New member with scope questions....SRH in 44mag

[Toby from MO]

New member here but no stranger to the advice of Graybeard.  I figured who, other than Graybeard, would be better to help me out than the guys who hangout on his forum.

Just got a Ruger SRH in 44mag and I looking for some help deciding on a scope.  I was wondering if you gents could offer up some personal experiences, opinions, advice or even the old "rule of thumb".  I first need to decide which type of scope to buy (fixed or variable) and then decide on the best performer.  I'll try to fill you in on my current situation and thoughts the best I can.  First and foremost keep dual function in mind.  I enjoy taking my handguns to the range, plinking and shooting targets from all ranges, yet needs to be a functional hunting gun as well.

I currently shoot an Elite 3000 2x28 on my Taurus Model 44 in 44mag, it has held up well but I often wonder/wish if I would benefit from a variable.  The variable would not be so much for hunting but for added benefit/luxury while sighting in and shooting at targets.

Most of hunting is in at close range and doesn't require high magnification, I would benefit from a larger FOV.  On the other hand when shooting at the range I can hold them tight out to about 50 yds and often wonder/want the added magnification to help out a bit at longer ranges, my inability's aside.

Many have recommended staying away from variables for a couple of reasons.  One, FOV usually suffers when comparing variables to fixed.  I guess this is true except with Burris variables.  Two, some claim a fixed power is stronger than a variable.  I personally don't know if that is true statement.

Right now my list is this:

Burris 2x7x32 ($264.00) - Pro's are variable power with excellent FOV.  Con's are price and no experience with Burris durability or optical performance (clarity/brightness).

Elite 3200 2x6x32 ($218.00) - Pro's are known to be very durable with good optical performance.  Con's are poor FOV.

Bushnell Trophy 2x6x32 ($145.00) - Pro's, as I am told, holds the same durability value of the Elite at a much cheaper price tag.  Con's are FOV and not quite as good optical performance as the Elite or Burris.

Bushnell Trophy 2x32 ($110.00) - Pro's are good FOV, idea that fixed is stronger than variable, again, I have been told this scope is as durable as any other on the market with a favorable price tag.  Con's would again be optical performance is not that of the higher priced scopes.

I have also looked at the Nikon's and Weaver's but have absolutely no feedback on them from anyone.  Any feedback on these would be appreciated.

So to end this rambling, feel free to ask about, recommend, change or add to anything I have listed here.

I thank you guys in advance for your help!

Toby

p.s. Let me know if the prices I listed are good ones, gladly take direction if anyone has found better prices.

[BCB]

Toby,

It appears that you have done all of the reseach yourself!  I have 1/2 dozen handgun 'scopes and they are all Burris with the exception of one Busch & Lomb.  ALL have held up well to recoil and continued use.  I have a Burris 2x-7x on my Ruger Super Redhawk 44 Magnum.  Not a problem with many thousands of rounds fired under it.  Some have been pretty stiff as far as recoil goes.  THE ONLY PROBLEM...I have long arms and can not shoot it at full arm length on powders greater than 4-5.  I simply must hold it too close to my eye to get a full field of view.  This makes it very uncomfortable and inconvenient to shoot except when shooting from a sandbag rest.

That is what I would look at also--How far from your eye will you still get a full field of view?  That is my only complaint with the Burris 'scopes.  I would definately stay with a variable 'scope though.  Good-luck...BCB

[Dogshooter]

I have a SBH Hunter and it has a Leupold 2.5 X 8 on it. I got it because of the eye relief. I have pretty long arms and fully extended I can still get a full sight picture on 8X. Just went out today to plink a bit and I am still in the "afterglow" phase.

[41MAG]

I have a Nikon 2x on my 454 It is with out a doubt the clearest scope I have ever looked through. It has taken a lot of abuse & is still clear & on the money.Give one a look I think you might like it. Also dont forget swift scopes I have several there price is low compared to a lot of other scopes & they are as good as Burris & the other high end scopes

[Toby from MO]

BCB,

Glad to hear of your success with the Burris's.

I have actually been leaning towards the Burris.  For me, it's a catch 22 situation.  Burris seams to be the most likely solution.  Either way I choose to go, fixed or variable, there will always be times when I wished I had the other and vise versa.  The Burris seams to offer the best of both worlds.

The kicker for me has been, the 2x7x32 will cost me $265.00.  That is a lot of money where I come from and with no prior Burris experience or knowledge of their durability I have been struggling to justify this cost.

While I have your attention, I should mention I have also considered the 1.5x4.  I think it actually may fit my needs better than the 2x7.  However, I couldn't help but notice this scope is nearly 1.5" longer than the 2x7 and I am not sure if I would have trouble mounting this one. Do you have any experience with scope?  Does any of your scopes have the Posi-Lock?  Do you think the Posi-Lock is necessary?

As far as the eye relief goes, I think like you mentioned, I would never shoot those high magnifications off-hand anyway.  I don't think it would be possible for me, I'm not that good, only from the bench.

Thanks again,
Toby

[Zeus]

My burris has been back to the factory 5 times now.  I've had lots of problems with it.  Their customer service is terrible as far as I'm concerned.  On the second trip back, it actually was returned to me in worse condition than I sent it.  Looked like it had been dropped on concrete and the turret caps would not tighten all the way without adjusting the scope.  I would either go with the Leupold or the Bushnell Elite.  I like the constant eyerelief on the Elite throughout the entire magnification range.  I know some people like the Burris but what good is it if you can't get the customer service to fix it when you need them to.  I'll never buy another one.  GS

[Toby from MO]

Zeus,

What were the problems you had with your scope?  Which model did you have?

