Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
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I’m going to be reviewing the nine best scopes for lever-action 44 mag rifles. For those of you that don’t know, a lever-action rifle is a type of rifle that has been in existence since 1866 and was most popular with hunters and gun lovers during the late 1800s. However, this type of rifle has made a comeback in recent years due to its simplicity and ease of use.
Nikon P-Tactical .223 3-9x40 Matte BDC600
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- The BDC 600 reticle offers Shooters unique open circle aiming points and hash marks from 100 to 600 yards
- One inch body tube
- Spring loaded instant zero resets turrets
- Elevated windage and elevation turrets
- Generous consistant Eye relief
Stick around till the end of the article to know the things that you need to consider when buying a scope for your Lever Action 44 Mag and yes, we’ve also answered the frequently asked questions on the subject.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best scope for Lever Action 44 Mag, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Scope for Lever Action 44 Mag
So without further ado: let’s get started!
5 Best Scope for Lever Action 44 Mag (Ranked And Reviewed)
Specifications
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Magnification:
3x to 9x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
40 Millimeters
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Material:
Aluminum
The P-Tactical 3-9×40 FFP Riflescope with BDC 600 reticle is a precision instrument for the modern hunter. The one-inch body tube offers shooters unique open circle aiming points and hash marks from 100 to 600 yards. Spring-loaded instant zero resets turrets make adjustments quick and easy, while the side parallax adjustment makes it easy to focus on your target. The Nikon P-Tactical 3-9×40 is the perfect scope for the avid hunter. This scope has a 40mm objective lens and a side focus adjustment to allow you to quickly and easily adjust your scope while hunting. The P-Tactical features Nikon’s Rapid Action Turret System, which allows for quick adjustments, even while wearing gloves. This scope also includes Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, which automatically adjusts the point of impact based on what type of ammo you are using.
Positive
- Can be used in any weather
- Large objective lens captures a lot of light for good low light performance
- Easy to adjust windage and elevation
- Generous eye relief for ease of use
Negatives
- The reticle and BDC markings are very small
2. Vortex Optics Diamondback Riflescope
Specifications
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Magnification:
4x to 12x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
40 Millimeters
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Material:
Aluminum
Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 Riflescope is ideal for the big game, predator/varmint, muzzleloader, slug shotgun, and long-range applications. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is good for any hunting or shooting at varying ranges. The lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk. The Diamondback riflescopes are waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof with the purged tube that prevents internal fogging over a wide range of temperatures. Vortex Diamondback 4-12×40 riflescope is a great choice for the hunter who needs to hit targets at different distances. The scope features a side parallax adjustment and exposed windage and elevation turrets. It also offers a fast-focus eyepiece, a one-piece main tube, and multiple reticle options.
Positive
- Works great in all kinds of light
- Argon purging makes sure the scope does not go blurry or hazy
- Can be used in any kind of weather
- Best scope for fast focusing and returning to zero
Negatives
- The eye relief is not very forgiving
3. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rimfire Riflescope
Specifications
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Magnification:
2x to 7x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 Millimeters
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Material:
Aluminum
The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a variety of hunting applications. The fine crosshair allows for precise aiming, while the bolded horizontal line is perfect for quick holdover when ranging varmints in the field. The thick outer circle surrounding the dot helps to quickly identify your target and enhances low light performance by making it easy to see in dim conditions. With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you’ll be able to quickly focus.
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rimfire Riflescope is a rifle scope that offers shooters premium optics and performance at an affordable price. The Crossfire II features fully multi-coated lenses for bright and clear views, capped turrets that are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in. A single-piece tube constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. The O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged Crossfire II delivers waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Positive
- Acquires target fast
- You won’t feel any added weight on the rifle
- Coated lenses prevent glare no matter what the lighting conditions are
- Precision turrets help you precisely adjust windage and elevation
Negatives
- Gets a bit cloudy at full magnification
4. UTG BugBuster Scope
Specifications
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Magnification:
3x to 9x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
32 Millimeters
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Material:
Aluminum
The UTG BugBuster Scope is a versatile scope that works well for both long-range and close-quarters applications. The BugBuster features an impressive 1 Inch Tube with Emerald Coating for Maximum Light Transmission, Premium Zero Lockable & Resettable Turrets with 1/4 MOA Per Click Adjustment. This allows you to make accurate adjustments at any range! An adjustable objective from 3 Yards to Infinity provides the versatility you need to adjust the focus of your scope depending on your target distance. UTG BugBuster Scope is a high-quality scope that features a 2″ Sunshade, High-Quality Flip-open Lens Caps, and Quick-detachable Rings. It is built on True Strength Platform, Completely Sealed and Nitrogen Filled, Shockproof, Fog proof, and Rainproof.
