Author Topic: Red dot choices (Read 4191 times)

krankie · « **on:** July 10, 2010, 02:27:45 PM »

I am thinking of putting a red dot scope on my S&W 460 8 3/8 barrel.I've been looking at the Ultadot scopes.Are these a good product and will they hold up to the recoil well? Also give me some advise as to whether 1 inch or 30 mm is the better option.Maybe you have another brand you prefer and why.Any help will be appreciated,thanks.

PawPaw · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2010, 03:03:39 PM »

I don't have any experience with Ultradot scopes, but a good friend of mine has several and recommends them highly. He's got one on a .45-70 and another on a .300 Magnum.

He's just about talked me into getting one for my AR. He claims that the warranty service is excellent and the scopes are as advertised.

Dale53 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2010, 08:23:03 PM »

I have a couple of Ultra Dots as well as a half dozen other Red Dots on various pistols and revolvers. On .44 Magnums or lighter recoil a great value in an excellent Red Dot is Simmons. However, Simmons themselves have told me that they will not withstand more recoil than a .44 Magnum.

A number of people whom I respect a great deal, have told me that the Ultra Dots will hold up very well on the "heavies" - revolvers that recoil MORE than a .44 Magnum. They have used them on .454 Casulls, .460 and .500 Smith & Wessons. My Ultra Dots have given good service but, as I stated above, I have NOT used them on the "Big Boomers". If I put a Red Dot on my .454s, it WILL definitely be an Ultra Dot.

I have both 1" Red Dots and 30 mm Red Dots. I MUCH prefer the 30mms as the "hole" is bigger (they have a wider field of view and you can find the "hole" through the red dot easier) - both of these can be critical when hunting.

The larger than 30 mm Red Dots are too unwieldy for me. They interfere with the balance of the gun.

YMMV
Dale53

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2010, 02:49:30 AM »

I've got about 8 or 10 1" Ultra Dots in service - 1 for over 20 years on a 629. I like the compact 1" better than the 30 mm, although the larger one will certainly offer a much improved field of view and brightness, neither of which is great on the 1" version.
I've had no problems with recoil on mine, except for 1 I had on a 6 1/2" (!!! ) .45-70 Contender (it was a gift). The battery kept shooting loose, and I finally replaced the Ultra Dot with a 2X Leupold, fearing that the red dot would fail on a hunt.
I think it's likely that the Ultra Dots are the best dollar value out there in red dots.

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2010, 06:26:40 AM »

Ken,

While doing your research check out the J. P. Enterprises Holographic type red dot as well as Bushnell's Fast Fire and their holographic sight that looks like the EOTech, EOTech and Aimpoint all have quality products that hold up to heavy recoil. Bushnell has about four versions of it's Trophy red dot that hold up real well to heavy recoil as well.

I know of several .45-70s with the Bushnell Trophy red dots and no problems, I've seen Aimpoints and EOTechs mounted on weapon systems in Iraq that they were never intended to be mounted on but were holding up to full auto fire quite well.

Holographic sights tend to be more robust due to less glass being involved in construction. They mount holographic sights directly to the slides on semi-auto pistols and shoot thousands of rounds through them in the pistol matches.

Not trying to sway you from the Ultra Dot recommended previously just bring up some options to check before laying down your money.

v/r
Shvlhead.45

shooter6br · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2010, 05:59:29 AM »

I bought a Ultradot 30mm. Reason for 30 over 25mm? I read you get 28% larger field of view with 30mm tube. Some say better for hunting use. 10 bucks more and 0.2 oz heavier . I plan to use it for target and some squirrel hunting. Just my 2 cents Rick

Capt Gary · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2010, 09:04:26 AM »

Burris Fastfire II does a great job.

shooter6br · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2010, 06:25:01 AM »

Use got a Ultradot 30mm Love it Quality piece with a great warranty

tommy killtrigger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2010, 11:04:08 AM »

Second the Burris Fastfire 2 sight. I have placed one on my 41mag. with great results.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2010, 11:39:29 AM »

I have a 1 inch Ultra Dot mounted on a Ruger RedHawk. It has been on that gun since the mid 80's, and has proven reliable. When ever I work with heavy loads in the 44 mag., I always use this gun, and I couldn't guess how many heavy rounds this optic has stood up to. The Aimpoint sights have a great reputation, but cost a lot more. I have several Burris FastFire ll's that work well on a handgun, but they are a holo type sight.

Larry

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2010, 03:25:18 AM »

Quote

Bushnell has about four versions of it's Trophy red dot that hold up real well to heavy recoil as well.

Quote

I know of several .45-70s with the Bushnell Trophy red dots and no problems

Mine would be the Red/Green model. It has four diff Recticle choices but I feel that three of them are a gimmick as the crosshair is somewhat course and two others tend to hide the target. The last choice (the 3moa dot) is perfect. It holds zero extremely well on the .44 mag. This model has a 28mm tube and I will give it an ok. The Green lighting is nice for dawn or dusk and the Red works well even in bright sunlight.

