Red dot on hunting rifle lovers?

I’ve bumped my trs25 around on an sks a few times but it never stays, was on my Ruger scout and while it was nice the 2-7x32 won out and it went back on a 12g. I prefer the low power scopes for hunting due to the extra light gathering and some magnification when I want it.

I think when I set up the Lee Enfield .45auto conversion I’ll put the red dot on it and leave it there.

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Probs my biggest concern there...like with iron sights eh? A scope is gonna be useful longer.

Cool pic! And good luck with the 45 ACP Lee Enfield
 
Currently have red dots on 3 rifles. All short range use guns for walking hunting. Great for old eyes that can't see open sights. One is a rem 7 in 223. It carries in the hand well and with that round bullet drop is less problem . Point and shoot about 200yds with the loads I use
 
Joel said:
Probs my biggest concern there...like with iron sights eh? A scope is gonna be useful longer.

Cool pic! And good luck with the 45 ACP Lee Enfield
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That’s my experience, I found with the sks irons are better than a 3moa red dot for straight target/steel shooting past 100m. The dot covers most bullseye’s and I can adjust the irons to put my point of impact just above the front post, I shoot more game within the last hour of legal light than not. So I want all the light gathering I can get, shooting grouse with a rds though is pretty fun.

If I was hunting from a blind or over bait I could see it being the way to go, or if things are up close. Hard to beat a low power optic where I find myself hunting, 100-175m is the norm but I can have the opportunity to take longer shots in some places. 2-7x32 or 2.5-10x40 have quickly become my favourites, a lpvo with an illuminated dot would be ideal and check both boxes.
 
If you had to skip the illumination, what would you think of the Fx-II 2.5x20 scope? Ever use that one?

Doubt its a strong low light performer, but better than the red dot?

Been there, done that at "can't still fire with irons, but my bud with the scope is still hunting and I'm not". Especially with apertures/peep sights. The open irons do have their strengths for sure

When you're shooting with the red dot though, can you just zero it so it works with a 6 o'clock hold right on top of the dot just like your SKS irons?
 
I was in the same boat when I bought the 507. An LPVO and mount adds a lot of weight compared to a red dot. Magnification is cool but since it's a 200m rifle anyway I don't feel I'm missing anything mounting a RDS on certain things.
 
Joel said:
If you had to skip the illumination, what would you think of the Fx-II 2.5x20 scope? Ever use that one?

Doubt its a strong low light performer, but better than the red dot?

Been there, done that at "can't still fire with irons, but my bud with the scope is still hunting and I'm not". Especially with apertures/peep sights. The open irons do have their strengths for sure

When you're shooting with the red dot though, can you just zero it so it works with a 6 o'clock hold right on top of the dot just like your SKS irons?
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Haven’t used that particular one but I had a similar style on an sks awhile back, newer russian version of the PU optic. Lots I liked about it actually, even for a fixed power which I tend not to gravitate to. Low cheek weld/compact, gathers some light, more than enough magnification for close up encounters.

I’m sure you could set the dot to a 6 o’clock hold, it’s pretty much how I use it for grouse. I set the dot into the bottom of the shot pattern and head shoot them on the road. Depending on distance I’ll hold dead on the head or just at the top edge of the head, I just prefer a smaller dot or fine crosshair on a rifle. Personal preference on my end, not saying it won’t work.

Joel said:
Cant ever imagine shooting game past 150 with the 7.62x39 either.
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200m would be my max with an sks and irons on deer, I can regularly hit an 8” plate at that distance. I just have other cartridges I prefer more so I don’t hunt with it. If I had to I would, one sks I have is accurate enough with any sp x39 I’ve shot through it.
 
I had a TRS-25 2 moa dot on my Tikka T3 .338 Federal, it held zero , tracked perfectly and never let me down. Like a fool, I sold it to cover some bills. It was freakishly awesome in the timber for Whitetails.
 
Butcherbill said:
Haven’t used that particular one but I had a similar style on an sks awhile back, newer russian version of the PU optic. Lots I liked about it actually, even for a fixed power which I tend not to gravitate to. Low cheek weld/compact, gathers some light, more than enough magnification for close up encounters.

I’m sure you could set the dot to a 6 o’clock hold, it’s pretty much how I use it for grouse. I set the dot into the bottom of the shot pattern and head shoot them on the road. Depending on distance I’ll hold dead on the head or just at the top edge of the head, I just prefer a smaller dot or fine crosshair on a rifle. Personal preference on my end, not saying it won’t work.



200m would be my max with an sks and irons on deer, I can regularly hit an 8” plate at that distance. I just have other cartridges I prefer more so I don’t hunt with it. If I had to I would, one sks I have is accurate enough with any sp x39 I’ve shot through it.
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Sounds like a great setup for the SKS! And nice shooter there

351 power said:
The 6 o'clock hold is a great way to extend the dot range
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Aye, getting the optic a bit farther forward and turning down the intensity when zeroing to its lowest visable setting is a good way to get the dot a bit smaller/sharper for more precision too. Can crank it up more when hunting etc
 
Joel said:
Sounds like a great setup for the SKS! And nice shooter there.
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It was until it broke lol, you could see the poi change with each shot. First shot was where it should be second was 2” up and 2” right, it would alternate between the two poi’s. The more I try and mount a scope on an sks the more I like the irons haha.

That one sks is shimmed tight in the stock and if I do my part will shoot 3.25”-3.5” groups at 100m with irons, at 200m it opens up another inch or so. Can’t complain about that, shoots like this with norc white box or a couple different SP hunting rounds. Shimming cut groups in half, someday I should smooth out the trigger.
 
Joel said:
When you're shooting with the red dot though, can you just zero it so it works with a 6 o'clock hold right on top of the dot just like your SKS irons?
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thought that was exactly the proper adjustment
Race gunners are going to larger dots, easier to find fast, but with this same aim dot size doesn't matter.
Wish there were other options for a diamond or triangle like Trijicon

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Scorpion on a Savage 30-30/20 ga
 
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9.3 Hunter said:
Bushnell TRS 25 3 moa on two levers: 358Win BLR + 44RM Marlin, 0 @100 for both, over 20 yrs, they work, they last and take abuse ... great dusk + dawn
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Yup ! Never thought I would like it till i Ran the same one on my Ruger Scout 308 rifle and Loved it . I’m gonna install it on a Rem M7 308 rifle .Great for stand Hunting . RJ
 
boxhitch said:
thought that was exactly the proper adjustment
Race gunners are going to larger dots, easier to find fast, but with this same aim dot size doesn't matter.
Wish there were other options for a diamond or triangle like a
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If you want something different you have the option of the ACSS reticle from Primary Arms/Holosun. It's just a chevron but it's pretty useful for range estimation and hold.



You can use it with any cartridge of course. Those are just done for you already. There are other even busier reticles these days too.
 
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