Red Dot Scopes

**bull2969** · May 2nd, 2009, 12:15 AM

I'ven been a "basic" gun owner for a good numbers of years now. When i say basic, i refer to a gun coming stock, and just leaving it stock with the exception of a scope or sling.

Well, in the past month or so I have aquired a red dot scope. Now im not to familiar with these things, but I mounted it on my 835. Set the targets up, and fired the 3.5 inch magnums. The scope was pretty consistant and I was pleased. So after shooting 20-25-30-35-40 yards I was good to go (except the shoulder) and decided to try it in the woods.

One night we roosted some birds. Next morning we were up bright and early and snuck to were we thought there were. All was good. All we needed to do was wait for them to make some noise. Well he made some noise alright, we were less than 80 yards away. So i slowly reached down and turned the scope on. As the sun started to rise, we let out some yelps. He responded. About 5 minutes later, we hard the flap, flap,flap.

He flew down to almost 45 yards and was standing still. We would call, he'd answer move in about 10 feet. It was still rather dark due to the over cast. We called, he'd answer and move in. He came to about 30 yards and thats when I figured it was time to make the shot.

I tilted my head and prepared for the shot. I looked through the scope and WTF. Almost blinded by this tiny red dot(my mistake for setting it on the brightest one). My untrained eye, would only focus on the red dot, and not the whole picture. So being i could not completely identify my target through my shooting eye, Im not on the forum bragging about a turkey. I'm just writing this up, to help others who may have not experienced the rbrightest setting in a low lighted condition.

I guess I should have played more with the scope to become familiar with it.

**son of the revolution** · May 2nd, 2009, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by bull2969

I'ven been a "basic" gun owner for a good numbers of years now. When i say basic, i refer to a gun coming stock, and just leaving it stock with the exception of a scope or sling.

Well, in the past month or so I have aquired a red dot scope. Now im not to familiar with these things, but I mounted it on my 835. Set the targets up, and fired the 3.5 inch magnums. The scope was pretty consistant and I was pleased. So after shooting 20-25-30-35-40 yards I was good to go (except the shoulder) and decided to try it in the woods.

One night we roosted some birds. Next morning we were up bright and early and snuck to were we thought there were. All was good. All we needed to do was wait for them to make some noise. Well he made some noise alright, we were less than 80 yards away. So i slowly reached down and turned the scope on. As the sun started to rise, we let out some yelps. He responded. About 5 minutes later, we hard the flap, flap,flap.

He flew down to almost 45 yards and was standing still. We would call, he'd answer move in about 10 feet. It was still rather dark due to the over cast. We called, he'd answer and move in. He came to about 30 yards and thats when I figured it was time to make the shot.

I tilted my head and prepared for the shot. I looked through the scope and WTF. Almost blinded by this tiny red dot(my mistake for setting it on the brightest one). My untrained eye, would only focus on the red dot, and not the whole picture. So being i could not completely identify my target through my shooting eye, Im not on the forum bragging about a turkey. I'm just writing this up, to help others who may have not experienced the rbrightest setting in a low lighted condition.

I guess I should have played more with the scope to become familiar with it.

Just want to clarify

Your talking about a Red Dot Scope in the sense of a normal style " rifle scope " with a lit reticle or do you mean a " Red Dot Sight " ??

Its really critical , your description of your problem reads , at least to me ; like your talking about a Red Dot Sight , and trying to aim with it by using it as a traditional scope . Red Dot Sights ( AimPoint Comp ML , EO Tech , etc ) are used with whats called the " Bindon Aiming Concept " which means you keep both eyes open and on target and stereo scopic vision in your eyes super imposes the redot reticle on your target .

A "Red Dot Scope" on the other hand , is aimed just like a regular scope ( dominant eye , proper relief , etc ) and merely uses a lit reticle .

FWIW , I have a Red Dot Scope and love it , especially in low light conditions , and yes at max brightness setting it can basically "wash out " the reticle its so bright . Last time I used it I think I left it set at 7 or 8 brightness on a 1 to 10 scale .