Author Topic: 44 mag. and scope for hunting???????? (Read 3167 times)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **on:** January 29, 2010, 06:51:50 AM »

all my life I have shot handguns, but always with open sights...this last weekend I shot a friends Smith 44 with a scope..While I had some difficultly getting on target with the scope, once there, it was a good shooting weapon...It set me to thinking with 60 year old plus eyes, it might be time to look at a scoped 44 for hunting deer and antelope....I would NOT probably carry the gun a great deal, but keep in the truck for those times when a short stalk can be made....My first thought was a Ruger Blk.Hawk Hunter...I think they made a stainless model with groves for a scope....I am not sure if Ihave the name correct or not...It also had laminated grips....When I handled the pistol, it had great balance, but was unscoped.. A single action would do for my purposes... Now, as for a scope, I don't want a huge scope on my pistol, but would like something more than 2 or 3 power...I am not sure what power my pals was, but it wasn't a var. model..What do you handgun hunters suggest...I am mainly rifleman, but have taken 15 or so head with an open sighted six gun.....

Sverre A. · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2010, 06:53:16 AM »

Leupold 2x

irold · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2010, 10:49:53 AM »

At present I'm using a Ruger Blk hawk Bisley Hunter in 44 Mag with a 2X Leo. Like it , shoots great , it will be a little barrel heavy if your not used to a scope. Personally , I wouldn't go any bigger than a 4X as far as scope goes , the more the power the more it will magnify your shakes and the less field of view it will have. I think a 2x is ideal. IMO........regards , irold

Autorim · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2010, 11:02:31 AM »

I have the same issues only my eyes are 70 years old. The revolver you are looking for is the Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter. It comes with 1 inch rings and the rib machined to accept them. I opted for this revolver in .41 mag. I will soon have it back from Alan Harton with with new trigger and I have the 2x Leupold pistol scope to mount on it.

I also bought a pair of 30mm rings and have an Ultradot 30 red dot to try also. I also asked Alan to make me a new 1/10 inch wide patridge front sight. I figure surely one of these options will work.

Another option is to have a regular Blackhawk drilled and tapped for a Weigand mount. Hope this helps.

Ken

hoser1268 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2010, 05:35:52 PM »

I have a Ruger Black Hawk and I have a Bushnell 2-6 elite. I like the vari power for sighting in and if i have a longer shot (50-100 yards). This setup works great for me. To me a 2x scope is like not having a scope. If you want a straight power than I would go with a 4x.

barber · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2010, 06:02:37 AM »

I tried it on a Super Black Hawk Hunter, didn't like the way the weight was so far forward,works better for me on Super Redhawk.

rybo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2010, 07:14:36 AM »

I think a scoped Super Black Hawk Hunter is about as perfect a hunting revolver as it gets. My only regret, is getting a 2X scope.
When I was doing my research nearly everyone said to go with a 2X. I hate it, to me its nearly worthless. My next one will be a 4X or a variable.
I have a Weaver scope atop mine and as far as clarity & price I am impressed.

tripper · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2010, 10:19:38 AM »

I shoot whith a 4x and would not want smaller but then I am shooting a 14 inch TC.

jhalcott · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2010, 10:36:15 AM »

the 2x scopes make targets appear SMALLER to me! I use a 1.5x4 x Burris on my Super Black Hawk and have used it on 4x MOST of the time. I admit to resting the gun on what ever is available as a make shift field rest. The gun ain't beautifull, but it sure works!

Autorim · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2010, 11:14:25 AM »

I have not used the 2x on the SBH yet, but I have several rifles with 1-5x variables and have used a 1.5 Weaver extensively on a 10/22 for rabbit hunting. Most of the time, I keep my scopes set on 1.5x. IME the scope is not necessary for magnification, but for accurate shot placement and light gathering ability as I expect most of my shots to be within 75 yards. Looking back over 55 years of so of whitetail hunting, I will venture a guess that the average shot I made was less than 60 yards. I may be wrong though with the revolver - time and experience will tell. Anyway, I am sticking with the 2x Leupold.

Ken

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2010, 11:26:18 AM »

i have a bushnell elite 2x6 i like to turn up to 6 to sight in but have on 2 when hunting

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2010, 02:36:20 PM »

Since you live (and presumably hunt) in Wyoming, I would suggest a 4X Leupold for your .44 Magnum revolver. The Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter, Bisley Hunter, Redhawk or Super Redhawk could serve you well. All are furnished with 1" rings. A S&W 629 or Freedom Arms Mdl. 83 revolver are also excellent, and can easily be mounted with a scope. A matter of personal preference and finances.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2010, 02:40:42 AM »

I know most of these guys have far more experience with handgun scopes than I do, but when I had to recently make this decision I went with Pride Fowler after some research on there scopes to make sure they were of good quality. I could not be more pleased. The reticle is what I was wanting for this gun. It will allow me to go over to the silhouette range and get in some long range practice with my hunting handgun. Shooting well beyond what I would in the field should go a long way for making a good shot in the field. I have been very impressed with the glass on this scopes. The reticle they show in the picture does not do it justice, the lines are very fine. I only throw this in the mix to give you something else to look at as these are less known, at least to me they were. This is a variable not sure if you are ruling those out completely or not.
http://www.rapidreticle.com/44mag.htm

Uhrich · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2010, 04:21:06 PM »

I am from Wyoming too, but only have 48 yr old eyes, and wear glasses. Lol

I've got a Bushnell 2-6 Var on my Bisley, I had trouble finding this buck in the scope at 17 yds, I doubt that I will get this close to a buck again for a shot.

