Optics for Ruger Redhawk 44mag

New to handgun hunting and this forum. I am sure optics are a hot topic but I am not sure how to find info yet. I have a Ruger Redhawk 44mg 9.5 in barrel. My goal is to use this for some big game hunting...esp elk. My eyes aren't so good anymore. I am thinking I would need optics that will get me out to 150yds. I like the idea of red dot as I have used that on some smaller caliber handguns but only close range. Have only used traditional crosshair scopes on rifles. Any opinions anyone has on optics would be appreciated. Thanks, BCVS

There were several recent discussions here about max range on red dots and such that have some info you might find interesting, but here are my $0.02

Red dot range- If your eyes are good,the target contrast is good, and you have a good quality red dot with a small dot size and no smearing/bloom then 150 yards should be easy. If any one of those criteria are not met, then IMHO it would not be something I would use. In my experience, picking out a deer from the wooded background at dusk through an unmagnified red dot is not easy or guaranteed or even possible for me with my eyes.

Scopes- like anything, you get what you pay for. I run the variable mag leupold on most of my contenders. I found the low light performance (contrast and clarity) of the leupold to be the best IMHO and would expect the fixed mag scopes to be better. For 150 yards a 2x (discontinued i believe) or a 4x would work fine and help keep the cost down. I like the flexibility of the variable.

Karl?s logic is sound,....out to 150yds red dot is Ok, I like them personally. But in cover they do not give you a good look at any branches that may be in the way.

A 2x scope would be a good alternative, but then a good pair of bino?s will give you the info the red dot won?t.

Trapr

That 9.5" barrel is going to get you some additional velocity over the more common 7.5" variant however the bullet drop on a 44 mag starts to look a lot like a rainbow out beyond 120. I know that wasn't your question however if you are new to handgun hunting that is something to consider.

I agree with karl 100% out to about 100 yards a red dot sight works great. 100+ in less than full daylight and things start to get a bit dicey.

If you are considering your likely shots to be 75+ yards then I would opt for a 2x or 4x scope. Less than 75 then you are solidly in red dot territory.

Lastly, taking a 100 yard shot under field conditions is not an easy task. You are going to need a solid rest for sure. Look into something like a set of shooting sticks or tripod to help sure things up for longer shots. This is especially true if you have the additional weight of a scope on top of the gun. It also has the benefit of allowing you to adjust your shooting position a bit to optimize your position with the eye relief of the scope without compromising stability.

bcvs, I`ve used scopes all my hunt career as the red dots came out much later and I just could not enjoy them. You have used them already so there should`ent be any problem using on your 44, however, when talk of 150 yard targets a good variable comes into its own at that distance especially when hunting in the thick stuff..The photos show a large aoudad taken with scoped 41 at 70 yards while the other shows the only hunt I used a dot sight. I bought a Leupold Delta Point and installed on my FA`s 44. When the boar came in range and I looked through the sight I knew I would never use again. Kept zigzagging like a firefly.. That was my experience while yours may be different. Whatever your decision I wish you the best...

Where was the aoudad taken? Doesn't look like typical habitat in the background. Definitely something on my bucket list!

I use scopes on everything that will be shot past 50 yds. I can still see deer thru a pistol scope long after it is to dark for my red dot sight even at 50 yds. A 150 yd shot is a long poke with a 44 ,even in good light,with a GOOD rest, for an experienced shooter, in the woods with poor light, no way for me even with a scope. My fixed scopes start at 4x but I prefer variables.

Thanks a bunch for all the info! Very helpful! I will likely pursue the scope option. I have been looking for a more challenging option for elk hunting. Modern rifles and ammo/optics make it fairly easy to whack an elk at 500 yrds. I do bow hunt but find I suck at it so maybe the handgun will be the happy medium i'm looking for.

2x Leupold

One silver one blue

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/scopes-various.3990278/

I'm going to set up a long barreled casull for 200yds and I think a 2x would be ideal. Does anyone have experience with the 2x Burris with posilock?

I?ve used the 2x Burris without the posi-lock and it was a great scope. I have no experience with the posi-lock, but feel it?s a solution for a non-existing problem. That?s said, 2x would not be my choice for a 200 yard gun; a variable 2-6x, 2-7x, or 2.5x8 would be a much better choice.

What he said.

Thanks for the input guys. I much prefer a red dot but 200yds is on the distance threshold and it's hard to differentiate animals in very low light.

I killed four 2x Burris scopes on my 454 and 480 Encores. They would not take the recoil. The eye piece would fall off. I mean like laying on the floor after recoil.

I sent all four back in pieces.

