I've been told you need a heavy duty scope on a muzzleloader due to the recoil. Either a dedicated "muzzleloader scope", shotgun scope, or high end rifle scope made for magnum rifles. But I don't see any big difference in recoil between my Omega and something like a .270 rifle. I only shoot 100 grains of powder and a 250 grain bullet.

So my questions are,
Can you use a regular rifle scope on a muzzleloader, or will it break? And, are shotgun scopes made for heavier recoil than your average rifle scope?

I've been using a shotgun scope on my omega, and it's been working fine, but I was wondering if I could use a regular varible powered rifle scope. Having something with higher magnification than 3X would be a great help.

Most every scope should work and lastjust fine. The internalsprings on some cheaper scopes can lose zero when used on anyhigher recoiling rifle over timeanyway, soone never knows justhow long any bargain basementmodel will last.
The amount of eye relief needed for comfort and to avoid "scope eye"is always an issue of personal preference.
There's somespecificbargain modelsthat arebestto be avoidedbecause of theincreasedchanceofbuying anunreliable one. But usually the lenses arejust not as clearand/or precise.

In 2003 i bought a top of the line Simmons 4x32 muzzleloader scope: Yeah, i know that "top of the line Simmons" is an oxymoron.That scope was on two different muzzleloaders throughabout 750shots. Many of thoseshots were with 130-150 grains of Pyrodex. That scope accounted for the longest muzzleloader shoti have ever made, 192 yards. There were twoother successful shotsat over 150 yards. It was a good low light scope.

Unfortunately,the adjustments on that scope went bad.

Actually best scope I ever had was an old Simmons. It too was great in low light, and it was clear as a bell. I don't think they make them like they used to though.

I've got 3 Nikon Pro Staff2x7x32 scopes. 2 on muzzleloaders and one on one of my slug guns. They work fine, I believe they are for Muzzleloaders/shotguns. You don't have to spend big money on Nikon qaulity $125 at most sporting goods store or maybe you can find a better deal online.

With scopes the thing to keep in the back of your mind is eye relief. I find that anything less then 3.5 inches tend to bump me. I like 3.8 eye relief or 4 is even better.

As for quality, I've bought good quality and very low end scopes. They have all lasted so far. I guess it boils down to how much you want to spend and what you want the scope to do. The shotgun and muzzleloader scopes work good because they can take recoil and they have good eye relief. I like the Nikon Pro Staff, Bushnell 3200 Elite, Bushnell Banner and Simmons. I would no longer recommend a Millet or Sightron like in the past. They have had some problems and are not on my rifles anymore.

-Well, I have been shooting all my lifeand I have never had a scope go out on a high power rifle like they do on a muzzle loaderI have lost 5 that way over the years. I personally believe that it is a different type of recoil which some scope just dont stand up to over time all of them yhat went west on me lasted about 6 months first; I shoot several times a week so I do more shooting in a yearthan some shooters do in a life time so I can see how they would last better for some than they do for me. I have good luk with the better Bushnell and the Nikon. Some scopes that were expensive did not work out[ like Redfield and Swift] so I guess I have to agree that you are better buying one that is designed for the use. Lee

I think two things need to be considered. How much do you shoot and how high power loads do you use. Personally I do not get the time to shoot a lot and I do not shoot maximum loads when I do as I never found a need for maximum loads. I have never had a scope go bad on a muzzleloader and I usually buy Burris Fulfield II which is a fairly low price scope.