Tips for using Burris 2 X 7

[Charlie-SA]

I purchased a Contender and Burris 2 X 7 for my son about 15 years ago and now have both.  I have a 14" 30-30 barrel on the Contender and tried using a Leupold 4 power at 75 yards but between my old eyes (68) and the 4 power it just was not clear enough.  I put the Burris on but  I'm having all the difficulties I have seen mentioned before such as getting a full size "picture" and getting it centered.  When, for a split second I get a good full size "picture" at 6 or 7 power it is what I need.  It seems if I even blink things to pot.  To me the alignment and eye relief are extremel;y critical with this scope.  Any suggestions, I hope?
Charlie

[Ladobe]

I have long experience with the Burris 2-7"s of yesteryear, including on my hardest recoiling wildcats, and never had any issues with them in any way at all.   I don't remember them as being that finicky for eye relief at all.   My favorite was the old #200293 (yeah I even remember the exact model number, I usually don't forget numbers).   Being 15 years old what you have would be at least similar in vintage to those I had many of (still have one that vintage unmounted someplace).
 
What worked for me on TC handguns was to always mount my scopes as far back as possible, including having custom barrels drilled to effect the same (right over the chamber).   In part maybe because I am 6-1, and in part due to my shooting technique with specialty handguns.   I usually adjusted the ocular lens at 2X when I mount the scope and level it, then in the field or at the range fine tuned the ocular if needed to get the happy medium at all X powers.    Worked for me anyway, for shooting in any position from off hand to bench to Creedmore by adjusting my relaxed length of hold for optimum eye relief as needed, and almost always one handed.
 
No idea about the newer model Burris, but with the older 2-7's the optimum eye relief ran from about 10"-20" on 2X to 10"-15'" for 7X.  With a steady hold you can increase the distance on 7X and still see just fine with the reticle centered, but you do loose some of the overall picture.    Works OK for target shooting, but with about 15' field of view optimum on 7X at 100 yards, maybe not for some hunting.
 
HTH-FWIW

[Junior1942]

You're having FOV (Field Of View) problems Charlie with a 2-7 scope.  At 100 yds, it's probably something like 10 ft.  No way you can raise the pistol and find something in the scope. 

[bulletstuffer]

Charlie-SA,


Alignment and eye relief are critical with handgun scopes.  Set the contender on a rest that would be eye level.  This could be done at the range or kitchen table and a stack of books.  You should not bend your head forward to look through the scope.  Your eye should be looking directly through the tube.  Make sure the scope is level on the rest and it is in a direct line with your eye.  With a pistol scope your eye relief would 2 feet from your eye give or take and the higher the magnification the closer your eye would be. 


Once you get the alignment correct you can loosen the rear part of the scope and screw it in or out until the cross hairs and target become clear.  Pick something between 50-100 yards if it is possible and make sure there is nothing between your scope and target so you can get a crisp picture.  Tighten the locking ring when you are done.


This just takes some practice to get a clear picture every time with a handgun scope.  You just have to remember these are a little more fussy and you have to look directly through the tube. No  up or down or side to side cant with the scope and third thing to remember is proper eye relief. 


It's like getting used to bifocals, once you figure it out you can't figure out how you got along without them [size=78%]  [/size]


Best of luck,


Bulletstuffer