Tubular red dot scope vs reflex red dot sight

[hunter01]

I love the looks of a reflex and the function of an Ultradot. It’s a quandary I’ll tell ya! The vortex reflex im using right now cost me 3 opportunities at the buck I’ve been hunting this year because of the dot washing out the sight picture in low light. Of course, as poorly as I’ve been shooting, it’s probably a good thing.

[seminolewind]

Dec 1, 2023 17:46:19 GMT -5 hunter01 said:

I love the looks of a reflex and the function of an Ultradot. It’s a quandary I’ll tell ya! The vortex reflex im using right now cost me 3 opportunities at the buck I’ve been hunting this year because of the dot washing out the sight picture in low light. Of course, as poorly as I’ve been shooting, it’s probably a good thing.

I also experienced losing a shot at a buck this season with a red dot sight in low light. Now I prefer a scoped pistol in the afternoon and a dot sight for morning hunts. I use tubes and reflex dot sights but prefer the reflex, particularly the Deltapoint Pro, because of the smaller footprint, as others have said. 

Glad you are making progress with target panic as you describe in a different thread.  Go to sleep at night envisioning a perfect shot on a monster buck.

[hunter01]

Dec 1, 2023 19:53:14 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

Dec 1, 2023 17:46:19 GMT -5 hunter01 said:

I love the looks of a reflex and the function of an Ultradot. It’s a quandary I’ll tell ya! The vortex reflex im using right now cost me 3 opportunities at the buck I’ve been hunting this year because of the dot washing out the sight picture in low light. Of course, as poorly as I’ve been shooting, it’s probably a good thing.

I also experienced losing a shot at a buck this season with a red dot sight in low light. Now I prefer a scoped pistol in the afternoon and a dot sight for morning hunts. I use tubes and reflex dot sights but prefer the reflex, particularly the Deltapoint Pro, because of the smaller footprint, as others have said. 

Glad you are making progress with target panic as you describe in a different thread.  Go to sleep at night envisioning a perfect shot on a monster buck.

Thanks for the encouragement! What scope are you using? I have some Leupold fixed 2x and 4x and a couple of the old tasco world class 3x that are supposed to be really good. I’ve have yet to scope a handgun, just been accumulating “stuff” I think I might need someday!😂

[seminolewind]

Dec 2, 2023 9:03:44 GMT -5 hunter01 said:

Dec 1, 2023 19:53:14 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

I also experienced losing a shot at a buck this season with a red dot sight in low light. Now I prefer a scoped pistol in the afternoon and a dot sight for morning hunts. I use tubes and reflex dot sights but prefer the reflex, particularly the Deltapoint Pro, because of the smaller footprint, as others have said. 

Glad you are making progress with target panic as you describe in a different thread.  Go to sleep at night envisioning a perfect shot on a monster buck.

Thanks for the encouragement! What scope are you using? I have some Leupold fixed 2x and 4x and a couple of the old tasco world class 3x that are supposed to be really good. I’ve have yet to scope a handgun, just been accumulating “stuff” I think I might need someday!😂

The Leupold 2x and 4x you have are great scopes. I prefer the 2x on a shorter range revolver for it’s wide field of view, and the 4x on a longer range gun like a Contender. I don’t have any experience with a Tasco. My all time favorite pistol scopes are the Bushnell Elite 2x6 variable, which are no longer in production. The variables work on short range guns as well as longer range guns.  The Leupold 2.5x8 is top quality, but expensive and heavy. The Burris 2x pistol scope is excellent quality, and has a bigger fov and better clarity than my Leupold 2x scopes. That’s what’s on my scoped short range revolvers. I’m trying a new Weaver 2x6 and it’s ok so far but still to early to decide if it compares to the Bushnell 2x6. What handgun you are scoping, and what it’s purpose is, will guide you to the best scope for you.

