Red Dot scope for ML

[tbone]

In WI we can not use a scope with magnification during ML season.  Would a red dot be worth while over open sights for more precise aiming and shooting past 100yds?  Also, some of them seem to have a very short mounting distance. Can they be mounted on just the rear base or should I be looking at a longer monting distance like on the Bushnell so it mounts to boht front and rear bases? 

[Semisane]

Been there, done that.  I think you will not be happy with a red dot on your gun.  When you first put it on and look through it around the house you say "Wow, this is great".  But you soon find two failings.  (1) the dot covers a whole lot of the target at any distance beyond 50 yards, and (2) they are almost useless in low light conditions - that golden 30 minutes at dawn and dusk.  In poor light you can't see a deer through the red dot that you can see with your naked eye.  Get yourself a 1X scope and be happy.

[hogrdr]

Utah has same muzzel loader laws about scopes while hunting so I had same issue. That being said I second Semisane Red Dot is not the answer I got lucky and my buddy put one on his Omega. As stated blocked target making it impossible to aim at small points. 1X worked for me as eye sight makes it hard for me to focus on open sights and long range target at same time. It took some getting used to looking through scope and seeing barrel but makes it easier to aim at small point down range.

Hog

[tbone]

Thanks guys, I will follow the good advice.  I am now on the quest for a good value in a 1X scope.

[alsaqr]

But you soon find two failings.  (1) the dot covers a whole lot of the target at any distance beyond 50 yards, and (2) they are almost useless in low light conditions - that golden 30 minutes at dawn and dusk.  In poor light you can't see a deer through the red dot that you can see with your naked eye.

Been there and done that.  Shot a few hogs in the broad daylight and it was acceptable.  In low light the thing was useless.  Could not get on a deer at about 35 yards with 20 minutes of legal shooting time left, so I let her walk.  Both of mine will get sold at the community garage sale next spring.   

[davem270win]

My experience also. Since I'm getting older and my eyes are not what they used to be, I thought a red dot would be easier. The lack of paralax is nice, but they can be tricky in low light situations. As it begins to get dark, you need to be constantly checking the setting - otherwise you'll put the scope up and blind yourself.

[Graybeard]

You might give the Holosight as made by EOTech and sold under their name or also by Bushnell. It is a red dot type sight but without the handicap most red dots have. The small red center dot is only one MOA size altho the other ring is much larger around 56 MOA I believe. The smaller MOA dot can be used for precise placement of shots to as far as the muzzle loader is good for and since you are looking right thru the single lens in it there is almost no light lost thru it.

They are tough enough to be used by our troops in the war zone so I think it safe to say those with the EOTech name on them are tough enough for your use. I have one on my 18" Remington R15 that is camo to match the camo on the rifle. Quite nice and battery life is pretty long. It has multiple brightness settings so the light of the reticle doesn't over power your vision in low light.

[Glanceblamm]

Do not overlook a Bushnell Trophy which is the more conventional tube type of Red dot. Mine is but three months old but is doing everything that the reviewers claimed as far as holding zero & accuracy go.
My model (like a fair amount of them to include the reflective sights) has the ability to display the recticle as Green for those low light conditions. I also have the choice of displaying four diff recticles
1. 3moa dot inside of a 60moa circle (Blocks out too much target area)
2. Crosshair (kind of course for my likings)
3. 10moa dot (ok but kind of big)
4. 3moa dot (perfect)

The Bushnell Trophy is one of the lower priced units and can go from $100 to $120 on the two diff tube type models. I wanted to try this technology to see if I liked it (which I did) but plan on changing this unit out for 09' for a unit of higher quality. Mine is mounted on a handgun and I am eyeballing a reflective or Holo such as the Burris fast fire. The thing about the Holo's is that you can see through and around them easily.
The choice of having the option of displaying two colors Red/Green or Red/Yellow will be important for the low light conditions.

[hogrdr]

Thanks guys, I will follow the good advice.  I am now on the quest for a good value in a 1X scope.

I ended up with Cabelas Pine Ridge on sale $39.00 when looking it came down to that one or a Sightron. I liked the Sightron a little better but price was the deciding factor. Since there is talk that Utah might let us use fixed power up to 4X I love when I can flip Leupold QR rings and put on VX II 3X9.

Hog

[ms]

I put a reddot on my shotgun I can see in low light condition. ultradot

[mangulator]

 I agree with glanceblamm I have a Bushnell Trophy Red and have been very happy with it. I know of two other hunters in our hunting camp that have the Bushnell Trophy the reds dots are rugged, hold up to the riggers of hunting and after several successful seasons I swear by the red dot scope. 

[Glanceblamm]

I agree with glanceblamm I have a Bushnell Trophy Red and have been very happy with it. I know of two other hunters in our hunting camp that have the Bushnell Trophy the reds dots are rugged, hold up to the riggers of hunting and after several successful seasons I swear by the red dot scope. 

I was going to go with the Ultra dot but just could not afford it plus get it mounted and get used to it in the short time that I had for the late season. There are many stories like yours among the reviews on the Bushnell Trophy...the guys like them so well that they just leave them alone and they continue to be accurate & dependable. I am still yearning for one of the little reflective or holo sights though.

ms wrote:
I put a reddot on my shotgun I can see in low light condition. ultradot

A good point as both the Ultra dot & the Bushy have a rheostat to adjust the brightness of the dot.




The Bushnell Trophy atop my SBH in the .44mag...I set this up mainly for the late deer season here but could not resist taking it during the reg season (last weekend) and scored with it!
I recon that it has only had to put up with the recoil of that .44 for a couple hundred shots and is accurate and holding its zero well. This model comes with an extention tube of perhaps three more inches for long gun mounting.
There is a removable glare filter and being able to see the dot in bright light is not an issue.

[ELMO]

  I mounted a BSA red dot on my grandson's Rossi .45 caliber muzzleloader 3 years ago. I sighted it in and he has taken 4 deer with that little gun in 3 years, he loves that it doesn't have the big recoil. I have changed the coin type battery only once in the three years since I got the gun for him and have made minor adjustments to the scope before each season to be right on target. This scope only cost about $35.00 and it has held up nicely so far and his longest shot was maybe 70 yards. The only thing I would advise about, is try an inexpensive red dot first to see if you like it or not and make sure the dot clarity is nice and round. The only real drawback is on real bright sunny days, it is hard to see the dot.....

[THKSNOW]

Been there, done that.  I think you will not be happy with a red dot on your gun.  When you first put it on and look through it around the house you say "Wow, this is great".  But you soon find two failings.  (1) the dot covers a whole lot of the target at any distance beyond 50 yards, and (2) they are almost useless in low light conditions - that golden 30 minutes at dawn and dusk.  In poor light you can't see a deer through the red dot that you can see with your naked eye.  Get yourself a 1X scope and be happy.

IMHO I have to disagree here.  Most of the high quality red dot type "sighting devices" (they are NOT a scope) can be fine tuned (turned down) for low light conditions.  Because they have no magnification, you shoot with both eyes open (long gun or hand gun).  With both eyes open you can SEE the animals reaction to the shot. I have the Bushnell Holosight currently.  Since 1986 using red dots I've NEVER had an issue getting on target, in fact some of the deer I have taken I would have never shot with a scope or iron sights.  I have found the red dots are light years faster getting "on target."   Buy one, but don't buy a cheap one, and keep both eyes open.