Just got a .44 mag pistol to try out for deerhunting. Didnt want to bring the Glock with anymore lol. Now i need to decide what optics to put on it. red dont or fixed/variable scope. Any help would be appreciated
Sidearms & Scatterguns .44 mag optics help needed
- Thread starter swamparcher
- Start date
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
For hunting I prefer a red dot, quick to pick up the target and easy to follow the animal. If you prefer a scope anything in the 2X range works good for offhand even out to 250 yards or so. This is a Tasco and has been on a long time with many hundreds of rounds thru it and no problems at all with holding zero. Just gotta remember to turn it off and keep a fresh battery handy just in case.
Some say variable and my Freedom Arms 44 has a 2.5 - 8 but it's set up for extra long range and is big and bulky. A 4X is OK if you are familiar with pistol scopes but most find it hard to locate a moving target and hard to keep on target offhand.
Good luck
Topstrap
For hunting I prefer a red dot, quick to pick up the target and easy to follow the animal. If you prefer a scope anything in the 2X range works good for offhand even out to 250 yards or so. This is a Tasco and has been on a long time with many hundreds of rounds thru it and no problems at all with holding zero. Just gotta remember to turn it off and keep a fresh battery handy just in case.
Some say variable and my Freedom Arms 44 has a 2.5 - 8 but it's set up for extra long range and is big and bulky. A 4X is OK if you are familiar with pistol scopes but most find it hard to locate a moving target and hard to keep on target offhand.
Good luck
Topstrap
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
I agree.
For hunting I think a red dot is the best. I find it difficult to shoot through a traditional pistol scope in hunting situations. The red dot is fool proof.
The Ultradot Matchdot is a fine dot scope. It can handle ANY recoil. The folks that run them don't even consider the 44 mag a recoiling cartridge. I have one on a BFR .454 and it does very well.
These guys have some excellent revolver input:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14
I agree.
For hunting I think a red dot is the best. I find it difficult to shoot through a traditional pistol scope in hunting situations. The red dot is fool proof.
The Ultradot Matchdot is a fine dot scope. It can handle ANY recoil. The folks that run them don't even consider the 44 mag a recoiling cartridge. I have one on a BFR .454 and it does very well.
These guys have some excellent revolver input:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
I have a 4x Leupold on my .454 I wish I had put a 2x on it. I never shoot it past 100 yds and never shot a deer past 60 yards. The 4x is overkill and hard to pick up sight picture on the fly.
I have a 4x Leupold on my .454 I wish I had put a 2x on it. I never shoot it past 100 yds and never shot a deer past 60 yards. The 4x is overkill and hard to pick up sight picture on the fly.
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
I have the red dot tasco on my 629 with 1000s of rounds thru it and no problems my load is a 250 grain hardcast keith bullet over 21 grains of 2400
I have the red dot tasco on my 629 with 1000s of rounds thru it and no problems my load is a 250 grain hardcast keith bullet over 21 grains of 2400
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
Just make sure the regs where you will be hunting allow for scopes with illuminated reticles (Wyoming does <span style="font-style: italic">not</span>) if you're going to go the red dot route. Otherwise I'd recommend a variable with a low starting power. Personally, I run the Burris 2-7X32. The lower power offers a wide field of view and the 7X makes it easier to tag varmints and test loads from the bench.
Just make sure the regs where you will be hunting allow for scopes with illuminated reticles (Wyoming does <span style="font-style: italic">not</span>) if you're going to go the red dot route. Otherwise I'd recommend a variable with a low starting power. Personally, I run the Burris 2-7X32. The lower power offers a wide field of view and the 7X makes it easier to tag varmints and test loads from the bench.
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
I'm assuming this will be for hunting deer in those thick-ass minnesota woods? haha If you like red dots, use one, it'll be great. Let's face it, rarely do we get a shot far enough to need the magnification, and if the deer is that far away we shouldn't be shooting at it with a handgun! If you're not a red dot fan, get a scope, fixed or variable, as long as it's 2x or less. I liked the 1.5-4 on my super redhawk, but the only time it came off 1.5x was when I was experimenting how far I could hit a target down a powerline
I'm assuming this will be for hunting deer in those thick-ass minnesota woods? haha If you like red dots, use one, it'll be great. Let's face it, rarely do we get a shot far enough to need the magnification, and if the deer is that far away we shouldn't be shooting at it with a handgun! If you're not a red dot fan, get a scope, fixed or variable, as long as it's 2x or less. I liked the 1.5-4 on my super redhawk, but the only time it came off 1.5x was when I was experimenting how far I could hit a target down a powerline
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
Ya this is going to be a deer gun, prob wont be shooting over 100 yards. am going take the muzzleloader with if i need to shoot over that. I like the red dot alot but have never had good luck with the cheaper ones ive bought. Am looking at higher quality now. now the question is red dot scope style or reflex style?
Thanks for all the help guys!!
Ya this is going to be a deer gun, prob wont be shooting over 100 yards. am going take the muzzleloader with if i need to shoot over that. I like the red dot alot but have never had good luck with the cheaper ones ive bought. Am looking at higher quality now. now the question is red dot scope style or reflex style?
Thanks for all the help guys!!
Re: .44 mag optics help needed
Topstrap is right on the mark.
I have hunted deer for the last 15 or so years with handguns primary or secondary with my muzzleloader. If you go red dot just watch your dot size, in my experience the smaller the dot the better. Also watch the glass, I have seen some that is tinted and would reduce the time window say in the early morning or late evening.
I mostly use 2x scopes now. Tried some variables but found I don’t use much more than 2x in the field, they are nice for zeroing at the range though. All my shooting is 75 yards and closer. I have had Burris, Bushnell, Simmons, T/C and Weaver. By far my favorite is the fixed 2x Weaver, close second would be Burris but all of my Burris scopes are variables and that adds weight that is unwanted IMHO.
Topstrap is right on the mark.
I have hunted deer for the last 15 or so years with handguns primary or secondary with my muzzleloader. If you go red dot just watch your dot size, in my experience the smaller the dot the better. Also watch the glass, I have seen some that is tinted and would reduce the time window say in the early morning or late evening.
I mostly use 2x scopes now. Tried some variables but found I don’t use much more than 2x in the field, they are nice for zeroing at the range though. All my shooting is 75 yards and closer. I have had Burris, Bushnell, Simmons, T/C and Weaver. By far my favorite is the fixed 2x Weaver, close second would be Burris but all of my Burris scopes are variables and that adds weight that is unwanted IMHO.
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