Author Topic: Rifle scopes on a handgun (Read 670 times)

Dogmann · « **on:** August 31, 2005, 05:16:30 PM »

I have three contenders & only one is scoped..this being my 22 match 10inch barrel. I have a handgun scope mounted on it & shes super accurate. Now I was at the range and a guy had two contenders with scopes but the scopes were for rifles , & when he shot the pistols he would hold the pistol close to his face to get a normal view out of the rifle scope...I thought this was weird. Anyone use this method or rifle scopes on their TC's?

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2005, 05:35:19 PM »

Only for the low recoiling guns. Works really well for me. KN

Dogmann · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2005, 05:40:56 PM »

Whats your setup? Caliber & scope?

sscoyote · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2005, 01:25:00 AM »

I use a 4.5-14X Leupold PR VX-III scope on a Striker 243 WSSM, and it works fine with a muzzle break.

Also have a 4-12X Burris Mini on a .17 Mach IV XP.

XPhunter has an 8-32X Burris on his 6-284 XP, and likes it.

xphunter · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2005, 04:58:32 AM »

Steve,
My Burris Black Diamond is the 6-24 power, not the 8-32 on my 6mm-284 XP that David built. Yes, I like it and it works good using the 115 Tubb bullet (no muzzle brake). Have also used a 6.5-20 Leupold on my 284 Win XP-100. These are both center-grip XP's. I do not see a full field of view as I like my face the way it is. I start with a full field of view and then pull back so I not get "kissed" :oops: by the scope.

Here is a pic of Steve (sscoyote) using the Leupold he mentioned.

and here is a pic of the 6mm-284 Xp with the 6x24 30mm Burris Black Diamond with Ballistic Mil-Dot Reticle (Side Focus).

As you can see I have the scope moved as far back as possible to make it easier to use when shooting prone or from the bench

xphunter · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2005, 05:02:37 AM »

Here is the pic of the 284 Win XP shhoting 140 NBT's splitting bullets on the angle iron @ 660 yards. I had the 6.5-20 Leupold set on 20x. It has a dot reticle. You can use rifle scopes on heavier kicking SP's but you have to back off of it to do so safely.

xphunter · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2005, 10:37:23 AM »

I have also used a 8.5-25 Leupold LR/T on a 14 inch 6.5x57R in the Thor Specialty Handgun (non-braked) with success.

Arbyrod · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2005, 01:17:30 PM »

I have been shooting NRA Metallic Silhouette, for about 25 years with rifle scoped barrels. 22 Hornet, 32-20, 22 mag, 32 mag and 22 rimfire. All are low recoil loads and pleasant to shoot. 12 power Simmons on all of them. The Hornet is probably the most fun to shoot. 9 grains of 2400 with a 50 grain PSP bullet.

xphunter · « **Reply #8 on:** September 01, 2005, 05:16:11 PM »

arbyrod,
That is an impressive history using rifle scope in handguns. Is it common place to use rifle scopes in your sport?

B_Koes · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2005, 07:45:31 AM »

Ernie,

It sure is common. Back in high school I shot NRA silhouettes for a year with a fella who had a 6x rifle scope mounted on a .32-20 Contender. That is probably about 20 years ago. I can't claim to know the history or evolution of rifle scope usage...since I'm such a young'n but I've seen it for quite a while.

Bret

jh45gun · « **Reply #10 on:** September 04, 2005, 12:39:23 AM »

I know one thing my Encore 308 with hunting loads has too much recoil. so like you guys said mild recoiling loads. I found by using a sling I can get a good offhand steady setup with my pistol and LER scope.

xphunter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2005, 01:47:18 AM »

Dogmann,
I believe the point that all of us have made collectively is yes, you can use rifle scope on SP's, even ones that would be considered heavy recoiling as long as you back from the ocular and you DO NOT have a full field of view.

On the other hand, if you have a real light recoiling cartridge, a heavy SP, a brake or a combo of the three there is a good likelihood you could see a full field of view with a rifle scope.

In fact, if your SP is heavy enough and you have a good brake you may still get by with a full FOV even with some bigger cartridges than was mentioned by those who shoot sillywet. Type of SP, eye relief of scope, magnification, weight of SP, and the load itself and the way you manage recoil would be determining factors

Arbyrod · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2005, 05:28:47 PM »

Ernie,

Some where I have pictures of the 1983 National Championship medallic Silhouette Match, showing rifle scopes on TC's. The caliber of choice back then was 22 mag. 1984 I finished 2nd Overall in Smallbore Championship match using a 12x Simmons on .22 TC. I won a Peanut Bowl trophy and the Winner got a new Ruger 22 Mark 1. Man what a difference 1 point makes. Lol
Scopes are very popular in NRA Silhouette here in Florida. The caliber of choice now seems to be the 22 Hornet. Have to keep the loads down under 2000 fps to prevent target damage.

Later, Rod