I would go Leupold

Very good to know. Thanks for the heads up!

WILLICD76: 2X SCOPES GET DAMN NEAR USELESS PAST 75 YARDS, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A 2X, GET A GOOD VARIABLE.

Thanks for the insight. I like to keep things simple and I prefer fixed power optics. A red dot is good for me past 75yds so I can't imagine a 2x scope being worse. What I have trouble with is telling an animal from it's background in low light.

IF YOU WILL USE THIS CASULL FROM A STAND, WHERE YOU CAN GET A GOOD REST, AND WANT A FIXED POWER, TRY A 4X LEUPOLD.

When looking at purchasing a scope recently for my FA .454, a wise man told me if I didn't get a variable scope I would regret it. I think he's right and as far as this thread I would choose a scope over a dot unless my shots were all under 50 yards.

The wise man is the WVHitman in case you were wondering.

One way to look at the fixed vs variable scope debate......If you have a variable and do not want or need the extra magnification, you can simple turn it down to 2x. If you have a fixed 2x and want or need the extra magnification, you?re up a tree without variable.

By design, a fixed power scope is more durable. That said, I haven?t had any issues with quality variables. I used to have 2x fixed on all my scopes revolvers - they have all been replaced with 4x. Any handgun of mine that I would plan to stretch out over 100 yards wears a variable. Just my .02 cents on the topic - add .98 more cents to that you you might be able to get a cup of coffee.

A fixed 2x for me is worthless. 4x is better, and a 2.5-8 is the berries as long as you have a good rest.

I use a 2x like I do a red dot, 75 yards and under. You'll have the same issues at low light with the 2x as you do a red dot. That's my experience anyway. Best of luck with whatever you decide on. That's a great gun in a do all caliber.

For me, a variable is useless on a revolver, unless you're hunting out west where the .454's and .460's can stretch their legs. The .44Mag is a 125yd gun and for that a red dot or 2x is perfect. For scopes, it's Leupold, then Burris. For red dots, the UltraDot 30mm is hard to beat.

I wouldn?t say a variable is useless, but I wouldn?t say a 2x or red dot was either.

I agree with Craig a 44 is best inside 100-150, and a red dot works very well at those distances, as does a 2x. Having used red dots in competition and made shots out to 400 yards on 4moa targets, it simply takes practice.

Personally a 1-4x variable would be a great optic to run on a 44 revolver, having personally witnessed an accomplished Handgunner struggle to make a running shot on a buffalo, (he did wind up dropping it with one shot) being able to switch to 1x when the need arises would be nice. Having the ability to go up to 4x also would help with recognizing any obstructions that might be in the way when sitting in a stand.

Just my 02 cents............
Trapr

That's why I said "for me", because where I usually hunt, 75yds is a long shot and most are well under that. I've had a Burris 2-7x for years and have never found a suitable home for it. I've got a Burris 1-4x that's currently on a .357 for testing but will probably end up on the Dan Wesson .445. Why not, the damned thing is already four pounds.

I agree and think people get caught up on dot size, thinking they can't shoot small groups or small targets with a dot over a certain size. You just have to use the dot size to your advantage. For targets, you need one that you can consistently bracket the dot against. For critters, you can use different parts of the dot, not just "the dot".

Well said, Craig. I learned a very good lesson from my friend and well known Handgunner Jerry Michulek. Use the top of the dot, the middle of the dot and the bottom of the dot for different yardages and only illuminate the dot enough to see it on your current background or as conditions change.

Trapr

Yep! Most have a very good low setting but some I think could stand another notch or two lower.

I'd personally go with a red dot over a 2x scope.

Bigbrowndog or Craig44, could you provide a link or give an explanation on using the different parts of the dot? I've never had much luck shooting dots past 50 yards but what you're describing sounds like it could help.

Thanks.

I am Confused. I just got a weaver 2x28mm pistol scope for my redhawk. I don't know anything about pistol scopes but I thought it would magnify the target a little. On the contrary, the target is further away looking thru the scope than by the naked eye...and no I don't have it mounted backwards. Is that how it's supposed to be?

LATER: After putting 50 rnds thru with this scope I decided to return it. Some of you guys will say "I told you so" and you did. I need a little magnification. Ordered a Burris 2-7x32mm. We will see how that goes. Loving this gun tho!

You'll like the Burris variable.
I have two of them on Contenders. Good magnification and very clear with just the right eye relief. For me anyway.

John

Love the 2-7 burris, but eye relief shortens too much for a revolver imo.....for me personally.

Have a 2x burris on my redhawk since the late 80s. It stays. There are varying personal preferences.