Scope for my 7.5" SRH .454: Red dot or Traditional EER

[Quadzillabill]

I've got a Leupold EER scope on my Encore setup that I like well enough, but was thinking that the revolver might be a great gun to try a red dot scope on.  I really don't know anything about them, but would be drawn to the Gilmore/Leupold models on name alone.

The scope will be used for high-powered plinking, and whitetail hunting at ranges usually inside of 100 yards.  I'm more likely to take the Encore in 30-06 if I have longer shots to take.

Many are advertised as 'withstanding .454 loads', so I'm obviously not the first one who thought of this.  What features are most important?  What brands have you had good luck with?  Oh, and what looks great on the gun?  :-)

Thanks in advance,

Q

[Quadzillabill]

Anyone have experience with a Red Dot on a SRH .454?

[C A Plater]

Not with a SRH .454 but on a .44 S&W29.   There is a lot about dots to like and only a couple of dislikes.  Dislikes are batteries, you need them and you will kill a couple of them leaving the dot on when you put it away.  I use dot on my bullseye guns too and just carry spares ones for when not if it happens.  The other one is that it transmits less light that a good scope making the image darker.   I get by this by shooting with both eyes open and putting the dot on the target even if I cannot see it through the scope.  It is still on target as more than a couple of ringtailed bandits found out during their night raids on my garden.  On the plus side they are light and generally rugged.   It is also easier to aquire the target than through a conventional scope.  The dot is very intuitive to use and at pistol ranges is as accurate as any good glass optics.  Good ones have a nice range on the brighness of the dot and I like to make it as dim as I can and still see it so the dot appears translucent with both eyes open.  In addition to the Leupold models, I note among bullseye shooters, Ultradot brand is popular especially mounted on the slide of the 1911's.  I'm getting an Encore .500 S&W barrel and plan to mount an Ultradot on it when it's done.

[carolcann]

What about durability?

I have broken a RedDot model with a short barreled Redhawk.

What are the most recoil-proof electrics at a reasonable price?

[C A Plater]

What about durability?

I have broken a RedDot model with a short barreled Redhawk.

What are the most recoil-proof electrics at a reasonable price?

I'm not sure which brand and model that is but I think you're refering to a Tasco model named RedDot that is a stubby 30mm or larger red dot scope.  If this is the model, then they were rated at .357 or smaller in their durability.   Here is their web page on them => http://www.tascosales.com/riflescopes/reddot_bkrd30.shtml

I use a Propoint model on my 29 and it takes it well.  Before it was on the Smith, I had it on a .35 Rem.  Contender barrel till I switched to a 1-4x scope for longer (100 yard) bench shooting.  I've seen Ultradots for sale under $140 mark and I think Natchez has the 1 inch on sale for around $105 and I'm going to order one next payday.   I have the Tasco model above mounted on my Ruger MkII and it is great for that but would not but it on any hard kicking pistol or rifle.  But then I only paid $30 for it.   I have no personal experience with the BSA brand stuff.  

Good luck,
Courtney

[Quadzillabill]

I appreciate the reply, CA.  Glad to hear you have had good experience with them.  Seems like I've seen them on the shooting shows now that I think about it.

 I've been doing some research and have heard very favorable things about the Nikon red dots - but - they only mount via a weaver base and I'd like to use the factory ruger rings.   :roll:

I like Burris products and they offer one - anyone have experience with it?

BTW, I'm assured of leaving the dot on accidently a few times based on past experiences....

[C A Plater]

Almost forgot one more thing.   Be sure the model you pick will fit between the rings.  Most have minimum ring spacing issues and the distance between the rings on a SRH is fairly short.  I know a Bushnell Trophy is about 1/8th inch too long to mount without extention rings.  Measure yours first to be sure the windage and elevation adjustment knobs fit between the rings.  

An me.... leaving the dot on.....  Never happends to me... Really... That my story and I'm sticking to it.

Courtney

[HoCoMDHunter]

I have the BSA red dot on a 22 pistol.  I like it in general and it was inexpensive, but there is one thing that bothers me.  The dot changes position relative to the target if it isn't centered in the scope.  Is this true with all red dots?
BTW - I have the Bushnell Elite 3200 on my SRH 454 and love it.

[HappyHunter]

Quadzillabill,

I have a 44 mag Super Redhawk with a Millet, 1 inch red dot scope.

I have two of these scopes one on a Ruger Mark II and the above mentioned one.

Problem I encountered with the SRH was that you need to mount the scope so lens is not "cinched" by ring.  I broke my first Millet SP-1 (lens cracked under recoil) sight this way (Factory replaced with no problems, and 2nd sight has just over 500 heavy rounds experience).  Millet says the sight is rated for the big heavy magnum rounds.

A big difference in the scopes is the size of the dot,  IMO the smaller the better.  You do not want a 10 inch circle at 100 yards,  some modles even have adjustable dot size.  

The Millet SP-1 will fit the factory Ruger rings, and is supposed to hold up to your recoil.  The best price I have found is at Midsouth Shooters Supply for about $75 bucks.  This is a 1 inch red dot sight that will fit your ruger factory rings. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00131RD00004
Millet web sight is:  http://www.millettsights.com/


Incedently (but I have not yet tried it) your Ruger rings once mounted, will remove for iron sight use and can be put back on without losing your scopes zero!  These can supposedly be removed with a quarter in the field.

Good luck, post what you end up with and how you like it.

Fred
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