Today you’re going to find the best scopes for your Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum.
In fact:
I’ve personally tested each Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum scopes by hand and fired several rounds through each one.
The best part?
I’ve categorized each scope by use so you could easily find which scope fits your needs.
Let’s dive right in.
Best Scopes for Henry Big Boy .44. Magnum | Category | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire | Best Overall | $130 |
Best for Hunting | $300 | |
| CVLIFE Tactical Rifle Scope 4-16×44 | Best for Night Time | $50 |
Best for the Budget | $70 |
What Makes a Great Scope?
When you’re looking for the perfect scope, it comes down to a few key factors. While I personally loved one, you might prefer one of the others on this list for your needs.
Clarity
The lenses are obviously one of the most important pieces of your best scope. Some have a better coating for protection while others have a special reticle.
If you plan to shoot in low-light conditions or at night, that can also play a part in your choice. Clarity also refers to the sight picture, because you want to see the entire image in your scope.
Ranged Shooting
When it comes to shooting at long distances, you want accuracy. This can be affected by anything from having a solid mount to being able to zoom in for more precision.
It’s not enough to have magnification, though. Watch for the adjustments and parallax features as you go through the best scopes for a Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum.
You’ll also want the right amount of eye relief for your weapon. You don’t want to have a black eye just because you had to be so close to the scope.
Durability
Whether you’re planning to put a thousand rounds down at the range or go for a long hunting trip, durability matters. Some manufacturers build their scopes with stronger materials.
Multi-coated lenses hold up better, too. Once again, what I think is the best may not be the best for your scope intentions.
Price
No one likes to spend more than they need to. In many cases, you’re paying for the quality of materials used for the scope. Unfortunately, sometimes you’re paying more for the name.
That’s not to say that the brand doesn’t use top-notch lenses and internal components, but it’s something to determine for yourself.
Purpose
The last factor is possibly the most important, since it will decide the rest. What you plan to use your scope for, from shooting at night to hunting, will influence your needs.
With so many parts to think about, we’ll go over each aspect of the 4 best scopes for the Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum. Think about what you need your scope for and let’s break them down!
Top 4 Scopes for Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum
If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best rifle scopes:
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire: Best Overall
- Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9×40: Best for Hunting
- CVLIFE Tactical Rifle Scope 4-16×44: Best for Night Time Shooting
- Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm: Best for Budget
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rimfire: Best Overall Scope
Vortex Optics is one of the best names in tactical operations, so I had to try out the Crossfire II Rimfire. With some of my favorite features of any scope I own, you’ll want to hear about the Crossfire II.
- The 2-7x32 Crossfire II Rim fire riflescope is one of many configurations in the Crossfire II line. The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a variety of hunting...
- With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you'll be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. The fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views for the user.
Glass Clarity & Reticle Patterns
Something that immediately stood out when I used the Crossfire II was the lens clarity. Vortex used quality glass to give one of the clearest sight pictures I’ve seen at all magnification levels.
It’s a multi-coated lens, so I haven’t had any issues with scratches. It’s also anti-reflective, which is great for daytime target shooting to eliminate glare.
That’s helped with the fact that the Crossfire II has built-in light transmission for target shooting in low-light conditions. I haven’t had any problems with a clear image, even at dusk. That’s not even addressing the reticle.
The Vortex Crossfire II has a V-Plex reticle, which is fantastic for hunting purposes. It’s a second focal plane reticle with a center dot that’s illuminated.
The brightness controls are on the top of the scope. The V-Plex is a dual reticle, so it can operate from the battery or enhance with natural shooting light.
While it’s not great for competitive shooting, I can take my Crossfire II to the range or on a hunt and have consistent accuracy either way.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
The Henry Big Boy packs a punch, so eye relief is important. With a 32mm objective lens, I’ve never had a problem with being too close to the scope.
That comfort when shooting is nice, but so is the fact that the lens is clear enough for fast target acquisition. The Vector Crossfire II has a great sight picture with no blur or fuzzy edges.
Durability and Weight
I’ve loved every Vortex optic that I’ve fired and the Crossfire II is no exception. Between the range and hunting, I’ve put it through the ringer and never had any issues with durability.
It’s made of aircraft-quality aluminum that’s shock-proof waterproof. The internal optic is sealed with an o-ring and nitrogen purged to stay fog-proof.
Again, that goes back to the fact that I’ve never had any blur on my lens. The Crossfire II is basically weather-proof. The entire scope weighs about a pound, so it’s very lightweight.
