To scope or not to scope for bear hunt

[cmillard]

I have been going back and forth recently on whether to scope my BFR for my Montana black bear hunt this spring. I have never shot a handgun with a traditional scope, but have used a red dot (ultradot) before and wasn't overly fond of it. I have used iron sights my whole life on handguns but can't make my mind up on this. What is making me think so hard about it is the ranges that I could be faced with shooting. I shoot quite often at extended ranges with a handgun and always try to push the limits and better myself. There are just too many unknowns for me out there where we are going to go which makes me second guess my setup.

[kevshell]

I can't speak for the ultra dot but I like the leupold delta point dot. I would think that would be a good choice for your task.

[potatojudge]

Carry an iron sight DA and put optics on the BFR.

Or iron sights on the BFR and a scoped Contender in your pack. 

Despite using all kinds of optics over the years, none are nearly as natural or fast as irons, but I can't make the same shots in the same lighting without optics. 

[bigbrowndog]

An optic will extend your useable shooting time and since animals can and do come in at last light it allows better bullet placement in very dim light. If you decide to go with a magnified optic I would suggest a 2x or a variable with 2x or 1x capability. The shaking that is experienced when using a 4x scope for the first time can be unnerving. A magnified optic will also allow you to aim a bit higher or lower with more precision if your trajectory needs to be accounted for with your chosen zero distance.

Trapr

[potatojudge]

Jan 4, 2022 20:49:06 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

An optic will extend your useable shooting time and since animals can and do come in at last light it allows better bullet placement in very dim light. If you decide to go with a magnified optic I would suggest a 2x or a variable with 2x or 1x capability. The shaking that is experienced when using a 4x scope for the first time can be unnerving. A magnified optic will also allow you to aim a bit higher or lower with more precision if your trajectory needs to be accounted for with your chosen zero distance.

Trapr

The Leupold 2x has a great field of view and forgiving eye relief. The 4x is better in low light at longer ranges. 

[cmillard]

Thanks all.

[rangersedge]

My first thought had to do with the conditions you'll be hunting. Close in fast shots or longer range stationary.

[contender]

It all comes down to you.
Only you can decide what will be the best.
I shoot open, scoped & dot optics on different guns. I shoot different things for different reasons.
I tend to prefer a scope,, but mostly on Contenders,, because I know the ranges can be a bit further than my abilities with opens. Dots are a good, fast option for the times you need a quick shot. But where you hunt, as well as all the variables you may encounter should help you make your decision.

About 12-13 years ago,, I had a friend who invited me to hunt in SC with him. He said; "We'll be blind hunting,, looking out to as much as 400 yds. Bring a good rifle." Well, against my judgement,, I took a rifle,, in 270, and went with him. Yep,, distances out to 400 yds were available. I killed (3) deer that trip. The longest shot I made was about 75 yds. Should have taken my handgun.
But in reflection,, if I had,, I MIGHT have been presented with a big old buck out to 200-300 yds & wished I'd brought my rifle. You just never know,, and can only prepare for the most likely scenarios with as much info that's available.

When I went to Colorado in 2019,, I took (3) handguns only. My primary,, was my iron sighted El Dorado. It was backed up with my FA that wears a scope. That was backed up with a .41 mag Ruger Hunter with a red dot,, and UltraDot. We hunted the open sage flats & such. Never got even close to any elk.

I usually say; "Be prepared."

[bula]

I'm thinking, spot and stalk hunting ? Do explore scopes. Start NOW. I'm having a difficult time and it will need time.

[jfs]

Jan 4, 2022 20:45:34 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

Carry an iron sight DA and put optics on the BFR.

[45MAN]

DEPENDS ON SHOOTING DISTANCES, LIGHT CONDITIONS AND IF SHOOTING FROM A STAND OR WALKING AROUND.

I HAVE DONE MANY SPRING BLACK BEAR HUNTS IN ALASKA, FROM A STAND, OVER BAIT, WITH A 25 YARDS OR SO DISTANCE. HAVE ALWAYS USED AN 8 3/8ths" MNP FA 454 STALKER WITH A 2X SCOPE. AT AROUND MIDNIGHT AT GETS DARK ENUFF SO THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE THE BLACK CROSSHAIRS ON A BLACK BEAR, SO FOR MY NEXT BLACK BEAR HUNT (SPRING OF 2020) I BOUGHT A GEN II ULTADOT TO REPLACE THE 2X SCOPE BUT THE PANDEMIC CAME AND NO BLACK BEAR HUNT.

FOR STAND HUNTING, INVOLVING LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS AND 50 YARDS AND UNDER SHOTS, ON MY NEXT BLACK BEAR HUNT I AM GOING TO USE THE GEN II ULTRADOT.

[cmillard]

It will all be ground hunting. We are planning on staying at the Lolo Hot Springs campground in Lolo National Forest for the hunt. I am leaning more towards iron sights due to being that is all I know when it comes to handguns.

[taffin]

Jan 4, 2022 19:13:24 GMT -5 cmillard said:

I have been going back and forth recently on whether to scope my BFR for my Montana black bear hunt this spring. I have never shot a handgun with a traditional scope, but have used a red dot (ultradot) before and wasn't overly fond of it. I have used iron sights my whole life on handguns but can't make my mind up on this. What is making me think so hard about it is the ranges that I could be faced with shooting. I shoot quite often at extended ranges with a handgun and always try to push the limits and better myself. There are just too many unknowns for me out there where we are going to go which makes me second guess my setup.

For my first bison hunt I carried a pair of Freedom Arms .475 Linebaughs. The 7-1/2" had a scope while the 4-3/4" had factory iron sights. I was able to get close enough, 35 yards, to use the latter.

[jfs]

Jan 5, 2022 17:37:09 GMT -5 taffin said:

Jan 4, 2022 19:13:24 GMT -5 cmillard said:

For my first bison hunt I carried a pair of Freedom Arms .475 Linebaughs. The 7-1/2" had a scope while the 4-3/4" had factory iron sights. I was able to get close enough, 35 yards, to use the latter.

Same with my second Cape buff. Carried my scoped 10" FA`s 475 with a sling and my 6" iron sight 500WE with belt holster. The scoped 475 was for 50 and over while the WE was for 50 and under. The shot was 40 yards

[jgt]

In that area, you could get long or short range shots. I would take a rifle and a handgun. Sixshot would probably know that area better than I do, but from my old feeble memory it seem like it could be either.