right scope for the gun?

[sngehl01]

I have a Thompson Center Thunderhawk .54 cal muzzleloader and right now a Leupold scope is sitting on it, 2.5 power, like 6 inches of eye relief. I want to throw another scope on it, because I can't stand having only the 2.5 power, I was something where I can around 6x, but not really much more than that.

Anyway, what I was going to ask is would I be able to put my scope from my 22 lr on it (Bushnell Rimfire Rifle scope), it's a 3-9x40, and I would much prefer something like that on the muzzleloader, the only concern I have is if all the recoil from the shot would be hard on the scope and eventually cause the crosshairs to move.

any help is appreciated, thanks.

[mouthcaller]

I wouldn't put the rimfire scope on this hard-kicking .54 cal muzzleloader for the following reasons:

1. It is designed for guns that don't kick. Will it stand up to the recoil of this .54 cal muzzleloader? Are you willing to risk taking a chance on its reliability when the biggest buck you've ever seen steps out?

2. It is set to be parallax free at 50 yards, not 100 like most scopes. You must be careful to keep you eye perfectly aligned in the center of the field of view or your point of aim could shift at yardages of 100 yards and beyond.

3. 9 power with a 32mm objective lens = 3.3 mm exit pupil = too dark. You are OK with a 6 power scope with the smaller objective, but any more power and your exit pupil (diameter of the lightstream exiting the ocular lens) is too small and the image isn't bright enough, especially in dim light.

Recommendations: Consider the Bushnell Trophy scope in 2X6X32 or 3X9X40 or buy another scope in similar configurations such as the Nikon Buckmaster or Pro Staff, Burris Fullfield II, Sightron I or II, etc.

Regarding the Trophy scope, I bought one in 1.75X4 and used it on my turkey gun this past spring. That is a nice $100.00 scope (I can't believe I actually said that but it is the truth). I don't know how long it will hold zero on the cannon it is mounted on (Mossburg 870 shooting 3.5", 2.5 oz overloaded Nitro turkey shells)- we'll see. Take a look at the Trophy and you'll see what I mean - waterproof/fogproof, one piece tube, nitrogen purged, lifetime warrenty. Nice value.

Good luck

Mouthcaller

[Hunting the North]

I highly recommend the Nikon Pro-Staff 2-7x 32mm Prostaff shotgun scope. Long eye relief, 75 Yard parallax, good glass, all for $129.00