The top model from the Bushnell Trophy line has a 30mm tube and is the red dot only. I did not buy this one because it features an auto shutoff if the firearm is turned sideway's and I did not trust it to work reliably, especially when you need it to be on!

roger460xvr · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2010, 05:31:50 AM »

burris fastfire-11 for sure..........

krankie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2010, 05:37:28 AM »

Several have mentioned the Burris fastfire.What is the difference between it and the ultradot and what makes it better? Which would be better for a hunting sight?

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2010, 03:30:49 AM »

The Burris fast fire is on my wish list but I dont know if I can do this in time for my late season hunting. The ability to see through and around these holo types is unsurpassed compared to a tube.
The weight and balance is also much better with the little holo although my tube is manageable. My only fear with the holographic (perhaps a subconcious thing) is that I will snap off that delicate little lens on a sapling or such. This is prob unlikely as one is careful where the gun is pointing anyway.

I still use irons for the regular season but like that dot for the late where the longer range shot opportunity's can be more common. The dot makes for some very comforatable shooting out to 100yds for myself.

475cal · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2010, 07:34:03 AM »

I have a aimpoint h1 on my 475 ruger bisley,no problems.

ole 5 hole group · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:06:48 AM »

I wanted a holographic sight and was really leaning toward the JPoint sight. I went with the Leupold Delta Point instead and I'm very happy with it. It's a large 7.5 MOA delta and is fast coming on target. I use the tip of the delta as the aiming point. It's been on a 500 Smith and 454 BFR with no problems - so far. The only bad side to this sight is the sight adjustments. You have to loosen set screws prior to adjustment and tighten them prior to firing - I just know some day I'm going to forget and try to make an adjustment with the set screw tighten down.

odoh · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2010, 08:18:04 PM »

Many of the better holo sights have those tiny screw locks, my JP4, Fastfires and others. I liked the holo's because of their petite size. I sought counsel from a warranty station of a firm that offers both types. He recommended the tube type as those tiny holo's coming in for repair after having their lens pop out from droppage or collision w/an immovable object AND he added that under field conditions precipitation (raindrop/snowflake/debris) can put it out of commission as the led emitter is exposed to the elements. I think its JP that has a clear plastic rain hood accessory available to slip over their sight to help prevent that. Even w/a lifetime warranty, when one comes in w/the lens out of its loop indicating abuse, it may be outside of the terms of warranty. Anyway, thats what I was told. FWIW, he mentioned that their tube types coming in w/the front lens busted and heavy ring marks on the portion of the tube where the lens is mounted indicating over torque of the rings would receive a critical eye too.

That said, I've a few holos, a Fastfire, a Fastfire II, JP4 and several UD and a aimpoint red dots. All good but for the ruff stuff, I look to the red dots.

Get what makes you happy as you will be the one using it.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:14:11 AM »

if you can afford the best the aimpoint is hands down the most rugged redot made.

mlk3454 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2010, 04:15:51 AM »

2 questions if you guys dont mind.

What is a trusted reseller of ultradot (other than midway - I dont care for them). I did a yahoo search and found a handful but I have never heard of them or bought from them so I want to be sure I make a safe purchase

I am looking to put this on a Super Redhawk in 480. Would I be limited to only the 25mm (to use the rings that came with the gun) or would the rings that come with the site (ie 30mm) mount to the grooves that are already on the gun?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2010, 04:31:41 AM »

I have been using red-dot sights for many years. I have tried the Tasco Pro-points, Leupold Gilmore, Aim Point, Millet, Burris Fast fire and the Ultra- dot 1 inch and the Ultra-dot Match Dot.

Every red-dot I have owned I have blown out except the Ultra- dot's. They are the ONLY red-dot I will use and trust. I have used them on my 500 Mag with well over 1500 rounds on the tube, and they still work great. I bought the expensive Aim Point and blew it out after 10 shots with my 454 Casull Super Redhawk. Got it replaced and sold it.

You cannot beat an Ultra-dot for price, and they hold up great. I will let you know when I blow one up. Currently I own 5 of them, one on my 357 Mag, 45 Colt Blackhawk, 500 Mag, 475 Linebaugh and one on my BFR 45-70. 2 are the Match-dot and 3 are the 1 inch tubes. All my hunting buddies also have them on the handguns and not one has gone bad. Would I recommend them, I sure would.!

odoh · « **Reply #20 on:** August 08, 2010, 06:41:47 AM »

Quote from: mlk3454 on August 08, 2010, 04:15:51 AM

2 questions if you guys dont mind.

