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Author Topic: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W  (Read 1853 times)

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Offline carbinecasey

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Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« on: November 08, 2009, 05:02:01 PM »
Hello Everyone

I have aquired a practically new 500 S&W and I'm on a tight budget (Who isn't right now??), and I'm wanting to put a reasonably priced/good scope on the rifle. Any good suggestions? Red Dots? 4x32's? etc.... Let me know what would be good.

Carbinecasey
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Offline 26-t

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500S&W
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2009, 05:10:01 PM »
Nikon 2x7-32 prostaff shotgun scope#6308 .Ebay about $110 -120 .Buy a New,  not refurbed one, check to see if it is(new)most at the low price are refurbes. I posted some pics under the How hard  for 500 thread today. 26-t   ;D
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Offline searlock

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2009, 05:31:18 PM »
i have a bushnell banner 1.5 to 4.5 with 3.5 inches eye relief. i have 80 full power rounds thru it so far with no problems. i had it on my 375h&h for a while with no problems there either and it kicks harder than my 500 handi. i'm sure it isn't the best scope but it is a reasonably priced. i think it is a shotgun scope.
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Offline Wolfgang

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2009, 05:50:54 PM »
Check out Muellers offerings.  I have several of them and all have performed flawlessly even on the heavy recoiling stuff.   ;)
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Offline GatCat

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2009, 08:17:20 PM »
My favorite is the Leupold 2 1/2 fixed power. If you search around, should be able to find one for a bit over $100 if you are lucky. LOTS of eye relief, big field of vision, and life-time warranty. And, since more then likely, it will not be used on long-range gophers, it offers plenty of magnification for the purpose of the cartridge. Or, look for a similar Refield, or early, U.S. made Weaver in similar power ( a Weaver 3X would also be really nice ).
Mark
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2009, 12:44:57 AM »
CarbineCasey,
  I have several Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 scopes with the Circle-X reticle. I plan on mounting another one on my .500 Handi in just a few weeks. They run about $100 and IMO are hard to beat for the money. Do you plan on shooting the heavier loads through yours? If so, whatever scope you buy, you might consider lapping the rings and maybe even use some silicone sealant inside the rings to help secure the scope to them. Speaking of rings, with the .500, I wouldn't go too cheap with them. You'll end up more frustrated than ever. Hope this helps. :)

Let us know how it shoots!


Dinny
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Offline tykempster

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2009, 03:09:06 AM »
I'd look for an old Leupy M8.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2009, 04:30:41 AM »
The Bushnells require high mounts.  The Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 is the way to go.  Other brands aren't good values IMO.
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Offline Troyboy

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2009, 01:52:39 PM »
can't say about any of the other scopes but i can about the nikon. 2-7x32 monarch 150$ at a show and works great. I'm sure the prostaff is just as capable. Fixed 4x would work great too.
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Offline carbinecasey

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2009, 03:13:21 AM »
Quote from: Dinny on November 09, 2009, 12:44:57 AM
CarbineCasey,
  I have several Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 scopes with the Circle-X reticle. I plan on mounting another one on my .500 Handi in just a few weeks. They run about $100 and IMO are hard to beat for the money. Do you plan on shooting the heavier loads through yours? If so, whatever scope you buy, you might consider lapping the rings and maybe even use some silicone sealant inside the rings to help secure the scope to them. Speaking of rings, with the .500, I wouldn't go too cheap with them. You'll end up more frustrated than ever. Hope this helps. :)

Let us know how it shoots!

Dinny

Hey Dinny

I'll probably use factory loads until I get all my components in for reloading. I have been looking at several 3x9x40 scopes. Thanks for the information and thanks for all you do for us to preserve our freedom. My daughter and I thank you from our heart.

Carbinecasey


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Offline peternap

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2009, 03:51:45 AM »
That question is like asking about the best rifle for deer hunting ;D

I like Leupolds and have several of the shotgun/ml scopes. They aren't cheap though, just reasonable.

 Same thing with Nikon.

I have a Bushnell Banner in 2.5-4 that is indestructible, has a lifetime warranty and was on sale at Bass Pro for $69.00. Like most things, you may get it cheaper on Ebay if you are inclined to support anti gun organizations. I am NOT!

I think I saw a post somewhere on the net, where Greybeard or Ranchdog, stated they were sure the only difference between the Banner and Trophy was the Country of manufacture.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2009, 04:09:48 AM »
I love the Bushnells but they aren't great Handi scopes IMO.  You have to mount them too high.  I do use them on my Marlins.  The Nikon Prostaff can used med. rings.
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Offline peternap

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2009, 04:14:00 AM »
Quote from: Swampman on November 10, 2009, 04:09:48 AM
I love the Bushnells but they aren't great Handi scopes IMO.  You have to mount them too high.  I do use them on my Marlins.  The Nikon Prostaff can used med. rings.

Good point!
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Offline andrewtheelder38

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2009, 05:19:17 AM »
BEING A FRIGGING TIGHT WAD S.O.B......I HAVE TRIED A GOOD MANY SUPER CHEAP LOW BUDGET SCOPES IN MY DAY AND I MUST SAY THAT THE TASCO WORLD CLASS 1.5-5.4X32 SCOPES ARE PRETTY DARN CLEAR, ACCURATE AND RELIABLE.......AND WHAT THE HECK IF IT BREAKS YOU CAN BUY THREE OF THEM FOR THE PRICE OF ONE PRO STAFF

nIKONS I WILL ADMIT THOUGH ARE INCREDIBLY CLEAR GOOD OPTICS FOR THE MONEY

THE BUSHNELL ELITE 3200 SERIES ARE ALSO EXTREMELY HIGH QUALITY FOR LESS THAN 200 BUCKS I OWN JUST ONE OF THEM IT RIDES ON A .270 ULTRA COMP RIFLE
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2009, 06:02:43 AM »
The Prostaff is $110.00 to your door.  The .500 S&W is really hard on scopes.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2009, 06:18:23 AM »
Quote from: Swampman on November 12, 2009, 06:02:43 AM
The .500 S&W is really hard on scopes.

