Red Dots on Lever Guns

I don't care what others think about my guns or what I put on them. I have a Vortex Sparc on my Marlin 30-30 and really like it. Most of my hunting is done at less than 75 yards so it works great. I also put a Bushnell First Strike on a .50 cal Traditions Deerhunter cap lock muzzle loader. It's an inexpensive, light weight rifle and I wanted to keep it that way. With the red dot mounted and loaded with 325gr bullet it weighs 5lb 15oz! Kicks a bit with a stout hunting load but oh well.
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ocanuck said:
My eyes suck and I'm barely into my 30s... I have a 1.5-4.5 Scopechief with post reticule on my 30-30 AE WinTuff and love it. It makes me warm and fuzzy every time I look through it.

I wish I could find more scopes like it at a reasonable cost, it would be equally at home on my Sears 6a or SKS.
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Back in the 70's and 80's you could have a bolt mounted Beeman S100 scope on your M94 Winnie that when properly fitted, looked like it belonged there. Of course, this was a gunsmithing option for the skilled worker.
:)
 
They're tools. I don't get why some people are so sentimental. If you have a vintage lever for show - sure insist on iron sights. But if it's a modern lever action, then get with the times already.

Oh.. and Aimpoint Micro, because they look less silly. ;-)
 
Maybe check out a see-all. Really small and bright. My shooting eye was damaged so now I'm a scope guy by default. I tried the red dot but it wasn't for me. Worrying about batteries just bugs me. My favorite setup so far is a leupold FX2 fixed 2.5 power. The 5" of eye relief is comforting on the 4570 guide gun. Only weighs 6.5 oz too. I have an old 1.5-4.5 scope chief on one 44 mag and a Redfield 3-9x40 on the marlin 3030. I also installed a marbles bullseye rear sight on my 44 ranch hand and that works really good also. Seems to help define things better.
 
Chuckbuster said:
As the eyes get less sharp with each passing year, I found myself looking at the gun rack at my lever guns. All have iron sights of one type or another, factory or otherwise. However, I was wondering about putting a red dot of some kind on one or more of my Marlins. Anybody have red dots on their lever guns? What have you got, and how do you like the setup?
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Here's mine, hope photobucket works. I had a gunny drill and tap receiver ring for two holes and used an XS sight systems rail for the Winchester 94 ( gotta be specific as to which model as to angle eject vs non angle eject). Without a doubt, it is the cat's Maloney for whitetails in the dark timber. I used a Buschnell Trophy Reddot with the switchable reticle. It is AWESOME!!!!!
 
Who cares if it is popular or not, your eyes, your rifle.
Hunting isn't about a fashion show.

In my experience quality red dots work great on brush type rifles, far better then original iron sights.

Shoot with both eyes open with them and you get better depth perception.
 
Calum said:
Who cares if it is popular or not, your eyes, your rifle.
Hunting isn't about a fashion show.

In my experience quality red dots work great on brush type rifles, far better then original iron sights.

Shoot with both eyes open with them and you get better depth perception.
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It's more a matter of whether or not I'd like the aesthetics. Sooo...I'm curious if others have done it, and whether or not they are generally pleased with the results. Thus far, I've seen a couple of things that don't strike me as particularly blasphemous, which is what I was hoping for. In the end, I think I will end up putting something other than a traditional scope on at least one rifle. Something relatively unobtrusive would be best.
 
People hunt with BLRs, which are abominations in and of themselves, without the red dot. So surely a red dot on a Winchester/Marlin will be acceptable.

And hey, its about killing the deer as best as possible. Not worrying about offending some guy across Canada
 
Superbrad said:
Have you thought of a reflex type site? I have a Vortex Razor on my scout gun and love it.... would look less obtrusive on a lever than a tubed red dot imop
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Yes, that is the direction I am now heading down. Somebody earlier mentioned a Burris and I googled it and amongst the images found a couple with lever guns...not bad at all. They have the low, unobtrusive profile and size that strikes me as appropriate for what I want to do with it. Now, to have a look at what's out there. I will check out the Vortex...I have a Vortex red dot on my M&P15-22, so a stablemate may just be in order.
 
I have used a redot on both the Browning BLR as well as the Marlin and they serve there purpose quite well. They do look out of place on a lever gun however looks should no be a factor if you can hit what you are shooting at. The one issue I have is the issue of having to always having to make sure you have extra batteries on hand. I have recently switched o a williams peep with a fibre optic beed. Im hoping this will be as fast to acquire the sight as the redot.
 
pounder said:
I shoot a lever gun with a reflex sight on it because it works, I can't see the sights well enough. If you want to shoot a lever gun and using a red dot allows you to do that go for it. Just had mine weather proofed it looked better before but it was well used and needed something.


pounder
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That's a nice looking rifle. :)
Cool looking target as well.
 
Chuckbuster said:
What make and model do you have mounted? I saw a fellow at the range a few years back with a Bushnell of some type on his 1895. I saw no need for it then, but as I remember it, it didn't look bad at all; but then, our first girlfriends didn't always look as good as we remember , either! Nevertheless, the idea continues to interest me.
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It's bushnell trs-25 nothing fancy but it works better than the open sights for me.
 
My old Pap has an Aim Point red dot on his BLR .308... but when we are approached by other hunters he removes his Elmer Fudd hat and drops it over the sight... classy guy.
 
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