I'm going to buy a fixed power scope for my 44 redhawk. I can't decide between a 2x and a 4x. I plan to hunt deer with it in open-ish hardwood that borders a hayfield.

Your thoughts and preferences. TIA.

I would go for the 4x for the open woods and feild that you are talking about, just because I think the 2x makes things look farther away than they are.

I'm with mrcasull on this one.

I have a couple of Leupold 2X and if I had to do it over again I would choose the 4X.

My only handgun scope is a 2x Burris on a 10 inch 357 magnum Contender barrel. I find that using a scope slows me down and requires a rest so next time I'll take the added precision of the 4x glass (and buy a Leupold). I played with the original Aimpoint on the Contender. Apart from reliance on batteries (and a battery cap) the current models seem much improved in every way. I wonder if a sturdy red dot wouldn't be better than the 2x for close range use? Good hunting!

I had a 4x Leopold it was a great scope but I found it difficult to hold free hand on target without going black. Consider a red dot easier to sight.

Thanks for the replies. I just bought a 2x Nikon - they were on sale at the local shop for $139. I looked at some others, but this seemed like a good scope at a good price. I've got a bunch of Nikon rifle scopes and had good luck with them. Anyway, its all mounted up and ready for the range. We'll see how it goes...

I have several scopes mounted on handguns and have found 2x to be great for .41, .44, .45, .357 handguns. On my contender I have 4x & 5x scopes on very flat shooting calibers .22 Hornent,.223,7mm TCU. I like the faster pickup, steader view of the 2x scopes on the big revolvers and I agree with the 75 yd rule. I used to shoot sihoulette pistol and I know the .44 will take down the ram at 200 yds but I still feel 75 is right for deer hunting maybe 100 if every thing is just perfect.

Feild of veiw is the other thing to concider when buying a scope as there are a few 2X scopes out there that have the same feild of veiw as some 4X scopes. As far as not holding a 4X as steady as a 2X scope they both hold the same, the only thing you notice is how much you shake at the higher power, you are in fact shaking just as much with the 2X scope. I bought a 2-7X Burris scope that is concidered by many to be too heavy and i probably won't use it hunting past 4-5X. I would have gotten the 1.5-4X Burris if it wasn't for the larger objective lens on the 2-7X which gives it greater light gathering. The extra weight dosn't bother me.