I thought I would dress her up a bit with some Elk Horn grips.

BCB · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2010, 01:14:25 PM »

I have a Super Redhawk in 44 Magnum caliber...

I have a 2x-7x Burris 'scope on it an it works very well and has handled the recoil of many many rounds. Some extremely hateful(!). That is, 16.0 grains of WC-820 or 19.5 grains of H-110 and the Lyman 429650 slug weighing in at 320 grains. There is never doubt as to if the primer ignited or not!!!

This 'scope will work well at close distances with the 2x. It will work at longer distances with the 7x although rests are necessary. I use that power from the bench for long range shooting, just for fun! It will hit a life-size steel groundhog at 200 yards with proper "hold over"...

Summery: A Super Redhawk with at 2x-7x Burris 'scope. If that 'scope is still available...

Good-luck...BCB

Noreaster · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2010, 01:40:34 PM »

I use a bushnell trophy 2-6x on my 44 contender. I thought I would only use the 2x, but I rarely use the low power setting. Worked well so far.

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2010, 04:42:59 AM »

The 2x leupold is a fine scope on a 44 at moderate ranges. If the range is 100 yards the 2x was not quite enough magnification to make me comfortable to take the shot on a deer. I have shot many small groups at 100 yards at the range with the 2x leupold. I compare it to shooting my bow at a deer target at 60 yards with no fear but a live animal deserves more respect IMO. The burris 2 x 7 or leupold 2.5x 8 would be my choice if I were to use one handgun and scope combination for the rest of my hunting career

Good luck!

Bulletstuffer

Bigeasy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2010, 05:07:46 AM »

A Leupold would be my first choice. I tend more to red dot sights on handguns, but I have had quite a few scoped big bores over the years, as well as several friends with a lot of experience with scoped handguns. The one thing that I have noticed is a lot of different scopes have failed under recoil over the years, but never a Leupold. Not to say it couldn't happen tomorrow, but.....

Larry

Hook686 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:49:03 PM »

Made for the .44 magnum hand gun:

http://www.rapidreticle.com/44mag.htm

erickrschaefer · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2010, 10:34:44 AM »

I shoot the Super Blackhawk Hunter with a Bushnell 2x6 and I have a straight Leupold 4x on a converted Bisley. I prefer the Leupold but have had no issues with the Bushnell.

ratgunner · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2010, 06:43:54 AM »

I had a 2-6X Burris on my Contender and it worked real well.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2010, 11:32:51 PM »

I live in Wyoming as well and have hunted for many years with scoped handguns. I find that scopes with higher than 2 power don't work very well for me. My eyes are almost as old as yours and the higher power scopes are just harder for me to get on target. I currently shoot a Smith and Wesson Performance Center Model 629 with a Burris 2X Posi-Lock EER scope. The lower magnification just comes onto target better for me. I will say that I shoot my handguns a lot and target acquisition gets easier the more you practice with your gun. Inside 100 yards, I have never missed any animal I have shot at and I have never fired at a big game animal at any further distance than about 100 yards with a handgun. And I have yet to loose one I shot. The 44 is entirely sufficient for deer and elk here in Wyoming. I bought a bigger caliber but after one trip to the range I decided I'd like my elbows to last me a little longer so I got rid of it and have stuck with the 44 mag since.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2010, 01:03:07 PM »

Ds. have been visiting relatives, and just got home...Thanks for the information...I will probably go with a .44 ruger. and then scope it with a nice 2 or 3 power...was hoping to find a used one at a gun show...but no luck yet....

Sweetwater · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2010, 06:28:39 PM »

Memorial Day weekend is usually a big show at the Armory in Riverton, Wyoming. Best show in Wyoming, but then again, most of the shows I went to were in Rock Springs, since I lived in Green River. If you make the show, look for Garth Huff and tell him Jeff Dunham sent you. He'll say, "who?"

We shot IHMSA for several years together and did some dealing. Pretty neat guy all around.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #24 on:** March 17, 2010, 09:18:04 AM »

Sweetwater, I have been to that show several times...it was a great show, but usually collectors stuff, and not so much everyday shooters weapons, but that could just have been those shows...Haven't made it to many lately...today I just ordered a .44 sp. in a special run of Blackhawks for a group of pistol shooters that I belong to...so that will crash my gun $ for a bit...But I am keeping my eye out for a scoped Blackhawk in .44....If I get to the Riverton show, I will check it out for Garth.....

Sweetwater · « **Reply #25 on:** March 17, 2010, 10:52:07 AM »

WCH - good luck with that new 44sp!! And with your scoped 44mag quest.

doctorjj · « **Reply #26 on:** March 20, 2010, 11:51:26 AM »

What do you guys think about this??? That's an Eotech on a Colt Anaconda.

t-reg · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2010, 04:45:52 PM »

Quote from: doctorjj on March 20, 2010, 11:51:26 AM

What do you guys think about this??? That's an Eotech on a Colt Anaconda.

That's the way I'd go if I were to put optics on another handgun. Nice set up doctorjj.

Had a Leo 2x on a SRH .44 and encountered difficulties. First was picking up a deer standing in brush, gray on gray, 90 or so yards out, very hard to differentiate deer from brush. Didn't shoot at a huge 8 point due to that. Next one was a doe laying in a corn field at appx. 15'. Couldn't tell where the scope was on her. Went up to the truck, removed scope, and have hunted for 20+ years with open sights.

YMMV, but I recommend trying one out in the field before purchasing and installing a pistol scope.

roger460xvr · « **Reply #28 on:** March 28, 2010, 02:01:25 PM »

I'd go with the 2-6x i use the bushnell trophy......