New 629, 44 mag, 6 1/2", Should I scope or red dot it?

[Revolver Nuts]

I recently purchased a new 6 1/2" 629 44 mag and can't decide whether to put an Ultradot or a scope on it. I will be using it for deer hunting, etc. out to about 100 yards. I'm torn between the 30mm 4moa Ultradot and a Burris 1.5 - 4 scope.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Revolver Nuts
NRA Lifer

[Bullseye]

Scope, except for 100 yards and under I would go with a 2x for a lighter smaller package.

[4MUL8R]

Have you considered the Zeiss Z-Point red dot?  I believe you can find them for less than retail on ebay.  I have corresponded with Zeiss and learned that they will withstand 454 Casull recoil.

I think with the Model 629 that a nice Weigand weaver mount and a Z-Point would be great.  I currently use a 2X scope on a handgun and it does take some doing to position the revolver just where the scope is full-view.

I may convert to a red dot very soon.

[dubber123]

Although I am naturally distrustful of anything requiring batteries and electronics to work, i believe a red dot may be best.  It seems alot easier for me to find a dot quickly than the crosshairs on a handgun when you are in a hurry.  I also know from experience that you can shoot alot better with that seemingly huge dot than you think.  My friend bought a 1400$ Desert Eagle in 50, and promptly screwed a 30$ BSA red dot on to it.  I told him I bet it wouldn't make it through one magazine.  Well, it's still going, and the first time I shot it, I got a 1-1/2" 5 shot group at 85 yds.  The dot covers a bit more that that, so yes, a scope might have tightened it up a bit, but for a hunting application, the dots fine in my opinion.

[Dave in WV]

I have aTrijicon Reflex sight on my 629 power port. No battereis and it works great. It's a first generation Reflex sight and it has a 4 MOA dot. If you scope your 629 I second a 2x. Handgun scopes have a small field of view and the lower  magnification for short range works better for me.

[terry]

 I shoot a eotech 550 mil spec holo sight on my S&W performance center 357mag with 6" barrel. I also have a trijicon reflex sight it is great also smaller and lighter. You can't kill the eotech my buddy deer rifle hunts with a eotech 550 and dropped it from a 18ft high tree stand  and it survied and did not need resighting. It put a good mark on the steel hood though. I like the reflex style sights because of the big FOV they offer and no focus problems. Also much easier to hit a moving target with.

[Redhawk1]

I use and recommend the Ultra dot, especially the Match dot. JMHO. 

[southern utah]

if interested I have a Buehler stainless base and ring set ($120. ) and  silver aimpoint 3000 ( w/ sunfilter lens) both for $100. shipped.

[S.B.]

Actually, I use the exact same set up you ponder, an Ultra dot 4dot on a 6&1/2" S&W 629 Classic in a Jack Weigand base and rings. I swore off Burris scopes a long time ago. The red dot is much easier to see at first and last light and the rheostat makes fine tuning (brightness) a snap.

[Revolver Nuts]

Thanks for all the input.
I just ordered a Ultra Dot Match Dot. Hopefully I'll be trying it out this weekend.
Revolver Nuts
NRA Lifer 

[Redhawk1]

Thanks for all the input.
I just ordered a Ultra Dot Match Dot. Hopefully I'll be trying it out this weekend.
Revolver Nuts
NRA Lifer 

You will love it, I have one on my S&W 460 Mag. 100 yards shots are a breeze with the 460 with the Ultra-dot Match-dot.  I have another one in my gun safe that is a back up to my other  3 red-dot handguns. 

[ftw]

I use and have used red Dots and scopes on my hunting pistols. (T/C Contenders,S&W 29,Ruger redhawk). They have their plus and minuses.

I have found even the cheap Red Dots accurate and fast to get on targets out to about 60 yards. With my old eyes the red dot loses it's effectiveness if the range stretches to far. Also the Red Dot will not allow you to shoot in first and last light as a good scope will. When you cannot shoot with fixed sights, you will not be able to shoot with the red Dot either.

Handgun scopes work well and can extend your effective range as long as you do your part.

I sometimes choose a scoped or Red Dot handgun based on whether my shots will be fairly close or a long shot over a food plot or cut over.

What works best for you will probably be the deciding factor.i

[Lawful Larry]

If you plan to do all your hunting inside of 50 yards, a red dot would be fine.  If you intend to do more serious hunting out to 100 or 150 yards, then you need a handgun scope.  If you are an older chap like myself, the magnification will help.

I have only one red dot and that is on a .22 Browning buckmark pistol.  It is a Millet Red Dot and a very capable scope for small game hunting. 

But remember that we are all giving you our collective observations and experiences.  You should try different scopes and sights out for yourself.  No sense paying twice when once is good enough!     

[mikemayberry]

My Performance Center 629 Light Hunter buildup is a bit different than the others.  I am growing to really like this six shooter.

The factory scope rail allows for the use of the original white outline rear/red ramp front sight.  Lasergrips add to the low light options and they will be a good choice out to 25 yards if the light conditions are right.

Next up, I use quick release Warne Rings to hold up the Bushnell red dot/green dot scope.  It is proving to be strong out to 50 yards and I really like it for fast action.

For targets out to 100 yards, I also use the Warne quick release rings to hold a Bushnell 2-6 Elite 3200 and it does the job.  I feel like the 44 magnum trajectories go to pieces shortly after 100 yards so I won't be taking any shots further than that and it would be rare to go that far unless conditions were just right.

This revolver is so versatile--hard cast 250 Leadheads over 18 grains of 2400 are looking to be my way to success for the 2006 deer and hog season.  My holster setup allows for carrying with or without either scope so I feel like I have finally gotten what I want out of a handgun--one that will do it all for game that I hunt.

Mike