Looking for ideas. I shoot a Smith 460xvr with a 2x6x32 Simmons Prohunter on top. Having difficulty finding deer in scope with up close surprise encounters. Approx 25 yds. Had scope on 3X, I should have had it on 2X. Is there a way to shoot that distance and use the scope to cover the deers chest? Any ideas.

My brother blew a good buck Saturday due to his scope setting. He had some does come through at 75 yards or so, and turned up his Burris to 7X for a better look, and did not turn it back down. A Big Buck came out of no where at 25 yards moving fast, and he could not get on it at 7X. By the time he got the scope back on 2.5X he was over the fence and gone in the brush.

Advice:
01. Keep the scope set as low as possible. If you have a long shot and need more magnification, you probably have time to crank it up.
02. Use a scope like you are hunting with a lot to get used to finding targets in it. Set up a 617 S&W 22 with the same scope, and Hogue grip, and practice with it a lot. If this is not do-able, take your X Frame out in a hunting environment OFF SEASON and find targets at various ranges to aim at, and squeeze the trigger. If you are using a Trigger Stick, or Shoters Rest, take it with you and use it also. This will help break your gun in, it will help you finding targets, and help with using your rest to get comfortable with it. Do not worry about snapping a Smith. I have 3 Power Custom Combat Smiths. Ron Power put them on his machine after he got done and cycled the pistols double action 1500 times before I took them home.

My advise is to keep the scope on 2X except for sighting in, and carry 7x binoculars for looking. I am slowly replacing the scopes on my revolvers with red dots as I really don't need magnification for 100 yards shots and the dots are much quicker to targert and work better in low light.

Low power is the answer but not totally. You must keep both eyes open and on the animal just like a rifle. Close your left eye and forget finding anything.

+1

Thanks for the replies. Good info. Already bagged my second deer
with the 460. I love this gun. Looking for another tomorrow.
Safe hunting.

Good luck to you!

And practice!!!

Buy a set of snap caps and were them out. Set up targets on one side of the room and find them on the other. If you can do that finding a deer at 25 yards will be cake. If you really want to get good, start finding birds in flight threw your scope. It is hard, but you will be surprised how quickly you can find four legged targets after that.

JMHO

Duane

thats the beauty of a red dot ,you can keep both eyes open and follow the game!

I did see a set of rings on midwayusa once that had iron sights built in. You could use the irons for close stuff just over the scope.

I have a set of those rings like that. Scope is set up high and right under i can see teh iron sight. Works well i think.

Up close and moving is the reason I don't use scopes.I could shootem fine but most of my shooting situations were 20-50yards and deer passing through a lane,path or shooting hole.The red dot I have played with some was on whits guns and that would work better I believe.But like some one suggested binos are a big help,but sometimes in my area by the time you get the binos up and see the shot opportunity is gone,ah but thats hunting.

I couldn't agree more.

Cotton, I know exactly what you mean. Hunting eastern NC doesn't lend much time for glassing. And a scope is damn near impossible. I have a holosight on my Taurus Raging bull480 and I love it. It is accurate and in low light with it turned down to the lowest setting its perfect for those real early or late shots deep in NC woods and swamps. I carry both my contender and Raging bull to the stand as many of our shooting lanes are 2-300 yards long.

Exactly. Like I teach folks who get into handgunning. Forget closing one eye especially in close in situations. Both eyes focused on animal bring the scope into your line of sight. Its an easy thing to practice and makes for quick shots. With enough practice and muscle memory you will be able to keep the scope on a higher power such as 4-5. Practice in low light in your house on objects 30 feet away and out side at dusk.

Cottonstalk and I hunt the same areas and the red dot works like a charm especially in the thick stuff.

To each his own, I can find things threw a scope as fast as you can line up irons sights, but I have put the time in.

But that's the key, isn't it? You have to put in the time.

Your right on that TCMan,I got frustrated the first few times I took a scope and couldn't find the deer in it,I went back to what I knew instead of developing a new skill set.I didn't want to put in the time.As long as my eyes hold up,knock on wood,that what I am going to depend on with help from binos from time o time.

I think its a comfort thing some r great with open sights some r better with aiming system. i am better with scoped gun. my eyes blur up with open sights.

Do you know who makes the rings you have? Where did you find them? I have found some in aluminum. It takes 3 magnum steel rings to hold the scope on the 460. I fear the aluminums would not hold.
Thanks Bob