Just installed some Picatinny rails from EGW on a couple of SS Contender barrels (7-30 Waters and 223 Rem). Has anyone mounted a small Eotech and a tip-off magnifier on a Contender pistol? I have a Bushnell 2x-6x on each now, but think it might be an option for the 7-30 (or my 357 Herrett) in our heavy SW Oregon elk jungle. The rail is 4.75" long, and this combo from Opticsplanet (http://www.opticsplanet.net/opmod-eotech-mpo-ii-exps3-0-holosight-with-g23-3x-magnifier-tan.html) is about 3.5"long.
Any opinions?

I don't know if I wanna get that close to it ;-)

Mike Bellm has really had alot to say about the EGW rails and all positive. You hunting the Rogue unit?

Wapitirod, it's the Sixes Unit (25), most public land is in the Sixes river area, south of Bandon & north of Port Orford. Bought 5 acres two miles out of Bandon, getting ready to build and move out of Norcal. Where did you read the Bellm comments? I bought the +20 MOA versions for some additional built-in range. A great buddy and all around shooter just bought a place out of Florence. Elk just stand around in his yard, dammit.

s4s4u: the specs on that Opticsplanet page read: "Eye relief: Unlimited" I'm assuming they're still a "both eyes open" (Bindon) setup visible from any angle, etc.


If you think preparedness is expensive, try winging it.

The magnifier is what I was refering to, not the sight itself.

No wonder you were talking jungle,very simniliar to here tillamook but not as wet. I grew up hunting in the Rogue and spent several years in Central OR and that really spoiled me. If you go east a bit to the Applegate your in trophy blacktail country. My sister lived in Brookings for quite a while and I used to have in laws in Florence. I know what you mean about the Elk, here they get in the farmers fields and the port authority property. I regularly see the big herd of 200-300 on the latter. Your also in excellent bear country down there but deer hunting can be fun since the ferns are bigger than the deer. Maybe once you get moved we can meet up sometime and do some shooting even if it's just the breeze if not some hunting. Your also in one of the very few areas of the state where feral pigs are starting to populate so you may have some off season hunting and of course coyotes and cats are thick if you can find a place open enough to see them before they see you.

Mike has talked about the EGW stuff in several news letters and I save most of them since he has good tech stuff. PM a good email address to forward them to and I'll find them and send them to you. I'm supposed to try again to get down and spend some time in the shop with him in a couple weeks as the last time if fell through at the holidays and this time he may have to take a trip to Spain with Bergara as he's real big into using their barrels now.

By the way the Bushnell 2-6x is about as good of a compromise as you can get, remember alot of the animals are taken out of logged out clear cuts and you may need to stretch a shot to the limits of the cartridge. If your going to be beating the jungle I'd actually recommend either an iron sighted revolver or one with a red dot. This stuff really sucks to hunt in. I always try to go as high as I can so I can get out of as much of the thick stuff as possible and I concentrate on clear cuts.

Wapitirod--PM sent at 2022 hrs.

I'm wondering if that isn't the maximum distance the magnifier can be placed from the sight, not the maximum eye relief from the shooter? Clearly, I don't know for sure...

Any time you bring magnification into the picture, you bring in eye relief as well. I'm fairly certain that magnifier is designed for use on a tactical rifle, not a handgun. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.

I'm hoping that the Biscuit Fire burn has opened up some prime country for longer shots, but want to be ready for close stuff too. Perhaps, as you suggest, the 2x-6x will be good enough for both. I also am thinking of building another AR10 in 338 Federal for use in that situation, too, in which case, I'll still have to choose an optic.

Good advice. Will do.

It did but I haven't heard lately, right after the fire they were taking alot of bears out of there in the spring season. The bears were all over the new growth and you could actually see. I'm not sure how much it has grown back.

I haven't taken a bear yet, but have eaten black bear roast--it's delicious. Definitely on my list of meat to pile next to the mashed potatoes. I also like the prospects for pig hunting. Wild boar makes really good BBQ and sausage. At 6'10' and 250 lbs., I've always been interested in "what's for dinner".

now you made me feel bad, I'm 6'3" and 250, I guess it's time to cut back on what's next to potatoes for me. lol

Well, I was up to 285 at one point, but that was about 4 years ago. I retired at 230, but have inched back up over the last 6 months or so. Need to get out an walk more...and start the free weights again.

Where did you get the rail for your .223 barrel. I would be interested in doing te same.

I got the EGW rails from Opticsplanet (see here: http://www.opticsplanet.net/egw-thompson-center-contender-picatinny-rail-scope-mount.html)
Or, you can order direct from EGW at: http://www.egwguns.com/thompson-center/

I'm happy with how they mounted. The mounting screws were the perfect length for the barrels I have, although there's a disclaimer note in the parts bag saying some may need shortening. Do a dry fit before adding any loctite. I used the same Fat Wrench I use for rings to tighten the mounts to 20 inch/pounds. I used red locktite.
I'm going to the range on Thursday for some testing with both the .223 and the 7-30 Waters.