What scope(s) do you use on your Contenders ?
Who uses the cheaper models ?--Do they work ? How do they perform ? How do they hold-up ? What did ya pay for em' ?

Let's see what kind of answers we get on this one-Be honest...

Leupold VXIII 2.5-8, Leupold FXII, Weaver, Nikon, Bushnell Elite 3200, Burris 3-12. I've pretty much liquidated my T/C's but I've used all of these with good luck. I still use the Leupolds on my revolvers and would take them first, next would be Nikon, Weaver, Bushnell, and Burris. My list is based on personal experience looking at quality for the dollar and from hearing about others experiences with scopes. It seems the newer Burris stuff has had a much higher failure rate than the older stuff did which is why it's no longer second on my list.

I love my Burris scopes! My guns wear several fixed power models (5X, 7X and 10X), one XP-100 wears a 2-7X and the rest all have 3-12x32's.

Following that I have also used Weaver fixed power scopes on revolvers and Bushnell Trophy 2-6X scopes on everything from .22LRs to 45-70 handguns.

The Weavers are in the low to mid $100 range...usually in the $130-140 area. Weaver also makes a variable 2.5-8X or something like that....I've long wanted o try one but have not bought one yet.

The Bushnell Trophy 2-6X can be found used for around $125-140.

The Burris are all over the board in terms of used prices. Fixed power scopes can be had for anywhere from $120 to $200. The 2-7's bring $165 to $225. The 3-12's are from $275 to $325.

Being this close to hunting season I oughta keep my mouth shut but trust my gear and will speak anyhow. I have to yet to have a scope failure using any of the above optics. I use my guns, but do not abuse them. The optics are properly mounted...which IMO has more to do with potential failure than the scope make or model itself. Burris Signature rings on Weaver bases are used on most guns. Those without the Burris Sig rings have been meticulously lapped to assure proper ring alignment with the scope tube.

All of my T/C Contenders that I hunt with wear 2.5-8x32mm Leupolds except the 45-70 it has a 4x Leupold on it. I like the balance of eye relief, FOV, and light gathering of the Leupolds.

I don't have a contender...yet. But I do have Encores and I'm gathering your question is for the break open guns. The moderate to heavy recoilers have Burris, Bushnell (trophy & elite) and TC scopes. The low recoilers have rifle scopes with Nikon, Weaver, Clearidge, and Meuller on top.

I just upgraded my 2X Weaver with a 2.5X8 and I love it. It sets atop my 22lr Contender. I didn't have any complaints with the 2X, I just wanted more magnification for squirrel hunting. I'm like the others that have mentioned, I've used most all the brands above and have had extremely good luck with all. My personal favorite are the Burris'. That being said, I think the Weavers are the biggest bang for the buck. They have exceptional glass quality, are light weight and will not cause you to float a loan to get one.

I have put Leupold 4X on most all of my SSPs & revolvers recently. I still have a few with Bushnell Elite 2x6 scopes. I have one with the old B&L Elite 2x6 and one with the old tough Simmons variable.

I have tried Burris, Nikon & Weaver. I prefer the Leupold fixed or the Bushnell variables.

I used Burris, when I used pistol scopes.

Yep,me again,not to keep kickin'the proverbial"dead horse" but-Has anybody used the Ncstar or UAG scopes offered on one of the well known auction sites ? they are offered inexpensively and have warranties incl.
For some (I) on a budget these may be the way to go...
As to the cost-some may not want to admit their use-I'd like opinions. Thanks again in advance. Shane

A simple 2x Nikon.

I have a Ncstar 2X7 on my 22. It is ok for a 22 pistol. I had one of their red dots on my 41mag. That was until Monday. Even light loads through the 41 rattled it to the point it would not maintain an adjustment. Others may have different luck with them, but I am not overly impressed with them.

most of my encores and contenders have the T/C scopes on them and when I can find themI get the ones wiht the light crosshairs.

I have a few of the bushnell elete 3200 with firefly crosshairs and they are good but the crosshairs are alittle thick unless you are in heavy cover

I have used 2X EER Leupolds but found them to be too low in magnification for my hunting. My big game Contender barrels sport 4X EER Leupolds, never a problem in over twenty-five years hunting in all kinds of climates. My varmint tubes wear an old 2.5x7 Simmons (the good one), a 2.5x7 Burris and a 10X Burris. Cheap scopes are just that, cheap. On rimfire barrels or light-recoiling tubes they may be alright, but for barrels that deliver some recoil you will eventually regret using one.

