In the new Cabela's shooting catalog they have a Leupold 2.5x8 handgun scope for $399.99 and a Burris 2x7 for $379.99. This is going on my BFR 454. The field of view is larger on the Burris but the Leupold has a little smaller F.O.V. The Leupold weighs a little less than the Burris. Any opinions on quality or preference?

i'd check elsewhere, and also verify model of the 2x7 burris. i know you used to be able to get em new for around $250+shp. things have gone up some....but that is ridiculously high.

That's too much for either scope IMO. The Burris 2-7's can be had for $200 or less used.......

me n dan....same thought at the same time. i'm a lil tight....but dan is a skin flint tight wad....much worse than me.....lol!

That's questionable!!!

Here is a link to a refurbished Burris 2-7 for $217.00.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?con...x Reticle Matte

No one answered the question and its one I would like to hear some op's. Which scope is preferred?

I like the Leupy had it on a BFR45-70 no problem. Iv always liked Leupys but I have a couple of Burris with no problems. The burris has a better FOV.Leupy has better glass. Either one does great with in 20.00 go Leupy.

TheGame: kudos to your observation: "No one answered the question and its one I would like to hear some op's. Which scope is preferred?."

This is typical of these forums. The original posting is lost as "egos" and "I read this" or "a buddy said this" takes over but really the posters for the most part have no real experience,

BIG KUDOS to the posters that stay on subject and have REAL PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Imagine that!!!

Leupold is hands down the superior to Burris in any way shape of form in my opinion...I have owned six or more of each brand and speak from over all real world experiences.

Have a burris 2x7 with some kind of matte finish on it and it started to flake off on the outside and also seems to be flaking off on the inside of the scope as well. for the money i paid for it would expect better. I now have two 2.8x8 leupys and am totally happy with them dont think i would bye any other brand of scope now. One is on a 460 smith encore and its held up to everything i have put through it. Leupold all the way here.

Personally for the 454 I would lean toward a fixed power.
I have used Leupold 2x and 4x with good success.
For big game 4x is more than enough for the 454's capabilities on game distance wise.
As far as which variable is best/most durable, I would defer to Bob Baker at Freedom Arms.
He would be a good source for knowing which variables are lasting longer on his revolvers.

When I use a LER scope it is typically a Burris, since the total package that the Burris gives is better than the Leupold for real world LR field, big game and varmint use.
Leupold's glass is better, but there is no parallax adjustment and the power magnification is lacking for me.
Plus there are not any good reticle options.
I am saying this, and I am a big fan of several of their rifle scopes.
My style of shooting and hunting is different than many so my advice may not be the best for you.
FWIW-I have torn up about every major brand of pistol scope there is.

I have a Burris 2-7's on my 257 Rob AI, 270 Win, 8mm GNR, and a 375 H&H AI... Haven't had any problems and will never look back.

I have a 2~8 leupold on an XP100 in 35 remington. It's very clear and has held up well. The eye relife is long, as I have to hold the gun at arms length for clear sight picture. It has no parallax adjustment. I also have fixed 4X leupold scopes on a couple revolvers, 480 being one. No problems there either and I dropped it from waist height on a gravel driveway. Never lost zero. I like the fixed scopes on my revolvers as they are smaller than the 2~8 and less weight. Remember recoil is going to empart more force on the mount with a heavier scope.

I don't have a 2~7 Burris, but I have 3, 3~12 scopes and like them equally as well as the Leupold. They are a little cheaper in price, but still no failures and the one on the 243 Encore has seen some good knocks out hunting. The burris does have parallax adjustment and the eye relife is shorter, especially as the power goes up. That does not bother me as my arms are regular or maybe a little short in length.

The Leupold scopes are more in price than the Burris when new, and me being frugal lean towards the Burris when buying new. All of the Leupold scope I have were used, bought or traded.

I'm sure glad this post got back on track.........

Thanks for your opinions guys. The one thing that I do like about the Burris is the larger F.O.V. I have an older Burris 2x on my Smith 629 classic and I really like it. The glass looks very clear and good F.O.V.

I used the Leupold on a 454 revolver & it was too much. I wouldn't waste that much scope on it. You don't need any more than 4 or 5X. Leupold or Burris is splitting hairs but I think Leupold edges them out. Who's the guy w/all the "real world experience! w/an endless supply of scopes" & the burr under his saddle? Enough ego for everybody.

WHy I was asking is, I have an XP 100 R in 260 rem. (I know that lots of ppl dont even consider this a handgun.) I bought it new during remingtons short run several years ago and I put a cheap Tasco 2x4 pistol scope on it. After shooting 100 yd groups with it ever bit as good as my rifles and hitting a 6 inch square swinging steel target at 300 yards at will. I thought hmmm, this is worthy of a better scope with more mag.Ive been trying to make up my mind for years to no avail. I never owned a burris but have looked at their pistol scopes. I guess I just need a push in some dirrection.

