Open red dot sights

[baitwaister]

I have recently tried two different open red dot sights on my .41 mag and have busted both.  The first was the Cabela's Pine Ridge that looks like the Barska and then opted up for the ATN Ultra sight.  Are these type of red dots not meant the mags or am I just missing something.  The load I am shooting is a LBT 250 gr with 20 gr of H110.  Is this load too hot?  I see no signs on the cases that it is. How the are the tubed red dot for handling the bigger recoil?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Graybeard]

Most scope failures and I assume also red dot sight failures are a result of improper mounting not recoil or poor quality on the part of the optics. It's a sad fact of life that you can't just slap a base and rings on a gun (long or short) and plop a scope into the rings and tighten it all down and expect all to be honky dory. Oh you MIGHT luck up and it might be OK but then again it might not.

I pretty much use Burris Signature rings exclusively these days as they solve all alignment problems and prevent scope damage as well as the little nicks and ring marks folks seem to think of as "normal". Folks they are NOT normal they are a sign the rings are not properly aligned and are putting uneven pressures and stress on the scope tube and the scope optics.

Either lap those rings or use Burris Signature rings if you want your optics to live long lives. If you don't then don't cry foul when they break as you did it to them.

[jcn59]

I'd like to add, those "open" red dot sights might have a problem in the field when it rains or snows.  What's your experience?

[blklabs]

Not to get off topic, but how do those 250 LBT shoot in your gun?

[baitwaister]

Greybeard- both of these scopes merely used dovetail mounts on top of weaver mounts--no rings.  Pretty brainless.  Just put on and make sure they are tight ( at least that is what it looks like).

Blklabs- I like how they shoot very well.  With my iron sights at 50yds with a good rest I could get 2 1/2" groups, I just wanted something that when I pull up on a deer at 50 yds I wouldn't cover the whole animal.

[Ken ONeill]

baitwaister,
I've used several Ultra Dots (they are tubular) on .44 Mags and other, lighter recoiling handguns, for many years with no problems. I did have one of them continue to shoot the battery loose on a short barrel .45-70, and replaced it with a 2X Leupold, but have had good sucess otherwise. I would expect your .41 Mag. load to be similar in recoil force to a .44.

[blklabs]

Cool, I have some recommendations that that would be a good load for me to try in my .41.  I use a millet multidot on my 44 SBH and I shoot 310 gr fn at around 1200 fps.  IT has held up well with no problems whatsoever.

[BIG Dog454]

I've been using a Simons multi red dot on my SRH 454 for about 3 years now, with no problems. Now I know everybody down talks the Simons but I've had no problems.  I've tried others and the .454 just knocks them apart.  I've shot everthing from factory loads to 310 gr  max loads and no problems.

[crow_feather]

ditto...................................  RRH 454 32gr of H110 300 gr slug  Simmons Red Dot - no problem

[m-g Willy]

Duh?
Are you all talking about the red dot sight that you use with both eyes open (one eye on target the other eye on the dot?)


Willy

[BIG Dog454]

I keep both eye's open with all sights.  What are you talking about?

[Barbegris]

Duh?
Are you all talking about the red dot sight that you use with both eyes open (one eye on target the other eye on the dot?)


Willy

He's talking about non tubular red dots....

[BIG Dog454]

No! I was referring to tube sights. Guess we are talking about 2 different things. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

[coop2564]

I've been using a Bushnell trophy red dot on my 41 rem mag its been solid.

[Dave in WV]

I use a Trijicon Reflex sight on my S&W 629. It's an open sight and I've had no weather related problems. IMHO the tube type could be more of a problem with fogging both internal & external.

[jcn59]

The problem I've had with open red dots is when it's snowing here if snow piles up and obscures the red beam, you are out of luck.  I don't have any experience with the Trijicon sight, which is a pretty nice sight. 

When I look at much of the sighting equipment used in Iraq, I wonder how bad off we'd be if we found our troops fighting in snow country.  I hope the powers that be know the difference.

[S.B.]

I've used a tube type Ultra Four dot sight on my 629 for several seasons, now, with none of the problems you've described. However, the gun did slip out of it's nylon bandoleer holster (gun fell about 3', unloaded) and bend the front thread protector ring on the tube, but, I managed to continue to hunt with it till I obtained another thread protector ring from the company?