Author Topic: To scope or not to scope? (Read 1434 times)

dougk · « **on:** March 15, 2005, 08:07:42 AM »

I typically prefer to use scopes for my rifles. Now that I have a .44 mag 7.5 inch barrel and a .357 6 inch and 8 inch barrels. Should I scope them?

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:24:36 AM »

Yes, if you're using the gun primarily for hunting. No, if you're using the gun as something to carry in the field to take opportunistic shots at close-range game.

Scopes are the best thing that ever happened to handgun hunting, and are the unsung reason for the feasibility of handgun hunting. They are also likely the main reason that so many states now permit handgun hunting. Whereas the rifle scope did much to make hunters adequate field shots at long range, the pistol scope has done much to make hunters adequate field shots at close range. You really have to try hunting in dim light with iron sights on a handgun to fully appreciate this. You either take shots you shouldn't take, or you pass up a lot of shots, hopefully the latter.

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:33:26 AM »

most of my hunting handguns have a scope on them
but my 45/410 still has the iron sights (for now) and i just got in a 6.5 inch 22 barrel that still has the iron sights I love the looks of the short barrel but If i can fins a cheap rail mount and scope i May be putting it on that barrel as well.
I use the 45/410 as a 410 for close in squirrel and "rabbit stomping" so a scope will not help much.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2005, 09:38:36 AM »

All my hunting handguns are scoped. No red dot sights! I tried them and their accuracy wasn't what I expected. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2005, 10:05:52 AM »

All my hunting handguns are either scoped or red-dots.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2005, 05:19:50 PM »

No. Learn to shoot them and then live within the limitations of your ability. Learn to hunt rather than depending on being a long range animal target shooter. :eek:

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2005, 07:26:04 PM »

doug,
I can only speak for myself. I use scopes or red dots on all of my hunting handguns. If my eyes were what they were when I was younger, I would still use iron sights, but that's not the case. I have seen some that think that a scope will make up for poor shooting skills...they just continue to be bad shots at longer ranges.

So far, my ageing eyes have been my limiting factor, but that may change as other things start to wear out. So, for me handgun scopes have been a real aid in extending my years of effectively useing a handgun for hunting.
Best,
TnNuc

dougk · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:04:27 PM »

I am torn on the scoping issue. The solution might be to keep the scope on the 8 inch Dan Wesson .357 barrel and use the 6 inch barrel as the carry on the ranch gun. And work with the .44 Ruger Redhawk open sights until the late summer to see how good I can get with the 100 yard shot.

This saves me $$$.

Unless anyone wants to give me (for free, I will pay for shipping) a Leupold, Bushnell or Burris handgun scope... :-D

Thanks,
Doug

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2005, 02:12:43 AM »

I don't think using a scopes is wrong. I want to make the cleanest shot possible and a scope or red-dot gives me the tools needed to do that.

I shot open sight very well but in low light conditions the scope increases my odd of a humane kill.

hardertr · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2005, 02:43:27 AM »

I agree with Graybeard on this one.

Most people take up handgun hunting for the challenge. Just about anyone can hit a 6" target with a scoped rifle at 200 yards (no challenge), or scoped pistol at 100 yards (very little challenge as well).

It seems the natural road of progression is:
Scoped Rifles...Open sighted rifles...scoped handguns...open sighted handguns...compound bows...recurve bows. Of course, traditional black powder and in-lines fall in their respective places too.

If you're doing it for the challenge, don't scope it unless you are physically unable to use open sights...or unable to make clean kills.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2005, 03:11:31 AM »

What it comes down to is what you feel comfortable with, not what others feel you should do.

Any handgun hunting either with a scope or iron sights are a challenge. Using a scope or red-dot does not make you inferior to those that chose not to scope there guns.

I have seen people shoot well at 15 yards with open sights but at 25 yards they can't shoot worth a darn. Now put a Deer out to 50 or 60 yards and you have a wounded animal. But there are those that shot open sights very good out to 100 yards. It is you personal limitations that will let you know how far you can accurately shoot open sights. A scope or red-dot help with giving you a focal point and hence you can shoot more accurately. But practice is still number one for accurate shooting. IMHO.

mstake · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2005, 04:50:33 AM »

i am with redhawk on this one. you owe it to yourself and the animal to make the best shoot you can, so if a scope helps you do that then go for it. IMHO @ 50 yrd with a scope gun my POI is a lot easier to see then with open sights. if you can shoot iron sight good then stay with iron. the main point that is see is with anything rifle, pistol, bow, muzzleloader, KNOW YOUR LIMATIONS AND STAY AT OR UNDER THEM!

biglmbass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2005, 05:51:17 AM »

Scope = more accurate shot placement

I like 'em both scoped and non-scoped for hunting. And at this point in time, my eyes are up to the challenge of iron sights. IMHO, you should practice with both and choose which hunting gun you feel most confident with.

volshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2005, 06:38:01 AM »

I go unscoped 90% of the time but I do have a zero power red dot that I carry occasionally for evening hunts. My eyes are not what they used to be. I still limit my red dot shots under 100 yards and open sights to 60 yards. I like the red dot during the waning hours of daylight.
Rick

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2005, 06:53:23 AM »

Red Dot on my Ruger SBHH...Red Dot on my Browning Buckmark 22lr pistol...Open sites on my concealed carry piece. I like shooting both ways but when I hunt I want to be able to focus on the red dot and the animal that I am hunting. When shooting with open sites you are supposed to focus on the front site and the rear sites and target should be a little out of fucus. I believe that I owe it to the animal that I am hunting to have it in focus whenever I raise my weapon. That is just one man's opinion and yours may differ...My :money:

Questor · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2005, 08:42:51 AM »

GB:

Have you been standing downwind while burning the :eek: ditchweed again, or do you really think he shouldn't use a scope on his hunting handgun?

