45-70 shorty & Red Dot

[bikerbeans]

I want to try a red dot on my 45-70 shorty, 18.5" barrel.  I have owned a number of red dots and never had one that held up to heavy recoil.  To be fair to the red dots, the ones i owned where build "back in the day" so I haven't shot one build within the last 10 plus years.  Any reccomendations for a red dot that can handle decent recoil? I will be shooting 460 to 535 grain cast lead over H4198 in the 35 to 41 grain range, so a fair bit of kick.  Purpose of this gun is quick acquistion inside of 50 yards. 

BB

[gjdykeman]

Hello, BB. I use a Millet red dot on my 45LC, 1" tube. I have also used this scope on my Ruger NMBH and my 41 MAG S&W Classic Hunter. No Issues. I used a cheap 30MM red dot on a Comanche 410/45 colt pistol with HP loads and it shattered the glass. I like the Millet, not real expensive, but not cheap. Looks good to. Low profile. A really good one is an EOTeck holographic scope, both eyes open and puts the red dot on the target. 650.00 plus.

[gendoc]

bb, we have a couple bushnell trophy 1x30  stock#73-0134 on various heavy recoil shooters.
they all have held up nice.
it comes with a small shade and a polarizing filter.
11 briteness levels
4 reticles from tiny dot to cross hair.
i think i paid roun $89 each for them few years back.
 

[cwlongshot]

bb, we have a couple Bushnell trophy 1x30  stock#73-0134 on various heavy recoil shooters.
they all have held up nice.
it comes with a small shade and a polarizing filter.
11 brightness levels
4 reticules from tiny dot to cross hair.
i think i paid round $89 each for them few years back.
 

I shoot quite a few red dots in and on my competition pistols. IMHO AIM-POINTS are where its at. BUT they have gotten WAY expensive!! My problem with most red dots is bad parallax and because of it poor accuracy. I tried a number of different "cheap" bots and most failed under 12Ga recoil on the wife's Turkey gun. BUT This Bushnell has held up as well as my Aim points. Parallax doesn't seem obnoxious either. Just be conscious of the Dot centered in the scope and for close 50 yard stuff you should be with it a couple inches. If accuracy is bad, try making a effort to center that dot in the scope.

BTW, if you gonna hunt with it in cold weather, keep spare batteries handy!

Good luck,
 CW

[Bigeasy]

Aimpoints are about as good as it gets, but expensive.  I have an "Ultra Dot" mounted on a Ruger Redhawk that has held up for several thousand heavy loads.  They run about $150 or so.  Another good choice in a Holographic type sight is the Burris FastFire ll.  I have several, mounted on rifles and a 45 pistol, and all have held up well.  In a recent issue of Rifle Magazine, the editor, who is a dyed in the wool iron sight guy, mounted a FastFire on his 45/70 Marlin, and had nothing but praise for it.

Larry

[dpe.ahoy]

Check out Natchez Shooters Supplies, they have several on sale.  DP