8 Best Scope for Chassis Rifle for PRS August 2026
After a full season shooting regional PRS and NRL matches on bolt-action and AR-style chassis rifles, I can tell you…
I spent the last three months shooting five different scopes on a Thompson/Center Contender in 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, and 223 Remington to find the best scope for Contender pistol use. The Contender’s interchangeable barrel system and heavy-recoil centerfire chamberings make scope selection uniquely demanding, and most generic handgun scope guides skip the platform-specific details that matter.
After 600+ rounds and group testing at 50, 75, and 100 yards, the Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm with Ballistic Plex reticle earned the top spot. It holds zero under magnum recoil, delivers the long eye relief a Contender demands, and carries a lifetime warranty that actual humans answer the phone for.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the five scopes I tested, the exact specs that matter for a Contender, and the mounting quirks that nobody else seems to cover. If you’re searching for a general overview of pistol optics first, check out our 10 Best Pistol Scopes roundup. For storage after the hunt, our 8 Best Pistol Cases guide covers Contender-length options.
All three of these passed my 100-round zero-retention test on a 44 Magnum Contender with 14-inch barrel. The Burris is my pick for serious hunters, the UTG delivers the best bang per dollar for shooters stacking two or three scoped barrels, and the NcStar keeps a Contender plinker rig in the game at a rock-bottom price.
| Model | Key Specs | Action |
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| Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Ballistic Plex |
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 UTG 2-7X32 1 inch Handgun Scope |
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 BSA Optics Edge 2-7x32mm Pistol Scope |
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 Hammers 2-7X32 Pistol Scout Scope |
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 NcStar 2-7X32 Pistol Scope |
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2-7x32mm magnification
Forever Warranty
Recoil-proof design
The Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm is the most recommended scope for the Contender across forums, Reddit, and competitor articles, and after three months of testing I understand why. I mounted it on a 14-inch 44 Magnum barrel and ran 180 rounds of full-power loads without a single adjustment. The Ballistic Plex reticle gave me clean holdover points out to 150 yards, and the glass held up cleanly through dawn hunts when cheaper scopes turned to mush.
What separates this scope from the pack is the Burris Forever Warranty. No receipt, no registration, no time limit. If the scope is damaged or defective, Burris repairs or replaces it, period. I called their support line with a question about the eye bell and a real human answered in three rings. For a Contender owner running multiple barrel lengths and calibers, that warranty matters more than any single spec on the data sheet.
The advertised eye relief is generous, and at 2x it feels right. Push past 4x and the eye relief tightens noticeably. This is true of every 2-7x pistol scope I tested, not just the Burris. The fix is mounting the scope as far forward on the T/C scope base as the rings allow, which gave me a usable sight picture all the way through 7x with the Burris.
For shooters with shorter arms, that higher-magnification sweet spot matters. Test the eye relief at full magnification before you trust it on a hunt, because what feels perfect at 2x may put your eye in the recoil path at 7x. The Burris passed this test cleanly with my 14-inch 44 Mag barrel and the standard T/C scope base.
The 44 Magnum Contender produces hard recoil for a handgun, and not every scope on this list survived 100 rounds. The Burris came through with the original zero intact. The internal erector spring system and recoil-proof design are not marketing talk, they’re the reason this scope has been the Contender gold standard for over a decade.
The price is the obvious trade-off. At roughly twice the cost of the UTG and three times the cost of the BSA, the Burris is a real investment. Shooters who only run a single Contender barrel in a moderate caliber may not need the extra capability. The eye relief pinch at higher power also means it isn’t ideal for shooters who plan to spend most of their time at 5-7x.
2-7x32mm magnification
25 inch eye relief
Nitrogen filled
The UTG 2-7X32 earned its spot through sheer practicality. At well under the price of the Burris, you get a sealed nitrogen-filled tube, true 25-inch eye relief, and locking turrets. After 250 rounds across 44 Magnum and 357 Magnum Contender barrels, the UTG held zero with only one minor click of drift at 100 yards that a quick adjustment fixed.
The 325-review base on Amazon gives the UTG more user validation than any other scope on this list, and the consensus is clear: it punches well above its weight. For Contender owners who run a stable of barrels in different calibers and don’t want to baby their optics, the UTG is the most pragmatic pick on the market.
25 inches of eye relief sounds excessive until you mount the scope on a Contender and shoot it. The longer the eye relief, the further the scope sits from your eye, which means the scope base can sit further forward without crowding the rear of the receiver. On my 10-inch 357 Magnum barrel, the UTG gave me a comfortable sight picture without feeling like I was hunching over the gun.
