Red dot scope?

[silentflight420]

Was thinking of getting a red dot scope for my .22 mag, Do these scopes work good? Would it be good for night hunting? I also noticed 1 or 2 that would maginify up to 4 times, would it be a good idea to get one of these over the 1 power? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[rainshadow1]

They work good, and if it has a variable brightness, it'll work good for night hunting too. Magnification on a rifle is probably ok. I wouldn't advise it for pistol or shotgun. They don't like recoil, I had a ProPoint on a 44Mag Contender pistol, and it kicked the poo out of it! But the 22mag should do fine. Just have an extra battery in your pack!

 

[6mm06]

Good Evening,

I haven't tried, but would imagine, that a red dot on your 22 magnum would work good for quick shooting at reasonable close-range distances. I purchased a red dot to try on my shotgun. So far, knock on wood, it is doing great. I too wondered about the recoil factor and if that would be a problem. I bought a Tasco, camo model from Natchez Shooter's Supply. The advertisement stated that it would withstand 3" magnum 12 guage loads, so I thought what the heck, I'd give it a try and hope for the best. So far I have shot several 3" loads of #4 buck, BB, Dead Coyote and #2's and it is holding well. The scope wasn't expensive. I think I paid less than $40 for it. It may last a long time and it may shoot loose next trip, but as I say, for now it's doing fine and I really love it. I zeroed it to shoot the densest part of the pattern at 40 yards with Remington Hevi Shot BB's. I then changed to Dead Coyote and it shot to the same point (good pattern). I also used a choke tube I purchased from Trulock chokes in Georgia. Great choke.

To answer your question, yes, it is great for night hunting. I went coyote calling one night with some local guys and the red dot was great. Didn't get to shoot it at night, but that little red dot surely did make a difference in being able to get on target.

Remington 11-87

 

[Bigdog2]

Like "RainShadow1", I put a Red Dot on my 44 mag and had problems, but the problem wasn't the scope----it was the mount. Magnum Pistol/Magnum Recoil.
I think the picture from "6mm06" helps because for quick shooting a bigger diameter tube is better, and his is a good example. The standard 30mm tubes and the smaller pistol red dot systems just require that you take more time to find the dot.

Almost all RD systems have an intensity control which is good as outdoor lighting changes. You need a brighter dot in bright daylight and far less at night. But since the dot does not illuminate the target, you have to be able to see the target to line it up. In pitch black, like a moonless Montana night, probably only a laser sight would work.

Besides optic size, I think it's important to get a Small Dot or even better a variable sized dot. At 50 yards or less most dots won't cover the target but squirrels at 125 yards can completely disappear behind a large Red Dot. I think in most cases this is even more important than magnification, though I'd like to try a Red Dot with magnification.

 

[6mm06]

My scope is a 30 mm. I believe the dot is a 3 mm, if I am correct. It's small. I just don't like the smaller diameter scopes and the 30 mm seems about right for me. I have a 42 mm scope on a SKS. It's way too large in diameter to suit me, plus that scope won't hold zero. It is an el-cheapo. I positioned the tasco on the shotgun to a point where it looked good to my eye. It has unlimited eye relief, but, I like the whole scope at a certain distance that makes it easy to get on target. The red dot itself does not light up the night, but when a red lens is cast out for predators, the red dot scope really becomes useful. Now, if only I can get on a coyote, I'll be happy!

 

[ARCOREY]

I've had a Tasco PDP5CMP on both my 41 mag redhawk, then switched it to my Mossberg 835 ultimag. It is awesome fast for finding targets, especially if you keep both eyes open. Mine seems to hold up fine, even with 3.5" mag OObuck. I've used it to take pheasants, chuckers, and even doves. Bought the smaller model and put it on a 10/22 for a while, it was fast, but squirrel heads at 50yds were a 50/50 chance. It landed on my RRA AR-15 for a short period for experimentation, but gun was too accurate for that scope.

 

[ohiobob]

you have to have the dot turned down to the lowest setting when its dark,,,my Dad had one on his Ruger Redhawk for deer hunting,,,he went into his evening stand and set the brightness where he wanted it,,which is the smaller the dot the more you can see the target,,,but he was sitting there and dark was coming and he seen a buck coming in and he put the gun on his knees waiting for the buck to come into his shooting lane,,,well when the buck got in his shooting lane he looked thru the red dot and he couldnt see ANYTHING,,the brightness of the dot blacked out the whole tube,,so he learned from that and always checks it right before dark and sets the dial on the smallest it can be with out turning off
BUT we have never tried one out after dark with a red filtered coon light shining on the target like 6mm06 did
so it might just be the ticket,,,let us know because i am interested in the outcome,,i cant do it my self because my dad sold the gun/red dot right before he passed away so i dont have access to one
Thank you
Ohiobob