First time ever using a Forum. Just got a .44, have always used a 7-30 Waters in the past. Do you guys think a fixed 4X is excessive? Am I just going to see "brown" at 20yds and closer? Any suggestions??

Let me be the first to say welcome to the forum. I think you'll like it here.
As for the .44, is it a revolver, or specialty handgun, & what will you be hunting?
On my .44 revolver (S&W mod 29, 8&3/8 barrel) I have a red dot type sight & love it. I think it matches the effective range of the gun(75ish yds on moose).
If I was going to go with a fixed power scope it would probably be a 2x. My .444 Marlin Contender usually has a fixed 2x or sometimes 3x on it. Great field of view for quick target aquisition. Ofcourse, my country isn't wide open in most places, but I feel the 2x is adequate on the .444 out to 200yds on moose if duty calls. A low powered variable might be great on the Contender, but I'd stick with the 2x or red dot(my first choice) on a revolver.

I,too, am new to the forum and I use a 2X on my S&W 44 83/4" and find it plenty for hogs out to almost 100 yards.
Hope you have luck!!

welcome Thomas.
I'd love to go hog hunting sometime.

ARhunter,
Just like Vance and Thomas said, a 2X would probably be your best bet at close range. If you were planning on a long range caliber in the future a 2X7 variable might be the way you might want to go.
ARhunter and Thomas welcome to the forum.
Good Hunting.

Thanks for the input, 2x it is. The .44 is a Taurus with an 8 3/8 bbl. I sold my TC a few years ago, but my wife just got me the .44 for my Bday. I'm stuck in Bosnia until spring so I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

Welcome aboard fellas!! ARhunter...hope you return safely!!! As for the scope...I would prefer a 4X...but I face way more 75 yards shots than 20yd shots and could adjust accordingly. At 20 yards you would still be fine with a 4X and being able to determine where you were on a deer to shoot...but it would be harder to shoot a faster moving target with a 4X up close.

Most hunters around my property run dogs. So the deer don't sit still that long. Thats the main reason I'm leaning toward the 2X. When I get back I'll look through a few of them before I buy. Any of you ever have to go through 2 seasons without hunting? It makes you a little crazy!!

Welcome ARHunter and Merry Christmas. We pray for your safe return.
I hunt a lot of timber and small open spots in SE Oklahoma and I have tried both the 4x & 2x. I settled on a 2x on my 45-70 Contender for the same reason you had. Lot's of moving deer during the season due to people moving them and I have taken one doe at 120yd with it. Just found me a rest and put the x hairs where they needed to be. It is a Redfield and has a good field of view. I have the 4x on my 30 Herrett now and it seems to work well for the potential of the cartridge at the distances I use it. I just picked up a like new Encore in 7BR and it had a 2x Leupold on it. Talk about under scoped. Sure put a damper on the potential of the 7BR 15" barrel. It will be wearing a 2x6 or something in that range soon.
I hope reading some of the hunting stories on here helps you get through your not being able to hunt.
Take care.
Mike
Norman, OK

Welcome to our site. It's the best handgun hunting site on the net. Thank you for all you do for us. Being a retired sailor I know how tough it is to be away from home during the Christmas season. I hope you get home soon and get some hunting in! God bless.

Thanks guys, at least I should be back for turkey season. Too bad Arkansas won't let me use a handgun, guess I'll have to get out the bow. Any of you guys have any experience with Taurus handguns? I've heard good and bad. Do most of you put 2 or 3 rings on your scopes?