Im looking into a red dot scope for my encore 17hmr any advice on a brand and what to look for?

I had a bushnell trophy that served most of it's life on a BFR in 45-70 and I ran hundreds of 440gr hardcast out of it at just under 1700fps, recoil was brutal but the red dot never failed. I had the one with multiple reticles because I like the 3moa dot that it had for 100yd shots. I think the bushnell is still only 89.99 through midway. I've still got mine and I use it as a test sight for handguns and rifles. I had a tasco propoint a few years ago but my Super Blackhawk terminated it with stout 300gr hard cast loads.

I have an Aimpoint 9000 SC on my .460 and highly recommend one to you.

Boy, talk about extreme spread! I'd love to have an Aimpoint as well but I'll save my $400 optics budget for Leupold scopes. If your budget allows, by all means, get the Aimpoint. I have a Tasco Red/Green dot on a .44 mag and it has held up fine. I prefer the green dot myself. The HMR is not going to beat anything up so durability should not be a concern.
Rod, have you had any experience with the POI changing when switching between reticles on that Bushy? I had heard of this and that has held me back from trying one. The smaller size dot would be a benifit for that small .17 boolit ;-)
If it were me I'd put a high power variable rifle scope on that HMR, like I did with my 'Tender.

I had heard the same thing about poi but I always left mine on the 3moa setting so I never experienced it for myself, honestly I expected the BFR to obliterate the bushnell especially since it had already killed a weaver scope.

I have recently obtained a 45-70 barrel and thought about putting a red dot scope on there. I don’t know anything about them. Any advice?

Duane

Duane, the one I had on my 45-70 bfr worked great for that cartridge, it had fast aquistion and with the 3moa dot I would shoot right at about 3moa at 100 yds off a rest, with a scope i only gained about 1" tighter groups. I had the bushnell trophy and the tasco and the bushnell held up and the tasco did not but some guys here have had the opposite problem. I can say that with my bushnell it took literally hundreds of hot 45-70 rounds without failing.

Thanks for the information. I am not going to be shooting tree rats in the head with my 45-70, although I have shot more squirrels with my 54 flint in the head than all my others combined. I have though about putting a 2 powder scope on there, however, I think a red dot would be more complementing than a reticule.

Duane

I've got a Leupold Red Dot on my 45/70 Encore barrel.I really like it.

I have drooled over that picture before. Is it worth the extra money for the Leupold? I don’t mind spending the extra money if it will be to my benefit in the long run.

Duane

I agree. Why spend big bucks on a handgun but take shortcuts with poor optics? With the weapon I use for whitetails, a recoil-eating scope/ring setup is mandatory--thus the Aimpoint scope and Night Force rings. On a similar note, I purchased my daughter a 20 ga. slug gun several months ago and topped it with a $69 TruGlo red dot. After 3 days at the shooting range we went with open sights for the gun and a garbage can for the scope.

My 7mm Mag has eaten 2 cheap scopes. They say the third time is the charm, but I guess I learned and put a Ziess on it. I have thoroughly enjoyed it ever sense!

Duane

You will definitely get your $$$ worth with the Zeiss, especially if you like to stay in your stand a little after sundown ;).

I have mentioned before, the scope on that rifle is a 6-20 with a 50mm lens and has a mil dot recital. I can see just fine outside at night if there is a full moon. The same with my Leupold 6-20X50.

The nice thing about mil dots, once you become efficient with them they are very accurate, quick, and easy to use. Unfortunately, they are not practical on pistols.

Duane

I dream of the day that Aimpoint comes out with a light-holding scope...

I've got 3 of the Leupold/Gilmores,I think they quit making them.Everyone says the Aimpoint are the best,haven't tryed any others. I really like these,variable dot,wide field of view and great battery life.Watch E*** for them sometimes you can get a good deal.