Author Topic: Red Dot VS Scopes on Crossbows Or bows I suppose? (Read 1854 times)

jh45gun · « **on:** August 11, 2004, 02:22:11 PM »

While I have a red dot on my shotgun and love it on that I have not really been satisfied with them on any rifle or pistol. I had one on my encore 308 and took it off as the scope was much more precise and the encore is so accurate it would be a shame not to get all the accuracy it can deliver. I still have one I suppose I could put on a plinker. I did not even like it on my Muzzle loader. Well last year when I bought a Entry level Barnett Crossbow it came with a cheap red dot. Crossbows do not need anything real sturdy as some may think a cheap air gun /22 scope or red dot will take any thing a crossbow will deliver. Well the red dot was good enough to allow me to shoot 2 deer with it last year but I was not that happy with the accuracy. SO this year I looked for a used cheap scope at the gun shops and rummage sales none were to be found. SO finally I called Wally world and asked about a cheap 22/airgun scope (3/4 inch) as My crossbow model came with either a red dot or a scope like that when I bought mine the only one they had left came with the red dot. Well wally world had a cheap and I mean Cheap BSA for under 8 bucks I put it on and went to try it out yesterday. Well I got rained out yesterday sighting it in but did shoot 6 bolts will go back and fine tune it today to center the target. In the 6 bolts I shot the last 3 were in a tight cluster some thing I never got with the red dot which you would think at bow ranges would work just as good. Well it does not the scope is better by far. Darned if this scope even though it is cheap it does work well for this application. Also this Barnett bow is a lightweight model I might put a compact scope on in the future if I found on but the 22 scope fits in looks and weight Looking forward to getting it centered on target today. While a expensive crossbow scope with the built in crosshairs for different ranges would be nice this scope will do just fine as when I bow hunted I only used one pin and used Kentucky windage when shooting at different distances I can and will do the same with the scope.
Got her sighted in today and its perfect! @ 10 yards aim a couple inches low at 20 right on at 30 aim a couple inches high to put them right in there. Lots better than the red dot for sure!
Jim

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2004, 09:09:48 AM »

I have to say after shooting a 3 dot red dot sight made for crossbows they work well. The one I had on my bow was a real cheap one that came with the bow. I still like the scope with its magnification but If I had one of those new 3 dot sights made for a crossbow I sure would not be disatisfied they are nice now that I tried one.

WV Cowboy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2004, 03:16:52 PM »

Have you ever tried the 4 power crossbow scopes. They cost a little more but I have found that they are very nice on mine & the wifes crossbows.

Old Cowboys never die, they just keep riding the Range.

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2004, 06:04:23 PM »

Quote from: WV Cowboy

Have you ever tried the 4 power crossbow scopes. They cost a little more but I have found that they are very nice on mine & the wifes crossbows.

Old Cowboys never die, they just keep riding the Range.

Maybe some time down the line. Seems like money is always tight so the cheap 4x 22 scope I have now will suffice. It is much better than the ultra cheap red dot that came with the xbow package.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2004, 04:06:21 PM »

I have tended to stay away from scopes (by "scopes" I mean telescopes - which by definition magnify) on my crossbows - largely due to the short ranges and the general PITA scopes can be in less than optimal weather conditions.

For a while, I've used the peeps that came with my bows, but I'm one of those people who can't use peeps well.

On my Horton, I picked up a $20 (CDN) airgun red dot, and found it reliable, and much better than the peeps were for me. However, the adjustments weren't a fine as I'd like (and I'm not very particular), and I had an old Weaver Quick Point ambient light red dot sitting in my loading room. I bought a standard 7/8" base for my bow, and mounted the Weaver. I guess the dot must be about 15 minutes, but at archery ranges its not a problem, and its great not having to adjust brightness and monitor batteries.

What I do is establish a zero that's a little short of the range I establish as being my maximum - say 30 yds with a 35 yd maximum shot. I then walk up and back establishing the actual points of impact of my bolts at the various ranges with a centre hold. With the Horton, I was a little low out to about 15 yds, a maximum of 4" high between there and 30 yds, and 4 or 5 inches low at 35 yds. With these factors established, I could "hold-right-on" anywhere within my established range. A 9" difference in impact point height will keep a bolt in the boiler works of any deer or moose (or bear) I want to shoot.

So, that's a long way of saying "I like red dots". :twisted:

WV Cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2004, 10:24:31 AM »

Well I can honestly say I have never had one bit of trouble with my 4 power crossbow scope. In any weather conditions. I've been in them all too. lol..... Not a fair weather hunter. I like the fact that they have multiple crosshairs for different ranges. Just MHO.

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2004, 07:56:37 PM »

Quote from: WV Cowboy

Well I can honestly say I have never had one bit of trouble with my 4 power crossbow scope. In any weather conditions. I've been in them all too. lol..... Not a fair weather hunter. I like the fact that they have multiple crosshairs for different ranges. Just MHO.

