Scope blackout on the Contender

[longwinters]

I am sure you have noticed that with the long eye relief etc... with a pistol scope that it does not take much to black out the scope when your head location is off to one side or tother.  Any suggestions on how to line up faster and keep it clear when using the pistol for hunting?

Long

[Keith L]

The more you shoot the better you get at aligning the scope.  It is never as easy as it is with a rifle (at least for me), but the more I shoot scoped pistols the easier it is to get the target in a clear scope.  You might want to bring it up to shooting position when watching TV, or doing some other activity that lets you have hands and eyes free.  If you try it on the porch and live in town neighbors get nervous (I know from experience).

Have some fun with this, and good luck.

[Ken ONeill]

I agree with Keith. Also, a 2X Leupold is the most forgiving of eye position, of all the EER scopes. In 4X, the Leupold wins again, as compared to, say, a Burris, or other competitor. Of course this isn't much help if your T/C is in a long range varmint hunting caliber and requires more magnification than 2 or 4X to obtain maximum long range hitting ability.

[Gavinator]

 Kieth L hit it on the head, while looking at the target... bring the pistol up to see through the scope, don't stop looking at the target.
 Do not bring the pistol up and try to find the target in the scope.

[Redhawk1]

I agree with Keith. Also, a 2X Leupold is the most forgiving of eye position, of all the EER scopes. In 4X, the Leupold wins again, as compared to, say, a Burris, or other competitor. Of course this isn't much help if your T/C is in a long range varmint hunting caliber and requires more magnification than 2 or 4X to obtain maximum long range hitting ability.

I have had a bunch of Leupold 2X and 4X pistol scopes. I think that Leupold has the highest black out of all the handgun scopes. I had so much problems with black out, I sold them all. I have switched to Bushnell scopes and they are a lot more forgiving in the black out department. So I say I would have to disagree with you on the Leupold wins.

longwinters, what scope are you using?

[longwinters]

Bushnell Trophy.  It works ok, but maybe an Elite is worth looking at.

Long

[Redhawk1]

longwinters, that is what I use with a 2X6. You just have to practice as Keith L  said.

[MnMike]

If you are shooting lighter rounds, look at getting a long eye relief rifle scope. I have a 3X9 Bushnell on my .223 and it is much more forgiving than any pistol scope I have tried. The shooting position takes getting used to, but with less blackouts and a wider field of view, it is worth it. I wouldn't try it on much more than a .223 though. I don't look good with crescents on my forehead.

mike

[OLDHandgunner]

It's  PRACTICE,  PRACTICE,  PRACTICE. You'll find that the more you shoot these guns the better it gets. I have dozens of handguns with scopes of every make & size. When you take one out to shoot or hunt you shouldn't even have to think about seeing a black spot, it should be nothing but the reticle on the target. You'll see it does gets easier.

[Redhawk1]

It's  PRACTICE,  PRACTICE,  PRACTICE. You'll find that the more you shoot these guns the better it gets. I have dozens of handguns with scopes of every make & size. When you take one out to shoot or hunt you shouldn't even have to think about seeing a black spot, it should be nothing but the reticle on the target. You'll see it does gets easier.

Yes, practice is the key, but there are some scopes that are more forgiving in the black out department. I have been handgun hunting and shooting for 25 years now, and I have learned what work best for me and which scopes I don't like. I am a died had Leupold fan, but there 2X and 4X scopes are the worst in the black out department.

[OLDHandgunner]

Redhawk1
Me also. Have at least 6 or 8 Leupold 2x.  No 4x ( too much for hunting ). Have a few Burris with dots, the 1x with the dot is a fantastic deer scope. Have a few 2x-7x scopes, only use the higher powers for target & testing loads & the lower powers for hunting.

[Bullseye]

I used to have this problem 15 years ago when I first started using pistol scopes.  Do not have the problem anymore, so I assume I somehow found a way to cure the problem without doing anything specific.

I have used Burris, Leupold, Weaver, T/C, Tasco and Bushnell scopes over the years.  In my opinion the blackout was the easiest to avoid with the Leupold and the worse with the Tasco.

[neald]

I totaly agree with Kieth. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, then practice some more.
I had to giggle to myself about his practicing in town.
 I used to set at the back of my garage with  the lights off and bring my pistol up to the target. My target was the doorbell button on the neighbor accross the street. Then I started using the eletric meter on the house on the next block over. I worked on getting on target "formally" evry day for a couple of weeks till it just came up and I was on target. Then every time I opened the safe I would pull out the contender and bring it to bear on the meter three or four times, no matter what I opened the safe for.
 Neal

[Ken ONeill]

Redhawk 1: What works for me is obviously not what works for you. For me as I've said, the Leupold 2X is the most forgiving of all scopes, for eye position. When talking of 4X's, I favor the Leupold for the same reason. Different experiences, I suppose. As you say yours is, my experience is also fairly deep...nearly 50 years of handgunnung, 27 with scoped handguns, including years as a Bullseye (2X Leup and red-dots) and Metallic Silhouette shooter, both NRA and IHMSA.
For revolvers, I'll continue to favor the fixed Leupolds... I've got 10 to 12  each of the 2's and 4's in service now. For big-game single shots, where the shots are likely to be longer, and time likely to be not so critcal, I'll mostly continue to use  Bushnell 3200 2-6's or Burris 2-7's, and for long range varminting, Burris 3-12's. I also continue to use Ultra-Dots on a few close range woods type guns.

[Redhawk1]

Good for you. I am glad they work for you. But most of the guys I shoot with see, the same thing as I do.

[xphunter]

longwinters,
Let me echo the majority:  practice, practice, practice.
The majority of rounds I have shot when I had the 10x IER, the 3-9 Burris' and know when I shoot the 3-12's and even the high magnification rifle scope on SP's is usually at it's highest power.  With time you just learn the sweet spot.

[canyon-ghost]

  I've found it useful to turn the magnification back 2x when practicing. The scopes black out from position, that's true. I have a Weaver that will black out and also "White out" at the other end of the eye relief.  I'm not all that good, spend a lot of time on it though.