In trying to get my Freedom Arms 475 through South Africa into Zimbabwe I was advised it would be easier to convince the SAPS it was a "hunting revolver" if it had a scope.

So I called FA to order a scope and mount. I thought the 2x Leupold would be the best choice. I talked to the FA guy and he told me that when looking through the 2X Leupold it seemed that things looked Smaller. I have looked through them before and thought the same thing. He recommended I get the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6x. So I did. Also the Lovell mount.
Well we will see how she holds up.

I will pull the scope off when I get to Zimbabwe, and use the iron Express sights, but when I get back I just might mount the scope and shoot some pigs with it.

I was suprised he recommended the variable scope for a revolver with the recoil of the 475, but he indicated it would hold up.

You shouldn't have any trouble with the Elite 3200. However, I'd take my express open sights just in case I need them. Never know when a "scope faliure" will occur.

MS Hitman
I plan on using the iron sights in Zimbabwe.
I am just taking the scope on this hunt it clear SAPS easier.
When/if I use the scope on a hunt I will always have the iron sights and the tools necessary to change it back ovcer in the field.
Thanks for the info in the Elite 3200.

I use a Luepold straight 2X on my FA 83 .454 in Lovell mounts. Two years and thousands of rounds later- not one problem. I am extremely satisfied!

I mounted the scope on my FA 475 tonight. It looks and handles pretty good. I think I will sight it in and maybe shoot an animal or two with it in Zim before I take the scope off for shots on the BIG stuff.
I got a holster from FA that holds the revolver with scope attached. My FA has a 6" bbl, so even with the scope it is still pretty compact.

Do ya'll think I should use the 400 gr Hornady XTP or the Buffalo Bore 400 gr SP for plains game.
I will use BB 420 cast on the BIG stuff.

Just got back from the range after shooting the scoped 475 FA.
I started at 10 yards, hit paper with first shot, dialed toward the center, went to 25 yards hit paper high, dialed toward center, shooting off hand.
Went to 50 yards hit high dialed toward center. Started shooting with the gun reasting on a sand bag.
Last 3 shots with Hornady 400gr XTP hit cinter of a 1.5" circle.
Shot some 420 gr Buffalo Bore loads, needed 15 clicks down and 10 clicks right to hit center at 50 yards.

I like shooting the scoped 475 better than I thought I would. The extra weight of the scope cuts down the recoil quite a bit, about like a 44 Mag. Not bad at all.
Tried some fast shooting at 10 and 25 yards with the scope on 2x. Hits were all in the 6" bull.
At 50 yards setting the scope on 4 to 5x enables me to call my shots on the bull pretty good.

I think I like it.
I may try to shoot some plains game with the scope in Zim in March, before I take the scope off and install the iron sights for the big stuff.
I can't help it, I will feel like a wimp If I use a scope on a handgun for elephant or buff.

What do yall think???

I do know this, I will bust a pig or two at the deer lease when I get back from Africa... with the scope.

I think that you would be the last one I would qualify as whimp. Scope or not. Have a great hunt and come by the store with pictures when you get back.

Dick
Thanks, I will. After all when I get back from Africa I will need some deer and pig feed.