Advice to scope with a fixed power for variable scope on SRH

[Fort Valley Man]

I recently purchased a Ruger SRH with 7.5 bbl. I bought it to hunt deer and bear in the mountains of VA. Most shots will be within 50 yards, but could experience shots up to 75 yards. If I put a scope on the SRH, it will be my first scoped handgun. I have mixed emotions about scoping it, but I wanted some advice. Scope it or not? Good scopes are expensive.

Second question, if scoped, what brand of scope, a 2 or 4 power fixed scope, or a variable power. Please give me some advice from guys who hunt with their SRH.

Thanks!

 

[UmpquaCharlie]

Scope...Leupold 2x until you get some practice then go with fixed 4x...seconf choice would be a Burris Fastfire 3

 

[Bob R]

I would skip the scope and install a 30mm UltraDot. If your Ruger Factory 1" Rings are still new and unused Ruger will swap you a set of 30mm rings for them.

I have bagged 3 deer in the last 2 seasons with my 480 SRH with 30mm UltraDot, and could have filled my Antlerless ONLY Tag this year as well, but we lost a bunch of deer to Black Tongue and I decided not to shoot any doe's. I hunt from a Ladder Stand and have no plan to shoot past around 75 Yards.
I have 2 - 7 X Burris scopes on my Contended barrels. If I decide to take a deer with my 35 BullBerry barrel some time, I may very well put a 30mm UltraDot on it. Way more field of view, and I find the UltraDot easier to get on target.
http://www.ultradotwest.com/

Heather will fix you up.

Bob

 

[Roger in NC]

My vote is for a fixed 2x or 4x scope. I have a SRH with a Burris 2x7x32 variable on it. It has worked well, but I have found it unnecessary to use magnification beyond 4x. Most of my shots have been between 60 and 90 yards. Red dots are very popular, too. I'm just old school and rely on a good, steady rest and a tad of magnification. My next scope will be a 2x Leupold.

 

[Ken ONeill]

If you expect most of your shots to be between 50-75 yds. because of the terrain, I recommend a 2X Leupold. If you lived in the western US and expected most of your shots to be between say 55-110 yds, I'd recommend a 4X Leupold.

 

[cellar701]

For the hunting you describe get a 2x Leupold or Burris. Red dots are OK, but why mess with the electronics when you can go classic and simple?

Variables are tempting, but you won't need it for hunting in my opinion. I have a variable on my woods rifle, but where does it stay when I'm hunting? 3x.

If punching paper at 100 yds is important to you, then a variable might be worth it. JMHO

 

[don44]

I have a Leupold 2X on mine. Works good!

 

[CraigC]

A fixed 2x is plenty. A 4x would be too much, as would any variable. Just a lot more weight and bulk than is necessary.