Leupold Red Dot sight advice

[jrwilliams]

I am looking at getting a Tube style red dot sight for a BFR I have being built in 45 Colt. The purpose for this revolver will be hunting deer/pigs.

I have read a lot and seen a lot of reviews on the Ultradot 30mm on hunting revolvers, but I haven’t seen much of anything about using the Leupold Red dot sight on hunting revolvers.

Is anyone here using this sight on a revolver? If so, just curious what you think about it and if you would recommend it over the Ultradot.

Thanks,

John

[seminolewind]

I’ve had a Bushnell 2x6 scope, an Ultradot 30mm tube rds and a Leupold Deltapoint Pro rds on my BFR 454 Casull. All three are excellent hunting optics with pros and cons for each. I’ve hunted with all three optics and currently prefer a scope on the BFR. The field of view and clarity of view is better with a scope vs a rds, and I can make shots more effectively with a scope. Low light, thick brush, and longer shots particularly favor a scope for me. Of the two rds, I prefer the Leupold DPP over the Ultradot for hunting basically because I can see game better through the DPP lens The Ultradot performs great on the range, but loses some effectiveness for me in the woods because it distorts the image. However, they are almost indestructible, adjust precisely and hold zero well with big guns.


imgur.com/a/MN6e7lx

[freeze]

Sept 15, 2024 16:23:02 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

I’ve had a Bushnell 2x6 scope, an Ultradot 30mm tube rds and a Leupold Deltapoint Pro rds on my BFR 454 Casull. All three are excellent hunting optics with pros and cons for each. I’ve hunted with all three optics and currently prefer a scope on the BFR. The field of view and clarity of view is better with a scope vs a rds, and I can make shots more effectively with a scope. Low light, thick brush, and longer shots particularly favor a scope for me. Of the two rds, I prefer the Leupold DPP over the Ultradot for hunting basically because I can see game better through the DPP lens The Ultradot performs great on the range, but loses some effectiveness for me in the woods because it distorts the image. However, they are almost indestructible, adjust precisely and hold zero well with big guns.


imgur.com/a/MN6e7lx

Did you shorten the BFR base, or do you have a custom or aftermarket base on your BFR?

Thanks,
Freeze

[freeze]

Sept 15, 2024 15:32:18 GMT -5 jrwilliams said:

I am looking at getting a Tube style red dot sight for a BFR I have being built in 45 Colt. The purpose for this revolver will be hunting deer/pigs.

I have read a lot and seen a lot of reviews on the Ultradot 30mm on hunting revolvers, but I haven’t seen much of anything about using the Leupold Red dot sight on hunting revolvers.

Is anyone here using this sight on a revolver? If so, just curious what you think about it and if you would recommend it over the Ultradot.

Thanks,

John

I don't have one, but if I were looking for a tube type dot I would look into the Leupold Freedom RDS.

34mm tube and a 1 MOA dot are what draw me to this sight.

I have a 4X Leupold on my 475 BFR, and am pleased.


-Freeze

[seminolewind]

Sept 15, 2024 17:00:50 GMT -5 freeze said:

Sept 15, 2024 16:23:02 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

I’ve had a Bushnell 2x6 scope, an Ultradot 30mm tube rds and a Leupold Deltapoint Pro rds on my BFR 454 Casull. All three are excellent hunting optics with pros and cons for each. I’ve hunted with all three optics and currently prefer a scope on the BFR. The field of view and clarity of view is better with a scope vs a rds, and I can make shots more effectively with a scope. Low light, thick brush, and longer shots particularly favor a scope for me. Of the two rds, I prefer the Leupold DPP over the Ultradot for hunting basically because I can see game better through the DPP lens The Ultradot performs great on the range, but loses some effectiveness for me in the woods because it distorts the image. However, they are almost indestructible, adjust precisely and hold zero well with big guns.


imgur.com/a/MN6e7lx

Did you shorten the BFR base, or do you have a custom or aftermarket base on your BFR?

