Preventing a red dot from shifting due to recoil

[ImARugerFan]

Any tips for preventing a scope from sliding over time due to recoil? I'm mounting a red dot on my 44 mag super redhawk tonight. I've read that rosin helps, some people use epoxy of different kinds too. I don't have either of these handy. Or have any of you mounted a red dot to your SRH and had no problems with it shifting without doing anything special? I've heard in many cases that this happens, so I'm trying to be proactive about it, especially with the cost of ammo, I hate to have to re-zero after getting it set up. It would need to be something that could come off at a later date if need be. Maybe a couple dabs of blue lock-tite to gum it up a little?

 

[easyrider604]

Try a drop of contact cement on the lower scope ring, the part that attaches to your weaver mount or picatinny. Let it dry to the touch before putting on the scope. Make sure the scope rings and the scope tube are clean and dry. I use tissue dampened with isopropyl alcohol.

 

[ImARugerFan]

I've been reading that a lot of people also recommend rosin, or electrical tape for grip. I'm going to try the rosin and see if I have any issues. It can't really hurt and I have some on hand already.

 

[Drail]

This is what happens when a red dot sight is mounted on a .44 Mag. Learn to use metallic sights. I think red dot sights are a poor solution to an easily solved problem. Between shifting and dead batteries they're more hassle than they're worth.

 

[ImARugerFan]

That's helpful buddy. Anyway, I've talked to others with this scope and they have had no problems with it shifting at all. I expect my groups will tighten once I get to the range with this. Handguns have limited a limited sight radius making it difficult to use iron sights for many of us. Again, thanks for trolling Drail.

 

[DragonFire]

I think Drail is referring to the dot itself drifting and not the scope itself. Red dots must be terrible solutions, that why you don't see any pro shooters using them, right?

There's nothing wrong with using a scope, red dot or otherwise, and if replacing the batteries every once in awhile is a "hassle", then cleaning your gun reguarly must be a major pain in the butt.

I have a ruger SRH 44mag with a red dot, and though I haven't used it alot, it hasn't shifted at me (at least not enough for me to notice). I've used the ruger scope mount which seems to hold the rings very securely.

I think you need to be careful with what you use, especially if you want/need to completely remove it later. Tape can leave very nasty gummy residue which can be difficult to remove without damaging the finish. They make some products specifically for situations like this that should be a better choice than just tape or cement.

 

[ImARugerFan]

Yeah, I just put it on and tightened it snugly. I'll keep an eye on it, and treat it if there is a problem. I spoke with someone who has the exact same setup on a 454 SRH and it didn't move at all, so I'm not too worried. If the dot is drifting I'd say you have a defective red dot. I'm not too worried about batteries. As long as I test the dot before I leave for the woods, I'm sure it will work when the time comes.

 

[Leadhead]

Just keep a spare battery handy...they are small and easy to stash somewhere in your gear so you always have it without thinking about it.
If you've got a newer aimpoint it's not such a big deal as you can simply replace the battery every couple years even if you leave it on!!!
Still a replacement battery that is handy and a part of your gear just makes sense.
Enjoy your new reddot!

 

[Drail]

OK, many "pro shooters" DO use red dot sights. These are , for the most part, IPSC shooters. None of them are shooting .44 Mags. I have personally seen quite a few folks blow a stage because their dot went away or their battery died or they simply forget to turn it on. I learned early on while shooting IPSC that anything that can fail probably will and so became a firm believer of the KISS principle. I just cannot see any advantage to a dot sight over metallic sights on a heavy recoiling weapon. It was not my intent to troll on this forum. I apologize if I have offended or insulted anyone of this forum.

 

[easyrider604]

Never really liked dot scopes myself on handguns.

But as the years have passed, the front sight became harder and harder to see, much less focus on...and then the target became a mere blur in the background. Even with glasses.

So if I were to continue shooting and hitting anything, red dot scopes have become indispensable.