Scope for Hunters Pistol

[hivel37]

I realize this subject has probably been rehashed many times, but I can't find it.  
What scopes do you fellows use for NRA Smallbore and Hunters Pistol?  I've been using a BSA 4-16x40 on the 22LR which has a parallax adjustment which I suspect isn't very true.  (I use the same action and swap barrels for the two matches)  It seems to me parallax errors can be critical in this game, so I'm going to upgrade the scope on 22LR.  Is there any chance to get this done for less than $250 or so?   Any suggestions?  Thanks.

[Nobade]

I've been using a Sightron 4-16 with great results. I just wrap some masking tape around it with marks for where I want it set for the different targets, so it's quick and easy to return there. I also just started using an Eotech sight on my hornet. That thing is neat! No parallax at all, just put the dot on the target and touch it off. No magnification either, but I'm finding that I don't shoot any worse without it. If the dot is on the target, and I don't jerk the trigger, it falls.

[hivel37]

Thanks for the reply, Nobade.
So in effect, just ignore the numbers and figure out my own.  That ought to work.  And I may take a look at Sightron.
A couple of shooting buds and I are going to Raton next month and I'm trying to get it together a little better.  If only the shakes would go away!

[Nobade]

That's it, don't pay any attention to the numbers. Set it up on a good steady bench, and actually focus on each target on its stand and move the focus around until all the parallax is gone, then mark the spot. Otherwise it's impossible to get the scope back to the same place twice during matches. This is especially important for chickens and pigs since they're so close up.

[canyon-ghost]

     I can only recommend one scope in that price range that would be adjustable objective, the Simmons Whitetail classic and the Simmons Whitetail Expedition are the only two I've used.  A moderately priced Weaver say V16 isn't bad either.  My pistol uses a Leupold VXII  4-12 most of the time, with the Weaver on the smallbore.   

[hummer58]

Would the Bushnell elite 3200 10x40 scope work out for this mounted on a contender shooting sb silhouette ? What base and rings would you recommend to be used?

[hivel37]

Factory Contender barrels take a Weaver 92A base.  Many choices in rings.

Some use a base that's the full length of the barrel, which gives you more possibilities in positioning the scope.

Sorry, I don't remember the maker of the long base.

[EdgeHit]

You can use anything that has repeatable target turrets.  The most popular models seem to be Weaver V16's, KT15's, Leupold 4-12's, 6.5-20EFR's, etc.  I see a few Sightron's, but for nearly the same money you can get a Leupold.  And everyone loves a Leupold.

The Weaver V16's are hard to beat for the money.  If you want a dot, send it off to TK Lee.

[19 Turkeys]

As you are trying to stay under $250, check out the Leapers line of scopes.  I recently put one through a rather extensive test on a .22 rifle for an article for Gun Week.  I am very impressed with this company.  A fellow writer in NY state put me on to them.  Check around the Internet for pricing.  Pyramid Air or Cheaper than Dirt carries them I believe.  http://www.leapers.com/pages/optics/accushot_scope.htm

Steve W.

[chucky52]

I shoot AAA smallbore with a Leupold 3x9 which I picked up used for $150 and clean. Send it to Leupold and get an elevation target turret added have them check for function and clean. Also have them reduce the parallax free point from 150 yards to 75 which will put you near the middle of an NRA silhouette range. No AO adjustment needed and clear on all animals. Leupold charged me $100 for their work on their scope a couple of years ago. I'll be picking up another soon and doing the same with either a 3x9 or 4x12 (no AO).

Very few people can hold for powers above 9. It's cheap, quality (Leupold) and it works. Oh yes; my open scores and my scoped scores are the same. This applies to people I shoot with that use 12x scope power. If it doesn't improve scores above open sights, why drop $500+/- on a really expensive target scope. If it makes one feel good go ahead. As for me, I want the best score bang for the buck.

[WayneS]

The shakes will never go away, and depending on how serious you are about shooting high scores there are a few life style changes you can make.
A scopes power is an personal thing, I would suggest that you hold up untill  you'll make that trip to Raton where you should be able to look through several different scopes at different power settings and see what you think you might like.
When I started out I started with a Tasco 6x24 with the 1/8 min. dot, again, ask other shooters to let you look through scopes

[chucky52]

I guess I don't have the shakes, everyone has a wobble. No one can stand/hold perfectly, even the military teaches that your heartbeat causes body movement. Thats why it's not done from a bench, then anyone could do it. One might improve by lifestyle changes. I have found muscle fitness will improve scores.

[LittleBear]

What scopes do you fellows use for NRA Smallbore and Hunters Pistol?  Is there any chance to get this done for less than $250 or so?   Any suggestions?  Thanks.

I've only been shooting Hunter's Pistol and SBHP for about a year now, but I love the Nikon fine crosshair, target dot 6-18SF.  I have two and paid just over your $250.00 limit though.  A gentleman that I shoot with though, and who is a wonderful shot, uses what I think is a Simmons Prosport 4-12 AO, that run for about $80.00.  I believe he won Nationals with this setup.  He was helping my wife learn a month or two ago, and he insisted that was all the scope needed to win, and the rest was practice, practice, practice.

[IMshooter]

I am not a fan of high magnification scopes for Smallbore Hunter or Hunter Pistol Silhouette.  As for experience, I'm a AAA shooter and keep 4x scopes on my TC barrels.  My brother is a Master class shooter and favors fixed 6x scopes.  To each his own, but my recommendation is a low powered, inexpensive scope (3-9x is a good choice), then spend the money you saved on ammo and practice, practice, practice....

[hivel37]

Can't believe after 3 years this thread keeps chuggin' along. 

I've used several scopes on the 22 lr.  A BSA Contender stayed on there several years.

Recently I took a chance on a Clearidge 3x9x32 Ultra RM for $219 at www.theopticzone.com

The scope is very clear.  Whether or not it remains reliable in elevation changes is the key.

Good shootin', guys.

[BigBoreStandingAAA]

Look at Nikon!!![/b ]In your price range I would (and do on some of my silhouette TC barrel (as well as a couple of hunting rifles) use the Nikon Team Primos 3-9X with the BDC reticle that SWFA and others have sold for prices from a low of $179 and a high of $229.  THese are high quality scopes that most people agree are last year's (or the year before) Monarch models.  In other words, the have great glass.  They compare very favorably to both Leupold VX IIs and IIIs that I have on other guns.  There durability so far has been perfect.  All of my firearms wear either Leupolds or the Nikon Team Primos.