I recently purchased a Performance Center 500. I took my time and thought I did ample research to come up with the best scope option for it. I chose Leupold VX-III 2.5-8 x 32 and PRW rings. Over the last 2 months I have fired ammo from 275gr Ultramax to 500gr Cor-Bon. I have done some minor bench/scope work but nothing serious. Recently I turned my attention to choosing a hunting round for the upcoming deer season that opens Dec. 1st. I chose the Hornady 300gr FTX. I was confident enough to start my work at 100yds. I shot a few rounds and made some minor adjustments after each individual shot. When I thought I was where I wanted to be, I switched to a clean target and shot my first 3 shot group. Two rnds were on paper but no where near the bullseye. One was 4" low and right, one was 5" high and left and I [I]think[I] the 3rd was 12" high and left. I noticed that the scope moved in the rings so, I went back to my shop and moved the rings and scope so the back of the front ring was tight against the front of the turret and went back to the range. After 8 more rounds I determined that that my scope was messed up and would have to be returned to Leupold.

My question to all of you is: What do you scope a 500 with, that will handle the recoil?

I have an older model Leupold ,2X on a 10" Freedom Arms in 454 Casull... never had a problem...
IMHO, you may have allowed the recoil to adversly affect the scope adjustment goodies by grounding the rings on the turrent..Next time try a bit of tape or fine emry cloth between the scope and rings , to preclude slippage... Hope this is some help...
JIM...............

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SWCA # L-1911

Thanks for the input. I have the same 2x scope you have on my .454 as well. And, never had an issue with it either. I just wanted something different on the 500. The problem with the scope on the 500 started before I moved it back. I actually called Leupold and that was thir recommendation. That and switching to Mark IV rings.

most 500 mags that you see have 3 rings holding the scope on.
I'm sure your leupold is a very fine scope, but I am sold on Burris
for holding up on a 500
I would try the 3rd ring when you reinstall your scope.

vic3620

I like Burris Signature rings with the plastic insert that grips the scope. May not be enough grip for full power loads depending on how heavy the gun is. I like 2X scopes on revolvers.

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To be a rock and not to roll

Thanks guys. There has been another twist in this story... My 500 is broken. Since my scope is down and the season opening a week from tomorrow, I now, have to hunt with open sights. I went out today to work on the nopen sights. I fired one round and could not fire the second. The cylinder does not rotate. The gun will be sent back to S&W... to be continued...

My 500 was sent back to S&W on Nov. 26th. Haven't heard anything from them yet. That's 2 weeks tomorrow. I'm starting to get nervous.

I was going to say Leupold.

I had one of the early 500s. It broke too.

Hi, Steve here.I have a 500 8" and a 460 XVR . I am using a Burris 2x7x32 With Burris signature rings and base on the 460 XVR. this has worked out good so far. If you keep getting scope movement You need to get a good steel ring and have them lapped ,to get maximum contact to hold on the scope. I allways try the the signature first. You are shooting a light enough load ,Try them

I got my 500 back the othre day. They replaced the cylinder stop and the hand that comes out and rotates the cylinder. Hope they hold up better than the original ones. I have shot everything from 275gr ultramax loads all the way up to 500gr Corbons. I will be shooting 300gr hornady FTX as my sight-in load and the one that I hunt with. I hope these parts breaking are not going to be a regular occurance. We'll see. Haven't heard from Leupold on what happened to my original VX-III scope or what they would recommend I put on the 500. I have the ring/scope movement figured out, if I ever get another scope on it. If I don't hear anything from Leupold, I will go with the Burris. For now open sights will do. As soon as I get them sighted in.

According to thre "Answer products" group who have done considerable recoil testing on several scope brands in the past, I would limit my choices to a Leuopold or a burris. You just can't go wrong with either one of these options and the warrantys are phenomenal.

Just as a cheap aside, if you can find one, the Japanese made older Simmons in the 2-7X range was considered a real recoil taker by some magazine reviewers a few years ago.
Stu

Mine is fine, but the scope & rings were not cheap & had the LG Smith mount everything. took it hunting this year.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I thought the scopes were in the $125-$150 range when new? Wrong??
Stu

It doesn't really matter to me, but shouldn't this be in the later forum? I don't think the 500 Magnum was introduced until early this century.
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

In the late 80s, SW 629 with the 8 3/8 barrel had notches for scope rings and SW provided the rings.
Does anybody know why they stopped this setup?

Not for sure, BUT I'd wager it was cost not only for the rings but the special barrels. They have done this on some Perf. Center models BUT that's generally a low volume item.
With the drilled and tapped top strap you can almost whatever your wallet allows for setting a scope on a handgun. Just my $0.02.

Well, since you "broached" the subject-----
I have a 629-1 with the 8-3/8 barrel and it has that factory cut for the S&W rings. The rings were made by Millet. Any of you gunsmiths out there know of a substitute? I am fairly good at finding oddball stuff, but those rings are real elusive.