I also love the matte-black finish for that anodized look. Plus, it’s all built with a single piece for extra strength. The Crossfire II is highly resilient for almost any situation.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
While I’ve had to buy caps for some scopes, the Vortex Crossfire II has capped turrets out of the box. This protects them and adds to their durability from use.
They’re easy to adjust. The windage and elevation knobs can both be adjusted by-hand in increments of ¼ MOA per click. This allows me to have absolute control over where my rounds go.
Parallax & Magnification
I love the variable magnification on my Vortex Crossfire II. With 2-7×32 and the clear sight picture, I can hit anything at 100 or 300 yards.
That’s partly helped by the second focal plane reticle, so my reticle doesn’t change at either magnification level. Still, parallax adjustment can be a problem for some scopes.
Vortex understands that and basically removed parallax error with the Crossfire II scope. That means I can have precision with my Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum.
Mounting & Rings
My Crossfire II is only about an inch, so it fits on pretty much any mount or rings. I’ve never had problems with mounting it on a Picatinny or Weaver rail, and it’s small enough to co-witness if you want.
Is the Vortex Optics Crossfire II worth it?
Without a doubt, I’d recommend the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 for your Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum. It’s the best scope that’s well-worth the price.
- The 2-7x32 Crossfire II Rim fire riflescope is one of many configurations in the Crossfire II line. The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a variety of hunting...
- With long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box, you'll be able to quickly get a sight picture and acquire your target. The fast focus eyepiece allows quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provide bright and clear views for the user.
Why? It’s got:
- Weather-proof durability
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 50-yard parallax
- Amazing value for the price
- Crystal-clear sight picture
- Comfortable eye relief
If that’s not good enough, Vortex Optics has one of the best scope warranties available. They don’t require a receipt and you don’t need to prove ownership of the Crossfire II.
With that, they offer a complete refund or scope replacement. I’ve only had to replace mine once and had no difficulties doing so. Overall, I love the Crossfire II on my Henry Big Boy.
Still, if you’re not sold on the Crossfire II but love the sound of Vortex, you might want to check out their Vortex Spitfire 3x. It gives a solid performance, quality parts, and similar features.
2. Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster: Best Hunting Scope
If you’re looking for the best scope for hunting, Leupold is always a good name. Since they were originally designed for hunting,the best Leupold rifle scopes are a great start for a price.
- Model 176011 - VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9x40 with Duplex reticle and Matte finish
- 100% Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
- Includes ballastically matched bullet drop compensation elevation dial optimized for .450 Bushmaster
Glass Clarity & Reticle Patterns
My Leupold VX-Freedom Bushmaster has one of the clearest sight pictures I’ve seen. That’s because Leupold uses the highest-quality parts in their scopes.
I have a clear image at either magnification. That’s partly due to the unique shooting light transmission system that Leupold uses. I’ve made use of their Twilight Light Management System a lot.
Basically, if I’m out shooting and it’s getting dark, the system uses low-light transmission to give me 10 more minutes of brightness in my duplex reticle.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
I’ve never had problems with eye relief on a Leupold and I didn’t start now. The VX-Freedom Bushmaster has a 40mm objective lens, so I can rest comfortably from the scope and see fine with about 4” of eye relief.
It also provides me with an excellent field of view, so I can see what’s around my hunting target. As expected, Leupold delivered for hunters with the VX-Freedom Bushmaster.
Durability and Weight
The Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster is one of the best long-range scopes. They made the Bushmaster with high-grade aluminum.
It’s shock-proof and waterproof, so it’s great for any shooting conditions. The internal tube is nitrogen purged with an o-ring to seal it shut.
Like the Vortex above, Leupold’s VX-Freedom is fog-proof. It does weigh a little less, though, at just over 12 ounces.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
One thing that stands out with the Bushmaster is that it seems like Leupold designed their bullet-drop compensation specifically for this scope.
Each click is ¼ MOA for extreme precision. The max windage and elevation knob adjustments are 60 MOA, so there’s a lot of room to work with.
Parallax & Magnification
Unlike the Crossfire II, the VX-Freedom Bushmaster isn’t parallax-free. It does have its quirks, but I haven’t had problems once I got used to it. It helps to have so many options for parallax adjustment.
I can see a clear image at the 3x all the way to the 9x magnification. Being fog-proof, I also don’t have to worry about a blurred sight picture.
Mounting & Rings
As with every scope on this list, I had no trouble mounting the Leupold VX-Freedom Bushmaster on my Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum.
Is the Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster worth it?
My one issue with the VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster is the price. I love this great scope and, don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic piece of machinery. Leupold scopes are expensive, though.
