Handgun optics

Q

QuarterHorse

New member
Picking up my Ruger SBH Hunter in 45 Colt tonight and was curious what you guys are running for optics that handgun hunt? I have some pretty stout loads to try out and am thinking a 50-75 yard zero.

I was thinking something in a 2x but for sighting in was thinking something that could bring the sight picture closer so an adjustable for the bag shooting could be nice.

I know the smaller glass is going to make light gathering difficult which may be an issue, the pigs I shot this last year were both shot RIGHT after sun up. The others in the group RIGHT at sun down.

Thoughts and suggestions?

Thanks
 
I have a 22/45 with a cheap red dot. Great little shooter and very accurate. Easy to use out to 100yds, 10rnd 4" grps with a flyer. There are RD's with 2x mag available and that may be a good choice for you. I also have a 460xvr with a Weaver 4x on top. I would I plan to be shooting this more in the 50-150 range. Nice fine cross that doesnt cover the target up. I like the idea of a 2-7x but the problem is that they are large and heavy. By time you get a mount, rail and scope you would be surprised how much weight goes on the gun. If you plan to be 50 with an occasional 100yd I would lean toward a RD.
 
If you mount a scope, I'd go with a 2x. I have a 2x Leupoold EER on my SRH.

In the process of trying out a Ultradot unit but don't have much experience yet. Red dots are quicker to get on targt than scopes for most.
 
Well I think I may be going with a Bushnell Trophy Red Dot. For whatever reason the shops around Des Moines are short on handgun scopes. I did get a look at the Bushnell Trophy 2-7 and it seems "claustrophobic" to look through. Maybe it's something I'd get used to? I don't know I think I may end up with the red dot for starters. If I come across a good deal on a 2x scope I may snag it up just to try some time.
 
With a 2x there's virtually no or very little magnification. If you're going for group sizing at 100yds there is much better choices.
I like the Simmons Pro Hunter 2-6x I have two of them on seperate Contender barrels and going to buy a third. Inexpensive and really do a fine job for me.
 
Well there are trade offs in everything I suppose. In all reality this gun isn't going to be set up for bullseye matches, it's a hunting gun. I think with that being said low or no power scope/red dot is going to be the direction I go.

I'll get some pics up soon of the new rig and set up. :)
 
Bought the red dot, got home after a night in the fields trying to snag some straggler turkeys, and IT DOESN'T FIT IN BETWEEN THE RINGS! Guess it's back to Scheels to return the red dot and keep trying.
 
Not to be snotty but I wouldn't expect a Bushnell Trophy to last long on a heavy duty hunting sixgun. Maybe with standard .45Colt loads but nothing heavier. The Elite yes, Trophy no.

And I still think that a variable on a revolver is unnecessary weight and bulk but good luck.


With a 2x there's virtually no or very little magnification. If you're going for group sizing at 100yds there is much better choices.
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If you're having issues getting consistency at 100yds with a 2x, you probably have not matched your target to your scope. You don't need to see a 1" target to shoot 1" groups. You need a target you can consistently bracket your sights or optic against. You can shoot MOA with buckhorns with the right target.
 
That's weird, I've read a TON of reviews on these on LOADS of forums recommending this on these to T/C pistols in rifle calibers.....


Thanks for your input though,.....
 
If you're having issues getting consistency at 100yds with a 2x, you probably have not matched your target to your scope. You don't need to see a 1" target to shoot 1" groups. You need a target you can consistently bracket your sights or optic against. You can shoot MOA with buckhorns with the right target.
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I'm afraid that I don't understand what you stated. Are you saying that your sight picture in the handgun scope should be 1" at 100 yds to be able to shoot well at that distance? If that is the case, I disagree, but we all do things our own way. Even at 6x you will still have a pretty wide field of view. Maybe you can explain. The vertical and horizontal grid lines are there to allow you to "bracket".
 
I have a great target that I use at 100. It's 4 black squares arranged so that my 2X scope just fills in the lines between. If I'm off just a little light shows thru.
 
Are you saying that your sight picture in the handgun scope should be 1" at 100 yds to be able to shoot well at that distance?
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No, I'm saying that you don't need a tiny target or the ability to see a tiny target to shoot tiny groups. You need a target that you can consistently bracket your crosshairs against. For example, when shooting iron sight handguns at 25yds, I use a 3" black square to bracket the front sight against. Or a 5" black square at 50yds.
 
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