Has anyone thought of or tried running both a scope and red dot( micro sized) on a bolt action rig? Similar to what tacticool guys run on an ar. Scope up top and dot on 45 rail. This might work good for the fast close upper close in running shots. Just spitballing often I haul a shot gun for close up work as my rifle has a 4-12 sighted in at 250 for longer shots. Out here lots of dogs can hang up at 300+ so being able to reach out is valuable. But the hard close chargers are more of a challenge then. Anyone tried this? I'd likely zero it at 50.
Scope and red dot on coyote rig
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DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
Ran a Burris FastFire III on a 223 bolt action, but never used it so it came off. Put it on my AR and guess what, I've never used it there either. Practice sure, I can hit soda cans out to 50 yards no problem (zero'd at 20 yards). But I've never used it to take a predator yet. Despite what some say about losing cheek weld or being slow, no you don't, and it's actually pretty fast which is why guys have been using them in tactical competition.
Rather than buying a micro red dot and 45 degree mount, you're better off putting the money towards buying a scope with a red dot, like a Leupold VX-R FireDot 2-7x32 or 3-9x40 or VX5hd 2-10x42 FireDot etc. I owned both of those VX-Rs and they're great for fast action up close.
Rather than buying a micro red dot and 45 degree mount, you're better off putting the money towards buying a scope with a red dot, like a Leupold VX-R FireDot 2-7x32 or 3-9x40 or VX5hd 2-10x42 FireDot etc. I owned both of those VX-Rs and they're great for fast action up close.
JoeyJ
New member
My SIL tried that type of set up. Awkward as [beeep] transitioning from the scope to the micro red dot for close action shots on moving small targets.
SIL settled on a Vortex 1-6X24 with illuminated reticle, which in his opinion and mine - is the better choice.
Having the red dot mounted 45* from top of rail might look tacti-cool - bit in the field after fast moving, agile targets - best to go with a 1-4, 1-6 or 1-8 scope or just go straight micro red dot, using both eyes open.
SIL settled on a Vortex 1-6X24 with illuminated reticle, which in his opinion and mine - is the better choice.
Having the red dot mounted 45* from top of rail might look tacti-cool - bit in the field after fast moving, agile targets - best to go with a 1-4, 1-6 or 1-8 scope or just go straight micro red dot, using both eyes open.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
You have to pull your head off the stock to use a 45 degree holosight and then it is a matter of bobbing and weaving to keep your eye behind it while trying to keep it on a moving target. A low power scope 1-4, 1-6, 1.5-6, 2-7 has such a large FOV it can be used just like a red-dot on the lowest powers. Yet just by turning the power up you have a 300+ yard capable rifle. The thing you have to get used to is keeping it on the lowest power for those fast close in shots, if they are out there where you need the X's there is usually time to turn the scope up.
These were all shot with rifles that aren't suppose to be this accurate but are great coyote hunting rifles
If you think these are one-off targets, here is the same rifle at 100 yards with a 3x scope on it. I shot the first groups and thought it might be a lucky group so I shot the second one.
Straight 1.5x scope with factory ammo at 100 yards
Low power scopes are not a handy cap even at longer ranges once you get used to shooting them. I doubt that having higher power scope on them would make them shoot any better but it sure would ruin the handling qualities. Having great glass in a scope will make it seem like a higher power scope also. In non-illuminated scopes I have 1.5-6x4?mm scopes by Sightron, Burris, Meopta and Bausch & lomb
These were all shot with rifles that aren't suppose to be this accurate but are great coyote hunting rifles
If you think these are one-off targets, here is the same rifle at 100 yards with a 3x scope on it. I shot the first groups and thought it might be a lucky group so I shot the second one.
Straight 1.5x scope with factory ammo at 100 yards
Low power scopes are not a handy cap even at longer ranges once you get used to shooting them. I doubt that having higher power scope on them would make them shoot any better but it sure would ruin the handling qualities. Having great glass in a scope will make it seem like a higher power scope also. In non-illuminated scopes I have 1.5-6x4?mm scopes by Sightron, Burris, Meopta and Bausch & lomb
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JoeyJ
New member
Nice Burris you have there. I've got the 1-8X but find it on the heavy side to tote around. Age does that to a fellow but you young bucks shouldn't have a problem carrying weight around.
My SIL put the vortex power ring attachment on his 1-6X and can change from higher magnification to 1X in riccki-tick time. That's a nice add-on feature for little cost.