- Model 176011 - VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9x40 with Duplex reticle and Matte finish
- 100% Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
- Includes ballastically matched bullet drop compensation elevation dial optimized for .450 Bushmaster
If you want something similar for less than half the price, you might like the Nikon P-Tactical BDC 600 rifle scope. Nikon is a Japanese manufacturer with attention to detail.
The P-Tactical is very precise with a multi-coated lens, 1” scope, and comparable durability in weatherproofing. Still, if you have the money, I’d go with the Leupold for the best scope.
Here’s why:
- Twilight Light Management System
- Extremely durable
- Multi-coated lenses
- Lightweight
- 150-yard parallax
- Perfect for hunting
Leupold offers a lifetime warranty on their products, as long as you have proof of purchase. There are some exceptions to their refund, but you also won’t need a replacement anytime soon with the fantastic durability of their scope.
3. CVLIFE Tactical Rifle Scope: Best for Night Time
CVLIFE isn’t as well-known as names like Leupold and Vortex, but they offer some great scopes. In this case, their Tactical Scope is reliable for night shooting.
- Eye Relief: 3.3-2.7" With the locking turret, the CVLIFE tactical rifle scope is a great choice for hunting and shooting.
- Completed with the fully coated optical glass, the scope would give you a bright and high-contrast image.
- Made of high-strength aluminum alloy and with its one-piece tube construction, the gun scope is definitely for greater strength and durability.
Glass Clarity & Reticle Patterns
The CVLIFE Tactical Scope has fully-coated lenses that give a clear sight picture. A main feature of this scope is “Sunshade,” which keeps rain off the scope while shooting and allows me to fire my Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum in low-light or no-light conditions.
The Tactical Scope uses dual-illumination, so the reticle can be highlighted in green or red. That makes it perfect for different eye conditions, like astigmatism.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
I get about 3” of eye relief with my 4-16×44 scope. It can adjust a little more or less, but that’s almost perfect for the Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum.
When I shoot, I don’t have to worry about my eyes. Of course, I also don’t have to worry about the field of view. CVLIFE uses clear lenses to give a great image at 4x or 16x magnification.
That’s thanks to the unique ocular lens that CVLIFE used. This lens has dioptric adjustability, so you can use it well whether you’re far- or -near-sighted.
Durability and Weight
At just under 1 pound, I’m happy with my CVLIFE Tactical Scope. It’s made with high-grade aluminum that’s shock-proof and waterproof, which is a recurring theme with quality scopes.
It’s also fog-proof and can take a beating. For the price, it’s hard to argue against adding this scope to your arsenal.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
For something at this price, I was surprised at the quality of the elevation and windage adjustments. They reset to zero whenever you want, so they’re easy to adjust on the go.
Parallax & Magnification
With a clear sight picture, having 4x or 16x magnification is nice. I can make out whatever I’m trying to hit at either level. It’s also parallax-free at any distance for added precision.
For something comparable in magnification, you might also want to check out the Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24×50. Vortex delivered a serious piece of equipment with great range and clarity.
Mounting & Rings
As if it wasn’t already a great deal, the CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Scope comes with a 20mm rail. It mounts easily enough otherwise, but if you’re new and don’t have Picatinny or Weaver rails you like, this is a fantastic starter option.
Is the CVLIFE Tactical Rifle Scope worth it?
I absolutely recommend the CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Scope. It’s got a lot of great features, especially for night shooting, and the price is hard to beat.
- Eye Relief: 3.3-2.7" With the locking turret, the CVLIFE tactical rifle scope is a great choice for hunting and shooting.
- Completed with the fully coated optical glass, the scope would give you a bright and high-contrast image.
- Made of high-strength aluminum alloy and with its one-piece tube construction, the gun scope is definitely for greater strength and durability.
Why? It’s got…
- Sunshade light-gathering illumination system
- Zero-resetting knobs
- Parallax-free
- Comes with a 20mm rail for mounting
To use the CVLIFE warranty, you have to register your scope after purchase. After that, just keep track of the receipt and you’re golden in most cases.
4. Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm: Best Budget Scope
Some of the scopes for your Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum can get expensive. With that in mind, I think the Simmons 8-point is the best scope for your wallet.
- Riflescope offers robust feature set for the price; Coated optics provide bright, high contrast images; Fully coated optics, waterproof, fog proof & recoil proof
- 1/4 MOA sure grip audible click windage and elevation adjustments
- Proprietary true zero windage and elevation adjustment system stays locked to 0 through strenuous conditions; QTA eyepiece enables easy target acquisition
Glass Clarity & Reticle Patterns
The Simmons 8-point scope has fully-coated lenses to keep them resistant from scratches. As far as clarity goes, I was impressed with the sight picture given the price of the scope.