Thats a tuffy. I lean toward Leupolds but there are plenty here who swear by Burris. Check out the Nikon too. Awsome glass. I've used/owned most of the name brands & haven't regretted buying them. Only selling them. Some of these XP guys are whacking them pretty far out. You could surely use some more magnification. My current variable is a Bushnell Elite 2-6X. The reticles are a bit thick for longer work. But I'm a revolver guy. Try used & save some money. That way if you don't like it you can get somthing else & get most of your money back. I doubt you'd be too disappointed w/any of them.

I sure do consider them a handgun. Most of my XP 100's and Strikers with decent recoil wear 3~12 Burris. I use them mostly for charlie hunting so it's a small target at medium to long range. If you are going to be hunting deer sized game out to 200 yards then the 2~8 power range scopes would give you all you need. Remember, just because the scope goes to 12X does not mean you can't tun it down. LOL

As an aside. I love XP's. Just haven't had time or funds.

Bingo, I looked at the specs. for the Bushnell Elite 3200 and if I'm right it has the smallest F.O.V. 10 ft. at 2x and 3 ft. at 6x. I would consider it if the F.O.V. was bigger.

I have a several Burris Rifle and Pistol Scopes and have no complaints. Great for the money and made in the USA.

You are right Mike. It works OK for me. But my ranges are all under 150 yards. Often 25-50. At the time I hunted the mid west & ranges were longer. I don't remember how it compares size wise. Too long on a revolver makes it cumbersome & ugly. I wanted the Burris 1.5-4X but it's longer than the 2-7X. Not too many variables in the mid range size. Weaver is the only other I can think of. I've no experiance w/their handgun scopes. For me 4-5X is all I'd need.

I like Leupold first, then the Bushnell Elite 3200, but also have 3 Burris scopes on single shot pistols.

I have been to the Burris factory on a personal tour and they are good scopes, but the Q was asking for our personal opinion. I have had to send 2 Burris scopes back for warranty, no Leupold and no Bushnells.

BTW bingo: the 4X Leupold might fit your fancy for a revolver, it is fairly compact and I like their looks on a revolver better than any Burris.

Leupold........

Want time to think James? LOL

Leupold!! - I have a 2.5 x 8 Leupold on my 7/30 Waters Contender and late one evening when I was climbing down the 7/30 fell out of my old holster and fell approx. 15' to the ground. It was unloaded and when I got down to it , it had a dent on the tube. Like to have broke my heart. The following day shot it to check zero it had never moved. It has been 8 years now and still no trouble with it at all. I have Leupold on most all of my Handguns in my opinion worth the investment.

another vote here for Leupold, esp. in the rifle scopes but pistol too in my experience. Best optics

I started out using Burris exclusively on all of my single shot handguns. I have about eight...I think. I sort of lost track. I have one Bushnell Elite 3200. I have five Leupold 2.5-8x scopes and a 4x Leupold. I have sent Burris scopes back for repair. I'll take the Leupold scopes. I started out a Burris man but when I can afford it I buy Leupold scopes. My single shots and revolvers use a mixture of all three manufacturers.

Recoil

Leupold - have several of the 2.5x8 models on revolvers, including one on a FA in 454. Great product and no regrets.

Thanks for the input guys.I think I will stick with the Leupold either in the 2.5x8 or a straight 4x. I have the 4x on my 460 XVR and I really like it. I think since I'm getting older I want more magnification. LOL ! The 2x was good 20 yrs. ago but I like the 4x better.Thanks again guys for your input. I sure don't want to sight in a pistol and have to send it back for repairs and go through it all over again. I'd rather be shooting my handgun then sighting it in once a yr.

Well I guess I better chime in too. I've got a Burris EER7X and 3-9AO eer with NO problems what so ever They're keepers.However not the case with 3 Burris 2-7eer on my encore barrels they've been back for repairs 3 times in 6 yrs. Plu I find eye relief is VERY critical on the burris scopes so if I could afford it I would go with Leopold. One Other worthy note is light gathering a friend sold all his burris scopes after not being able to see a bull elk at 75yds in dim light with the 2-7 eer but he could see it clearly with his naked eye All my rifle scopes are Leupold and love them.

My choice is Leupold. I have had good luck with them & now only mount 4X on my revolvers & new single shots. On the older ones I have a variety of scopes, but none are better than the Leupolds, IMHO.

Well it just so happens that the Leupold I like, VX III 2.5x8 x 32mm in matte is 549.00.