Recently I purchased a Ruger and want to start handgun hunting. I have been rifle hunting for years and regret selling a Ruger 44 mag years ago. I'm trying to decide between a Nikon 2.5x8x28mm Encore EER BDC and a Leupold FXII 2x20mm for my Ruger Bisley Hunter 44 mag. Any advise or comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

It is hard to beat a Leupy. I don't know about the other you mentioned, but size and weight should be of some matter. I don't know how often you would "need" 8x on a 44, I actually prefer 0x magnification on my wheelguns, although I still have an older 1.25-4x on my SRH 480.

"I" like the varables... along with what has already been said, I like the Bushnell 2-6. It is a good combo of weight and powed IMHO...

I think if you stick to the "top names" such as Leupy,Burris,Nikon and the top line Bushys you will be satisfied

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I am very new to this but one thing I noticed my first time shooting a scoped handgun is the huge difference in field of view between handgun scopes and rifle scopes. There is a chart on here that list information including fov, you should take a look at it.

Two important factors are - Price you are willing to pay & Range you will be shooting/hunting at. I like both scopes you mentioned.

Luepold, Bushnell, Weaver, I have had bad luck with Burris

This is why a low powered scope or red dot is so much easier to get on target as you can keep both eyes open and not worry about FOV. When you get up in X's, the FOV becomes more prevalent as you tend to look into the scope moreso than through it.

Pick the Leupold 2X for your .44 Mag.

Burris scopes, in general, have the most FOV of any handgun scope out there, including the Leupold. At least for the variable scopes. Not sure on the fixed power, as I prefer variable scopes.

I personally have no complaints with any of the Burris scopes I've owned.

My preferences for scopes on handguns generally runs towards Burris, but I also have had good results with other brands as well such as Leupold and Bushnell Elite and Trophy series.

Regards,
Rog

I have a couple nikons. on a revolver I do not think you would like the eye relief. they are great for the single shots though

On the Bisley Hunter in 44, I would prefer the Leupold 2X, especially given it's size, mounting position, FOV, expected ranges, etc

I have one on my Ruger .44

Ditto to what Tex said.

I have a 2x Leupold on a Bisely SBHH. Great combo. With a shooting rest deer sized game are well within range at 100+ yards. Personal preference is for Leupold and Nikon. That said I have dozens of scopes, rifle and pistol. All but one is Leupold. They are normally within a few dollars of the top of line from other manufactures. At that point might as well go for Leupold . Just sayin

Of the two, Leupold.

Thanks fot the feedback guys.

Decided on the Leupold 2X20mm.