Got the 500 S&W. Got it from my kids for my 50th bithday. They said a big 50 for your big 50 "Happy birthday" . What great kids. Need ideas on scope and mounts for it. I don't know much about this hand gun hunting. So what should i use bases and rings, and scope. Thanks Maddog

I have put Warne base and rings on my SW 500 8 3/8" Bll and SW 500-PC 6.5" and PC 10.5",they have worked great with no problems.Leupold scope 4x EER.

Sean

My, what fine children you have raised! As for scopes why mess with anything less than Leupold? As to power, that depends on what you plan to hunt and at what range. Even a 2x can be too much if the game presents a close range shot. Have you considered a red dot sight? I did some hunting with the original Aimpoint back in the 80's. They seem to have come a long way since then. Good hunting!

I have a Ultra dot on my 500 Mag with the 8 3/8 barrel. I have well over 2000 rounds through it with the red-dot and it is holding up good.

As for scopes, I am a Leupold man, but I just don't like the Leupold pistol scopes. Hard to believe, but I find the Bushnell handgun scopes to work better for me. I got get the black out I get from Leupold handgun scopes. I have a Bushnell 2X6X32mm on my 460 Mag and I had a Bushnell 2X6X32 on my BFR in 500 Mag.

I have a 2x Leupold mounted on my 500 and it is great. I initially had it mounted in a Weaver mount and rings though and they were junk. They could not stand up to heavy loads at all. I have heard good things about the Warne stuff but I got a recommendation about an outfit here in PA that makes mounts and rings. They are called Weigand and that stuff is really nice. I am all outfitted with that now and it is rack solid. In addition, they have really helpful customer service and fast shipping.

Thanks All. Keep it going and thanks for the education...
Maddog

WunderDog what rings did you get? They show a weaver type with that Stainless base. But i take it they maby make it at Weigandand the rings too. am I correct... Maddog

Warne rings---good! Ultra Dot one of the few red dots to take recoil. Best combo yet.

I'm using a Warne base and Weaver 4X on my S&W. At first I was going to go with a Burris or Leupold, but I got a great deal on the Weaver. After 800 rounds of heavy 440s, everything has held-up fine.

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

I'll vote for the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6X32, have one on my .500 8 3/8". Haven't shot it that much but the scope is flawless. It is mounted on the Warne base in Warne QD rings.

I got the magnum rings from Weigand in addition to the stainless base. It is quite the setup. I went the extra mile and went with four rings. I shoot some pretty heavy loads and don't EVER want this thing to start moving. I also didn't feel bad about the added weight as it will help soak up some of the thumping.

Wunderdog you got PM...

I put a Leupole 2X on mine and I like to shoot those 270gr bullets to a plate at 200 yds. I've shot some heavy loads and never had a problem with it.

Here's another consideration from two Bianchi Cup winners. Take a look at the reticles in these scopes-- http://www.rapidreticle.com

Weigand makes very good stuff and I use a lot of it. I only use 2 Warne rings on my .475 and nothing moves. The only scope I had trouble with was the Burris 2-1/2 to 7 on a Ruger with Ruger rings. I lapped the rings after the scope slipped. I tried tape and rosin but the scope tube was torn up after a few shots with a .44 magnum. The tube is dead soft too.
Besides this one scope slipping, none of the others have moved, but I have blown the guts out of a lot of scopes and red dots.
My biggest problem with most scopes is that they are too dark to find a deer in, in the morning and evening. With both eyes on the deer I can't see a thing through the scope. My Leopold 4X was like a sewer pipe, ditto the 2X Tasco. My friends Weaver is much better. The Swift was the best, but I destroyed it before getting it sighted in. I will stick with the Ultra Dot for hunting. You will only know if a scope works by taking it into the field and hunting with it. If you only shoot with the sun full up on the range, you will be disappointed if you go hunting. Most EER scopes do not gather enough light.

The Leupold 1-Piece [Dual-Dovetail Handgun Base S&W K, L, N Frame (Pre-Drilled and Tapped)] with Leupold rings will actually fit on the S&W X frame. A lot more compact than some of the rigs you see mounted on the 500.

I bought a 500 S&W and originally used the above base to mount a Burris 2X7 variable handgun scope.

Hated the scope. Crank it above 4X and you had problems with eye relief (had to pull the pistol a foot toward your face just to see anything). Finally got rid of the Burris -- last Burris I will ever own -- and bought a Leupold fixed 2X hand gun scope.

The Leupold weighed less, had good brilliance, and fixed the eye relief problem. That is what I now have mounted on the 500 and I have put 500 to 600 rounds through the weapon and have had no problems witht he scope.

Barstooler