Yesterday was spent at the range with the Ruger No1 375 H&H with Leica 1-6.3x24 red dot and the Verney o/u 375 flanged double with open sights. Shooting 300 grain Hornady DGS with 68 grains 365 in the Flanged and 70 grains in the H&H. The results after some 25 shots has changed my view on all this Red dot debate. Firstly the Verney is a perfect fit, light, balanced and every mount brings up the same sight picture. A small departure from the story but honestly guys such a thing is worth every hard saved cent. Anyway, static shots with the Ruger on 6.3 power at 50m were easily all in the 50mm black, whereas the Verney were large grapefruit, say 90mm. About 6 rounds through the Ruger and 8 through the Verney, switching between barrels. Regulation on the Verney at this distance with either Woodleighs or Hornady DGS is about 35mm. No surprises so far. Then we switched to charging lion target, engaging from about 35m in. The Ruger red dot shots on 1 power now were all oner the place and easily 200mm. Quite hard to acquire the target as it was set up to come in on a curve. If this were a real lion the shooter would probably be dead. The Verney, however, now transformed into the Cinderella and shot after shot was in 75mm, 4 in the black 50mm. Could it be, as I think is the case, that this was as much down to perfect instinctive alignment as to sighting? Deal lion every time.
In summary, the Verney ir perfectly capable of good shot on DG, buff in particular at least out to 50m and although a dot would undoubtedly reduce the hit radius, it is enough without. And if it comes, a good fitting open sight is way better. So fo me, there will be no dot sight on my Verney and my 65 year old eyes are far better aided by good fit than technology. The Ruger will remain the longer shot PG choice.
