Red dot on a bolt action

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Red dot on a bolt action

Posted: 10/5/2019 10:29:21 PM EDT

I've been watching a lot of European driven boar hunts and they're all using bolts with red dot sights.

Has anyone used a setup like that? Missed the magnification of a scope?

Something like this:

Attached File

Posted: 10/5/2019 10:31:40 PM EDT

[#1]

It would make for quick, close range aiming...

Posted: 10/5/2019 10:44:53 PM EDT

[#2]

Just ordered a crossfire ii im gonna try on a 700 270.

Posted: 10/5/2019 11:46:19 PM EDT

[#3]

Back from South Africa and it is becoming somewhat of a trend in hunting any plains game for shots up to 100 yards.

Posted: 10/6/2019 12:11:01 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Back from South Africa and it is becoming somewhat of a trend in hunting any plains game for shots up to 100 yards.

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Very cool

Posted: 10/6/2019 12:18:41 AM EDT

[#5]

It makes a lot of sense if you're hunting boar up-close in the brush (although I'd prefer an semi-auto in that case).

Posted: 10/6/2019 12:34:56 AM EDT

[#6]

what about a LPVO? or a 3x prism type, they are pretty forgiving for eye relief for fast shots.

Posted: 10/6/2019 12:36:53 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
what about a LPVO? or a 3x prism type, they are pretty forgiving for eye relief for fast shots.

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I probably should have gone with a prism since i have slight astigmatism, but we'll see how the red dot goes. I do ok with one on an AR

Posted: 10/6/2019 1:52:58 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

I probably should have gone with a prism since i have slight astigmatism, but we'll see how the red dot goes. I do ok with one on an AR

View Quote

I can't speak to the astigmatism issues but in general there is pretty much nothing iron sights do that a red dot doesn't do significantly better. They work well for just about everything except longer ranges.

Posted: 10/6/2019 5:11:04 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
It would make for quick, close range aiming...

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On an action that is hard to fire rapidly. They aren't looking for a Texas hog hunt. One will do, and traditional firearms are the more accepted way of doing it there.

This is why some lever action fans are mounting a rail where the rear leaf sight mounts. Red dot field goodness.

Posted: 10/6/2019 8:19:01 AM EDT

[#10]

show is sponsored by aimpoint.

Posted: 10/6/2019 11:26:21 AM EDT

[#11]

I had a dot on my Marlin guidegun for years and it was the tits for woods/thick cover hunting. I hunt in a more open area now so it sports a low power variable.

Posted: 10/6/2019 4:50:21 PM EDT

[#12]

It all depends where and how you hunt. Opening day sitting no, late week deer drives yes. It’s a good option for a second gun to be grabbed on appropriate days.

Posted: 10/6/2019 6:45:30 PM EDT

[#13]

They mount them on bolt actions because they don't have AR10s.

Posted: 10/6/2019 6:58:47 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
They mount them on bolt actions because they don't have AR10s.

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Good point. I don't either

Posted: 10/7/2019 1:33:30 AM EDT

[#15]

I love 'em. Here's my Ruger GSR with a Burris Fastfire III on top, soon to be upgraded to a Trijicon RM08G.
Using the FF3, it groups right at 1" @ 100yds.

I have also recently acquired a Remington 700 in .223 with a 16.5" threaded barrel that will also get a RM08G.

Here's a CZ 527 Carbine I used to have:

And a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39mm (that I also used to have):

They are extremely handy, keep the gun as light as possible, leave your field of view wide-ass open, and are a hell of a lot of fun to shoot.

Posted: 10/7/2019 10:37:34 AM EDT

[#16]

Tagged! I have my granddad's Spanish Mauser sporter; it's got an old Bushnell and see-thru rings on it... probably because the bolt handle was never properly bent.

Been considering just sticking a red dot on the front scope base.

Posted: 10/8/2019 7:30:24 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I had a dot on my Marlin guidegun for years and it was the tits for woods/thick cover hunting. I hunt in a more open area now so it sports a low power variable.

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I have a dot on my guide gun now.

Posted: 10/9/2019 6:05:35 AM EDT

[#18]

Haven't hunted with a bolt action that had a red dot on it, but have taken some deer with my AR, which has a red dot. Worked like a charm!

Posted: 10/13/2019 10:46:37 PM EDT

[#19]

175 yards.

Posted: 10/13/2019 11:04:47 PM EDT

[#20]

Nice! That's a heck of a shot at 175

Tell her great job!

Posted: 10/14/2019 1:47:19 PM EDT

[#21]

The deer was in an open field and my granddaughter was in a solid shooting position and using shooting sticks. The rifle is a Ruger in .243. The ammo was Winchester factory 100 grain power point. All it took was one shot.

Posted: 10/14/2019 2:07:51 PM EDT

[#22]

Attached File

what I use in the mountains in heavy timber

Rem 7 in 308.

Posted: 10/15/2019 6:13:04 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
The deer was in an open field and my granddaughter was in a solid shooting position and using shooting sticks. The rifle is a Ruger in .243. The ammo was Winchester factory 100 grain power point. All it took was one shot.

