OK, so I install a scope (cheap simons) for testing ring integrity on my 15" TC encore 500S&W. After 10 shots the scope has slid back in the rings about 1/2". So now I install four burris rings on weaver style mount. For added protection I add a dab of clear silicone RTV on the top and bottom ring. After 10 rounds fired the scope still moved 1/2" and the cross hairs are laying in a pile inside the scope.

So now what do I do?
Which scopes will stand up the the heavy recoil of this beast?

I'd like to think a Leupold would survive a 500 S&W but if it doesn't their warranty is bullet proof.

My score, 1 trashed Thompson/Center "Recoil Proof" scope (replaced free by Thompson/Center). Thompson/Center Duorings wouldn't hold it in place. Then I tried a Weaver base with 3 Burris Signature Elite rings with a Leupold 2X scope. The Leupold scope held up fine but the scope moved even with the turret up against one of the rings and even bent the aluminum Weaver base a bit.

A Bushnell Trophy handgun scope I had on a 460 S&W Magnum didn't hold up and Bushnell wouldn't honor their warranty saying the scope had been "abused" so I wouldn't recommend Bushnell.

My 500 S&W barrel is now at SSK Industries for the installation of a 6 screw T'SOB base with 4 rings and a 2-8X Leupold scope. The gun with 500 grain bullets is really pretty accurate so I felt I needed to solve the moving scope problem.

Burris and Leupolds will hold up to the recoil and the Burris rings aren't your problem either, but there's a little trick to using them. Make sure you alternate the bases since they use screws and not key locks. This prevents them from shifting since the shank on the screws is larger than the threaded portion. This will keep all of them from shifting in the same direction. They may move only once, but it'll be straight back and that's it. Then use bowling rosin in the rings to keep the scope from shifting.

I have two Leupolds mounted on my 500's, a 2x and a 4x. One of them wears three Jack Weigand Magnum aluminum rings. The other has four Burris Custom Zee rings and neither one of them has shifted. I have a Burris 3x-12x mounted on my 460S&W with four Burris Custom Zee rings and it hasn't shifted either. I had a scope mounted on the 8 3/8" model using four Jack Weigand Magnum aluminum rings but decided to go back to open sights with it. Shifting was not a problem with it either, the aluminum base was. It couldn't take the beating and he's changed to making it out of stainless steel now.

700gr slugs out of both of the S&W 500's hasn't caused any damage to the scopes or rings and nothings changed so I'd say my combo is good to go.


If you look closely at the bases on the S&W 500's you'll see what I mean about alternating them. The top photo of the 460S&W shows them all the same direction. I later had to alternate them also to keep the poi from shifting. Unless you buy rings with keyed bases you will need to do this.

I have a 2X Nikon Monarch mounted on my 500 revolver with stainless steel Weigand mounts and four aluminum rings.
It has held up very well.