Man, I learned a lot today about my 460. For this upcoming season, I have zeroed my Encore Pro Hunter 460 S&W at 3" high at 100 yards. Puts me right in there at 200 yards, and even 250 yards is doable. Past that is beyond my limits.... or so I thought!!!

I was at the range today with 2 guys, and started taking shots at a gong that is the size of a kill shot area on a deer. I hit it 7 out of 10 shots!!! I had to get the drop figured out, but after discovering I had to aim about 18" high, I was hitting the gong on a consistent basis!

My confidence went through the roof! I will be going again tomorrow, and hopefully a few more times this next week. I'll be concentrating on 300 yard groups, and see what we get. Our hunting season for elk starts September 1st, and I can't wait!!! If nothing else, practicing at 300 will make 200 seem like a walk in the park!

To be serious beyond this distance, it is obvious I will have to have some sort of mil dot scope. All I have now is the normal duplex, and have to estimate hold-over. With the proper optics, I think this gun still has something left in it!

Try a Leupold handgun scope with target knobs if you can. I run a bushnell elite with the old add on knobs to get me out there

If I may make a recommendation, check out this scope: Nikon Force XR
This is the scope I currently have on my 300 Win Mag barrel. It has a BDC reticle consisting of two circles on the bottom most crosshair for aiming at longer ranges. If you have this scope, you can go to Nikon's website to pull up their Spot On, in which you can input your bullet and muzzle velocity to calculate where to aim with those two circles.

For example, if you had that scope and sighted it in at 100 yards with the load you described in another thread (300 grain XTP-Mag at 1948 fps), you would have four aim points: crosshairs - 100 yards, first circle - 142 yards, second circle - 194 yards, point where crosshair thickens - 295 yards. You'd have more or less an aim point each for 100, 150, 200, and 300 yards.

Yeah TN, that is my go-to load. But I'm needing and increase in magnification. I have the 2.5-8x32 now, and at 300 yards, it is maxed out-- in my hands anyway. I don't want another scope that is going to max out 300. If I change it out, I want something capable of 500. Don't know that it is a practical "hunting" distance, but I want to know what the gun, and cartridge, can do. At this point, I know a 8x scope isn't going to help me. 8X gets me 300 yards, and I have that already.

I do fine out to the 300 yard mark, but at 400, I can't see it. And I'll be honest with you guys-- I don't trust anything but Leupold scopes. They are the ONLY scope that has never failed me. EVER.

So if I need to change brands, you're gonna have to be convincing.

The only handgun scope that I know of with a higher magnification is a Burris 3-12x32mm, which also has a ballistic reticle. Course, it's not a Leupold.

Can't blame you for wanting to stick with Leupold. That's what I've got on my Weatherby, and what my dad has on his. Don't know if I could convince you to get a Nikon or not, especially since you have far more experience with your Leupold than I have with my Nikon, but I can confidently say they are certainly another reliable brand to look into.

Thanks TN. I can tell you I won't be using Burris. Had a HORRIBLE experience with a Burris salesman when I lived in Greeley. Bought a Burris red dot type scope for my 460 XVR revolver because he said it could handle the recoil with no problem, and if not, it had a lifetime warranty anyway. Bought it, then blew it up in less than 10 shots. Took it back, and about had to kill the guy in order for him to give me my money back. Swore to him, and at him, that I'd never use another Burris product in my life.

That being said, I know there are some guys that stand by Burris. I won't be in that group though.

I've been doing some looking, and like ya said, there isn't much available past 8X out there right now. I'm gonna keep looking...

The only other option I can think of is a rifle scope, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to put one on your 460 barrel.

Um.... no. Not on a handgun like this. That would have "idiot ring" written all over it.

I bet Ernie would try it

I don't think he'd try it with a 460. I'm not putting my eye that close... EVER!

You know, funny thing, even though it has the long eye relief you'd expect in a handgun scope, my Nikon has rubber around the rear rim.