[junebug]

Do you have the dot turned as low as it will go and still be seen. The brighter the dot the more it blooms and washes out the sight picture in low light. Learn to use any rest available, and improvise. Adding a magnified optic to a pistol can really screw with target panic and the higher the magnification the worse it gets. You don't wobble anymore, or any faster than you do with a dot or open sights. It just looks like you do because it is magnified. The majority of my guns are scoped or have a red dot. When people say things like man you were steady on that shot you weren't moving at all. I just laugh and tell them, you should have seen it from my point of view.

[hunter01]

Has anyone tried the Ultradot micro? Looks like it could be the best of both worlds with a compact size and a tube sight. Of course, it could be a compromise all the way around too.

[pleadthe2nd]

I have both types of dot sights, and like them both, but my hunting revolvers are setup with the tube style, specifically Ultradot, I get much faster target acquisition, and no washout with the tube style, if you like a smaller dot the Ultradot 2 is a great choice, 2 moa dot, I have one on a 41 magnum blackhawk, and it works great, the Ultradots also come with a sun filter, which is a bonus

[wheelnut]

For something that will be concealed the reflex is the only way to go. For hunting or open carry, I prefer the tube scope, specifically the Ultra dot as I just shoot it better at distance.

[wyomingnimrod]

Gentlemen, does anyone have experience with using a reflex red dot on a Freedom Arms for hunting purposes? And if so, any input as to which model is greatly appreciated. Hoping this question is complimentary to the OP’s original thread topic. Cheers, guys

[hunter01]

Mar 10, 2024 16:06:49 GMT -5 wyomingnimrod said:

Gentlemen, does anyone have experience with using a reflex red dot on a Freedom Arms for hunting purposes? And if so, any input as to which model is greatly appreciated. Hoping this question is complimentary to the OP’s original thread topic. Cheers, guys

I have a reflex sight (bushnell xrs250) on a FA 83. Works fine like it would on any number of other handguns. Is there something about your FA that would cause you concern vs other handguns?

[drycreek]

I’m pretty fond of the Holosun 507K reflex sight. It has reticle choices and the one I use is a large circle with a dot in the center. The circle grabs your attention and makes the dot easy to find. That said, my carry gun is a Shield Plus with a CT reflex sight on it, just a dot reticle, but I have no trouble finding it. Repetition and practice are the keys to finding the dot quickly. I struggled with it at first, and still do to some extent on my Blackhawk .41 magnum, but evidently the Shield just fits my hand better. I have the Holosun on my S&W M&P 10mm as well as my pig rifle, an AR in 7.62x39. Automatic brightness control and the aforementioned reticle is good for shots right up until dark. 

[handgunhuntingafield]

I run both. I run several ultradots and several trijicon SRO.

The “finding” the dot stuff. That just takes practice. You have to train to bring the gun up about 3/4” lower than with irons. On my race guns I can find it instantly. Some of the guns where it’s higher it may take 1/2 second.

Reflex style. Down side is getting trash/water/snow on the back side of the glass. Can be tough to clear.

Some of the cheaper reflex sights have some really poor glass and the dots lack brightness adjustment to a low enough setting for low light.

Ultradot has some great glass and the brightness turns down low enough.

I begged enough to get them to produce the gen2 30mm 2moa…..I think that one turned out to be a great hunting dot and is on most of my guns.

Ultradot has some improved products coming out shortly. I’ll have them in hand next month for testing.

[wyomingnimrod]

Mar 10, 2024 17:06:51 GMT -5 hunter01 said:

Mar 10, 2024 16:06:49 GMT -5 wyomingnimrod said:

Gentlemen, does anyone have experience with using a reflex red dot on a Freedom Arms for hunting purposes? And if so, any input as to which model is greatly appreciated. Hoping this question is complimentary to the OP’s original thread topic. Cheers, guys

I have a reflex sight (bushnell xrs250) on a FA 83. Works fine like it would on any number of other handguns. Is there something about your FA that would cause you concern vs other handguns?

Hey Hunter, no concerns on my end, I just don’t have any experience with red dots and am kicking the idea around of getting one for my FA 83 .454 for hunting purposes in the event that it may help me place shots more precisely than with iron sights and possibly extend my range a wee bit. And was wondering if anyone utilizes them for that purpose on such a good. Deer and elk and bear on my menu. Best regards.