Rifle or Pistol Scopes on custom Bolt Action Pistols

[Adam 6mm build]

I see all these beautiful bolt action custom pistols what scope are they using rifle scopes or pistol scopes

 

[centerlineseal]

I have several Contender barrels in rifle calibers, ... 7-30 Waters, 30-30, 223, and 222. All sport Long Eye Relief pistol scopes by Leupold.

 

[Doug Casner]

If it wasnt a .22 the eye relief would be wrong for the recoil on a rifle scope. I used to have a ruger auto pistol with a 3x9 leupold rifle scope on it. You had to hold it close to your eye to see thru it any recoil would have tatooed your eyebrow. Doug

 

[Topstrap]

Depends on what you want to accomplish. Most of us use them for longrange or extreme longrange matches. Guns have heavier barrels in a chassis of some type. Hunting type guns will probably use a pistol type scope of some type and be in a lighter more manageable stock.

The evolution of longrange handgunning has redefined what a pistol is capable of. Our CF versions have no problem competing with rifles at the 1000 yard matches and dinging a mile or farther target is pretty commonplace. I fought the switching over to a rifle scope for quite a while but there are limits and sometimes you have to go with what works.

My preference the past few years has been longrange rimfire, not necessarily cheaper but sure is challenging to hear that distant "tink".



Stock and chassis design can also make a huge difference in what type of scope can be used. First XP is centergrip with a pistol scope, second gun is XP in the prototype ARS rear grip chassis with a rifle scope. . Huge difference.

Topstrap

 

[Dead Eye]

I use rifle scopes on my XP-100s and pistol scopes on most of my Contenders or Encores. If using a rifle scope you will need a good brake and there is a little learning curve but the advantages of the rifle scope out way the disadvantages in my opinion. I have an XP-100 in 7 SAUM that has taken deer out to 500 yds. You get a much better sight picture and my eyes aren't getting any younger.
You should give it a try. It's a bucket of fun and that's why we all do this.

 

[Adam 6mm build]

Thanks men and women for the input going to try some new things I guess

 

[K9TXS]

Nightforce SHV 5-20 on my 20 VT and 223. I use the rear grip style of SP and prefer it over the mid/center grip.

 

[alf]

Back when I had XP Fever, I was using the Leupold 8.5-25x50 on a couple:

 

[TrapperBR549]

I recently started messing with a contender that has a 3X6 Bushnell pistol scope. I am still not real good at finding my target, especially on 6X, with the limited field of view. I have been considering a rifle scope and after a fair amount of reading here, I think it comes down to whether you can keep from getting hit in the head with the scope. If so, the rifle scopes are far superior.

 

[alf]

Typically, you get your eye close for a full field of view to find & center your target, then back your head away to about a half field of view.

Many prairie dogs would attest to how well it works if they could.....

 

[TC260]

I recently started messing with a contender that has a 3X6 Bushnell pistol scope. I am still not real good at finding my target, especially on 6X, with the limited field of view. I have been considering a rifle scope and after a fair amount of reading here, I think it comes down to whether you can keep from getting hit in the head with the scope. If so, the rifle scopes are far superior.

I love the Bushnell 3200 for shooting out of the Creedmoor position but hate hunting with them. Much prefer the Burris 2-7 and the various Leuplods out in the field. Even the old Pro-Class's always worked well for me but I mostly hunt with 10" Contenders and in close quarters it's hard to get in position quickly with a rifle scope.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I love the Bushnell 3200 for shooting out of the Creedmoor position but hate hunting with them. Much prefer the Burris 2-7 and the various Leuplods out in the field. Even the old Pro-Class's always worked well for me but I mostly hunt with 10" Contenders and in close quarters it's hard to get in position quickly with a rifle scope.

Is the Burris a pistol scope? I have also thought about one of the "scout" models that sounds to me like kind of a hybrid in terms of eye relief.

 

[TC260]

Yes they are and they made them for years but no idea if they're still being made or not. Mine were the later models with the matte finish vs the earlier gloss scopes, can't remember if there were other differences.

 

[Litespeed]

I have a pistol scope on my xp-100 but really have to stretch to get the correct eye relief. I don't shoot it very often otherwise I'd look into putting a scout scope on it.