From hunting revolvers to lever action rifles, people are scoping their favorite .44 magnum firearm, and for good reason. This hard-hitting round is ideal for deer-sized game, wild hogs, small predators, self defense, and just about any other legitimate use a person might have for a basic knockabout rifle or handgun. Because we do feel lucky, we took a stab at different scopes for the .44 magnum- two for handguns and two for rifles.
Below are our recommendations for the four best .44 magnum scopes on the market:
Simmons ProHunter Handgun Scope
Great not only for .44 magnums but rifle-caliber rounds too. Don’t let the modest price fool you, this little fixed power gem has what it takes to get the job done. A basic 4-power optic with a 32mm objective lens, the ProHunter is perfect for .44 mag ranges, and offers more than enough magnification for hundred yard shots. If you need an affordable pistol scope, you really can’t go wrong here.
Leupold FX-II Handgun Scope (Pistol)
This is another fixed power handgun scope. The Leupold FX-II has four power magnification and a 28mm objective lens- fairly similar to the Simmons above, but worlds apart in quality. If you need a handgun scope that can not only handle the stout recoil of a .44 mag but also work in just about any circumstance you find yourself in, this would be the one.
Leupold has a long tradition of building top quality scopes at affordable prices, and have long been trusted by hunters and the military alike. The FX-II is perfect for your favorite revolver, or even use it as a scout scope on a easy-handling lever gun. Either way, it offers a crisp, clear sight picture that cannot be matched by any similar .44 magnum scope.
Weaver K4 Rifle Scope
One of the oldest, most venerable names in scopes is also one of the best scopes for the .44 magnum. The Weaver K4 is a time-proven optic, and has been used on everything from sniper rifles to target rifles. Built for larger centerfire rifles, you know it can handle anything the .44 mag can throw at it.
The simple, time-proven construction means you get a lot more robust optic than what you might ordinarily get at this price point. However, a 4×38 scope is nothing to sneeze at, as many deer and Nazis alike can attest to. Go ahead, stick it on your favorite .44 carbine, you’ll love it. Hands down, this is one of the best .44 magnum scopes around.
Redfield Revolution Rifle Scope
A 3-9×40 scope is as American as apple pie, complaining about politics, and the .44 magnum carbine or rifle you are going to mount this on. A time-proven configuration from a time proven company, the Redfield Revolution offers exactly the kind of variable power scope you need for your next deer hunt.
Built to be fog and shock proof, this scope is more than adequate for traditional rifle rounds, meaning it will take whatever your .44 can throw at it. And it has more than enough magnification to work even the most extreme ranges of the hottest .44 magnum round.
Choosing the Best .44 Magnum Scope
Pistols
While the vast majority of .44 magnum handguns are revolvers, there are also single-shot, semi-auto, and even lever-action pistols chambered in .44 mag. However, you’ll be using the same type of scope on all of them; namely a long eye relief (LER) scope. Choosing a good LER scope is primarily an exercise in finance. For something like a .44 mag, you really don’t need a variable power optic when a simple fixed 4 power will more than do the job. The market is awash with 4x LER scopes, and personally, of the two we reviewed, I’d say it is a coin toss for all but the most demanding situations or shooters.
Rifles and Carbines
In keeping with the grand cowboy tradition of a rifle and handgun chambered in the same cartridge, there is a plethora of .44 magnum lever-action rifles and carbines on the market. But there are also single-shot rifles, semi-auto carbines, bolt-action guns, and who knows at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody built an AR or something in .44 mag.
As a general rule, you don’t need much optic. A simple fixed power or 3-9 variable power scope will do the job. If you are building a scout rifle, then you simply grab a decent LER scope and call it good. Otherwise, take an honest look at how you are shooting, and if you can benefit from a variable power scope, grab one like the Redfield Revolution (see full specs); otherwise, something like a Weaver K4 (see full specs) is really all you need.
Conclusion
The .44 magnum is a part of American cultural history. It is both a movie icon and a proven hunting and defensive cartridge. Depending on the gun and what it is loaded with, you can do most anything from hunt big game to defend yourself against marauding bears (or criminals).
This popularity shows in the huge variety of firearms chambered in .44 magnum, both handguns and long arms. Scoped revolvers are increasingly popular for hunting and target shooting, while the classic lever gun only needs a modest piece of glass to really turn it into a deer- or hog-slaying machine. Today you can find the mighty .44 almost anywhere you go in the American wilderness, and the only real issue is to get the best .44 magnum scope you can afford. Good luck!