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." Ben Franklin(?)


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Like most things, and especially with handgun scopes, you get what you pay for... I've used Leupold, Burris, and Bushnell with very good success. On my Contender's I mostly have Burris' mounted.

This is true. But I still have 3 Tasco 1.25-4x pistol scopes that I bought when I first got into 'Tenders some 15 years ago, $99 per. They currently ride a 10" Max, and 14" .375 Win and 45/70 Gov w/brake, can't break 'em and great glass and eye relief. I also have Weavers, Bushy's, Simmons and Burris on various guns and no failures. I once bought a gun with a Leupold VXIII on it and it was a nice scope but the eye relief didn't work for me so I sold it and bought 2 Weavers.

Contenders and Encores with recoil levels of 308 and lower get Burris 2X7's. Every thing else (460 S&W, 500 S&W and 50 Alaskan) gets Leupold M8-2X. Nothing but the "L" word has held up to the recoil of these guns.

I see through a B&L Elite variable, a Weaver 4X, a Burris variable, a B&L 4x. All have served me well for
years on many different guns.

I had a Leupold 4x on one of my super 14s, but at the slightest little movement, the scope "went black". I moved it all over the place, but never could get it adjusted right, so I traded it off. That was my only handgun experience with Leupold. I have used their rifle scopes with success.

Currently I have these...

Leupold 2x EER
Leupold 4x EER
Burris 2x7 EER

Trying to remember if I have others :p I really like them all but the 4x leupy sure has a small field of vision...

Leupold, Burris, Redfield are all good scopes. Its when you mount them on those heavy kickin handguns that you somtimes run into problems.My advice would be to get one of the best which is also one of the most expensive....Leupold. Good luck,JFS

As s4s4u stated, I also had very good luck with a Tasco. I bought a 2x in 1990, strapped it to a 30/30 win T/C and used it 5 years until changing it out for a Burris 2x7. I then put the Tasco on a Ruger BH 45lc and used it three years on there. It later moved to a Ruger Single Six where it sit for 8 years. Last year I gave to to a friend to mount it on his Ruger SRH 480. It has never had a problem and it's still kicking. It has the best eye relief and field of view of any handgun scope I've ever used. Keep in mind, that was an old model, $85 back then, don't know if later models are of that quality. I have a Burris 2x7 on my .308, Burris 2x on my SBHH 44 mag, a Nikon 2.5x8 monarch on my .475 linebaugh, a 2x Nikon monarch on a 30/30 win, a 2.5x8 Weaver on a 22lr and I've got a .270 win that will be sporting a Burris 3x12 when I get around to it. I don't own any leupolds. It not because of quality or price. Leupold has an extraordinary reputation for quality and customer service. I don't own one because the eye relief and field of view just don't work for me and I prefer a fine plex reticle as the other scopes I've mentioned has. I have had no problems with any of the scope I have or had, may just be lucky. I would suggest trying (looking through) several, if you can, before you buy. If you don't have that option, it's hard to go wrong with a Burris 2x7. JMO

I had a Burris on my 30-06 Lone eagle lasted about 10 shots. It now has a Leupold on it. I got the replacement Burris on my 45-70 BFR and it is holding up great. Go figure I did put everything with 3 rings now.

I have T/C 2-7 power on both 44 and 500 there great cant turn them up thow

Little help would a hogue hardwood grip hurt or help the 500 BFR ? any help please got a rubber hogue on 44 i like it.

dc74,
How do you like your T/C scope? I was thinking about putting one on my BFR 454.

very good scop like i said hard to turn up and hold steady even of a raest but great scope had one on 30/06 t/c encore held up great.

I blew a red dote out with my BFR 500 440 cast loads but the T/C holds up great got one on all hunguns right now

thanks for the info dc74. I think the T/C scope seems like a good choice. I have a Leupold 4x on my 460 XVR but wanted a variable on my BFR.

welcome Mike how do u like that 460 herd good things.

haven't got to shoot anything with it yet, but i really like it. i started reloading almost 2 yrs. ago & i wish i would have done it 10 yrs. ago. my 460 is the standard XVR model with the 8 3/8 in. bl. I am amazed how accurate it is. it seems to shoot everything very good that i have loaded for it.the best group i have shot with it measures 3/4 of an inch at 50 yds. and 1 1/4 in. at 100 yds. my 629 classic will equal this at 50 yds. but the 460 has more recoil. i'm impressed.