Ruger Forum

Prod720 · September 8th, 2012, 06:41 PM

Hey everyone, was looking at buying a scope for a my Ruger mk3 hunter. I dont know what scopes fit my rail. I never bought a scope before, so i dont even know where to start or how much to pay? Should I use a red dot or cross hairs? Any information would be great! Thanks for the help!

North country gal · September 8th, 2012, 07:45 PM

You could write a book on this one, but to get started, the difference between a red dot and a scope ...

A red dot has no magnification, just an illuminated red dot. The dot is easier to hold and line up on a target than using front and rear iron sights, so most folks shoot a bit more accurately with a red dot than iron sights. Red dots are also very easy to use, since they have no magnification and you can hold them as steady as iron sights. In addition, they are not at all fussy about how far away you hold them from your eyes. You can get a red dot that will work on your rimfire for as little as $40, but you're better off spending a bit more to get quality. Most of mine are in the $80 range, though I have spent twice that for red dots on my competition class guns.

Actual pistol scopes offer magnification, usually between 2x and up to 7x or 8x. That image enlargement allows for better potential accuracy than a red dot, but it comes at a price. Magnification does enlarge the target, but it also magnifies any shakes or unsteadiness on your part. A scope on a pistol requires experience and patience to use effectively. Not going to happen overnight. In addition, distance you hold the scope from the eye can be an issue, as can holding the pistol correctly just to see through the scope. If you go a scope, I'd recommend 2x as a good first pistol scope. Pistol scopes are generally more expensive than red dots, too. These days, $100 won't buy much of a pistol scope. Expect to pay at least $150 or so for something decent. The best will cost twice that.

The rail that comes with your MKIII can use any weaver ring setup. Some red dots come with built in rings and some require you to buy rings. Pistol scopes always require you to buy rings.

Overall, I'd recommend a red dot for your first step away from iron sights, simply because they are so user friendly. They do a pretty good job out to 50 yards or so and that is your typical range for a 22 pistol. Scopes will allow you to get more of the potential accuracy out of your Mark III Hunter, though you can always start with a red dot and add a scope, later.

Enjoy your MKIII Hunter. Love mine.

North country gal · September 8th, 2012, 07:51 PM

By the way, currently have a 2x pistol scope on my MKIII Hunter.

gmsoapy · September 8th, 2012, 08:09 PM

North Country gal If I can ask what red dots are you using for non comp. I've kicking around a red dot for my hunter. And I feel you sure know your way around guns and I listen to what you have to say. As much can be learned from you. Thanks GM

Maltise · September 9th, 2012, 09:44 AM

I put a cheap (about $70) TruGlo Red Dot on mine and love it. I had a 2X pistol scope on it that was OK but the TruGlo is great.

Golfbuddy45 · September 9th, 2012, 05:18 PM

No need to spend a lot of money on a scope for a .22 since recoil is not much of a factor - NCStar, Barska, Bushnell, Simmons, all make good .22 Cal scopes for low dollars:

My Ruger Single Six Hunter and Ruger MKII Competition Target handguns with 2-7x32 NCSTAR scopes that cost less than $40 each.

How do they shoot?
Ruger Single Six Hunter using .22Magnum Hornady VMAX at 50 yards using a bench rest - 7- shots - this is before I zeroed the scope in - now all those shots would be in the center-

Ruger MKII Comp shooting Wolf Match ammo - 25 yards INDOOR range standing FREE HAND - - - There are 4 clips of 10 each in each of those targets or 80 rounds - - -
By the way the Ruger is on the bottom two targets. The other 4 are my Kimber 9mm and .45ACP 1911's with adjustable target sites . . . . still standing free hand . . .8 mags or 64 shots with the .45, 8 mags or 72 shots with the 9mm.

GB45

Prod720 · September 9th, 2012, 05:18 PM

Thanks North Country gal. That really helped out alot. I can really focus in on using a red dot sight and go to a scope later. Thank you very much for the help!

Prod720 · September 9th, 2012, 05:26 PM

Hey golfbuddy45, on the your slabsides, is it a pain to take the scope off your gun to clean it? It looked to me on the top of the rings there were only 4 screws to take off? That looks like a great scope, but I love to clean my hunter model after every trip to the range. I was just wondering if the rings have to come off too, basically how much of the scope and mounts have to come off to clean it. Thanks

Golfbuddy45 · September 9th, 2012, 05:32 PM

No problem at all, I use BORE SNAKEs on all my guns and have zero issues, even on my Ruger 10/22 Rifle - - Also use the same on my custom .22 match pistols:

GB45

Golfbuddy45 · September 9th, 2012, 05:43 PM

By the way I do BORE SNAKE all my guns after I shoot them but I do not break them down after every outing, sometimes only once every 3 or 4 months. However I have no problems totally stripping the MKII or MkIII actions with the scope and rings installed.

GB45

North country gal · September 9th, 2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmsoapy

North Country gal If I can ask what red dots are you using for non comp. I've kicking around a red dot for my hunter. And I feel you sure know your way around guns and I listen to what you have to say. As much can be learned from you. Thanks GM

Thanks for the nice comments.

On my big bores, like my GP-100 or other heavy recoiling revolvers, I use Ultradots and will also use them on my competition grade guns. Just can't beat them for quality, they're guaranteed for life, but they're not cheap. On my rimfires and fun guns, I've used the old Tasco Propoints (a standard for many years in red dots that you can often find used in pawn shops or at gun shows), Tasco BKRD-30s, Bushnell Trophy and so on. As some of the the folks have mentioned, you can also use the BSAs, Barskas and so on. These are all coming out of the same factories in China, regardless of labels. They're plenty good enough for casual and fun use on rimfires.

gmsoapy · September 9th, 2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North country gal

Thanks for the nice comments.

On my big bores, like my GP-100 or other heavy recoiling revolvers, I use Ultradots and will also use them on my competition grade guns. Just can't beat them for quality, they're guaranteed for life, but they're not cheap. On my rimfires and fun guns, I've used the old Tasco Propoints (a standard for many years in red dots that you can often find used in pawn shops or at gun shows), Tasco BKRD-30s, Bushnell Trophy and so on. As some of the the folks have mentioned, you can also use the BSAs, Barskas and so on. These are all coming out of the same factories in China, regardless of labels. They're plenty good enough for casual and fun use on rimfires.

Thanks North Country Gal I knew I could count on you. Comments are earned not given. And you've earned yours many times over. Will look up the sights. Thanks again GM

North country gal · September 10th, 2012, 04:42 AM

You are very welcome. Glad to help.

HAWKEN · September 10th, 2012, 07:45 AM

I have a holographic sight on mine, and I really like it. It gives you a choice of ared dot, a red X, ared dot in a circle or an X in a circle. There is no paralax, and target aquisition is almost instant.....Robin

Gunny B · September 10th, 2012, 02:28 PM

Hello All,

I use on my MKIII target a Truglo, Tricolor (Green, Blue, Red) 30mm Red Dot.

I Love it!!!

Great at 50 yds, good hits are not an issue!!

Hope that helps!

M