Being new to this forum, I'm interested in information about Handgun scopes. Seems the two major offerings are Burris and Leupold, although I've seen a few from Thompson, Nikon and others. I've got a Thompson Contender in 445 Super Mag, and also a Thompson Encore in 7-08. I'd like to scope both of these primarily for Hunting. I think I'd like to go with a fixed on the 445 and a variable on the 7-08. I'd like to get some feedback on best choices. Thanks in advance for any advice. (Posted this under optics but didn't get much feedback)....

I'd put a very light weight scope on the 445.... it will be more likely to stay in place on a hard kicker! I'd probably choose a 2x leupold.

Your 7-08 could make use of decent magnification, I'd look at the Burris 2X7 or 3X12 depending on hhow and where you will hunt with it....

mtnman

If you are looking for a less expensive alternative you could go with a Bushnell Trophy
2x6. I have one on my 308 Bellm Barrel & like it very much. You could also upgrade & go with the elite 3200 or 4200.

Rich Jake

For the Super Mag I would suggest the Leupold 2X. The .445 is not a long range round, and 2x is plenty out to 150 yards. The 2x Leupold is what have on my Contender .45-70, .44 Redhawk, .454 FA, and .50 AK Encore. For the 7mm-8 I would suggest the Leupold 2.5-8x. I have this scope on my Contender .309 JDJ, but this scope sat for many years and over a thousand rounds on the .45-70, where it was way more scope than needed, but it will hold up to any amount of recoil. All my scopes are held in SSK TSOB mounts-except for the Ruger-using either 3 or 4 rings. Four rings on the .309, 454, and .45-70 and 3 on the .50 AK. The reason I did not use 4 on the .50 AK was I switched to a wider ring (Warne) and only three fit, but they have as much surface contact as 4 of the other thinner style rings which were supplied by SSK.
I tried a Burris 1.5-4x EER PL on the .454 and it only lasted 15 shots. That was my first and last Burris.

A Leupold is always a good choice, that being said, I've sold my Leupold 2X and replaced it with Nikon 2X, the FOV is bigger and it's a brighter scope. I replaced a Leupold 4X with Burris 2-7X. I like the Burris, but had one fail on my 44 Mag barrel and it had to go back to the factory. A Nikon 2X sits on that barrel now. The repaired Burris is back in service. Leupolds have the best resale value if that is a concern. A used Nikon, if you can find one, can be a bargain.

Thanks for the feedback guys... I'll be heading to the gun show this weekend to see what I can find in the way of Leupolds... Had been left with Mixed reviews about the Burris reliability. Any idea on the warranty with the Nikon's? I'd be a little worried about going with anything that doesn't have a pretty strong warranty especially on the 445...

I would put a variable on both. The Bushnell Elite 3200 2x6 is reasonably priced and a good scope, the Burris 2x7 has a much larger field of view but it is a larger scope physically. A 2x just isn't powerful enough,IMHO, unless you're hunting in pretty open country or the game is quite large. I would put a Burris 3x12 on the 7-08. You can compare all the specs in one place in this article...

HandgunHunt.com - Scoping Your Hunting Handgun

I would go for a burris they are one of the best pistol scope made.I have started testing the Ncstar scopes to see how they hold up. The only bad thing about there 2x7 is the EER on 2-5 power is good but when you go to 6 and 7 power the EER is only about 12". The plan 4x has good EER and they are clear. I have used them on my Competitor 358 Win and 375 JRS the next gun they go on is my Contender in 45/70 and I will see how they hold up with this gun

True about the eye relief getting shorter with the Burris & Leupold & every other variable I've tried except for the Elite 3200. It stays constant on that scope but the FOV needs to be improved. I have the Elite 3200 on a Ruger 44 and it's about the right size, weight & power for a revolver. I also have a Leupold 2x on another Ruger 44 and would be a good choice if you hunt in situations where the game is close & moving quick - like hunting deer with dogs. The 3x12's eye relief doesn't shorten up much until you get to about 10x.

Went to the gun show today, and I've now got a Leupold 2x for the 445. I couldn't find anything that floated my boat for the 7-08. There was a 2.5x7 TC, but I wasn't impressed with the clarity. Since I couldn't find anything at the show I just ordered a Burris 3x12 from Bear Basin for the 7-08. What a great price, $281 shipped. Can't wait to get things mounted and start shooting these. Thanks for all the advice and comments.

It appears that I am a little late for my comments, but:
I own two Bushnell Trophy 2 x 6 scopes because the first one worked so well the decision to purchase the second was very easy.

The superior eye relief, and great illumination make them a serious competitor to other higher priced scopes.
I purchased mine through SWFA.com at $149.95 plus $10.00 shipping.

Granted that there is other scopes with slightly greater field of view, but they cost more than double of what I have invested.

The higher end Elite has more coatings on the lenses, and a titanium tube VS the aluminum.

I have owned other top end scopes that had very little advantage over the Bushnell Tropohy, and with this experience I will gravitate to the Bushnell camp in the future again.

Good luck with your new scopes.