Scoping a Ruger SRH in .44 Mag

[ssmith_1187]

I am leaning towards a Leupold M8 - 2x20mm EER scope.  

I don't plan on taking any shots over 100 yards.

Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with Leupold Handgun Scopes?

Am I on the right track or are there better scopes out there?

Thanks,
Steve

[BCB]

ssmith_1187,

I have a variable 'scope on my SRH.  It is a 2x-7x Burris.  I don't think Burris would be better than Leupold, but I do think I would go the variable route.  (I am not familiar with the Leupold you mention...Is it a variable?).

The 2x to 5x on the Burris works well in brush and for quick finding of a target in the view.  The higher powers work well for bench shooting and testing loads out to 150 yards...And yes, that SRH will hit paper and steel at that distance with amazing consistency.  Good-luck...BCB

[ssmith_1187]

BCB,

No....the Leupold I mentioned is NOT a variable power.

What length barrel do you have the 7 1/2 or 9 1/2 inch model?

Thanks,
Steve

[BCB]

ssmith_1187,

A 9.5'er...I am usually amazed at the accuracy of this handgun with both jacketed and cast.  I most (99%) of the time shoot cast bullets now.  Again, I don't think you will go wrong with your Leupold brand name, but I would surely consider the variable route.  Others will probably post and indicate their preferences.

I did put a set of Wolff springs in mine and I really like the lightened trigger pull.  Good-luck...BCB

[ssmith_1187]

BCB,

How do you like the balance of the 9 1/2?  Did you hold the 7 1/2 as well?  I am torn between the two barrel lengths as well.

I was looking at the Wolff spring route also.  Do you know if that voids the factory warranty?

Thanks,
Steve

[Questor]

I like the Leupold m8-2x. It's light, and it looks right on my gun.  The crosshairs are just right for hunting with a revolver. I generally prefer variables (all my other scopes are variables), but on a big bore revolver the m8-2x is just right.

My weaver mounts sheared off one day while I was doing some target practice and the M8-2x scope flew back and hit me on the forehead, presumably flew up a bit more, then dropped onto concrete-- a distance of about six and a half feet, at least.  No damage aside from a few scratches. Very impressive. (I switched to a Weigand mount after that.)

Some argue that the light gathering isn't as good as scopes with bigger bells, but I really can't tell the difference during any legal hunting hours in my area-- even under thick foliage.

[BCB]

ssmith_1187,

Yep, I have handled and shot the shorter-barreled Ruger.  In all honesty, the shorter Ruger sure does handle better (my opinion), and the 9.5’er is “sort of “ a club!  Yet, my SRH, topped with the Burris 2x-7x, and loaded with a cylinder full of hefty Lyman 429650 cast bullets (315+ grains), weighs in at 5 pound 2 ounces.  This weight is good for reducing recoil.

It is also my opinion that the longer-barreled Ruger is not necessarily designed for plinking!  Although, I do have a couple of reduced (by 44 Magnum standards) loads that I shoot with very good accuracy.  The velocity is in the 1000 fps range for these loads.  I really think this particular handgun is designed to bring out the best in the 44 Magnum.  The 315+ grain cast at nearly 1300 fps seems to prove this thought.

The extra length barrel also requires a substantially bulkier carrying system if one is going to use it for hunting.  This can get cumbersome and tiresome as the day goes by!

Not sure about the warranty and the springs...Just save the factory springs in case of emergency!!!

Of course it’s your choice, but I AIN’T GIVIN’ UP my 9.5’er SRH!!!  Good-luck…BCB

[Bullseye]

I have 3 of the 2x Leopolds and they are my favorite scopes.  Never had a problem with any of them and they are on some T/C kickers.  I prefer a straight 2x for hunting, the Leoupold has very dark crosshairs which I like.  I have a couple of variables but I do not care for them because the eye relief shortens so much at the higher powers unless you get a Bushnell which has a small FOV.

Just my opinion for what it is worth.

[Paul H]

I have a 7 1/2" SRH in 480, and it's been topped with both a Leupold M8 2X handgun scope, and a Simmons 2.5-7X gold medal.  While I think the Leupold is a rock solid hunting scope, if you really want to shoot the gun to it's accuracy potential, you'll want more magnification, this coming from someone with 20/15 vision, and also someone that uses a 2.5x leupold on his rifle, with no need for more magification.  So, get a 2-6 or 2.5-7, you'll definately appreciate it for ranges past 50 yds.  The leupold isn't even a true 2X, I think it is actually 1.7.  I definately found a higher mag scope was helpful past 50 yds.  

With all that said, I prefer carrying and hunting with the iron sights.  It does limit my range over the scope, but it is much handier for use close in, which to me is why one hunts with a revolver anyhow.

I would definately go with the 7 1/2" over the 9 1/2", and I'm still toying with the idea of cutting my SRH down to 5".

