brand new to handgun hunting

I'm just starting out. Ive got a ruger .44 mag superblackhawk hunter with a leupold fixed 2x eer scope. The scope seems to make everthing 2x smaller. I can not get any accuracy at 20 yards. I want to hunt hogs and deer, my longest shot would be 50 yards on a deer, and anything from a 30 yard to stepping on a hog. I need something tha has quick target acquisition. Any help is appriciated. Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been using an Ultradot 30 (red dot) on my .475 for a couple of years now and couldn't be happier. It is much easier and faster for me to acquire than a scope, and it is great in low-light situations. Plus, it's reasonably priced ($139.00 shipped), has a lifetime warranty and it can handle big recoil without missing a beat.

Welcome, david. Whitworth is exactly right, for the fastest targer acquisition, a red dot of some type would be the best thing besides the iron sights. A scope on a handgun takes some getting use to. It's a little different than a r!$@e scope, and takes much more practise and experience to "master". I'm not sure what your problem is with the accuracy. I have prudy much the same setup and mine shoots purdy good at 50 yards!

I have the Ultra Dot 30 on my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter .45 and love it.

Welcome aboard David. I think you need to focus on why you're not getting the accuracy you want even at 20 yards before you start replacing optics. Make sure all of the mounting screws are snug is step one. It should be pretty obvious if they are not on the Hunter.

The target acquisition problem will largely go away after a lot of practice. You can run some drills in your living room or outside by making sure the gun is unloaded and bring the gun up acquire a target, cock it, then dry fire. Repeat for 15-20 minutes every day for the next month. You'll get better.

For a live ammo drill to diagnose any technique issues load the gun and with 4 rounds skipping only one chamber vs. leaving 2 consecutive chambers empty. Give the cylinder a good spin with out watching so you don't know where the live rounds are and close the gate. Now start shooting, any flinches will be very apparent. You can also have a buddy load the gun with out you watching with any number of cartridges and perform the same drill.

The next thing to consider is what ammo you're using. Is it accurate for someone else shooting your gun? Some ammo just doesn't shoot worth a crap. I have seen very poor accuracy from some brands.

The 2x Leupold is a good scope for a beginner because it doesn't amplify the wobble too much. At the distances you're considering it should serve you well. I've been using the 2x Leupold off and on in certain situations for more than 25 years.

Thanks for the info, I have the scope mounted correctly and 20/20 vision. Every thing looks twice as small thru the scope compared to the naked eye. Is this normal with a handgun scope?

It's normal for the low power scopes. You're right the 2x does give that appearance. The manufacturers really just round off the magnification factor. A 2x might be 1.7x for one company and 2.2x for another. Once nice thing about the 2x Leupold is that it provides a very good field of view. It is best used when you'll be hunting in relatively open terrain or if shots will be close with a limited amount of cover & brush between you and the target.

You are getting good advice David! Gary knows what he is talking about!

Welcome to HHM David!!!

2X scope and everything appears 2X smaller.

David, I don't mean to insult you but I have to ask...
You didn't by chance install the scope backwards did you?

welcome dave i would try a red dot of some type i use one and
like it very much.
larry

Try screwing the eyepiece out a bit (counterclockwise). It will increase the magnification a bit on the 2X Leupold. It will also affect the sharpness of the crosshair, so it may take a bit of testing. Scopes and red dots do take a bit of practice.I've been using them on handguns for 30 years, and they're faster than iron sights for me.

Excellent suggestion 500WE, I had forgotten about that.

At the distances you are suggesting,50 yards,have you tried the irons?For me, I found for quick shooting that irons were easier.Now I tried a scope but had difficulties acquiring the correct sight picture if the target was moving at all.I have played with a red dot and if my eyes ever get to where irons won't cut it the red dot does a good job.Again JMO!

Here's my old set up -- Redfield rings have since been replaced by Ruger rings after destroying them. This is a custom Super Redhawk in .475 Linebaugh (5-shot). The Ultradot 30 works exceedingly well. The group was shot at 50 yards.