32 on mine mounted in medium Burris Signature Zee rings. A little hint.... Removing the tip of the hammer spur above the extension with a dremel or file will simplify hammer clearance issues.

Tim

ps, the stock set is the factory Topper Deluxe Classic