Handgun Scope: Burris vs. Leupold

L

Legionnaire

New member
Okay, I'm looking to purchase a variable power handgun scope for a T/C Encore. I have T/C's own 2-7x variable right now, and I hate the eye relief. It's too long for my liking.

I'm most familiar with Leupold and Burris scopes, and like them both on my rifles. Looking at the Burris specs for their 2-7x EER scope, the optimal eye-relief is listed as 7-27" at low power, 8-15" at high power. This sounds more to my liking, especially the extended range at low power. Optimum eye relief for the Leupold Vari-X 2.5-8x is listed as 18".

The Burris can be had for $229 versus the $339 for Leupold. Anybody have any experience with either of these scopes? Given the price and lower eye relief, I'm inclined toward the Burris. But am I missing something here?

For those of you who have a Burris 2-7x, what would you guesstimate is the REAL eye relief?

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Legionnaire (edited October 12, 2000).]
 
Legionnaire...

It would be nice to know what caliber the Encore is in and what is the purpose of the scope; hunting, silhouettes, etc..

Having spent the last few years shooting NRA Pistol Silhouette with a standard T/C. I must reply that for your money, go to a RedDot scope. Any manufacture is fine.

Now here is my reasoning.:
1) Generally less expensive then a normal pistol scope.
2) Can be used in low-light enviroment much easier then a normal scope.
3) Eye relief is not as important as with a normal scope.
4) Eye to scope alignment is not as critical.

Now does that confuse the issue even more? :)

Go with the Leoupold if using a conventional scope. IMHO the better of the two.

Leon....



------------------
There are no dangerous weapons....only dangerous men. Robert Heinlein.

When the fear of failure to do one's duty for God and Country overcomes fear of dying, a true warrior is born.
 
I have the burris 2x7 on my Anschutz Exemplar in .22 Hornet and it is a great scope. I have no reservations reccomending it.

NJW in AZ
 
Leon,

Sorry; should have noted the application. Caliber is .243, to be used for hunting primarily, and some casual paper punching. I like the .243 as it is not too big for woodchucks, and it's big enough for eastern whitetail. I plan on shots up to 200 yards. What originally attracted me to the Encore is that it is legal for deer in this otherwise "shotgun only" region. Reason I'm interested in the variable is that I can use it at low power in the woods, and crank it up when shooting across the fields.

Red dot scope still make sense in this context? I might keep the T/C scope if it were one of the lighted reticle versions.
 
Legionnaire...

Yeah...the Red Dot still makes sense. The 243 shoots flat enough across 200 meters that it shouldn't create too much a problem, if any.

No need to zoom or correct for range with a Dot. Just 'connect' the dot to target and fire. Now...for paper it will be out some but for deer, the flanking shot is not a problem.

You'll have to range test it to see how it shoots as per ammo load. I'd zero at 150 to start with and work up (upwards or downwards)the data from there.

Nice thing is speed. If you have to turn up power for range, you can loose the shot during the process. Plus a Red Dot is range correctable, if you feel it is necessary.

So now it's between you, the Encore, the scope, the ammo and the range you wish to consider nominal.

Leon.....

------------------
There are no dangerous weapons....only dangerous men. Robert Heinlein.

When the fear of failure to do one's duty for God and Country overcomes fear of dying, a true warrior is born.
 
The guy who started Burris use to work for Leupold. I had a Contender in 357 Harrett and the only scope that would stay on it was a Burris.
 
From what I understand, the Burris has the same eye relief regardless of focal distance, where as the Leupold doesn't, I think Leupold has a variable eye relief. Annoying.

Also, Burris is less expensive, has Posilock, scratch-proof lenses..

I think it's a no-brainer. Burris!
Albert
 
Go with Leupold for their customer service alone. My friend dropped his Leupod 3x9 right before hunting season. He didn't think Leupold would do anything since it was his fault but called them anyways. They told him to send the scope in and they would fix it.

He stated that it's going to be hunting season soon and asked if he could hold onto the scope until the season was over. Instead, Leupold told him NO. What they did even shocked me! They sent him a brand new scope to use while they fixed his!

Once the scope was finished, they sent it back to him and told him to keep both scopes! Now that's customer service!

I won't bash Burris publicly but I would never buy another scope from them DUE to their poor customer service.

I still have a couple of Burris scopes which are outstanding. However, when it comes time to buy a new scope, it's Leupold all the way.

[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited October 15, 2000).]
 
I would rule out any red dot scope because of the area the dot covers- rules out truly precision shots in a hunting application... ie, 3.5 moa dot covers ~3.5" at 100yds and ~7" at 200yds.

Buy the Leupold.
 
Thanks for the thoughts. Still looking for input on the "real" eye relief on these scopes. I'd like to be able to hold the scope a bit nearer my eye than one normally does with a two-handed grip. I want to be able to hold the forend with my left hand and put my left elbow against my chest/rib-cage. I find this a stable shooting platform when unable to shoot from a bench or improvised rest. Unfortunately, the eye-reliefe on some handgun scopes is too long to do this comfortably.

I understand the benefits of a red dot, but as has been pointed out, they lack precision. And even a 3MOA dot (and many are larger) begins to occlude too much of the target (e.g., a woodchuck) beyond 100 yards or so.
 
I have a Bushnell Trophy Series 2-6x32 on my Ten and a half inch Ruger NMSBH. I'm very happy with it.

Took up the shooting position you described and didn't have a problem getting a sight picture. Listed as an 18-26" relief, amber lenses, 1/4 MOA click adjustments. FOV @ 100yrds, 11ft @ 2x, 4ft @ 6x. Paid $169+tx a couple of years ago.

FWIW,

Sgt.K

skull.gif
Expect No Mercy
skull.gif
 
Since we're talking scopes, anybody have any experience with the zoom power Weaver scopes? I ordered one that's 2.5-8 power. Thought it would give some versatility for hunting, paper punching and silouettes. Red dots are quick, but I wanted more precision. Nice feeling of confidence knowing what your pistol is capable of. Of course I'd go w/red dot if competing IPSC open.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top