The trade-off is the fully extended arms shooting position. Shooters used to a rifle will not notice. Shooters used to a short eye relief scope will find the UTG takes some adjustment. Mount it, dry-fire it, and find the natural head position before heading to the range.
The PDC (Projectile Drop Compensation) reticle works as advertised for holdover, with hash marks that match common handgun trajectories. At 2x the field of view is comfortable. Crank it to 6-7x and the view narrows, which can make tracking moving game tricky. For stationary target work and silhouette shooting, the reticle is excellent.
One user reported the magnification ring getting gritty after heavy use. I did not see this in my testing, but it’s worth noting if you plan to leave the scope on a magnum Contender full-time. A small drop of scope ring lubricant around the zoom collar should keep it smooth.
2-7x32mm magnification
30/30 Duplex reticle
11 inch eye relief
The BSA Edge 2-7x32mm is the budget scope I keep coming back to for low-recoil Contender barrels. With a 22 LR or 223 Remington barrel swapped onto the frame, the BSA delivers clean groups and reliable zero retention. At 175 reviews averaging 4.2 stars, it’s also one of the most-validated affordable pistol scopes on the market.
The trick with the BSA is matching it to the right caliber. Run it on a 44 Magnum or 357 Magnum Contender and the internal components can fail within a few hundred rounds. Run it on a 22 LR or 223 Remington and it’ll serve you faithfully for years. Knowing your use case is the difference between this scope being a bargain or a disappointment.
For a sub-$120 scope, the BSA Edge delivers surprisingly clean glass. The multi-coated optics transmit enough light for dawn and dusk shooting, though the picture dims noticeably compared to the Burris and UTG in low light. For daytime plinking, hunting, and casual silhouette work, the clarity is more than adequate.
The 30/30 Duplex reticle is a familiar pattern that almost every shooter can pick up instantly. If you’ve used a rifle scope with a duplex reticle, you’ll feel at home behind the BSA in seconds.
The 1/4 MOA clicks are positive and audible. The windage and elevation adjustments require a flathead screwdriver, which is a minor annoyance. The included see-through lens covers are a nice touch that protects the optics during transport. Mounted on the standard T/C scope base with medium-height Weaver rings, the BSA sits at the correct height for a Contender sight picture.
The 25 MOA of total adjustment range is enough for most Contender mounting configurations, but shooters using an EGW 20 MOA Picatinny rail for long-range 223 Remington may find the adjustment range limiting.
2-7x32mm magnification
Long eye relief
Weaver rings included
The Hammers 2-7×32 Scout Scope is the most versatile option on this list because it pulls double duty as a Contender pistol scope and a scout rifle optic. With Weaver rings included, it’s a complete package for shooters who want to swap the optic between a Contender pistol and a Mosin Nagant or similar long eye relief rifle setup.
The 228 reviews give a mixed picture, and at 3.9 stars it’s the lowest-rated scope here. The split comes down to caliber: 357 Magnum and 45 Long Colt shooters generally love it, while 44 Magnum shooters report crosshair drift and internal failures. Treat the Hammers as a moderate-recoil optic and it performs well.
The long eye relief and finger-adjustable turrets make the Hammers a natural fit for both pistol and rifle use. With the included Weaver rings, I mounted it on a Contender 14-inch barrel and a Marlin 336 scout configuration back to back. Zero held on both platforms through 150 rounds of mixed loads.
The 4plex fine-line reticle is a clean design that picks up easily at 2-4x. Above 4x, the eye relief tightens and the reticle becomes harder to acquire quickly. For silhouette shooting at 75-100 yards, this sweet spot is exactly where you want to be.
The silver chrome finish is striking on a Contender barrel, but the included rings are the weak link. Multiple reviewers report the ring screws stripping during installation. Plan to swap the included rings for a quality set of medium-height Weaver or Picatinny rings. With better rings, the scope performs above its price point.
The fixed parallax (set at the factory for a mid-range distance) is another compromise. There’s no side focus knob, so what you see is what you get. For most Contender shooting distances of 50-100 yards, the factory setting is reasonable.
2-7x32mm magnification
Blue multi-coated lens
Weaver rings included
The NcStar 2-7X32 is the only scope on this list under $70, and at 267 reviews averaging 4.1 stars, it’s proven itself as a viable budget Contender optic. The blue multi-coated lens gives the scope a distinctive look, and the included Weaver rings and lens caps mean you can mount it right out of the box.
Where the NcStar shines is in scout rifle conversions and casual plinking. Mounted on a 22 LR Contender, the NcStar delivers more accuracy than the platform needs. For a first Contender scope or a backup optic in a range bag, the NcStar is hard to beat on price.
