Suggestions for an inexpensive red dot for a lever rifle?

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epijunkie67

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I've been thinking about trying out an inexpensive red dot on a couple of my lever guns. Nothing too fancy. I don't want to spend more on the scope than I did on the rifle! Right now I'd be trying it out on a .357 mag and a 30-30.

I've seen the BSA stuff but haven't heard great things about them. I saw a 2.5 MOA dot Tru-Glo at Bass Pro the other day but I'm not familiar with them. Any good? I'd prefer something with a dot <5 MOA and this seened to fit the bill.
 
I have a cheepo Tasco that I got from the local K-mart for ~$30.00. I got it to aid in shooting critters in my barn after dark, but it is very difficult to acquire a target with it in the dark. It works "ok" in the daylight. The sight is adjustable and stays set. Keep lots of batteries on hand....It will not turn itself off. :cuss: Just my .02 cents. NailGun
 
My brother has a Tasco PDP2 mounted on his 94AE 30-30 for past 7 or 8 years using one of those scout mount. He shoots that rifle a lot and uses it to hunt hogs and deers with good success. The scope has held the zero all these years.
 
Yes the red dots are useable in some hunting and general blasting situations.
I am curious as to what sights you are useing at the present time.Are you just useing the factory open iron sights?
If so you might consider a reiciever mounted peep. Most lever guns have the holes for mounting in place (plugged with tiny screws?) and this sight will start at about $35 for a fixed version on up to $80 or so for a two turret fully adjustable Lyman unit.
The peep is very well suited for most any lever gun use and by swapping apeture size (or simply removeing and useing the remaining hole) can be anything from a highly accurate target sight to a super fast hunting tool.
With my fifty+ year old eyes and the difficulties of bifocals I find the factory lever gun sights to be very slow to put to use and not very accurate but the peep is quite fast and brings the front sight and the target into focus.
You can get all sorts of red dots for $30-$100 but mounting on a lever gun can sometimes be a problem that is solveable but could cost twice the cost of the scope itself.
A nice older gentleman in my club has mounted a $30 red dot on a beautiful old 30/40 Kraig carbine. He is the first to admit that it looks like hell and isn't "right" for the beautiful old gun and I agree 100% with him. The other thing to consider is that he always has a full freezer which is more than a lot of members can claim. (even the guys who have the custom bolt lightweight hunters with the $1000 scopes)
Go with the red dot if it works for you but consider the peep, I think you will like it.
 
Red dot sights

I use an Aimpoint red dot sight on a 44mag. Winchester Trapper and lousey shot that I am , I can be right on the money . The Aimpoint is not the cheapest but it does the job ie. put the dot on the target and it's done .
 
Tasco ProPoint. Way better quality than the cheaper BSA's, etc. I have one on a 12 gauge that has survived 7 years of 12 pellet 00 buck and slugs. Good optics, holds a zero forever and affordable. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
 
Ghost ring in back, Firesight in front. That way you keep the splendid handiness of the lever rifle and still have more opportunities to shoot in low light. If you feel you have to go reflex, get a good one and you'll never regret it.
 
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