I tend to agree. I have used a scope in foul and fair weather and at dusk and dawn conditions. Over cast or sunny. Not on a crossbow but rifles and pistols. I like peep sights also but I am happy with my 4 power scope so far on my bow. Since all my shots will be on standing deer I am not concerned about a little magnification being a problem. I would like one of those scopes and maybe have to buy one for myself for Christmas this year. :lol: That time of year might be able to find a deal on a close out also. :lol: After using one of those 3 dot red dot sights on my buddys crossbow I might consider one of those also. I heard Wally world was selling them for around 65 bucks. There I could put one on layaway and it would not be so painfull in the pocket book. For this season though I will use the scope I have on my xbow. Jim

Rick Teal · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:13:12 PM »

My problems with scopes have been when hunting in the thick stuff (all the time), down in the swamps when its raining or snowing (usually) or when leaves are blowing off the trees.

If either or both the objective and ocular lenses get wet or misty, a scope is useless. If the objective lens gets packed with snow or covered with a leaf, they're useless.

I shoot with both eyes open, so a red dot sight is still usable for short to medium range shots in these conditions, because you see the dot through even a wet or misted ocular lens, and the animal with your other eye. Your brain does an excellent job of superimposing the images and allows an accurate shot at reasonable ranges. The objective can be totally blocked and this still works.

My problem with scopes with high magnification is one of personal ethics that I won't get into here. One thing I did notice during my many attempts to use scopes was that shooting with both eyes open, I found a scope much more effective if it was of a power higher than 4. When using a low powered scope, the dual images I saw were very similar - just slightly off. I would often have a problem determining which was through the sight. With a higher powered scope, the images were so much different that it was clear which one was through the sight.

XCOP · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2004, 07:49:40 PM »

Excalibur makes 3 scopes that are specifically for crossbows. All are only 2.5X which takes care of a lot of the over magnification problems. The Drop Zone is for bows that shoot under 300fps. The Max Zone is for bow that shoot over 300fps and the Vari-zone is adjustable to shoot at all speeds. I shoot the Max with my Exomag and have found it to be perfect. With the Varizone, you can shoot different arrow weights without changing your setting. You adjust for speed of arrow only. It has 5 reticles for 10 yards to 50 yards. With my old eyes it sure helps in getting great accuracy.

Digger · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2004, 05:51:02 AM »

Quote from: XCOP

Excalibur makes 3 scopes that are specifically for crossbows. All are only 2.5X which takes care of a lot of the over magnification problems..

I have three varizone scopes for my 2 Vixens and my Paradox and I believe they are 2.5 x-4x. when the callibration is set to the 350 fps setting as it is on the Paradox which shoot at 340 fps whith 400 gr. bolts.
I have used all three Excal. scopes and found them to be good at light gathering In dawn and overcast skies and there clarity.

Digger

XCOP · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2004, 08:16:37 AM »

Digger,
You are right! I have not shot the Varizone and wrote about it without engaging my brain to my fingers :oops: But I agree that all of the scopes are excellent. My shot placement really improved when I fitted a scope to the bow. My bow came standard with a peep and fiber optic pin. It was very adequate, but does not hold a candle (pardon the pun) to the light gathering and pin point accuracy of a multi-reticle scope. With scope covers most of the problems of moisture etc getting on the lens is gone.

GaryL · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2004, 11:42:16 AM »

Quote from: XCOP

Digger,
You are right! I have not shot the Varizone and wrote about it without engaging my brain to my fingers :oops: But I agree that all of the scopes are excellent. My shot placement really improved when I fitted a scope to the bow. My bow came standard with a peep and fiber optic pin. It was very adequate, but does not hold a candle (pardon the pun) to the light gathering and pin point accuracy of a multi-reticle scope. With scope covers most of the problems of moisture etc getting on the lens is gone.

I seen and looked thru a Horton multi red dot at wally world yesterday 9-6-04 and it seemed pretty nice, price was 59.95 USA dollars. I have a BSA red dot on my Excalibur Wolverine set for 20 yds works good. The few dollars difference in the red dot I would get a Excalibur scope. However if I had the multi dot red dot I sure would use it. :lol:

Digger · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2004, 12:32:41 PM »

Here's what can happen when you use a Varizone scope on an Excalibur xbow. Just don't aim for the same bull twice in a row.

Digger

GaryL · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2004, 02:13:15 PM »

:eek: Digger you know better then that :roll:

jh45gun · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2004, 05:31:35 PM »

I can't hold that steady. :grin: Good shooting but then I never shot my crossbow using rest either so maybe that would tighten my groups. I have shot them side by side though offhand taking off vanes of the other bolt and scraping the bolt so I can get them fairly tight. I guess we will have to start calling you robin hood digger. :grin:

XCOP · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2004, 02:54:21 PM »

Digger,
I shot recurve bows for over 30 years. Got pretty good IMO, but only did that trick once in all those years. Then I got my Excalibur Exomag and did it twice in 2 weeks. I too had to learn the hard way about shooting different target spots. Tore the fletch off several others. I'm a slow learner, but I do learn.