Newbie with 454 needs scope help

I recently bought a raging bull in 454 i have never scoped a handgun before . I bought this pistol to hunt a Russian Boar it kind of a life goal. But after talking to several people about boar hunting i think i should scope my pistol,and i don't know anything about it so i'm looking for advice

Thanks
Billy Ray

Billy Ray,

First and foremost, welcome to Handgun Hunt! Now to your question, it depends on what style of boar hunting you'll be doing - if you plan on still or stand hunting, a scope may be just what you need for those longer shots (fixed or variable). If you plan to chase the boars with dogs, scrap the standard scope or go with a red dot variety for quick shooting in close quarters.

Personally, I prefer scopes on my hunting pistols, but there is something classic about a "naked" revolver.


Best of luck, and let us know how you do!

SChunter is right it really depends on the kind of hunt. With that said you can always just stick with iron sights but limit your shots accordingly. Early and late in the day the irons are hard, if not impossible to see. For me 50 yards is about the maximum range depending on the situation. I did kill a doe this year at about 65 but that was a long shot.

For Boar Hunting I would opt for a Leupold 2x or 4x. I would even consider a Red Dot or Holo Sight dependig on the distances and the terrane you are hunting in and your skill.
Out hear where I live you can get shots on hogs out to 200 yards or more.
With the 454 I would keep my shot to 150yards or less.
I have 4x on both of my 454s and a Holo Sight on my 44mag

What SC Said

I like scopes on guns that I will have time to view the target and find the target in the scope. For quick pull up and shoot shots a will take open sights every time. I limit my shots with the open sights to 50 yards or so. With a scope and a rest I will shoot my wheel guns out to about 100 yards. I killed my first pig with an open sight S&W 4" Model 29. I have since shot them with both scoped and open sight guns. The scoped route seems a bit easier for me but you need--time to aim--. With the open sight gun and a lot of range time you can do very well.

As for the 454 I would use a loaded down 250 XTP it is still very strong and will help with recoil and second shot placement if required.

Thanks for all the info. For my first scope should i get a fixed or a variable power scope?I want to go with a leupold they have always seemed to work great on my rifles.

I like fixed on wheel guns and varible on the SSP's I would go with a 2X fixed

I would either go with the 4x or the 2.5x8. The variable is far more versatile but a little more money in the short run. In the long run you won't be disappointed with the variable.

The only fixed powder scope I have is on my Encore 11in 44 Mag and it is a 2X. I don’t plan on shooting it very far (50 yards,) and simply put a scope on it for a “sight picture.” I know we all have or own preferences, but I like the variable scopes.

Ditto on Gary's comments. I have a Variable Leupold on my 454 (and on my 460) - Great glass...

I will weigh-in to agree with the above comments. I have had 2X Leupolds on both my FA 454s. Just upgraded one to 4X for comparison. Because my eyes are not that good anymore, I plan to move to 4X on most of my revolvers. However, the field of view is reduced, and any movement is more noticeable. Thus, I would recommend the 2X for a new handgun shooter. I have been well served by the Leupolds & prefer them. However, I also have used fixed power Burris with no complaints.

I had a Bushnell 3200 2-6 on my SRH Casull, and although I only had the gun for a few months, the scope held up just fine. Now I have one of those same scopes on my .460 S&W Mag and several other revolvers. They are a good quality scope.

Welcome to the board.I've got the 2-8 Leupold on my 454 Raging Bull. Works great and is one of the best pistol scopes there is.

The advice you have gotten is solid the only thing I'd add is that if you are new to using scoped handguns and your shots will be under 100 yds then the 2x will give you faster target aquisition but the 4x will be more versatile with practice and like Gary said the other option which adds even more versatility is the 2.5-8 and Leupold in my opinion is the best glass you can buy, it is more compact and lighter than the burris and has a better performance record but depending on your budget dropping down to the Burris, Nikon or Bushnell isn't a bad thing as they are all good scopes but as I've said numerous times the Leupold is the best but you pay for what you get.