Author Topic: red dot scope for older eyes ? (Read 828 times)

icthus153 · « **on:** December 22, 2004, 02:45:01 PM »

i will be hunting for a 44 in the near future that will primarily be my gun but my father has also expressed interest in trying a handgun for deer. i have harvested 1 deer in the past but was stupid and sold my s&w. my question is this , since i will loan this pistol to my dad to hunt with also i want to make sure that what ever i put on top he will be able to use also. i think a red dot will be good for him , i had one on a crossbow and he liked it. am i thinking right ? what do i need to look for in a sight and what do yall recommend. thanks for the input -- icthus

VA Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2004, 01:18:06 AM »

I have those older eyes you're talking about and the open sights have become a problem. I started using the red dots about 3 yrs. ago, and I think they are the best thing going. In the area I hunt I'm not likely to get a shot much over 50yds.

Stick with one of the quality sights and you should be ok. I have one with the fixed size dot and one with the adjustable dot, but hardly ever change the dot size.

Jim

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2004, 06:45:14 AM »

I really prefer the Leupold 2x scope. There are no switches to forget, and in my area of really cold weather, switches and batteries act up in the field. I like not having any maintenance with a hunting sight.

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2004, 06:48:06 AM »

But if you do get a red dot, try to find one that automatically adjusts the dot brightness. It's a big help unless you hunt in areas where ambient light is uniform. Docter makes one. I don't know who else does.

Van/TX · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:44:38 PM »

Red Dot is the ticket for my old eyes. Try a cheap one. If ya don't like it throw it away. This one has worked fine so far :-) ....Van

sgtt · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2004, 06:26:30 PM »

I like dots. As with everything there are some advantages and disadvantages. The on/off thing, and brightness adjustment can be a pain. They do not, however require any focus adjustment as do the magnified scopes. This would seem to me to be a big plus for your situation. Depending on how familiar your Dad is with scoped handguns, he may find it easier to locate the target with a non-magnified scope. If you and he prefer open sights, why not adjust his eyes. If it is a focus issue E. Arthur Brown sells stick on bifocals that I have been playing with lately. They are limited but do work. Decot markets shooting glasses where the bifocal is on top for the shooting eye. This way you tip your head down to focus on the front sight. Much more natural for me. I plan on purchasing new lenses for mine with this feature when my health care spending account is again in force. Then again the whole issue may be moot if you are hoping that the gun will shoot to the same POI for both of you.

icthus153 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2004, 10:57:41 PM »

thanks for the replys everyone, my dad has shot handguns in the past but has never hunted with one . he is hard to convince about new ways to hunt unless i do it first. he taught me to hunt but i was the first to bowhunt and bowfish and blackpowder hunt and now he is an addict of all three. so if i get back into handgun hunting and he likes it, it will not be long before he has his own. all i have to do is pick it out and my mom will get it for him. he hates to spend money but she loves to buy him stuff . thanks for the help

daddywpb · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2004, 02:47:46 AM »

I would love to be able to use a red dot, but our hunting regs here prohibit any kind of electronic optics. If you haven't already checked, that might be something to look into before you buy.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2004, 07:18:02 AM »

Another option is the Bushnell Holoscope. I have one on an Anaconda 44 mag. I've not had a chance to use it hunting yet but at the range it seems to be just the ticket for these 61 yr. old myopic eyes of mine.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2004, 05:03:02 PM »

I put a Red Dot scope on one of my handguns because of my "aging eyes" too. Couldn't use it in bright sunlight. Even at the highest setting. If there's any snow, forget it. I changed it out with a Leupold 2X EER and there is no comparison in ease of getting on target.