Anyone using a red dot or holograhphic site on 44/.357.

[STUMPJMPR]

I really want a pistol caliber rifle.  However,  I don't really want to scope it.  I'm not sure I'd even like a red dot on one.  Any opinions?  I'm contemplating buying the "R Word" rifle in .44 mag since it comes with Irons.. 

[petemi]

I tried 3 and 5 MOA red dots on .357, 44 and 45 Colt Handis and didn't care for them.  They were great in low light, but covered too much target to be precise.  I can't use irons any more, so I put low power scopes on them.  I think they'd be fine deer hunting early or late day at close range.  For me, that's a non-issue since, as a rule, I don't use the pistol calibers for deer.  I may need a much longer shot.

Pete

[STUMPJMPR]

I really don't plan to deer hunt with it.  I will be using it on hogs.  I am hunting marshland and do not like to use a rifle out there.  There is only grass to stop the bullet. Most of what I do now shotgun is adequate.  However as I discovered on smaller pigs the shotgun can be too much.  I can't really place my shots.  I do have a 500 SW handi but it is almost 2.00 a shot to shoot.

[hoytcanon]

A .44 Mag will work well for your needs... we use NDS-38 peeps with Williams Fire sight front ramp... very quick acquisition and good accuracy to 100 yards.
 
P.S - we have tried red dot sights on many weapons... and have had many go south, including some very high quality units. We have also had batteries go dead at very inopportune times... The only guns that still wear red dots are a few HB20 and HB22 pistols that the kids use to plink pop cans etc... if I had a gun that I NEEDED to work, when I NEEDED it to work, I would use another aiming system.

[kennyd]

I am close.  Put a BSA cheapo red dot on a Savage 24 in 30-30.  The dot is on target, even when the parallax seems like it is way off.  The other day  I was looking at the less expensive laser sights with a weaver mount, wondering how they would work.  I think the hunting regulations will not allow this but don't know about hogs.  One of the little flashlights I have will put a spot out to 200 yards at dusk, will have to try it sometime to see how well it shows in daylight.

[Ranger99]

i tried a red dot on mine when
i first got it, but it had to be
adjusted farther than i was
comfortable with and my nephew
had trouble understanding how
to make it work and how to hold
it . it got a low power non-illuminated
scope and works fine. easier for him
to understand to put the "x" right there
and no fiddling with dot intensity as
light conditions change. tack driver

[sluggo]

 I had a Tasco red dot on my 12 ga. ULSH, it was o.k. @ short ranges, but @ long ranges you had to put your cheek in the same spot every shot to be consistent. I put a BlackHawk cheek rest on it and got better groupings, but defeated the whole purpose of buying the 5# gun. I took it off and put a Mueller 3x9x40 Hybrid (4.5" eye relief) on and can throw 1 oz. cast slugs any where I want with great results.

[SHOOTALL]

I really want a pistol caliber rifle.  However,  I don't really want to scope it.  I'm not sure I'd even like a red dot on one.  Any opinions?  I'm contemplating buying the "R Word" rifle in .44 mag since it comes with Irons..

I put a EO-Tech 512 on a Ruger 77-44 and did not care for it . I scoped it and liked it some what better but to be honest the rifle works better with open sights. The bolt handle is somewhat small and the scope interfears with working the bolt, The EO-Tech was to tall and unconfortable to use. If I try anything else I might try a peep sight.

[STUMPJMPR]

I really like Peeps as well.  I have one on my 12ga shorty.

I really want a pistol caliber rifle.  However,  I don't really want to scope it.  I'm not sure I'd even like a red dot on one.  Any opinions?  I'm contemplating buying the "R Word" rifle in .44 mag since it comes with Irons..

I put a EO-Tech 512 on a Ruger 77-44 and did not care for it . I scoped it and liked it some what better but to be honest the rifle works better with open sights. The bolt handle is somewhat small and the scope interfears with working the bolt, The EO-Tech was to tall and unconfortable to use. If I try anything else I might try a peep sight.

[jedman]

  I have a .357 and a 44 handi with red dot sights .   Both are shortys 18" bbls. and have the red dot mounted forward on the barrel similar to a scout  scope.    One of them is a Burris Fast Fire w/ 4 MOA dot and the other is a Bushnell Trophy that has 4 different sighting images .  I have used them to take deer and antelope  and for myself I find them very precise for game up to 150 yards.
I cannot use irons past 50 yards anymore but the red dot works great for me.
 The one thing I dont like about them is that they rely on a battery to work. I missed out on a shot of a lifetime a couple years ago when at the moment of truth when the shot was there the dot was not. 
Cold weather hunting is not the best for battery powered sights.      jedman

[Old Fart]

I have a Bushnell on my 357. Serves me well on that gun.

[gcrank1]

Tried a RedDot for about 18mo. on a couple of rifles, it went blank once too often. It did shoot surprising smallish groups in spite of the large dot. I dont see me buying another one.
For your stated purpose I would recommend any rear of barrel mounted peep sights with the shotgun aperture or just the 'ghost ring' (non screwed on) and that Firesight front.
FWIW, you've got a fine 500, why not spend the money on the reloading stuff and make it (and everything else you have) affordable to shoot. Cast bullets and a more manageable recoil load would make it high on my list as practical, and way cool to boot.

[STUMPJMPR]

I have contemplated reloading for the 500 SW.  I lost all of my reloading equipment 8 years ago and never bought anymore.  It seems there is a huge shortage on reloading supplies now.

Tried a RedDot for about 18mo. on a couple of rifles, it went blank once too often. It did shoot surprising smallish groups in spite of the large dot. I dont see me buying another one.
For your stated purpose I would recommend any rear of barrel mounted peep sights with the shotgun aperture or just the 'ghost ring' (non screwed on) and that Firesight front.
FWIW, you've got a fine 500, why not spend the money on the reloading stuff and make it (and everything else you have) affordable to shoot. Cast bullets and a more manageable recoil load would make it high on my list as practical, and way cool to boot.

[cwlongshot]

This is a Muzzle loader, but would easily work for a 357/44/45 pistol carbine!!



CW