New Handgun Hunter

I am a long time hunter and a handgunner. I am working to become a handgun hunter. I have a Model 629 8 3/8 inch barrel and two scopes. I have a Burris 4X and a Leupold 2X scope. Which will be a better choice for hunting mule deer and what are some hunting loads for the .44? I think that 100 yards will be my absolute max.

Go with the 4X and load about any 240gr bullet. I have twin Ruger wheelguns...one has a 2X and the other has a 4X. The 4X is MUCH easier to shoot.

My .44 Mag pet load uses a 320gr cast bullet and H110. But 240gr loads are the staple .44 Mag recipe.

Oh.....and welcome!

I dont think youll go wrong with either scope but Im partial to a 2 power,but dont think for myself anything beats a red dot sight,Ive ha d excellent aaccuracy with a 270 gr Speer Deepcurl but I havent shot anything with that bullet tho.

I would go with the Leupond based on Size and I like the 2X better on wheel guns.

I would try a 240 XTP over 18.5 gr of 2400-- not a super hot load but it did shoot great in my 629's

_ if you want a little more pep you can go to 20 Gr-- but the accuracy fell off in my guns

Welcome to Handgunhunt.com!

First, Leupold Pistol scopes suck. Do not trust one for hunting. I had three (all sent form Leupold, replacing the previous one). Great rifle scopes, terrible pistol scopes.

Can't beat Burris. Have 4 and none have failed me (unlike the Leupold). 4X is plenty for a wheel gun.

My 2 cents worth.

Welcome aboard; I recommend the 2X on a revolver, for these reasons: Leupold, more forgiving eye relief and hence better for someone starting out, plus the 2 power being easier to use out to your 100 yards max, IMO.

As for hunting loads, if you are not a handloader, go with the better factory premium choices in 240 grain and up.

I personally favor the 2x over the 4x in a fixed power. I currently have a 2x Weaver and a variable power Bushnell. I think with practice the 2x will serve you well out to 100 yards.

I agree with Gregg. In my experience of using handgun scopes on handguns since 1978, none are more forgiving of eye position than the Leupold. I have 17 (both 2X and 4X)in service on various handguns at the moment. I have never broken one. I have had 2 Burris and 1 T/C scope fail during the last 30+ years. One Burris is back at their factory for the second time now.
Any manufacturer can produce something that fails. I have the utmost confidence in Leupold. Burris, not so much, but I don't want to start a @#$%^& ing contest here.
If you were hunting in the heavily wooded eastern U.S., there's no question I would recommend the 2X. It is almost certainly all the magnification you will need. It is also a bit lighter and more compact than the 4X Leupold and Burris. Your 8 3/8" S&W is already a bit bulky.
Since you are hunting Muleys in the West, the day may come when you are more comfortable with scopes and want a bit more magnification. That would be the day to move to the 4X in my opinion. In any event, the sensible maximum range for even a Master marksman with a .44 Mag is around 100 yards.
With regard to ammo, I use 23 gr. of 296, CCI 350's and 240 Sierra JHC's in my Smiths, to my complete satisfaction.

Thanks for your insight on scoped handguns. I will be hunting in New Mexico mostly in the open rolling plains part of the state. I will be working up a load for the 629 and I appreciate your help. It helps to know where to start.
I have a super blackhawk that I may put the 2X on and go with the 4X on the 629.

Listen to the gang, they know their stuff and, good luck.

i would use the 2 power in and wooded hunting and u should be set. shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot and your ready ...

Wow...lots of votes for the 2X. I have a tough time with that though. I've killed a lot of game with handguns (not nearly as much as some on here though) and have NEVER felt that a 4X is too much magnification. I've also never had game too close that finding it in the scope was a problem...and I've killed deer within 15ft.

I need to add that I do NOT shoot at moving game....EVER! Maybe the lesser power would help here but I'm not going to give it a try.

I guess we are the odd balls Dan, I have variable scopes on everything... Including both of my SRH's. LOL

I personally like 4x32 scopes better than the 2x20. The weaver 2x28 may be worth looking at but I have never shot anything that did well in low light with that small of an objective. I have a mount and red dot coming for my 629 that will be here tomorrow so I may be able to tell you how I like that after this weekend. It's nice to get opinions but since you have them both put the mount on and try them both and tell us what you think. I also like to not only shoot them at the range but go outside at dusk and see what you can make out. That first and last fifteen minutes of legal shooting hours are my most productive. If I can see and evaluate a target through the binoculars I want to be able to shoot it.

.....except for a running badger with an xp 100?.?

Eric, that is the reason I dont like the variable Weavers as much. My ultimate judge is a 4D Mag light with a red lens at night. Appropriate if you critter hunt at night like I do.

Personally,,,I would start with the 2x. You will see the gun shake much more with the 4x.

....at 40-ish yds......on a dead run....with a NXS 3.5-15X rifle scope....and offhand!

Dang......busted!! Yeah....I'll admit to that!! Still loved the look on Ernie's face! I'd like the chance to show him I could do it again. Hahaha!

I should have specified...I'd pop a round off at a varmint or small game that was on the move. On big game though....never.

The only scoped handgun I own is a contender in 30/30. The 4x32 is plenty for hunting as far out as I care to shoot at game. When punching paper for load development the 4x leaves much to be desired. I can see a variable in the near future.

That is exactly why I put them on my revolvers. I have become accustom to utilizing them on my TC’s for so long I just naturally put them on my SRH’s. On the flip side it is a compromise, or at least for me. I can crank them up at the range or on squirrels at 50 yards but I can still turn them down for low light situations or just off hand shooting. The compromise is that they weigh a little more. However, that is one of the reasons I have become so fond of the 3200 Bushnell 2-6 scopes, they are a variable with a 32 diameter bell, but they compact compared to most variables IMHO. You just need to find what works for you!!!