Red -dots sights for the Katahdin

[Varmint Hunter]

I bought a (20") 45-70 Katahdin barrel for my Encore ProHunter. I'll probably use it for treestand hunting black bears in Canada & Maine. The barrel comes with peep sights from the factory.

Typical shots range from 20yds to 75yds depending on how the outfitters set up the bait sites. I'd use the peep sights but my low light vision isn't what it use to be and the big bears usually come in to the bait later than smaller animals.

I was thinking of buying my first red-dot type of sight for this particular set-up. Both the Nikon and Burris red-dots look good but there are many other units available too. I have no experience with any of them. I do not want a low end unit even though some guys have had luck with them. I'd rather pay a little more and get better optics and greater reliability with the heavy loads this rifle can handle.

I'd appreciate any first hand experience that you guys would like to share.

[Keith L]

My old eyes don't work the best with either of the red dots I have in low light,  Mine are not the lowest of the low end, but they are not the best either.  Maybe one of the premium priced units will be better.

I have used zero power scopes on muzzleloaders that have worked well in low light.  Here we can't use magnification in the muzzleloading season, so the no mag scopes work, and even seem to gather light better than peeps or even iron sights.

[Chris Potts]

I have been thinking about putting a trijicon reflex on my 357 max. encore carbine.  Not really a typical setup for a tc but I think that I will work well for the ranges I shot.  It uses a combination of a fiber optic and Tritium-phosphor to light up the sight.  As a result it self dims as the ambient light decreases, also it doesn't use batteries.  It also is available with a triangular dot.  By using the top of the triangle as the POA you can be more precise than you can with a round dot that covers several moa.  The downside it that the are around $400 with the base.  But from what I hear the price does reflect the quality.  

Chris

http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/parts_new.cfm?categoryID=8

[454-hunter]

dude let me just blow your mind I went and put a pineridge reddot scope on mine . Yep thats right a Cabelas red -dot scope . It is mounted on a 460 encore pistol and beleive it or not it holds its zero shot after shot . I actually found mine on their web-site in the bargain cave for 20 DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Now they are selling them for 39.00 but they are great I was amazed.

Stan

[davem270win]

I've used a Millet red dot on an encore Kathadin inline ML barrel. Works well. Cost me about $80. The 'no parrallax' feature of the red dot is nice - you don't have to be lined up perfectly to acquire a target.

My eyes are getting old and I found I couldn't shoot very well with the fiber optics that came with the gun.
I like the red dot, but my eyes are having some trouble with that as well, I'm moving toward a regular scope, but not because the red dot has failed me in any way.

[jjvw]

I have been using a TRUGLO 2x30 red dot. Cabelas has it for $90.  . It has seen duty on 444 m and 209x50 in both pistol and rifle config and is holding up well. Mounts on weaver base. The dot is too big for long range but great for old eyes. If I get another, I would try the multi-reticle model for $150 that includes crosshairs.