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For the life of me I can't understand how so many people believe that .243 isn't enough for deer -even at distance. In the South East, it should be plenty for just about everything you'd want to hunt. I've never hunted black bear, but I'd assume a .243 with a good solid or TSX bullet would do the job? I've hunted hogs and deer with .223 and it works great. Never had to do a follow up shot or track.
That cartridge shoots like a laser. Actually, it seems ideal for a red dot. Put dot on target, bang, flop.
Great shot by the grandbaby...I hope mine takes up hunting with me.

Posted: 10/15/2019 6:13:30 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/17185/REM_7-1_JPG-1123843.JPG

what I use in the mountains in heavy timber

Rem 7 in 308.

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That looks mighty handy! Have you put it on a scale yet?

Posted: 10/19/2019 11:50:56 AM EDT

[#25]

I have one on my Ruger GSR, works great.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Armory/How-is-the-Gunsite-Scout-/52-498250/

Posted: 10/19/2019 7:15:53 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
That looks mighty handy! Have you put it on a scale yet?

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No, but i need to. Will see what I can come up with. It's very light. I spend a week in the MT mountains hunting every year with it. Every ounce counts when treking up and down the rockies (for me anyway)

A few ounces for 3 rounds plus the red dot sight is all thats added over the base weight. The Rem site indicates the base rifle is 6 pounds, but if certianly feels a bit lighter than that.

Posted: 10/27/2019 9:25:50 AM EDT

[#27]

Those all look great!
The kiddo set up looks good. My 9yr old is coming with me this November. I’m trying to figure out which gun for her to use. I might have to rig up a rmr on my old .243!

Speaking of .243, it was my first deer rifle. Tons of deer and boar and 1 black bear before I got into guns and started buying different ones.

Now I use a lot of different calibers. But in reality that .243 was a very good do-it-all bullet.

What with the longer tubed Aimpoint points? Are they magnified? Why not run mini ?

Posted: 10/27/2019 9:40:47 AM EDT

[#28]

I have three patrol rifles with micro dots...

Posted: 10/28/2019 10:38:22 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Those all look great!
The kiddo set up looks good. My 9yr old is coming with me this November. I'm trying to figure out which gun for her to use. I might have to rig up a rmr on my old .243!

Speaking of .243, it was my first deer rifle. Tons of deer and boar and 1 black bear before I got into guns and started buying different ones.

Now I use a lot of different calibers. But in reality that .243 was a very good do-it-all bullet.

What with the longer tubed Aimpoint points? Are they magnified? Why not run mini ?

View Quote

I assume that they exist just due to aesthetics; they look more like a traditional scope you would use on a bolt gun.

Same reason I'm kinda sorta considering a 25mm Ultra Dot in 1" rings over a PA or Bushnell on the front scope base.

Posted: 11/4/2019 4:27:19 PM EDT

[#30]

Under a 100 yds its awesome. I've been exclusively been using a red dot for the past two years here on the coast of NC but in VA i like magnification.

Posted: 11/4/2019 5:01:18 PM EDT

[#31]

I have a Kimber 84M w/Aimpoint T2

Bought it specifically for hunting in Europe.

Posted: 11/12/2019 2:45:43 PM EDT

[#32]

Fuel for the fire:

Aimpoint Hunts The Globe 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFx69wwdtI

Wild Boar Fever Film Fest | WILD BOAR FEVER 9 REDUX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX7FdIykWAg

Posted: 11/14/2019 8:51:15 AM EDT

[#33]

I can definitely see the advantage of a red dot over a scope in ranges less than 100 yards. I just picked up a Marlin 30-30 and plan to put a red dot on it because of where I'm hunting now.

Posted: 11/21/2019 1:08:05 PM EDT

[#34]

Aimpoint T2 on a QD mount to Talley base, able to swap out to scope in a minute.

Attached File

Posted: 11/25/2019 9:36:22 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
The deer was in an open field and my granddaughter was in a solid shooting position and using shooting sticks. The rifle is a Ruger in .243. The ammo was Winchester factory 100 grain power point. All it took was one shot.

View Quote

That is awesome! Congrats to her. Quite the little huntress.

Posted: 1/16/2020 12:36:29 AM EDT

[#36]

Just finished putting this savage together. 300aac, A2 Fh, EGW base, and a Millett zoom dot. Going to the range to sight it in soon. And I need to pick up some hunting ammo.

Posted: 5/9/2020 3:03:24 PM EDT

[#37]

I’m not sure why this isn’t more popular east of the Mississippi? A .30-30 lever or short light bolt like the Ruger American predator with a red dot seems ideal in situations where a shot over 200 yards is near impossible.

Also a great defensive/hunting/shtf combo in ban states as well as youth hunting rifle.

I’ve gone back and forth on putting a dot on my Marlin 336 as they have a rail that mounts to the factory buckhorn sight mount and front receiver mount leaving my skinner peep in place on the rear of the receiver.

The only thing holding me up is I like the traditional iron sight look, the front post is fiber so it’s already a bright orange dot. If I do it and there’s an orange and red dot on target that’s going to be annoying. Also with the fiber front, rear peep it’s damn quick pointing as is.