What is a trusted reseller of ultradot (other than midway - I dont care for them). I did a yahoo search and found a handful but I have never heard of them or bought from them so I want to be sure I make a safe purchase

I am looking to put this on a Super Redhawk in 480. Would I be limited to only the 25mm (to use the rings that came with the gun) or would the rings that come with the site (ie 30mm) mount to the grooves that are already on the gun?

I purchase UDs from www.larrysguns.com which is also the warranty station for the U.S region. I like Midway but Larrys price is better w/free shipping PLUS he ships it out just as quick as Midway.

IIRC w/the UD Match Dot turrent body is to long to use 30mm rings & to use the weaver style rings that come w/the UD a weaver style base would be necessary. Weigand is the one I'd recommend for the SRH 480/454. That could be avoided by going w/the other 30mm UD using Ruger rings or the 1" UD w/the rings that comes w/the SRH. Keep in mind that the makers still see 30mm rings for rifle scopes w/huge obj lens and don't make a low set for streight-tube red dots. I like things compact/low on the revolver.

krankie · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2010, 08:41:29 AM »

Thanks for all the replies.If hunting was your primary concern,would you buy the 1 inch or the 30 mm model?Also are the multiple dot size models of any hunting use?

ole 5 hole group · « **Reply #22 on:** August 08, 2010, 03:36:07 PM »

opticsplanet.net is one of the largest on-line distributors for Leupold and usually have good prices.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 08, 2010, 03:50:41 PM »

Quote from: krankie on August 08, 2010, 08:41:29 AM

Thanks for all the replies.If hunting was your primary concern,would you buy the 1 inch or the 30 mm model?Also are the multiple dot size models of any hunting use?

30 MM works the best for me when hunting. The multi dot is great, when hunting I like using the smaller dot for pin point accuracy. I have killed a lot of game using the very small 2 MOA dot in the Match-dot.

catboat · « **Reply #24 on:** August 08, 2010, 04:01:11 PM »

Ultra Dot.
http://www.bullseyepistol.com/dotsight.htm
Read the last section.

This is where I got mine.http://www.larrysguns.com/Departments/UltraDot-Optics.aspx?page=2

I have Ultra Dot 30mm models on both a Marlin 1895 45-70 (4 moa dot) and a S&W model 41 22 lr (Ultra Dot Match Dot w/ variable dot choice). Both are durable, and have crisp dots.

Lifetime warranty. High value. High quality. Strong company behind it. It was an easy decision for me, twice.

odoh · « **Reply #25 on:** August 08, 2010, 04:06:38 PM »

Quote from: krankie on August 08, 2010, 08:41:29 AM

Thanks for all the replies.If hunting was your primary concern,would you buy the 1 inch or the 30 mm model?Also are the multiple dot size models of any hunting use?

I have both. First choice is 30mm followed by the 1" which is on my SRH. I would (and have had) a 30mm on the SRH but as I said before, it sat too high for my liking. YMMV

Multi dot choices don't carry much w/me as my only interest is in hunting and while I prefer 2MOA Dot, (not too small that its hard to find) they tend to be scarce/expensive so I settle for 4MOA (easy to pick up on a quick shot and still doesn't cover too much of the target at a reasonable range) any larger than that my effective range for placed shots diminishes accordingly. I draw the line at 4MOA. Thats me, I know what works for me and don't care to change so having additional choices would be wasted on me.

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** August 10, 2010, 07:03:01 AM »

I like and use the Ultra (30 MM tube helps me get the dot on targets quicker) but, and own several others that are much cheaper. My first choice for any hunting handgun would be the best I can personally afford(don't want any mistakes here). So, I would opt for the Ultra hands down.
Steve

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #27 on:** August 10, 2010, 08:17:05 AM »

I also use the burris Fast Fire II as it gives a very reliable and SMALL package. With slight modification to the shoulder holster the Ruger Bisley .41 below rides easily and comfortably all day long. The sight is quick and easy to use, as easy if not easier than any other red dot sight I've tried on a handgun. The base is a Weaver base with a flat bottom. It is thin enough that the Fast Fire can easily be remove with a quarter or other tool and the iron sights are them instantly availbe and already zeroed. Very hard to beat set up and I put a couple more Fast Fires on other revolers and a couple Contender barrels.

Larry Gibson

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2010, 08:18:38 AM »

Additional photo.

Larry Gibson

ole 5 hole group · « **Reply #29 on:** August 11, 2010, 04:23:59 AM »

Very nice set-up Larry, did you modify the weaver base yourself? In your opinion, do you think the set-up you’re using could work on the SW X-frame or some 454’s out there? I ask because on my weaver style base the “recoil lug” concept is incorporated within the base itself to prevent shearing of the 6X48 screws on heavy recoiling revolvers and requires the removal of the rear sight. Maybe a couple 8X40 screws might hold up to the punishment using your type set-up due to the small weight factor?