Magnifying red dots

[Kevin Peacocke]

Guys, as soon as I can get a vaccine I am heading to Johannesburg to put in an order on a Heym double in either 375FL or 450/400. They come with a groove on the rib to accept an RMR type red dot. I might get one of those, but I am also intrigued by the magnifying versions. They are a little bigger, but the attraction is that they also fit on the grooves, so no need for a heavy and unsightly permanent scope mount. My question is what to look at that will be rugged, reliable, low mounting? I am not keen to fit a scope, just too heavy and bulky for what I want to achieve.
This double will have two distinct purposes: 1. As a DG buffalo rifle in which case I will probably take the RMR off and shoot open sights at up to around 50 metres.
2. As a PG rifle out to perhaps 120 metres. For these shots I am thinking of the multiplier at say 3-5x. I am not in the least interested in long range shooting, I have seen all of the species I want to take within that range many times before and will wait for similar opportunities. Looking forward to your experience and views. Thanks.

 

[IvW]

Juat get a Aimpoint with 2 moa dot.....or a ghost ring if you prefer open sights....all you will need for what you describe...

 

[Tucketed]

Kevin,
Be careful selecting a magnifier. Eye relief are typically 50-75mm
Ed

 

[chashardy]

Get a Trijicon RMR flush mounted to the rib. You will love it. No more need for iron sights.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Thanks guys. So nobody seems to be keen on these mini scopes, but will the RMR be good enough out to 120m or so?
I see Heym USA offered a package of RMR plus a base specially tailored to their doubles, but that was some time ago. Has anyone got recent experience?

 

[Vintageguy]

I shoot with a 2 moa dot, no magnification a get great groups at 100 yds and wouldn’t hesitate taking shots out to 150 on a 100 lb deer. Most would probably say they will shoot beyond that but 150 is comfortable for me.

 

[DWB]

These dots are very effective!

Do yourself a favour and get the 450/400

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Leaning that way DWB. Both theit Light frame at 3.6kg and their Africa frame at 4.5kg come in 450/400. I am just thinking the Light frame may be too light for a 450/400? Does anyone out there have one?

 

[chashardy]

Thanks guys. So nobody seems to be keen on these mini scopes, but will the RMR be good enough out to 120m or so?
I see Heym USA offered a package of RMR plus a base specially tailored to their doubles, but that was some time ago. Has anyone got recent experience?

Kevin, I have used my Chapuis double with the Trijicon RMR at about 100 yards on buffalo. You can adjust the brightness of the red dot and pinpoint a target pretty far out. Mine is the 3.25 MOA. I have no reservations about recommending it for your Heym. Have you seen the Heym youtube videos with Mark Valaro talking about sight options for doubles? Very informative.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Kevin, I have used my Chapuis double with the Trijicon RMR at about 100 yards on buffalo. You can adjust the brightness of the red dot and pinpoint a target pretty far out. Mine is the 3.25 MOA. I have no reservations about recommending it for your Heym. Have you seen the Heym youtube videos with Mark Valaro talking about sight options for doubles? Very informative.

Thanks Chashardy, yes this seems pretty much confirmed by all that the unmagnified rmr type is good out to say 150m. I really will be getting in closer though, so I am convinced it is adequate for my needs. I will leave the final choice on type until I can get down to Johhanesburg and compare optics, but I like the look of the Kahles one arsthetically.

 

[Razorback]

I have used red dots without magnification on ARs out to 500 yards effectively. You’ll be surprised at what you can do with them.
Ordered a doctor sight for my Heym 505 and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot out to 150 yards.
Will probably try the trijicon rmr on my Heym double when it gets here in a few weeks.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Thanks Razorback. What Heym double are you getting?

 

[Razorback]

Thanks Razorback. What Heym double are you getting?

Heym 89b 500 NE. Was supposed to be here around November but Covid backed everything up. Now it should be here early March. Keeping my fingers crossed because we have a bull elephant/buffalo hunt scheduled for late May in the Savé.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Heym 89b 500 NE. Was supposed to be here around November but Covid backed everything up. Now it should be here early March. Keeping my fingers crossed because we have a bull elephant/buffalo hunt scheduled for late May in the Savé.

Wonderful. Something to really look forward to. I took my buff in the Save, through Makore safaris. We worked hard.

 

[Frederik]

Enjoy the shopping reflex sight will be the best option just don't get talked into getting a bigger MOA dot you can set the brightness to have the dot bigger get 2 MOA max, aim small miss small.
The dots are clear and visible also get a model that does not turn itself off after a few hours.

Trijicon aint cheap but they have high standards and good waranty and very rugged.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Enjoy the shopping reflex sight will be the best option just don't get talked into getting a bigger MOA dot you can set the brightness to have the dot bigger get 2 MOA max, aim small miss small.
The dots are clear and visible also get a model that does not turn itself off after a few hours.

Trijicon aint cheap but they have high standards and good waranty and very rugged.

Thanks for the advice Frederik. What you you think of the Kahles one?

 

[Frederik]

Kevin I have no experience with the Kahles model what I did before I settled on my Trijicon SRO in 1 MOA is to watch loads of reviews on youtube.
Why I went to the SRO instead of RMR is of the viewing screen its bigger and just works great acquiring target.
So if I could add another piece of advice have the RMR, SRO and Khales and other brands next to each other and look at the screen size.
Also look through them with both eyes opened as that is the way to shoot them in that way you have full unrestriced view on your target and surroundings.

If by any chance you are coming up to the Pretoria shops let me know maybe we can meet?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Kevin I have no experience with the Kahles model what I did before I settled on my Trijicon SRO in 1 MOA is to watch loads of reviews on youtube.
Why I went to the SRO instead of RMR is of the viewing screen its bigger and just works great acquiring target.
So if I could add another piece of advice have the RMR, SRO and Khales and other brands next to each other and look at the screen size.
Also look through them with both eyes opened as that is the way to shoot them in that way you have full unrestriced view on your target and surroundings.

If by any chance you are coming up to the Pretoria shops let me know maybe we can meet?

Thanks Frederik, as soon as I can get to RSA I plan to make a trip to S&O Pretoria and I'll give you a shout.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Thanks for the advice Frederik. What you you think of the Kahles one?

Kevin
I have the Kahles on my CZ 550 458 Lott and like it a lot. It is very good out to 100 yards. I plan on putting an extra one I have on the VC double when I get it. Only thing is I talked to a Swarovski rep( Swarovski has Kahles import )
The Kahles has been discontinued at this time.
They got hit with a patent infringement lawsuit on it.

 

[MMAL]

I agree that you do not need a magnifying red dot. I have an trijicon rmr on my 458 Lott and a Burris fast fire on my kreighoff double. Both work great.