Posted: 5/26/2020 12:03:38 PM EDT

[#38]

I’ve thrown a PA red dot on new-to-me-but-not-new bolt action rifles for their first range trip to quickly verify function.

I use red dits exclusively on several ARs and pistols, so I get how handy they are. However, for my hunting rifles that are ready for the field, if I want close in options I go with a LPVO. A good LVPO at 1X with illumination is going to give almost all the benefits of a red dot but also far more versatility with 4X or 6X high end mag.

I guess if I was hunting driven game and was forced by laws to use only a bolt action, then I’d seriously consider a red dot.

Posted: 6/4/2020 1:51:05 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
Aimpoint T2 on a QD mount to Talley base, able to swap out to scope in a minute.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56434/2017_Hunting_JPG-1168750.JPG

View Quote

@VLODPG

That looks great. I'm curious how you did this. Is it simply a version of this https://www.talleymanufacturing.com/product/two-piece-picatinny-base-for-remington-700/

Plus a low Bobro or Larue T1 mount?

Posted: 6/4/2020 1:54:53 PM EDT

[#40]

When I finally do a JTAC Elf Owl SBR build I'll be putting an RDS on it.

Posted: 6/4/2020 10:21:34 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Aimpoint T2 on a QD mount to Talley base, able to swap out to scope in a minute.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56434/2017_Hunting_JPG-1168750.JPG

View Quote

@VLODPG

That looks great. I'm curious how you did this. Is it simply a version of this https://www.talleymanufacturing.com/product/two-piece-picatinny-base-for-remington-700/

Plus a low Bobro or Larue T1 mount?

View Quote

@wombat25 ,
The bases are Talley QD, the Aimpoint T1/T2 mount is a custom from http://www.brockmansrifles.com/ You have to contact him as it is not listed on the website

Posted: 6/4/2020 10:31:55 PM EDT

[#42]

I have a Turkish Mauser that was cut back to a scout rifle, I plan on putting a red dot on it eventually.

Posted: 6/5/2020 1:20:32 PM EDT

[#43]

I'll use what I've already got if I set something up for whitetails in the fall, but I'm kinda diggin' this:

My Accidental Scout Rifle

Posted: 6/5/2020 1:35:02 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:

@wombat25 ,
The bases are Talley QD, the Aimpoint T1/T2 mount is a custom from http://www.brockmansrifles.com/ You have to contact him as it is not listed on the website

View Quote

Thank you!

Posted: 7/5/2020 12:31:25 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
For the life of me I can't understand how so many people believe that .243 isn't enough for deer -even at distance. In the South East, it should be plenty for just about everything you'd want to hunt. I've never hunted black bear, but I'd assume a .243 with a good solid or TSX bullet would do the job? I've hunted hogs and deer with .223 and it works great. Never had to do a follow up shot or track.
That cartridge shoots like a laser. Actually, it seems ideal for a red dot. Put dot on target, bang, flop.
Great shot by the grandbaby...I hope mine takes up hunting with me.

View Quote

its not that the .243 isn't enough for deer.
its because there are many other cartridges than can do more in vastly different circumstances and be used for bigger game.

Posted: 9/25/2021 11:48:32 AM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Also a great defensive/hunting/shtf combo in ban states as well as youth hunting rifle.

View Quote

Honestly part of this is why I keep a bolt gun around in the first place.
I can use it in a get out of town situation where a tactical rifle is going to draw eyes.
Or if "they" get their way and ban "assault rifles" the "good ol hunting" rifle is likely to Canada. Yes, I'm looking at you canada.
Make it as handy or "tactical" as you can while keeping it simple, sling, lpvo/rds, 16" barrel... kinda sounds like a jeff Cooper thing huh?

Posted: 10/24/2021 11:48:02 AM EDT

[#47]

I put a PA micro red dot on a Savage Axis ii in 300 blackout for my daughter's deer rifle. She's 8 and shoots it good out to 60 yards. I'm keeping her shots inside of that distance. Makes for effortless aiming and can adjust the brightness for conditions. Maybe in a few years I'll try an illuminated LPVO 1-5 and stretch the distance a bit.

Posted: 11/29/2021 3:06:09 PM EDT

[#48]

I’ve watched several of those European hog hunts where the red dot would be mounted onto a one piece base. They were not a picatini rail, but more elegant as if designed specifically for the optic. Any idea on who makes them?

ETA: Something like this…

Attached File

Posted: 11/29/2021 3:22:52 PM EDT

[#49]

Quoted:
I’ve watched several of those European hog hunts where the red dot would be mounted onto a one piece base. They were not a picatini rail, but more elegant as if designed specifically for the optic. Any idea on who makes them?

View Quote

They used to custom make them for the gun optic combo so it’s possible that’s what you saw. The Germans were big on it and they were works of art.

Posted: 11/29/2021 3:56:59 PM EDT

[#50]

I just ordered a new Vortex Spitfire HD Gen II 3x Prism Scope for my M1 Garand. My eyesight has made the Iron Sights almost impossible to use, let alone use quickly.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Red dot on a bolt action

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