Thanks,
Freeze

I shortened the factory base mount.

[jrwilliams]

Thanks for the replies. I have a Burris 2x scope on my 44Mag BFR. I like it fine, just want to try a red dot as it seems a lot of guys like them, just for something different.

It is the Leupold Freedom that I am looking at. Same thing drew my attention. 34mm tube and 1 MOA dot. Just wondering about the durability on a sixgun. Regarding the Ultradot most people seem to like its reliability and toughness. Just have t heard a lot about the Leupold.

Price is about the same and the Leupold may be a little bit more bulky, but not that much.

Thanks,

John

[freeze]

Sept 15, 2024 17:10:00 GMT -5 seminolewind said:

I shortened the factory base mount.

Thanks.
Looks good!

-Freeze

[jrwilliams]

Seminolewind, thanks for the info. Love those grips on your BFR!

[freeze]

Sept 15, 2024 17:20:36 GMT -5 jrwilliams said:

Thanks for the replies. I have a Burris 2x scope on my 44Mag BFR. I like it fine, just want to try a red dot as it seems a lot of guys like them, just for something different.

It is the Leupold Freedom that I am looking at. Same thing drew my attention. 34mm tube and 1 MOA dot. Just wondering about the durability on a sixgun. Regarding the Ultradot most people seem to like its reliability and toughness. Just have t heard a lot about the Leupold.

Price is about the same and the Leupold may be a little bit more bulky, but not that much.

Thanks,

John

I am pretty sure I have seen several posts about that Leupold RDS on this sight. What I recall was it was standing up to some significant recoil, but you'll want to double check that with a search.

I did see on the Q&A section for that site (leupold web page) that Leupold had answered several concerns about big bore revolvers and claimed handgun recoil would not be a problem up through the 500 S&W Mag.


-Freeze

[handgunhuntingafield]

Ultradot is the predominant red dot used in NRA precision pistol at Camp Perry, has been recommended by JD Jones since the 1980s, has Japanese glass, and adjustments that repeat as they should.

Plus we know they will take any recoil you can throw at them….

[jrwilliams]

Thanks Freeze and thanks handgunhuntingafield!

I’ll check those out.

John

[rangersedge]

I think magnumwheelman was a fan of the Leupold. Can probably search and find a thread about it.

[contender]

Both brands,, (Leupold & UltraDot) are quite good. I see a lot of the Leupolds in USPSA competition, and they perform very well. But when it comes to big bore handguns,, I seem eo see more serious caliber wearing the UltraDot.

[gregs]

I"m running two Leupold Deltapoints right now on a 4 5/8 FA 83 in 454/45ACP and an 83 7.5" 22LR/Mag. Got one more to mount on a 4"S&W Model 16 but the top strap needs to be drilled and tapped. Love them for range play but I think they will be no bueno in heavy rain. Rain drops on the screen will scatter/diffuse the dot   If it is wet during hunting season as in Alaska or coastal PNW, I'd opt for a Propoint.

..I've got a Propoint.on a 586 PPCish 6".DAO revolver and want to pick up a second for a 6" S&Wodel 16.

[freeze]

Sept 17, 2024 10:46:33 GMT -5 gregs said:

I"m running two Leupold Deltapoints right now on a 4 5/8 FA 83 in 454/45ACP and an 83 7.5" 22LR/Mag. Got one more to mount on a 4"S&W Model 16 but the top strap needs to be drilled and tapped. Love them for range play but I think they will be bueno in heavy rain. Rain drops on the screen with scatter/diffuse the dot   If it is wet during hunting season as in Alaska or coastal PNW, I'd opt for a Propoint.

..I've got a Propoint.on a 586 PPCish 6".DAO revolver and want to pick up a second for a 6" S&Wodel 16.

I believe the OP is referring to the tube style RDS sight from Leupold rather than the RMR style Deltapoint.

You bring up a great point and warning about the open style red dot sights in wet conditions.


-Freeze