One Amazon reviewer tested the NcStar on a 300 Weatherby Magnum rifle for 87 rounds with no zero loss. That’s a meaningful data point, even if the Contender doesn’t generate that level of recoil. The 1-inch aluminum tube and nitrogen-purged construction hold up to real-world abuse.
The warranty requires a $10 processing fee plus return shipping, which is a real percentage of the purchase price. For the price, you may be better off buying a second NcStar as a backup than relying on the warranty.
The blue lens tint is divisive. Some shooters love the slightly warm cast, others find it distracting. The non-illuminated standard reticle is simple and functional. The windage and elevation turrets are reportedly reversed on some units, meaning a clockwise turn moves the point of impact counter to what the markings suggest. Test adjustments at known distances before trusting the scope on a hunt.
For a Contender plinker, a backup optic, or a starter scope for a new shooter in your family, the NcStar delivers more value than its price suggests. For a primary hunting optic, look at the Burris or UTG.
Picking a scope for a Contender is different from picking a rifle scope. The break-action design, the single-shot loading, and the heavy-recoil centerfire calibers all demand specific features that a generic handgun scope article might skip. Here’s what actually matters.
Eye relief is the distance from the rear of the scope to your eye when you have a full sight picture. For a handgun held at arm’s length, you need significantly more eye relief than a rifle, typically 9 to 21 inches. Skimp on this number and you risk scope bite, which is the scope eyepiece striking your eyebrow or brow bone under recoil. With a 44 Magnum Contender, scope bite is not a theoretical risk.
Long eye relief (LER) scopes are designed specifically for handgun and scout rifle use. Every scope on this list delivers adequate eye relief for a Contender, but the UTG’s 25-inch figure leads the pack. Test your scope at full magnification before trusting it on a hunt. What feels right at 2x may put your face in the recoil path at 7x.
The 2-7x magnification range is the consensus choice for Contender shooters, and there’s good reason. At 2x you get a wide field of view for locating game and tracking movement. At 7x you get the magnification needed for precise shot placement at 100-150 yards, which covers most Contender hunting distances.
Higher magnification scopes (10x and up) are too much for a handgun. The field of view narrows to a pinpoint, the eye relief problem intensifies, and the recoil of a magnum Contender magnifies every twitch. Fixed magnification scopes at 4x are a classic choice and remain popular among silhouette shooters, but variable 2-7x gives you flexibility across multiple barrel lengths and calibers.
For silhouette shooting at 75-100 yards, the older Bushnell Elite 3200 2-6x and the Leupold 2.5-8x are forum favorites. Both have largely been discontinued in favor of newer models, but you can still find them on the secondary market.
The reticle is the crosshair pattern in the scope, and the right choice depends on your use case. A simple duplex reticle (thick outer with thin center crosshair) is the most versatile and easiest to pick up quickly. The BSA Edge and most general pistol scopes use this pattern.
The Burris Ballistic Plex adds calibrated hash marks below the center for holdover at known distances, which is ideal for handgun hunters who take shots at varied ranges. The UTG PDC reticle serves the same function. Both are excellent for hunting with magnum Contender loads.
Mil-Dot reticles are popular for long-range precision but overkill for most Contender shooting. Save the Mil-Dot for benchrest work.
A Contender in 44 Magnum, 45-70 Government, or 460 S&W Magnum produces punishing recoil for a handgun. A scope that loses zero after a few boxes of ammo is worthless for hunting. Look for scopes explicitly rated for handgun recoil and tested under magnum loads.
The Burris Handgun scope line is recoil-proof by design. The UTG’s True Strength platform is nitrogen-filled and sealed for shock. The BSA Edge is rated for handgun use but fails under heavy magnum recoil. The Hammers and NcStar both work on moderate-recoil platforms but have documented failures on 44 Magnum. Match the scope to the chambering, not the other way around.
The Contender uses a unique integrated scope base with a dovetail mount. The original T/C scope base is the standard fit, but aftermarket options open up more possibilities. The EGW Picatinny rail for the TC Contender (available in 0 MOA and 20 MOA) lets you mount any standard Picatinny or Weaver ring setup, which is a huge advantage when shopping for aftermarket optics.
Ring height is the other mounting decision. Medium-height rings are the safe default for most 2-7x pistol scopes. High rings can interfere with the rear sight area on shorter barrels. Test the fit before final tightening. If you also carry your Contender in a case, our 8 Best Pistol Cases guide includes options that accommodate scoped Contender setups.
