I am interested in hunting whitetail deer with a 44 mag encore pistol. What type of sight do you recommend for a first time handgun hunter?

2x Leupold or Burris should work great.

Thanks

I'd go variable (2-6X or 2-7X) or fixed 4X.

I like fixed power scopes. I recommend the 2X for field of view or the 4X if you can get comfortable with it.

I'd recommend 4X.

Looks like it is unanimous. You need a fixed variable 2,4,8,12x ;-)

Everybody has their preference, established over years of hunting and shooting. I have all of the above on various guns and they all work fine. My only suggestion is if you are a newby get little to no magnification to begin with. As you learn how to acquire your target you will become more comfortable with magnification which will help with shot placement on longer targets.

A good red dot or 2x scope is great to start with, IMHO.

Now you do realize I did not give my preference, right?

When I started out handgun hunting with a S&W 29 I had it topped with a 2x Leupold. I'm so glad I did as my next scope was a 4x on a 30-30 tube and I was not ready for the loss of field of view.

Starting with the 2x, I feel, with a 44mag tube is just right. After you get used to it you can start playing around.

IMO....a big FOV is important if you like to shoot moving game or just don't like to practice.

I NEVER shoot moving big game animals so the wide FOV is not critical to me.

As for practice, if you spend TIME "pointing" the gun by picking out targets and placing the optic between your eye and the target (rather than looking through the scope then finding the target) you will be fine with the 4X scopes.

Again, IMO, being able to precisely aim with the increased magnification outweighs the wider FOV.

That is the key. Look through the scope, as if it were a window, not into it. I shoot with both eyes open, even with 4x optics. It helps immensely with target acquisition.

Excellent description.

Excellent advice!

Today is a good day for advice...

What did we eat for breakfast?

Of course, it could be the Vicodin I am on as well...

A good 2~6 variable power scope is a great place to start. Start on the low power and get good at target acquisition. Practice, practice, and practice... oh did I mention practice? Then if a little more power is needed turn the ring.




Right on!! Most of my revolters wear 4X scopes and I shoot with both eyes open.

I have READ on here That SOME of The LOCAL'S Actually
POINT AND AIM at the TV Just For FUN !!!!!!!

MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOADED !!

I shoot revolvers in 44 mag and I have 2X scopes on them. The 2X is (in MHO)just right for the 44's 300 gr. bullet path. I like the Burris over the Leopold as the Burris seems to have a bigger field of view.
Flyrodder

Check out the weaver 2x28. the 28mm objective makes a little larger exit pupil than a 20mm which helps with target acquisition as well.