[helobill]

My SRH 44 mag 9.5" is topped with a 2X scope, took a 2.5-7x simmons off it and went straight 2X 'cause I never moved the old one off 2.5 when I was hunting. With a 44 mag I wasn't going beyond 125 yards anyway and at 2.5 I was plenty close enough to ensure a "kill zone" hit, wouldn't have wasted the extra movement changing the magnification at that range. My Contender (30 Bellm) has a 2-6X on it because I just bought 88 acres with a hunting buddy and 150-200 yard shots are now a possibility. :grin:
Helicopter Bill

[Chuck from arkansaw]

After shooting a lot with a .44 SBH and RH, I decided I can't shoot any better @ 100 yards with a scope than I can with the Iron sights.  I took the 3-6 off my Redhawk, and went back to the factory iron sights.  I don't have to worry about eye relief, and it is a lot easier to carry.  I had the 7 1/2" Redhawk ported, and the recoil without the glass is about the same as the non-ported gun with a scope.  I can hit 4 or 5 clay pigeons out of 6 @ 100 yards with the iron sights over sand bags, and thats plenty good for deer.  I shoot the Lee 310 gr. with that big flat nose and a gas check and cast from wheel weight.  Loaded to a little under 1400 fps. it kicks butt.

[Zeus]

I had a 44 7.5" SRH that I had a 2x7 Burris posilock mounted on.  I also installed the Wolff springs and polished out the trigger.  I DO NOT recommend going with the lightest springs included with the kit.  I had misfires, changed them out and never had the problem again.  Were not striking the primer hard enough or something.  As for the scope, I have a 2x on my 44 mag now.  You can easily shoot sillouette at the 200 meter berm and at 100 yards, you can very easily hit the 6" gong.  I will never own another Burris product, in fact, the 2-7 mentioned is still in my briefcase waiting to be sent back for the 5th time.  The customer service there has been absolutely horrible.  My local dealer where I buy all of my guns and such will not carry them anymore because of the problems that he and I have had with my scope and a few more.  The 2x mentioned on my 44 SBH was a little over 20 years old.  This past December, while sighting in for a trip up North, one of the internal lenses busted.  I sent it back to Leupold with a note explaining that I would like to upgrade to the new style and let me know what the difference in money would be.  They sent me a new scope within a week at no charge.  They have always had excellent customer service.  Since then I have bought a 4x for my Freedom Arms 454.  No problems there either, I would go with the Leupold and a 2x or a 4x.  I not a huge fan of the variables on the revolvers.  Don't really need all the extra power in my opinion.  GS

[Hcliff]

I love my Leupold 2X.  It has thousands of rounds through it with no problems on my 44 .   I have the 7 1/2 SRH.  It seems to handle better than the 9 1/2" less muzzle heavy and easier to pack.  Velocity is not a major issue.  The sight palne does help with the longer tube if shooting iron sights  A variable power allows you to see the target better at far ranges. At a 100 yards the target is easier to see with variable. The 2X is a bullet proof scope and is my first choice for hunting.

Hcliff

[Gregory]

I have two Nikon 2X xcopes and am very happy with them. I think a 2X is plenty for a 44 Mag. Like Zeus, I had a problem with a Burris 2-7X (I own two of these also) but at least Burris fixed mine. I've owned Leupold pistol scopes in 2X and 4X and they are fine scopes, but I find the Nikon 2X brighter than the Leupold and the Nikon also has a larger field of view.

[wildman]

I have a 2x Leupold mounted on my Super Redhawk 7.5inch 44mag.  I had to lap my rings before mounting, as the castings on the inside were rough with raised spots.  I can't recommend the Leupold highly enough.  Some probably do better, but I can consistently get 1.5 inch groups at 50yds with it.  This is more than good enough to effectively bring down game the size of hogs, black bear, and deer.  I have also reduced the sear, taken out trigger creep,  and polished all contacting surfaces on the action with a dremel tool, buffing wheel, and gunmetal polish.  There's no more gritty feel or creep, which in return has helped my accuracy.  Before, it felt like I had to pull the trigger 1/8inch back before the gun would fire.  This anticipation was ruining my accuracy.  I don't recommend this to a novice, as you could make the gun unsafe, and injure yourself or others.  If unsure, have a qualified gunsmith do an action job for you.  BTW, I still have the factory trigger and hammer springs installed.  The polishing did more than enough improvement for me.  I wouldn't recommend installing a reduced power hammer spring, because when I pull the trigger on a bear, I want the gun to go bang!  It's kind of fun to experiment until you get it just right.  A good gun is like a good running truck.  They're just too good to let go of.   :wink:

[Big]

Don't forget to consider a red dot.  I have an UltraDot on my SRH and it works great, and there's never any scope blacking out caused by not being lined up just right.