Graybeard · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2005, 04:49:59 PM »

Quote

GB:

Have you been standing downwind while burning the ditchweed again, or do you really think he shouldn't use a scope on his hunting handgun?

Wal Rudy, truth is I think he should not use a scope on his revolver. I've come full circle on this subject. I started shooting before the advent of most modern scopes. I began using the Weaver B and J models and then moved to the K model Weavers even before there was such a thing as handgun scopes. I used irons on my handguns and some of my rifles. A handgun was a side arm in those days.

I used iron sighted handguns in competition regularly as well as for hunting. I could still see the sights in those days and felt up to about 100 yards on deer with them. Then I got to where I could no longer see the sights so well. I gravatated to scopes on handguns.

First on TCs and later on revolvers. What I decided was a scoped revolver with a long barrel or a TC with 14" barrel was really no easier or handier to deal with while hunting than a rifle. I came to question whether I in fact honestly believed I was "handgun hunting" when using such. My answer was no I didn't feel like I was really "handgun hunting" anymore. So what did I do?

I sold off all my TCs and pulled the scopes from the revolvers. I'm back where I started. A handgun is a side arm. I use it with irons and know my limits and stick within them. It's what I personally recommend if you honestly want to be a handgun hunter. Emphasis on HUNTER while using a handgun. If you just want to be a long range plinker of game then feel free to use whatever ya want to. Heck feel free anyway. I really don't care what others use as long as it's legal. I only know what feels right to me and when asked I'll share that view.

dougk · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2005, 02:16:04 AM »

Graybeard,
do you want to sell or give away any of those handgun scopes? :-D

I have a goal this deer season, is to take a deer with the .44 mag Redhawk 7.5 inch barrel, using open sites.

The .357 mag with a scope will be the gun kept around the house for coyote euthanizia.

Now that I have the .44 mag and am quotin "Dirty Harry Lines". A man's got to know his limitations."

Thanks,
Doug

Greybeard · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2005, 03:16:20 AM »

Quote

Graybeard,
do you want to sell or give away any of those handgun scopes?

Yes in fact I believe I do still have a handgun scope left and would sell it if interested. I'm pretty sure I have a Burris 2-7 Matte left around here someone where. If you're serious about wanting it PM me and we'll figure out a fair price.

jhalcott · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2005, 01:45:59 PM »

I was at the range today and shot a .45 auto unscoped at clay birds on the 50 yard bank.Then I went to the 100 yard and shot some 7x30 Contender,scoped at clay birds and paper targets. I don't care what YOU do about scoping your guns,BUT, you MUST practice,practice,etc..! Hand guns are not really as natural as rifles to handle.They require a lot more practice to remain accurate in a persons hand. I hear about hunters shooting at running deer with their hand guns and wonder how many shots it REALLY took to drop the animal in its tracks! I ALWAYs take a rest when hunting.Not only because of an injury,but I NEED the help!
I say scope it ! If you find it doesn't work ,sell the scope. !

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2005, 03:04:32 PM »

Quote from: jhalcott

I was at the range today and shot a .45 auto unscoped at clay birds on the 50 yard bank.Then I went to the 100 yard and shot some 7x30 Contender,scoped at clay birds and paper targets. I don't care what YOU do about scoping your guns,BUT, you MUST practice,practice,etc..! Hand guns are not really as natural as rifles to handle.They require a lot more practice to remain accurate in a persons hand. I hear about hunters shooting at running deer with their hand guns and wonder how many shots it REALLY took to drop the animal in its tracks! I ALWAYs take a rest when hunting.Not only because of an injury,but I NEED the help!
I say scope it ! If you find it doesn't work ,sell the scope. !

Sounds like great advice to me.

delta767 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2005, 04:27:58 AM »

i have scopes on my S&W 500(bushnell ellite 3200) and my S&W 44 light hunter (leupold viii 2.5)

lisa1lacy2 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 12, 2005, 02:15:23 PM »

I just put a scope on my ruger bisley and it went from a 5"@50 yds to a2"@50 yds :grin: I think if it makes you a better shot why not and it is a so much lighter than a rifle :wink:

SingleFan · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:28:26 PM »

Yeah, well put GB. I came to the same conclusion regarding scoped handguns.

Truth is, I learned alot about shooting through the whole process but three weeks ago my TC's went up for sale and I'm going to pull the scope on my FA.

I also feel like the poster who described the cycle from scoped to unscoped on rifles.

Reality is that hogleg shoots darn good open sights