The Aimpoint with 2 moa red dot is my normal choice in the field.
My SIL put the vortex power ring attachment on his 1-6X and can change from higher magnification to 1X in riccki-tick time. That's a nice add-on feature for little cost.
The Aimpoint with 2 moa red dot is my normal choice in the field.
Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
I have a Leupold deltapoint Side-saddled on my scope with a LaRue mount. It’s set up on my POF P415. I have never used it. Tried to sight it in once and it was a pain. Never did get it sighted it. It hard to find the dot in as well because it’s does not line up with my eye because it’s so high and off set. I Should pawn the $400 set off to make use for something I will use.
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I do have a couple red dot scopes ( 1-5x) and 3 bushnell tr25 red dots on specific guns. My thinking comes from air soft. Used to be a huge player.... My main battle rifle was an m4 with 4-7 scope up top zeroed at 100 yrs and a red dot mounted 45 deg on right side of receiver. On the ar platform at least in air soft it is fantastic allowing for incredibly fast first round hits simply rotate the rifle and shoot. Cheek weld was not compromised in any way.
In my area many coyote shots are 250+ and have taken more than a few out past 500. After much trial and error my two dedicated rigs wear a 4-12x( main calling gun) and backup wears a 2.5-10x. The 4x puts me in tough spot when dogs show up feet away and moving. I like the shotgun for this but don t love packing two guns all the time
In my area many coyote shots are 250+ and have taken more than a few out past 500. After much trial and error my two dedicated rigs wear a 4-12x( main calling gun) and backup wears a 2.5-10x. The 4x puts me in tough spot when dogs show up feet away and moving. I like the shotgun for this but don t love packing two guns all the time
Been there, done that. I found that I used my dot on a 45 degree mount a lot while shooting in competition so it stood to reason that it would work for predator hunting. So it went on, and I nailed more than a few predators with it. But I found that some dedicated range time with my optic of choice got me everything I needed without the extra weight and dot snagging on things. So I still have it, just in case I take out someone who has not taken the time at the range. I've seen guys try flip up sights too and with the same result.
I run a 4-16X50mm scope and am good from 25 out to 300 without too much effort. Past 300, I have to do some quick math. Inside of 25 yards, there aren't many things you're going to find to be accurate on Wile E Coyote doing Mach 10 through the stand. If you have many of them doing that it's time to change how you set up your stands.
DSC_0149 by Jason Mosler, on Flickr
I run a 4-16X50mm scope and am good from 25 out to 300 without too much effort. Past 300, I have to do some quick math. Inside of 25 yards, there aren't many things you're going to find to be accurate on Wile E Coyote doing Mach 10 through the stand. If you have many of them doing that it's time to change how you set up your stands.
DSC_0149 by Jason Mosler, on Flickr
jcs271
Well-known member
I run illuminated reticles on all of my predator/hunting rigs. All Leupolds, mostly VXR and VX6. When I get on the animal I do not want to have to think about, or transition to, any other sight. I just want to line up the shot and squeeze! This system works exceptionally well for close in and timber shooting. I leave the scope on the lowest power (usually 1 or 2X). If they are far enough away to need more, then I generally have time to zoom in. I also don't have to worry about banging up an offset $400 reflex sight.
I have hunted coyotes for 15 years. I hunt CA high deserts. My gun is an AR-15 with a TA-110 ACOG and an offset RMR. I shoot about half my coyotes rolling the gun to the RMR.
The RMR is so valuable for coyotes on the run up close or ones coming from an odd direction where I have to take my gun off my shooting sticks in a hurry.
My rule of thumb:
Gun on the sticks = ACOG
Gun comes of the sticks = RMR
If the gun is off the sticks, things are dynamic or at an odd angle.
The RMR is so valuable for coyotes on the run up close or ones coming from an odd direction where I have to take my gun off my shooting sticks in a hurry.
My rule of thumb:
Gun on the sticks = ACOG
Gun comes of the sticks = RMR
If the gun is off the sticks, things are dynamic or at an odd angle.
masshunter
Active member
I use a VXR 1X4 on my Marlin 375 Deer/Bear rifle. At first or last light that dot makes all the difference, especially on a black bear. I have red dots on my Mossberg 930 turkey/coyote shotgun, and on my Marlin 357 carbine. I never seem to turn the variables up , 2 1/2 or 3 is all I ever need.