Positive
- Range estimation increases accuracy of your shots
- Rust-proof and lightweight aluminum construction
- Nitrogen filling prevents internals from environment
- Water and fog proofing lets you use the scope in any conditions
Negatives
- Eye relief is short, making the scope uncomfortable for some users
5. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope
Specifications
-
Magnification:
3x to 9x
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Objective Lens Diameter:
40 Millimeters
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Material:
Plastic
The Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope is a quality optic with stunning HD clarity. It has 100 percent quality materials used and tested extensively to ensure its durability. The scope has beautiful design and durability built to last. This low light rifle scope with 3 to 9x magnification and 40 millimeter objective lens is the perfect choice for hunting, target shooting or tactical applications. For the price, you can’t beat the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope.
It has a 3x to 9x magnification and is perfect for hunting or target practice. The scope is easy to adjust, even in low light conditions. This model features multi coated lenses with DDB (Dusk & Dawn Brightness) for superior clarity and brightness in all lighting conditions. The lens is also waterproof and fog proof so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged if it gets wet or foggy outside.
Positive
- Inexpensive scope that you can permanently mount on your rifle
- Very lightweight thanks to plastic construction
- Scratch proof lenses coated for preventing glare
Negatives
- Not very durable due to plastic construction
What To Consider While Buying The Best Scope for Lever Action 44 Mag?
A lot of people can’t afford to drop $1000+ on a scope, and even if they could there aren’t many levers that would benefit from such a high-end piece of equipment. The 44 magnum is not as popular as some other cowboy action cartridges, but it does exist as a viable cartridge for use with these firearms. It has a ballistic advantage over the 45 colts and 38 special, which makes it well suited for small- to medium-sized games at close to moderate ranges. So let’s talk about what you need to consider when buying a scope for your lever gun that fires the 44 mag. The basic things we will be considering are magnification, objective lens diameter, tube diameter, and illumination.
Magnification
Scopes that are commonly mounted to lever guns in the 44 mag caliber will fall into two categories; low power scopes with a magnification range of 3x-9x and medium-high powered scopes with a magnification range of 4x-12x. There are certainly scopes that have a magnification above 12x, but in all honesty, they offer negligible performance gains for the average shooter. For our purpose, we will assume you want to get the maximum performance out of your 44 mag lever gun with minimal investment.
What Exactly is Magnification?
For example, I could buy a toy telescope (which has a magnification of about 20x) and hold it up to my eye, but I would only be able to see things that are very close – basically the size of my palm. If I buy a toy telescope with a more powerful lens (like 100x), then I can see things that are further away – may be as big as a house if I’m lucky.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens of a scope is the large lens at the front of the tube, and it’s mainly used to gather light so you can see things that are far away. Objective lenses for 44 mag scopes generally range from about 40mm-60mm, but I would recommend staying with something in the 50mm neighborhood if possible.
Tube Diameter
The tube diameter of a scope is the size of its main body tube; these sizes generally range from 1”-30mm. For our purpose, you really only need to look at scopes with 30mm main bodies because most 44 mag lever guns either come standard with 30mm scope mounts (like on the Henry H001T) or are compatible with them (like the Winchester 1894/Marlin 336). This is because 30mm scopes tend to be more durable and offer better windage adjustments.
Reticle Illumination
You can usually choose between an illuminated reticle or a non-illuminated one when you buy a scope, but this choice probably won’t make or break your purchase. Scopes with illuminated reticles light up in low light conditions on the inside of the scope and can be extremely helpful when you’re shooting at a distance, but scopes without illuminated reticles aren’t completely useless in low light conditions and their price point is usually less. So if you want to save some money, or you don’t shoot much at night, then an illuminated reticle probably isn’t the end of the world.
Build Material
Scope tubes are frequently made out of aluminum alloy or steel alloys and sometimes even wood! The choice between these materials is really up to personal preference and durability needs. Steel is heavier but is more durable. Aluminum is lighter but can bend easier. You’ll need to decide for yourself what’s a greater priority: weight or durability.
FAQs
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
This depends on what you intend to use the rifle for. If the rifle is intended for short-range use, you can use a scope with low magnification and a higher magnification scope will be needed for long-range shots. Similarly, if you plan on night time hunting, you’ll need a scope with an illuminated reticle but a non-illuminated reticle can suffice daytime use.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Introduced in the 1950s, the 44 Magnum is a rifle that is most commonly used for deer hunting and self-defense against bears.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The bullet of the 44 Mag leaves the barrel at 1380 ft/second and with a kinetic energy of 1,015 ft-pounds of force. That is enough to get effective shots on a deer-sized game at 50 yards.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The best scope for a 44 Mag depends on the type of use you are going to put the gun to. The magnification and objective diameter of the scope needs to be selected as per the needs of your specific use case.
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you’re a hunter who would like to get more out of your Lever Action 44 Magnum, this list should give you some great ideas about how to do just that! From scopes and mounts for the rifle itself to slings and bipods, we hope these recommendations will help make hunting easier. We’ll be back soon with updates on other outdoor gear reviews so keep coming by for all things hunting related!
Our Research Process
Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.