Eye brows too if eye relief is too short!!  :o  The Prostaff shotgun scope works fine for me even with the stoutest loads.  ;)

Tim
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Offline carbineman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2009, 01:42:56 PM »
Those 1-3x20mm Weaver scopes get my vote. You can find a good used one for 80-100 dollars. I also like the Leupold 1-4x20mm that sells for around $200 new. Lots of money I know but a lot of scope and mounting presents no problems.
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Offline peternap

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #17 on: November 13, 2009, 03:13:04 AM »
One cope you might want to look at, but very carefully is the SIMO.
I picked one up at the last gunshow fo 50 bucks because the show was rotten and the vendor hadn't made booth costs yet. It was supposed to retail for 120.00.

I've read reviews about how Pentax spent billions on a plant in China to make them.
Surprisingly, the 50mm scope is as clear as any of my Leupolds. 

I've only shot it a couple of times but they were on a Handi Ultra slug shooting very hot loads. Zero held and when I played with the adjustments, they were repeatable.

Some of the shooting was in a storm and the gun and scope got drenched. No fogging.

Put a piece of tape over the name and you have an impressive piece of glass.

Couple of things that worry me though.

They are made in China and I don't care how many billions Pentax spent, they are made in China.

The USA distributor is in California and I don't care how good the scopes are, the Distributor is in California.

They have a limited lifetime warranty but no other information. When I emailed the Distributor and asked what the limited lifetime warranty covered, I didn;t get a reply.

They don't have a phone number on their website.

The eyepiece is huge and takes extra high rings on the Handi.

I used AmEx to buy it because I get a year warranty through them.

Might be something to look at if it hold up. Just don't get them mixed up with Northstar which is unbelievable crap.
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Offline Tom Threetoes

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #18 on: November 13, 2009, 04:47:40 AM »
I also wanted a new scope for my little 45. The Weaver seemed like the perfect scope but I've not good experience with the Mead family of scopes (Simmons, Redfield, Weaver). The Weaver is supposedly made in Japan as opposed to the Phillipines for the others. It also has the largest field of view of most offerings and is the right size to look at home on the Handi Carbine. Another choice was the small Burris Timberline 2x7 but I'm not sure if the ring spacing would work on the Handi base, and I might have to use higher rings. The biggest problem was nobody had these scopes in stock to inspect. 
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #19 on: November 13, 2009, 05:31:02 AM »
The Burris will last about 30 shots and then it has to go back to the factory for crosshairs.  2 guys locally keep doing that.
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Offline Default

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #20 on: November 13, 2009, 05:39:57 AM »
Wally world keeps the nikon 4x32 for $98.00 and if the 500 can kill it then nikon will repair or replace it same as leupold.. Had one on a number of rifles with no ill effects and some of the best light gathering of any scope for what i deem a very reasonable price for the warranty and quality.


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Offline Swampman

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #21 on: November 13, 2009, 05:42:02 AM »
I've wondered about that scope since it's marked for rimfire use.  For $10.00 more I'd rather have the Nikon 2-7X32 I think.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline Default

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #22 on: November 13, 2009, 08:41:36 AM »
First rifle that Nikon 4x32 was attached to was a Ruger mini thirty and it sat on top of that rifle for a 1000+ rounds with no ill effects.. When the mini 30 got sold off it graced the top of various other rifles with alot more recoil then the semi auto x39 ... But i didnt know it was marked rimfire ... Well if that be the case then it makes a strong arguement for nikons quality even its their rimfire model heh  ;D


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"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free." ~Ronald Reagan

THE QUICKEST WAY TO ENSLAVE A PEOPLE IS TO DISARM THEM ~ George Mason

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #23 on: November 13, 2009, 09:03:06 AM »
Nikon only makes one 4x32 scope(50yd parallax setting) that I'm aware of, the rimfire model which has 4.1" eye relief which would be a good spec for the 500 if it would stand the recoil, their centerfire fixed power scope was a 4x40 Buckmasters(3.6" eye relief) which has been discontinued but can be had for about $100 on closeout. The Weaver 4x32 shotgun scope has a 100yd parallax setting and 3.5" eye relief is also discontinued, made in Japan and can be had for well under $100 on closeout, it's also a compact lightweight scope at under 9oz, I have them on my 243 Superlights, so I can't attest to their durability under high recoil. The Prostaff 2-7x32 Shotgun scope does work excellent on my 500S&W Handi tho.  ;)

Tim

http://www.nikonhunting.com/riflescopes-prostaff.html
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Offline peternap

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2009, 10:27:23 AM »
 sorry, wrong scope
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Offline John R.

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Re: Reasonable/Good scope for a 500 S&W
« Reply #25 on: November 16, 2009, 04:45:03 AM »
I've had no problems with my Burris 2 x 7 with German #4 reticle on my 500. As a matter of fact I read an article a while back recomending the Burris scopes, along with Leoupold's for heavy recoiling guns.
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