I can see the image clearly with the second focal-plane Truplex reticle. With finer crosshairs, the reticle doesn’t get in the way of my easier target locking and I’m able to aim faster.
Between the image and the magnification levels, I can consistently hit targets between 100- and 300 yards. If you’re looking for a QTA lens, Simmons hit that mark, too.
I have no trouble with quick target acquisition. In fact, it comes with a focus ring for better accuracy. For the price, the Simmons 8-point scope definitely does the job.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
With a 50mm objective lens, I get a great field of view and almost 4” of eye relief. The best part of the wide lens is that it takes in more light transmission. This gives me an even clearer image of my target, so it all works together for a clean shot.
Durability and Weight
The Simmons 8-point is one of the best lightweight rifle scopes at 13.2 ounces. It’s also light on your wallet, which is why I was so happy with the durability.
Simmons built their 3-9x50mm scope to take a beating. It’s made out of aluminum with their HydroShield coating. It’s waterproof, fog-proof, and comes with lens covers, too.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
If you still need a reason to consider this budget scope, Simmons uses a TrueZero system for their adjustment knobs. Elevation and windage adjustments lock to their zero if you want.
The Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm is considered recoil-proof. That’s because the adjustments will stay despite the recoil of your Henry Big Boy, or any other conditions you put it through.
As far as the adjustments, each click of the knobs is ¼ MOA for better precision. The windage and elevation knobs are capped for protection, too.
Something else I love about the adjustment knobs is the SureGrip rubber on them. It’s textured to be adjusted in the worst of weather. The max for each is 60 MOA and it’s easy to click both knobs without adjustment tools.
Parallax & Magnification
This is the only scope on the list without any adjustments for parallax. However, after a few cycles, I got used to it and adjusted easily. Besides, for the price, it’s hard to be mad.
Especially considering the fact that I can see a clear image at either 3x or the 9x magnification. If you want something with slightly less power in the same range, you might like the Burris Scout Scope 2-7×32.
Mounting & Rings
As with all the scopes on this list, I had no trouble mounting my Simmons 8-point on the Henry Big Boy. It doesn’t come with anything, so I had to buy 1” rings for mounting, but it fits on any Weaver and Picatinny rail.
Is the Simmons 8-point 3-9x50mm worth it?
While it doesn’t adjust parallax, there are many high-quality features that you wouldn’t ordinarily get from a cheap scope at the price of Simmons’ 8-point 3-9x50mm. It’s absolutely worth it!
- Riflescope offers robust feature set for the price; Coated optics provide bright, high contrast images; Fully coated optics, waterproof, fog proof & recoil proof
- 1/4 MOA sure grip audible click windage and elevation adjustments
- Proprietary true zero windage and elevation adjustment system stays locked to 0 through strenuous conditions; QTA eyepiece enables easy target acquisition
Why? It’s got…
- TrueZero adjustment system
- Fast target acquisition
- SureGrip rubber knobs
- HydroShield waterproofing
I know the CVLIFE quality scope is comparable in price and highly recommend both for your budget. Simmons offers a lifetime warranty, though, that’s good for any defects from the factory.
Final Rifle Scopes Verdict
A lot of scope choices come down to preference, but I think the best scope overall for the Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum is the Vortex Crossfire II. It’s also one of the best rifle scopes under $500.
It’s got a crystal-clear image at any magnification range and I love the eye relief. It doesn’t shift when I fire the Henry Big Boy and the Vector is built to last, from tube to fully multi-coated lenses.
I have consistent precision with every shot, so the performance in tandem with everything else puts Vector at the top. Leupold is always high-quality, but the price can be a point of contention.
CVLIFE edges out night shooting while Simmons had unexpected features among cheap scopes. The Crossfire II is my favorite, but it’s up to your preference and needs.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my Best Scopes For Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum guide.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Which rifle scope will you pick for your Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum? Or perhaps you already have one and would like to share your thoughts.
Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
FAQ:
Definitely. The .44 Magnum rounds from the Henry Big Boy pack a serious punch to take down a deer. When you pair that with a Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster or Nikon P-Tactical scope, it’s even more effective.
If you’re using your Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum for hunting deer or other big game, the effective range is within 150 yards.
Anything past that, the velocity drop can lower impact force for a clean kill. However, if you’re trying to hit a target for accuracy, you can easily manage something out to 3- or 400 yards. The only trick there is to make sure you’re using a scope with enough magnification range and clarity that you can see a clear image.