So after 8 years of wanting a Freedom Arms Model 83 my 7.5" .475 Premier Grade finally came in last week! Ordered with the Black Micarta grips, Lovell scope mount, polished and jeweled hammer and trigger, honed action with trigger pull set to 3lbs, trigger over travel screw, and to ensure I will never sell this work of art I had my name engraved on the back strap.

I have a Leupold FX-II 4x28 scope on my Ruger Bisley Hunter that I have become accustom to. No problems with finding the eyebox off hand and I can hold it steady enough for 75 yard Silhouette shots (at least for the first few shots). I am having a hard time deciding on one of the two following scopes for the FA. Either the FX-II 2x20 or the VX-3 2.5-8x32. I dont see the need for any power over 4x but I do like the added field of view from the VX-3 over the 2x and 4x fixed scope's. I also like the flexibility of having 2.5 through 4 power available and the higher power for scoping out the range. Some of the arguments against the VX-3 are the added weight and size (that can also cause the scope to slide in the rings as well) and more parts that can break. The price difference is not a big concern.

I had a VX-3 on a Ruger SRH 454 with a 9.5" barrel (heavy gun). It was the only scope that I didnt break on that gun. I did have a problem with the scope sliding in the rings.

So, I have gone back and forth trying to weigh the options and I am leaning to the VX-3. Thoughts?

I'm not a scope guy when it comes to handguns so I cannot offer you any worthwhile advice. That said, how dare you tell us about your new FA83 and not post any pictures! Let's see it!!

Here in CA, even after my 3 1/2 month wait after ordering the gun, I now have to wait 10 days to pick it up. I had it in my hands last week when I did the DROS (CA Paperwork) and will be able to take it home next Saturday. If I get a chance I will stop by the gun shop and take a pic or two tomorrow! Im telling ya, if sex was a gun, I held it in my hands last week.

I'm sure you will practice with it quite a bit. Mount both scopes for a few sessions and then decide what is best on that work of art.

Thank you for humoring me!!

I have a leupold 4x on mine and its held up well. Just for reference I shoot a 425gr WFN @ 1425fps chronoed. Hope this helps.

The 2.5x8 is the only way to go if you ask me.

Dang, Gary, that scope's nearly as big as the revolver!

dstewart, great choice on gun and caliber, i love mine. The only thing i would have done different is gone with the TSOB mount and 3 or 4 rings.It's very strong and balances well in the hand. As far as scopes go your on the right track going with the Leupolds.
PS want to see some pics. never tier of looking at the FA's.

Well, Whitworth, there are other guns which make the scope look smaller:


And this is a lowly .44mag, a medium to small caliber these days...

But I do agree with Gary. The Leupold 2.5x8 is hard to beat. I would consider a fixed Leupold 4x for a really heavy recoiling gun though, such as the S&W 500mag. In hunting situations, I've never used more magnification that 4x anyway. I use 8x for competition but that's paper punching, not hunting...

Yep, thats kind of what it looks like. Except I opted to keep the iron front sight. Thanks for the pic, that helped my indecisive mind answer my second question as to silver or matt black.

I also agree with Gary....;)

Dstewart,

No pics to share from the iPhone, but my 10" barreled 83 in 454 wears the VX-III as well.

I have the Lovell mount and the FX-II 4X on the smaller framed M97.

Congrats on your long-awaited 475 - I've got a bad case of the wants.

While I do not have a 475, I have gone to 4X Leupolds on all of my FA revolvers (except one M97). I have a friend in Ohio who uses the 4Xs exclusively on all of his revolvers & single shots -- up to 50 Alaskan.

Since the 475 is not going to be a long range gun, the 4X will provide adequate magnification for the range of the caliber. I would opt for the smaller tube & put a 4X on it.

I currently have a Burris 2X on my FA .475 LB.



I plan to keep the scope on the revolver only long enough for load development. What I absolutely HATE about this setup is that the design of the FA hammer does not allow enough room for my thumb between the hammer and the scope. I think that this will be the case with any scope, not just the Burris, even with "high" rings. For this reason, I plan to either shoot it with iron sights or reinstall the JPoint after I settle on a load.


This will allow me to cock the gun without any problems. Another good option is the use of a red dot sight with a 30MM tube and the TSOB scope base. Most red dots are short enough that they could be slid forward so as not to interfere with hammer accessibility.


My .02 worth, good luck with whatever you decide!

Darrell H. ,would a hammer extension work with your scope setup?

Here ya go.









Edit, adding a few more pics.







Not the best pics in the world but I only had a few min of visitation. Next Saturday when the all knowing CA Gov says I can pick it up I will take some proper shots (photos too).


Compared the the Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter I am amazed how light the FA is.

I know you guys all seem to be big fans of the leupold scopes (and I am not saying that is a bad thing) but have any of you tried a Burris 1.5-4 power? I currently have a burris 2-7 on my super black hawk 45 colt, and would have to agree that 4 power is about the most I usually use in hunting and most shooting situations. This brought me to the conclusion that, theoretically speaking, the 1.5-4 should be the ticket. I have not gotten to play with one though. I would think the posi-lock version should stand up to heavy recoil like 475 and 454s. Any thoughts?

dstewart, that is a beautiful piece!. I have contacted FA and a couple of dealers about ordering a model 83 premier in 454. Its tough to get the gumption to give the "OK" to order it at $2425, but it helps by looking at other peoples beauties like that one! ... I think I may have to just bite the bullet!

Hi John, yes a hammer extension would definitely work.

dstewart, that is a beautiful revolver. Congratulations!!!

I have looked at the Burris scopes. The 1.5-4 would be the perfect variable power but that particular scope is ugly and too long IMHO. The Leupolds seem to be lighter then the Burris for comparable models as well. I have had great luck with the Leupolds and have a 4x on my RSBH now, I would really like to keep with the same manufacture for if nothing else aesthetics.

I have a silver VX-3 on order now. If I dont like it on the FA I can swap it out with the 4x from the Ruger. They dont give those VX-3's away do they!

I have heard a lot of bad things about the posi-lock's. Everything from changing the point of impact to totally going out... I don't use them on the two that I have.

I'd agree if I wanted a narrow dark field of view

To each his own... I have grown fond of the variable...

I would highly recommend the Leupold VX 3 4X scope for your .475. I have a 2X on my early 7 1/2", which is fine for woods applications and a 4X on my 9" version, which I consider to the more perfect all- arounder for this caliber. Compact, with moderate weight, and adequate magnification for the game hunted with a .475.

I second that. Fixed power = less parts to break. The .475 is a parts breaker. LOL

Well, I went with the 2.5-8x32 VX3.

Note, the visible groups in the target where shot from Bisley Hunter, not the FA.


And I am glad I did. I have the 4x28 fixed Leupold on my Bisley Hunter and the VX3 is just superior in every optical way. The eyebox is bigger, the eye relief is less critical, greater field of view and its brighter. I found the 6 power great at 50 yards with the block rest and it was nice to zoom in to 8 power to check out the hits. It also looks good. I also must complement FA on the quality of the Lovell scope mount. It matches the silver Leupold perfectly in finish, raises the scope slightly higher then the SSK T'SOB and frees up the hammer for my thumb, and the most amazing thing I noticed is I didnt have to adjust the windage but maybe 3 clicks with the brand new out of the box factory centred Leupold!

Link to a quick report of my first shots with the 475 and the Leupold scope here,
http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/74035/page/1#Post74035