Should I scope my .357, .44 or my .308? What scope should I use?

[NewYorkRifleMan]

I want to 'spice' up my Handi rifle and I'm thinking about scoping it. I'm leaning towards .44 because of the accuracy from the barrel with plain iron sights and I just love that report when the gun goes off. The .44 also really sends those bowling pins flying when I pop em'.

So what scope would you reccommend? The longest range I shoot is 100 yards but I normally shoot at 30-50 yards. Vast shooting land is limited here in these parts so I'm leaning towards a fixed magnifaction model. I like a matte finish and I'll put some Warne rings on them. Should I go with low or med rings for a straight stock?

I'm leaning towards these fixed 4x or 6x scopes. Which one should I go with for the .44? Thanks.


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" Well, we're not gonna let you just walk out of here "

[darat100]

New York

First, I would never put anything over a 4x if I was going to use a fixed power if your planning to be shooting a lot in the 30-50 yard range.  Just my personal preference. 

Second, what about something like a 2-7x ?  If you plan on such short shots, that 6x and even a 4x at times can really make it difficult to acquire a target quickly.  I have never had the money for a leupold or nikon, but I have a simmons prohunter 2-7 that is great for liking.  Works perfectly on my 357. 

Goood luck

[quickdtoo]

The Nikon Prostaff 4x32 is a rimfire scope, so I wouldn't opt for it. I agree with Josh, a 2-7x32 would be an excellent choice, I'd also take a look at GBO sponsor The Optic Zone before you end up paying more than you need to elsewhere.

Tim

http://theopticzone.com/

[Graybeard]

If you'll be scoping ONLY one of the three it should be the long range round aka the .308 as the other two are both relatively speakign short range guns in comparison and you can pretty much take advantage of their effective range using iron sights. You can't do that to the effective range of the .308 without a scope.

As to power range I'd go with a 2-7 on the .308 and if you scope either or both of the others the same or a fixed 4X would be fine.

[stimpylu32]

Another one to look at for the 357 or the 44 would be the Bushnell Banner in the 1.5 to 4.5 x 32 , they can be had for around $65 to $70 and are a good scope for the money .

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3294

stimpy

[midwayraider]

hey NYRIFLEMAN,
           I'VE GOT A .357 WITH A BUSHNELL 2.5 FIXED POWER SCOPE MOUNTED ON IT. I LOVE THE FIXED POWER SCOPE ON THIS GUN. MY OLDEST SON AND I SHOOT 12 INCH PEICES OF 4X4 POSTS THAT I HAVE PAINTED WHITE AND SET UP AT 75 ,100, 125, AND 140 YARDS . IN ORDER TO HIT THE ONE AT 140 YRDS, I HOLD THE CROSS HAIRS AT THE TOP AND IT HITS ABOUT CENTER OF THE POST. AT THE OTHER DISTANCES I HOLD DEAD ON. PUT A SCOPE ON THE .357 YOU HAVE AND YOU WILL LOVE IT. I CAN'T HARDLY WAIT TO GET A WHITETAIL IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF MINE . 

[quickdtoo]

I'm gonna give you a little more to chew on here!! A fixed power scope has more benefits on a Handi than just the wide field of view, the absence of the power ring makes mounting it lower much easier since hammer clearance will be the determining factor for ring height. If you haven't got the bases yet for the 44 and 357, I'd stay clear of the Weaver #82 unless you choose to mount a shotgun scope which can be mounted ahead of the hammer. The H&R rail is a much better choice as it has more cross slots and more importantly, a slot at the rear of the rail that the Weaver doesn't have. See the FAQs for the differences in scope rails.

Tim


The Banner 1½-4½x32 is a nice scope, but the large power ring will require high rings or hammer modification which isn't hard, but not for everyone. This Banner is mounted in medium Burris rings and the hammer spur has been shortened. Hammer modification info can be found in the FAQs.



Here's an example of a 2½x20 shotgun scope mounted in low rings on a Weaver #82 base, the flat spot on the rear of the base makes room for the ocular bell, but to do this, you need a scope with 4-5" of eye relief.

[McLernon]

I have a Weaver K6 and it's a very nice scope. Good for small game at 100 yards!!!!!!!!

Mc

[canon6]

I have receiver sights on two 357's(Rossi,NEF) and I am putting the same scope quickdtoo  has on a 357 Maxi I am building up.   HTH   Doug

[superdown]

i agree with greybeard on the long range setup . but the first thing you said was that you were leaning toward the 44 because of the accuracy you were getting from that barrel i assume you meant it was good so i will suggest you scope the barrel with the worst level accuracy over all good luck . superdown