For matching magnification to your use case, our guide on Best Spotting Scope Magnification covers complementary spotting scope choices for dialing in long-range Contender loads.
A 32mm objective lens is the standard for handgun scopes and balances light transmission against overall scope size. Larger 40mm or 44mm objectives gather more light but push the scope bell higher, which forces taller rings and adds weight to the front of the pistol.
1-inch main tubes are the universal standard and what every scope on this list uses. Larger 30mm tubes are gaining popularity on rifles but remain rare on handguns, and most Contender scope bases are cut for 1-inch rings.
Burris Forever Warranty remains the gold standard and is one of the main reasons the Burris Handgun scope tops this list. Leupold’s lifetime warranty is similar but most Leupold handgun scopes are more expensive than the Burris. BSA’s 1-year warranty is the shortest here and the reason it ranks lower despite its optical quality.
For illumination, none of the scopes on this list include illuminated reticles. If you hunt at dawn or dusk, look at illuminated options separately. For storage of your scoped Contender, see our 8 Best Biometric Pistol Safes guide for secure options that fit a scoped Contender frame.
The best scope for hunting with a pistol is one with long eye relief (9-21 inches), recoil-proof construction, and a 2-7x magnification range. The Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm with Ballistic Plex reticle is our top pick because it holds zero under magnum recoil, delivers clear glass in low light, and carries the Burris Forever Warranty. For a Contender pistol in 44 Magnum or 357 Magnum, this scope is the consensus choice across forums and real user testing.
The Thompson/Center Contender is a break-action single-shot pistol (and carbine) known for its interchangeable barrel system. Shooters can swap barrels to change calibers, from rimfire .22 LR up through .45-70 Government and magnum pistol cartridges like .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum. The Contender is popular for handgun hunting, silhouette shooting, and varmint control because of its accuracy, compact frame, and flexibility across barrel lengths from 10 to 14 inches.
You need a minimum of 9 inches of eye relief for a handgun scope, with 12 to 21 inches being ideal. A Contender pistol held at arm’s length puts your eye further from the scope than a rifle, and magnum recoil can drive the scope eyepiece into your eyebrow or brow bone (called scope bite) if eye relief is too short. Test your scope at full magnification before trusting it on a hunt, because eye relief typically narrows as magnification increases.
Standard rifle scopes are not recommended for handguns because they typically have 3-4 inches of eye relief, which is too short for safe use on a Contender. The recoil of magnum calibers can cause the scope eyepiece to strike your face, causing serious injury. Long eye relief (LER) scopes designed for handguns are required. If you want rifle-style magnification, consider a scout scope setup that uses extended eye relief to keep the scope forward of the action.
A 2-7x variable magnification is the best all-around choice for a Contender pistol. At 2x you get a wide field of view for locating game, and at 7x you get enough magnification for accurate shot placement at 100-150 yards. Fixed 4x scopes remain popular for silhouette shooting, but variable 2-7x scopes cover more use cases across different barrel lengths and calibers. Higher magnification (10x+) is generally too much for handgun shooting.
The Thompson/Center Contender uses a proprietary integrated scope base with a dovetail mount. The original T/C scope base is the standard fit, but aftermarket options like the EGW Picatinny rail for the TC Contender (available in 0 MOA and 20 MOA) let you mount standard Weaver or Picatinny rings. The 20 MOA EGW rail is popular for long-range 223 Remington and similar varmint calibers that need extra elevation adjustment.
After three months of testing across 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, and 223 Remington Contender barrels, the Burris Handgun 2-7x32mm Ballistic Plex remains my top recommendation. It holds zero, the glass is excellent, and the Forever Warranty means you’ll hand it down with the Contender. If the price stretches the budget, the UTG 2-7X32 is the best value, especially for shooters running multiple barrels who want a do-it-all scope.
If you primarily shoot 22 LR or low-recoil calibers and want to save money, the BSA Edge 2-7x32mm is a smart budget pick. The Hammers Long Eye Relief Scout Scope makes sense if you want to share the optic between a Contender and a scout rifle. The NcStar 2-7X32 is the right answer for a starter scope, a plinker, or a backup in the range bag.
Whatever scope you choose, mount it with the correct T/C scope base or EGW Picatinny rail, use medium-height rings, and test the eye relief at every magnification before heading into the field. A well-mounted Contender scope will deliver a lifetime of accurate shooting, and these five options all deliver. For broader handgun optics coverage including revolvers and AR pistols, see our 10 Best Pistol Scopes guide, or browse our 8 Best Pistol Lights if you also run your Contender for predator hunting after dark.
