Aperture vs Reflex (dot)

Actually, it?s a two fold question. I?m using a S&W 460 XVR 8 3/8?). I presently have a Burris Fastfire 3, 3 moa. It?s a bit bulky on a handgun, I?m concerned about it?s ruggedness, and I?m a bit slow putting it into use ( pushing the button, ect).

For big game hunting purposes, which sight do you think would best serve me ....the reflex sight or a ?Ghost Ring? type sight?

If the consensus is the Aperture, any recommendations on a sight that will merely replace the S&W rear sight?

Thanks in advance, memtb

I've never used an aperture on a handgun but on a rifle I thought that they were not very good in low light or trying to find game against a dark background. I really like the reflex sights on my handguns (Vortex Venoms) and I turn them on when I start a hunt and leave them on till I'm done. Over three years on one battery on the oldest one. How anything will hold up on a 460 is anyone's guess. I would say go torture it and find out.

Wait a minute, your packing a huge 460 and you think the Burris is bulky? (Sorry, just couldn't help myself.)

I have tried a ghost ring on my 454 SRH. Its quite fast but for me its not great for accuracy. I believe this varies a lot from individual to individual. The only way you'll know is try one.

I also have a Burris Fastfire 3 mounted on the SRH. Delivers good accuracy out to about 125 meters (probably more with a better gun & shooter). Turn it on at the start of the day and switch it off when finished. Don't try only switching it on just before the shot, the game will move off before you can take your shot.

Two downsides:

I find it much slower to line up (ie finding the dot problem) than iron sights.

The Fastfire 3 has a auto turn off after about 8 hours. Once you know about it you can accommodate the issue by turning it off then on half way through the day.

If you do not like the Burris there are lots of options.I would take a reflex over ghost ring any time.

Thanks guys! I kinda figured that the reflex sight would be superior, but, thought I?d ask for a few opinions. Though, I will continue to be apprehensive about it?s reliability!

Teep, I guess that was a bit of an oxymoron. I guess what I was trying to suggest....it just seems out of place on a revolver, and seems to be hanging out there waiting to get hit by something.

Walkingthemup, Thanks for the tips on usage of the Fastfire. I certainly agree about trying to turn it on prior to use....it usually takes me a couple of attempts, and is impossible with gloves. I wasn't aware of the 8 hour feature, that will be quite beneficial ...maybe I should try reading the ?destructions?!

Thanks again to all! memtb

I have to agree they look a little fragile but they do have a life time guarantee. The great thing with the 460 is you can still have the open sights on it so if something happens to the red dot it can quickly be removed and you still have a sighting system.

You can always try a Trijicon if you don't think the Burris will hold up. RMR's have been really reliable for me. And I practiced pulling the revolver up and getting the dot on target, get's easier after awhile.

I have three reflex sights, a Vortex Venom, and two Leupold Delta Points. I much prefer the Delta Points. They ?go to sleep? when they are immobile and instantly come on when the gun is moved. That?s a great feature as far as I?m concerned. As for finding the dot, I find it much easier if I just try to find the sights and then the dot finds me. It?s not quite as easy to begin with but practice helps. Good luck whatever you choose !

I have FastFires on everything from .22 to .45 colt and am very pleased with them. I tried the ghost ring on a couple of revolvers like Walkingthemup said, accuracy was not great past about 25 yards.

I have aperture sights (one ragged hole) on my SBH with a green fiber optic sight on front. Also have the aperture single six. I LOVE EM. Apertures are out of the way, rugged, you don't need batteries, or special holsters. They can take some getting used to for those used to shooting with "regular" sight. No need to center or line up the front sight with the rear and doing so only create trouble. Ignore the aperture sight, your eye will center the sight for you with NO EFFORT on your part,line up the front sight with target and pull trigger. Word of caution about a pet peeve, As you are to ignore the aperture sight don't get one that glows in the dark, fiber optic, painted wild colors....you don't need anything that will draw your attention to it. Warren Custom Outdoor has them ( one ragged hole is no longer in business)for about $30 for BFR and Ruger. JMHO at that price its worth it just to play with them and the experience.

I a have a Holosun 507 (Green) on a 1911 460 Rolland and I love it! At the age of 60 now I see "Dot Sights" way better than iron sights. I also went to Aimpoints on my rifles.

I am preparing to hunt cape buff with my Raging Buill in 454. Got a Leupold delta point, great features, the battery will live a very long time, make that seasons! It turns itself off at like 10 minutes with no movement, then will come back on with some movement of the gun, back at the brightness you left it. Lifetime guarantee, and really nice to use. Takes some getting used to, but that's what practice is for! Really makes my groups shrink. One well built piece of equipment. PS----I have 9 years on you!

HUNTRICK: WHERE YOU GOING/WHEN YOU GOING FOR THE CAPE BUFFALO? WHAT LOAD YOU PLANNING TO USE?

I am using the buffalo bore dangerous game loads, and bringing some 300 grain xtp mags loaded to 1550 for other stuff

Huntrick: Be careful with the XTPs. I've had very bad results with them, like recovering them from smallish WV deer multiple times.
You might want to look at Swift AFrames. They are much better for penetration. African animals are very tough no matter their size.

Huntrick...I would consider the 300 gr FP from Sierra...that bullet has a tough lead core (actually the toughest lead in a jacketed pistol bullet) I too like A Frames, but the lead in the front of the bullet, although bonded, is extremely soft (that's why all the factory handgun loads are loaded down

I just got back from a hog hunt with my 454 casull and used 300 grain Swift A-frames. It hit that ~450lb hog like a hammer! In the video it almost looks like the pig gets lifted off it's feet when it gets hit. I also recovered the bullet which expanded perfectly and it had 90% weight retention. I would recommend them over XTP's all day long. My Ruger Super Redhawk was also wearing a Leupold Deltapoint Pro which I have on multiple pistols and carbines. Great optic.

Franchise has great words of wisdom on the Seirra fp bullets.
I have used seirra 300 grain fp bullets in a 44 mag at max velocities and have never recovered one. the animals died quickly if not dropping on the spot. I have shot numerous deer and several black bears with them. I know it is not the same caliber but it is a testimony for the bullet design.
the only Sierra FP bullet I have recovered was from a 375 win shot out of a contender this last year. 125 yard shot on a deer shot stem to stern (front point of shoulder to rear hip with over 36" of penetration and the bullet only shed 2 grains of weight. I have not shot swifts but have shot speer deep curls and like what they do. There are alot of guys with more experience than me on this forum. just my 2 cents worth. Good luck on your bullet testing and keep us posted!

I’m finally getting this “red dot” figured out. I’m only using 4 shot groups when measuring, as I have a chamber (charge hole) that throws a shot far out of the group.....every time! My last 3 groups at 100 yards have been from 3 1/2” down to 2 5/8”. Pretty happy!

My thanks to those that suggested making a target with a large ring to place the red dot inside of. That really improved my groups.

Now to find animals with a nice “ring” painted on their shoulders to put one of these 400 grain cast bullets into! 😉 memtb

Reading bluecow's post, I wish they made a Warren sight for the contender.

I have a Super 14 in .357 Max I'd like to try it on although the barrel shoots pretty well with a FF III or Matchdot on it too.

John

Skinner sights LLC has aperture sights for T.C.