I am looking for some intelligent insight on a red dot scope for a ruger new sbhh 44.
it currently has a burris 2x on it, but i was thinking about switching to a red dot.
I was recently at the local Cabelas and was shopping for one.
when I told the guy behind the counter what I wanted it for, the response was that- I couldnt possibly know what I was doing because NO red dot scope can hold up to the recoil of a 44. How stupid of me.
A response I find to be so typical anymore from the fat, out of shape, opinionated wannabe know it alls that infest so many gun shops these days.
So rather than unleashing 14 years of martial arts training on this fat toad and driving him into the ground like a tent stake just for the sake of making myself feel better, I decided to just walk away and take my money somewhere else.
I know that some red dots are better than others, and I know some of them are real junk.
I figured I could count on the great folks who cruise this forum to give me some good guidance. I read your forum all the time and a lot of people seem very knowledgable and always willing to help.
Any suggestions ??

lol.........i've never used a red dot, but i'm sure a 44mag CAN wear one. i am interested to hear which are the best ones though.
never can tell....that could be a possible option for the 10" 357mag contender.

Diffrent place diffrent time but I have alot of experience with the eotech over in Iraq. It was always dependable and very deadly. One of my favorite features to this sight was how easy it was to pick up your target. To give you an idea on how rugged it is the day I got hurt we had a suicide bomber ram our Hummvv with three 155 rounds and detonated. The blast blew the cab off of our Hummvv and then we started getting small arms fire. After I woke up and found myself thirty meters from the Hummvv I made my way back to the truck to find my rifle. When I found it the glass on the sight was cracked but I turned it on and was able to engage a target before passing out from blood loss. Just a little story about why I like the Eotech but like I said another place another time. Im sure it would work great for your needs plus it looks good to. CAUTION ***STAY AWAY FROM AIMPOINT********* Just my opinion but I saw alot of them fail over there on my soldiers.

Also, if you do buy one get the model that takes AA Batterys I think its the 502 not to sure. If you go to there web site they have an interactive game you can play to show you how the reticle works

I've used an Aim Point on a 10" 30-30 Contender with 170 gr bullets in full power loads and even a 14" 45/70 Contender with 300 gr loads at 1800 fps. No problem. They come with different reticals and dot sizes. I find the 3mm dot more suitable to HG use; the 5mm tends to obscure the target. I'm using a 3 dot version on a crossbow and it's an absolute hoot to use the dots for ranging. I'm beginning to wonder if it may have HG application.
Often have the same problem with store clerks when just looking around. They pee me off with their differential attitude, need to impart 'knowledge' and esp by telling me what they own...as if I asked for it or care. Usually a well aimed question about ballistic coefficient, ogive shape or difference between lens coating designations by brand flushes them out...to go wait on a less informed customer.

PS I switched back to a 2x Leupold on the 45/70 and a 1.5 Thompson scope on the 30-30 only because scopes are on all my other HG's and rifles and was therefore more used to using them.

easy on the fat stuff...some of us here may qualify...i know i do. and i used to work at a gun shop. lol but obviously this guy didn't know what he was talking about. i have a sbhh and i've used the millett red dot... works great, no problem. and right now i have one of the newer bushnells with both red and green dots(for low light) and so far no problems. 500-600 rounds on the millett...200-250 on the bushnell. like 'em both. heard good things about the eotech too. welcome to the forum!!

I like my Leupold/Gilmore on my 45-70.

Believe it or not I have a BSA Red Dot on my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter and it has given me no problems...I have about 300 rounds through the gun and it is still zeroed perfectly. If it ever goes south on me then I may invest in a Mueller red dot scope...

I have an old AIMPOINT 3000 on my 44 Encore with no problems whatsoever.

let me re phrase my self Aim points might work well for your use, but my experience with them in Iraq were not good like I said diffrent time diffrent place.

I used a bushnell red dot on my 45-70 bfr for almost a year before I switched to a leupold 2x and I never had a problem, and I'm running 440grn hardcast @ 1620, after taking it off the bfr I used it on my S&W 629 for quite a while and it's still working fine

I've got an "UltraDot 4" on my mod 29, & have had for about a year & a half. It's handled at least 500 rds of 320 gr @ 1330+fps, a 4'drop onto a hardpacked gravel surface, & Alaskan costal & sub zero weather, all without a hickup. I like the ability to choose between 4 different dot sizes & 9 different brightness settings. It's great from dawn to dusk. Battery life also suprised me greatly. It was my first red dot sight, but if was buying another I would choose it again.

I too have an "UltraDot" product and like it. It has been on my 7x30 Contender for three years now and has performed flawlessly. Can't remember the model number but it has the single 3moa dot.

For deer hunting it has been very good. Needlessly to say it is great for those very early/late shot opportunities when the light is not good. Essentially if you can see the deer you can shoot.

My gun with the red dot will shoot 1.5"-2" groups at 150 yards using the Federal factory shells. The red dot will cover up some of your target so it is NOT a precise long range target sight. For hunting deer at reasonable ranges mine has been perfect.

You do have to turn it on and off. This is not much of a concern but is something different from using a traditional scope. Battery life? Mine is three years old and I haven't changed the batteries yet. I called the distributor in Crystal River, Florida and ordered direct from him at about $125.

Before purchasing I did some research and found that many of the US high speed pistol shooters and competitors use the UltraDot scope on their 45 autos and others. That was good enough for me.

Hope this helps.

Dave1
davisalf@aol.com

Used a Red Dot on 30/30 Contener. Liked the 3mm dot (small enouth so it doesn't subtend target). Didn't like lack of magnification. Switched to 2x Leupold scope and never look back. Have same on two rimfires and they work just fine for that.

Have used Sightron red dot to good effect on 30/30 and 357 mag. Have seen them used well on 44mag. So for so good. Its lasted a good many shots.
LT

I have a BSA 42mm on my slug gun. I bought it just to try one, thinking the Ithaca 12 gauge Featherlight M37 would destroy it in a few rounds. That gun kicks hard.

Well, that was 5 years ago and I have killed a truckload of deer with it, including my best 8 pointer.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat, will probably get the plain jane 30mm next.

I have never had to adjust the BSA since the initial sight-in. That really counts alot on a 12 gauge pump!