Best Magnification for hunting handgun scope?

[Coyotefurharvester]

A k6 has about 19' field of view at 100 yards, so seeing the whole deer is not an issue. I had 1.5x Weaver, couldn't see coyote in cover past about 70 yards. 4x probably would be your best option and there are way more scopes available in 4x than 6x.

 

[JSH]

Another big F’ up by Bushnell was dropping their 2-6 Elite pistol scope, just stupid.
Eye relief stays pretty constant, I can’t say the same for many others, maybe the discontinued Nikon.
I am like Snert, deer hunted with a pistol for close to 40 years, have been known to pack a wheel gun along with an SSP.

As far as a straight power 4X Leupold is where I tend to go, a 5X Burris is nothing to turn away from either.

I am still of the thought that everyone’s eyes are enough different that what works for one doesn’t for others. So you should be the judge.

 

[stosh]

I shoot a savage Striker in 308 Win sporting a Leupold 2-8 x scope. I have taken 3 deer (3 shots) at 200,210,150 yds. Love the leupold ! When i baught the gun it has a simmons scope but wasn't clear and image was distorted. Being a varmint hunter i like larger mag in my scopes, the simmons was 4x and just not enough for long shots. The higher power scope does take some practice to be able to aquire target quickly but the way i hunt is to wait till deer stops to take a shot. So it works wery well for me.

 

[Wrkm45]

I use a VERSESIGHT magnifier when I want more detail on my handgun targets—like when I’m shooting beyond 100 yards. For a Contender out to 150 yd, I’d pair the Versasight with a 1–4× or 1–6× red-dot; the magnifier steps in when needed. Straight 6× can be tight for quick aiming—especially on a moving target—so I’d avoid fixed 6× unless I want precision over flexibility.

 

[Jack O'Connor]

Back in the 1970's, I often hunted with a friend who had a TC handgun chambered for 357 Herrett. His scope was 4X and he downed many Michigan deer with this outfit. Jack

 

[timeout]

Old post, but I had a Leupold 2-7 on my .243 Savage hand cannon. At one time when only shotgun slug deer hunting was legal here, high power rifle cartridges fired from hand guns was permissible. IMHO a stupid law but I rolled with it. I shot a nice buck at a range finder verified 300 yards laying on top of my woodpile with that combo. On the other hand, I was unable to find a buck in the scope standing in the brush (after being pushed out on a drive). He would have been hanging on the meat pole had I been carrying my shotgun instead. I absolutely hated carrying that thing. As soon as rifles were made legal here that hand cannon found a new owner.

 

[CJ6]

I have several Leopold 2.5-8 scopes and one Bushnell 4 power. No complaints on either.

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

I had a 1.5-5 Burris on my Contender. It was stainless with a Super 14 barrel (.223). It had both wood and rubber sets of furniture. I could usually cover my 100 yd groups with a half dollar. Lovely handgun.

 

[WV Hitman]

I have no complaints on my 3-12 Burris BPlex scopes on my handguns. Very versitile in any circumstance. The 16,500 groundhogs & 2900 deer I've taken out to 565 yards with them have lots of complaints.

 

[Tucker 7br]

I have no complaints on my 3-12 Burris BPlex scopes on my handguns. Very versitile in any circumstance. The 16,500 groundhogs & 2900 deer I've taken out to 565 yards with them have lots of complaints.

If you are adept at offhand shooting, don't rule out using a 3-9 or 4-12x rifle scope, dependent of course on the caliber and recoil it generates. Handgun silhouette shooters often use the "taco hold" to shoot 300 blackout or similar out to 200m in offhand events. The extra zoom will let you see that skinny tree that is blocking your kill shot. Never tried it on a running deer, but never needed to. Lean against a tree and take the shot.

 

[Pa.Mike]

Many companies have stopped making handgun scopes. Burris is currently the top choice now in my opinion. I have a P.M. coming your way.

