Joining the Handgun hunters

First off,Hi all. I just came across this site and love it so far I've gleaned some great info.
I happened to pick up a COLT Anaconda with an 8" barrel in 99.9% shape(i lose a 10th of a point because the grip has a scratch)I traded a rifle i paid $400 for the Colt,, Ya I'm STOKED

Anyways i used to hunt pigs back in the day with a Contender 30-30 and i forget the scope magnification(red dots weren't around back then),,SO now I'm looking for a scope for the Colt and I'm tossing around the "Red dot OR Scope" debate

Going for Deer
Most of my shots(because of terrain hunted) will be at the max end of the 44mag range (100 to maybe 150 yds) for these ranges would i be better off with a scope as opposed to a dot? or is the dot acceptable for these ranges?

If your a scope guy what do you recommend?
If your a Dot guy what do you recommend?

Whitey, Let me be the first to welcome you to the site...you won`t find better or more knowledgeable bunch of handgunners anywhere on the web.
With the little knowledge I have of red dot sights, I do know that most of them have to large a MOA for the distances you plan to shoot and the dot will cover to much of your animal. I believe Leupold sells a red dot with one thats 2 MOA. On the other hand, I feel a scope would serve you better for shot placement at those distances. One of the best handgun scopes you can buy is a Leupold 2.5-8X variable. Good luck and good hunting.
James

Welcome Whitey! You have stumbled onto a great site. The guys on here are full of plenty information. Also great deal for your Anaconda. I love those things. Give me a jingle if you ever need to let it go!!LOL

I have had both, anf like James mentioned, for the distances you are considering, you would be better off with a crosshair (fine) type scope. Even a 2X might not be enough for pinpoint accuracy at 150 yards. A little magnification makes a huge differance. a 2X can do it, but it seems easier to me with at least the 4-6X magnification.

Good luck, and welcome to the site!

Welcome to the site. I would also recommend a scope. The red dots work OK for me to 50 yds at the most. If most shots are past that you'll be better served with a scope. My preference would be the 2x Leupold. Toughest scope you can buy and reliable to boot.

red dots are great for upto 75 yds 100 is a good day for a red dot.for the distance you are looking to shoot go for a good scope .i woulde say at least a 4 power or a 2-6.my 2-6 bushnell works very well at the 100 to 150 yd range.

I have both types on various handguns and a 5 min dot is okay out to 150 yards (it will cover 7-1/2" of target at that range) on whities. UltraDot makes a red dot with 2,4,6 and 8 min variable dot sizes. The thing I don't like about some red dots is the knob on the left side to control brightness or dot size as I shoot with both eyes open and that knob is just in the way. My dots all have that knob on top, out of the way. I like a fixed 2x scope for all-around use as it is lighter and smaller than a variable, although I have 4x on some too. Low powered scopes allow for shooting with both eyes open like a dot so you can get on target quicker. The Leupy variable is a nice scope but it is pretty big and heavy for a revolver IMO, which I like to keep light and compact for carry.

Enjoy your new addiction and welcome aboard.

WELCOME WHITE7!!!

I'm a scope guy and would recomMend a 4X for the game and distance you have stated.

Welcome to HHM!! For the distances you mentioned, I agree with TIGGER.

Welcome to the sight White

I like the 2-6 or 2-7 because it think it is the best of both worlds. 2X for quick targets and the 6 for longer shots or target practice/sighting in at 100.

4x

Welcome to the forum! I am one of the guys here that prefers the red dot to the scope. Way easier and faster to acquire, and better in low-light conditions. Mine has a 4 MOA dt size and I regularly shoot it well past 100 yards. Now, that said I wouldn't hunt squirrel at those distances as there is no magnification, but for large animals you will be well served.

My personal favorite is the Ultradot 30 (www.ultradotwest.com). $145.00 shipped with a lifetime warranty, and it is tougher than nails. I have dropped mine out of stands (12-ft) and subjected it to thousands of full-tilt .475 Linebaugh rounds. JMHO.

Welcome this site in a great source of info.

As far as red dot's go I like my sightron.The lower you keep the brightness the smaller the dot appears.After that it's just practice.
As far as scopes go I like my Nikon Vari.However I blew that up with the T.C. 460 with 15 in. barrel.

Hey Witworth that ultradot looks a lot like the sightron, do you know of any connections between the companies?

Hi white7. If you go with a red dot sight I would go with a 2 or 3 moa dot. If you choose a scope you might try a T/C 1.25x4 pwr. recoil proof scope or a good 2x scope. If you don't mind paying the extra money then go with a Leupold 2.5x8. Good shooting.

Thanks for all the advice(now I'm completely confused) J/K I was set on the Leupold 2x but I'm going to take a serious look in to the red dots

White7 let me first say welcome aboard. I have recieved some great advice from other members on this site, I just started into this not to long ago. On my 44mag SBHH I have a 1.5x4 Burris, I plan on this being used 100 yards or less. On my Encore 7mm/08 15" barrel I have a 2x6 Bushnell and on my Encore 223rem 15" barrel I have a 2x7 Burris so as you can tell I like scopes.

Welcome to the site!You can get great advice from experienced shooters and hunters on anything.Enjoy!

Well narrowed it down to my top 2

either
Weaver 2.5x-8x for a scope
OR
Sightron S33 for the Red Dot

I'd like the quick acquisition of the dot and the pinpoint accuracy of a scope

SO I've decided i need to buy another gun so i can Dot one and scope the other

Anybody else have this much trouble making this decision or is it just me over thinking it

All the time! I would put the variable on a bottle neck and put the red dot on a straight wall. But that is JMHO...

Excellent choice to buy another gun!! The sickness has infected you. LOL<LOL

Sure I have had tough decisions, so I just buy both or one and really put it thru the paces and see if I like it. I guess that's why I have a safe full of 2X scopes that are not mounted. I have been using the 4X more on revolvers. I just can't seem to sell the 2X as I think in the back of my mind I might need them someday. LOL<<LOL It's a disease I tell ya!!

We all find logical reasons to buy new handguns and not being able to choose which sighting devise to put on one, well.....is as good as any....LOL

Another gun is always a good solution IMHO!!

Well I decided to go with the Ultradot MatchDot I liked the idea of a 2moa dot

Great choice, you won't be disappointed! Let us know how it works out!

Hey Whitworth thanks for link to http://www.ultradotwest.com They're awesome,,,, ordered from them on Thursday evening and it was on the door step Saturday afternoon
And the kicker was,they had the cheapest price

Yeah, I know! It's the best kept secret out there! Their prices are WAY better than that of other red dots and they hold up better. I have dropped mine out of a 12-ft tree stand, and subjected mine to the brutal recoil of thousands of round of .475 Linebaugh and it works like a charm. It's the red dot that BFR recommends. Keep us posted!

My opinion, as well. I don't have a problem with my Aimpoint 9000 resting on my .460 on food plots at 150+ yards but in grassy areas or in the woods a scope might be better. All in all, I really like the better reddots like the Aimpoint. Stands up to the recoil very well and warranties thier products.