Toby

[Dogshooter]

I had problems with the last Burris I had and will only own a Burris if I get it cheap. I sent mine back to them 4 times. I have heard a lot of guys that went through the same thing. Good luck if you choose Burris. If you get a good one, great. If not, be prepared for the worst customer service in the industry.

[HappyHunter]

I agree with Zeus,  The fixed eye relief of the Bushnell Elite 3200 is a bonus, I use these scopes on my encore pistols.

I am not sure how I would scope my Ruger srh,  my current plans are  to shoot open sights.  Have you considered red dot?

Good luck
Fred a/k/a HappyHunter

[BCB]

Toby,

It seems a couple of fellas have had problems with Burris service.  Well, I can’t speak of recent, but a half-dozen years ago I dropped my Ruger Super Redhawk on my concrete sidewalk!  It could not have hit more perfectly on the eye piece of the ‘scope if I would have tried to drop it that way!  It bent the tube, and angled the lens—for all practical purposes, the ‘scope was shot (no pun intended!)  Well, I sent it back to Burris and explained what had happened and I would appreciate an estimate as to repairs—the damage was absolutely my fault.  A few weeks later the ‘scope was returned and there was an invoice marked “no charge”.  I would hope the service would remain that good today.  That is actually going above and beyond since the damage was my fault.

I would opt for a 2x-7x variable, if the eye relief is suitable for you.  A 1.5x-4x would be nice for arms-length shooting, but I have found that one can hardly ever have too much ‘scope.  I shoot at a pendulum that I made that is 5.5”x11” and that slab of steel is pretty darn small at 150 yards (Yea, my 44 Magnum Redhawk will hit it at that distance with cast bullets using a good bench rest) when the ‘scope is on 4x!  It is even quite small when the ‘scope is on 7x for that matter!!  As far as the Posi-lock system, I don’t know anything about that—none of my Burris ‘scopes have that feature.

By the way, I have 3 Fullfield Burris ‘scopes on rifles and they have all been good also.  I have a total of 8 Burris ‘scopes and have had no trouble.  Maybe I am one of the lucky ones!!!  Good-luck with your handgun/’scope project…BCB

[Bullseye]

I will give you my random thoughts from my experience with Leupold 2x's, Nikon 2x, Bushnell Trophy 2x, Burris 2-7x, T/C 2.5-7x.

I would never buy another variable unless it had a constant eye relief.  The variable eye relief is okay at a bench but useless in the field at the higher magnifications unless on a light kicker, in my opiniion.

Leupold and Burris have the easiest to see crosshairs.  Nikon and Bushnell the worst.  All the above brands are very bright and clear but I would give a slight edge to Leupold and Burris.

I have had all the brands on big kickers like the 44 Mag, 41Mag, 45LC, 35 Rem, 375 Win, 357 Max and have never had a failure with any of them.

I personally would not put over a 2x on a revolver.  I figure these are 100 yard or less guns and a 2x is all that is needed.  If shooting from a bench, the crosshairs can easily be held on the target.  If shooting offhand while hunting anything more than a 2x makes any shaking the shooter is doing look like an earthquake.  I do however never use a rest when hunting.  If I am not capable of hitting the vitals on a deer at my normal hunting range (50 yards), I take the slug gun.

These are just my thoughts.  I know everyone will not agree but you ask for an opinion so I give it to ya.

Good Luck with your decision.

[Zeus]

I have the 2x7 posilock and the problems that I had were random ones really.  The first time, the entire scope just blurred up.  Could not see anything out of it.  The 2nd time, the shots were never holding constant.  Recieved it back and that is when it was in worse shape than it was when sent to them.  The third time, the scope was keeping good groups but then blurred again.  Same with the fourth but it was only blurry at 5,6, and 7 powers.  Sent it back and told them that I would never put it on another gun of mine because I didn't trust it.  Was returned to me and was told that the president of burris personally repaired it and that it was in top notch shape.  I never even opened the box when I recieved it back and placed it in the top of my closet.  Last month, my friend bought a new Encore and in order to save him some money, I told him that he could use it to get through the season.  We opened the box and mounted the scope.  Then to my non surprise realized that the scope was still too blurry to make out any image at all at 5+powers.  So in other words, it was the same as it was when it was sent to them.  The pres may need to stick to the office work because he sucks at repairing scopes.  I called Burris and spoke with the fellow that I had been dealing with and told him that the problem had not been fixed but would not return it until after the season.  My buddy is using it from 2-4 right now.  The fifth time will be in less than a month.  I bought the Burris because everyone thought that they were the best.  I've regretted that decision for a while now.  Bob Baker of Freedom Arms told me that they have had better luck with the Weaver scopes holding up on the Freedom Arms than the Burris.  So good luck if you go with the Burris but I think that you have better options for less than or the same money.  For the variable, I would probably opt for the Baush and Lomb (Bushnell) Elite and would go with the Leupold for the fixed.  As far as the Posi lock, I would stay away from it.  You don't need it on the 44 for sure.  Good luck.  GS