 

[Big Mc]

I'd like to put a scope on a Contender. If you were to put any scope on one for hunting and casual shooting out to 100-150 yards, what would you pick? Would a straight 6x be too narrow of a field of view? I never had a handgun with a scope, so any advice is welcome. Thank you.

Depends on your age LOL Tommy Mc

 

[danny]

If you are going to shoot free hand, i.e., no rest of any kind, then a 2X will aid trigger control by limiting the appearance of your arc of movement. The arc will be the same no matter which magnification of scope you select but the lower power will change the appearance thus help to mitigate jerking the trigger by trying to obtain too precise of a shot.

For free hand shooting, a better visual aid in my opinion is a red dot sight. Again, the larger MOA dots are better for free hand shooting.

If you will be shooting off a rest, then by all means select a higher magnification scope, a 6X would be optimum in my opinion.

While I experimented with Leupold 2X scopes and a red dot, I still prefer open sights for a revolver for recreational shooting but for hunting, the scope or a red dot enhances the chances of making the shot especially if you have aging eye sight.

I agree with most everything, if not all of what you say. My only experience is that I had a 2x scope on a Ruger MK II. With that, I personally would try to avoid at all costs using it unsupported, offhand. Maybe that's me, but it showed my shakes too much and the field of view was kind of narrow. It worked for the purpose, which was rested hunting shots. Non rested, a dot of some type would be better. If the OP is going to mostly or completely rest the handgun, then on a bigger cartridge, some extra power could be used. Myself, I would be concerned that whatever is chosen has a long enough eye relief to use it like a handgun with arms fully extended. To me, it would be depressing to have to always shoot with your elbows bent to get the scope close to your eyes.

Danny

 

[K22]

I agree with most everything, if not all of what you say. My only experience is that I had a 2x scope on a Ruger MK II. With that, I personally would try to avoid at all costs using it unsupported, offhand. Maybe that's me, but it showed my shakes too much and the field of view was kind of narrow. It worked for the purpose, which was rested hunting shots. Non rested, a dot of some type would be better. If the OP is going to mostly or completely rest the handgun, then on a bigger cartridge, some extra power could be used. Myself, I would be concerned that whatever is chosen has a long enough eye relief to use it like a handgun with arms fully extended. To me, it would be depressing to have to always shoot with your elbows bent to get the scope close to your eyes.

Danny

I agree, whatever optic is chosen, it should accommodate a normal free hand pistol position with arms fully extended.

 

[WV Hitman]

The main good thing about the Burris 3-12X BPlex is that it's VARIBLE. Easy to use the lower powers until you get used to it and for closer range shots. They give you a bigger field of view & better eye relief.

 

[Big Mc]

I'd like to put a scope on a Contender. If you were to put any scope on one for hunting and casual shooting out to 100-150 yards, what would you pick? Would a straight 6x be too narrow of a field of view? I never had a handgun with a scope, so any advice is welcome. Thank you.

It depends on your age LOL Tommy Mc

 

[Hammertime1]

Like you, I also live in WI. I have shot many deer with my 357, 30 Herett and 7x30 Waters. My advice would be to seriously consider a red dot scope. To me its amazing how much easier it is to hit a target with a red dot than a regular scope. If you go with a scope, pick a lower power or a variable with a low bottom end. And, always use a rest, it is surprisingly easy to miss a deer free hand. Take this from someone that has done it, and has also been a competitive pistol target shooter for many years.

 

[Doug Casner]

Ive got a Burris 2-7 on a encore pistol. Youll find out how much you shake. Turn down the power till you get used to it. Always get a rest when you can. Doug

 

[NorCalMikie]

Or, get a LER rifle scope.

 

[TonyinKY]

2-6X variable on anything from my Super RedHawk down to my Mark IV Competition for hunting applications. It’s worked for a bull elk at 7 yds out to a squirrel at 85+ yds. Most game taken at 20-25 yds though. I recommend LOTS of practice and using a rest/support if at all possible