I was going to put a 1x4 or 1.5x6 tradition scope on my Sako bolt action .416 rem mag. My gun store suggested a EOTECH. They claim it will be replacing all scopes in the future. They state that Eotech scopes are dead on from 1 yard to 200yrds off hand. You can use both eyes and there is nothing faster to get on a target, including iron sights. The salesmen claim that these Eotechs indestructible. Are these claims true? Has anyone used Eotech? What are your thoughts for use on a .416 for buff and elephant?

Thanks Dale

I have one on an M-16 and think its great for close quarters use, but if you're thinking of the same one I have, I'm not sure I'd want it for a 200 yard shot.
They are pretty cool in that all you have to do is to place the red dot on what you want to hit. You're able to pick up your target very easily, which is why they are popular for our special forces in Iraq.

I agree with Spring.
I have shot a lot of red dot sights, and they are faster, especially in low light, and more accurate than iron sights.

I see them as a replacement for iron sights.

A scope gives yhou the option of some magnification, which at ranges of @ 100 yards and out is a good thing.

I think for hunting with a 40 cal rifle a good quality scope with a daytime illuminated reticle with a low power of 1x to 4 or 6x depending on the brand is a much better choice.

At 1x you can use the scope like a red dot, but have some magnification when you need it.

I am currently testing several different red dot sights on hunting rifles.

My current favorite is the Docter Optic.
I have one on my 375 H&H Blaser R 93 Tracker.

The Docter is very compact, the dot is very clear and automatically adjusts for the light cinditions. I have shot it in darkness and very bright sunlight. It works very well.

I am also shooting a Zeiss Z point on a 308 Blaser tracker.

I wanted to shoot a pig with it last week.
However as the sun began to go down, I was watching some deer.
I replaced the Z Point with a S&B 1.5-6x42 with a Flash Dot reticle. A low power scope with a daytime illuminated reticle is much better for most hunting conditions.
At 1 to 1.5x on the low end with the reticle illuminated you can use it like a red dot, with both eyes open, yet you have some maginfication for when you need it.

Aim Point makes a 3x magnifier and EO Tec make a 3x and a 4x.

These fit behind the red dot and with the proper mount [Samson I think] can be swung to the side when shooting up close and fliped into place whhen magnification is needed. The 4x EO Tec is especially rugged.

This set up workes great on flat top AR's but is too bulky for hunting rifles.

I see red dots as a replacement for iron sights, not scopes.

Spring

Well set up AR.
Take a look at the EO Tex 4x magnifer.

Be sure to get the mount that allows you to swing it to the side [right side of the rifle].

It makes hitting a 12" plate at 400 yards easy.

Aha - something I can finally claim to be an internet expert on!

I have used Eotechs in various capacities for years as well as Aimpoits.

My thoughts?

I wouldn't use one in Africa, especially if going after dangerous game. Too many things can go wrong, too many variables. If you slap a 3x or 4x magnifier with flip mount, you are adding a lot of extra weight, an additional item that has moving parts, that can be damaged, etc. Not to mention they are expensive when decked out like that.

The Eotech doesn't have a long battery life, and in bright sunlight can have the reticle washed out. The Aimpoint have incredible battery life (some can be left on for 7 years) but also suffer from washout issues in bright light.

Honestly, I believe your best bets are to go with a 1-4x scope that is a true 1x, with etched reticle that also has a illuminated reticle as well. This way you are covered if something goes wrong with the illumination system. You still have 4x magnification if you need it. There are some pretty low priced ones out there, and the Meopta is a great value with wonderful glass.

Still, though, for close-in work, iron sights can't be beat if you practice with them and become proficient. Hell, soldiers have been killing people from hundreds of yards for hundreds of years with iron sights.

I thank all of you for the input on this post. I will stick with the traditional express sites on my .458 and the .416 I will get the 1x4 for back up rifle.

I have been experimenting with a Burris Fast Fire on a .416 Taylor. So far, I like it alot. It is very light, a couple of ounces, and very compact. I am able to shoot much better groups with it as opposed the iron sights. Big question for me is durability. There was a good article in the last issue of African Hunter on red dots and Ganyana seems to be an advocate of the red dots.

I've had them on predator calling rifles, and liked them there. I've used them out to about 400 yards with decent results, but you can't place the shot nearly as well as with a scope. Up close nothing compares with them or a similar holosight.

I realy wouldn't put one on something I was going to africa to hunt game with, after all that would be like taking a six pack to church for communion.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I have been experimenting with a Burris Fast Fire on a .416 Taylor. So far, I like it alot. It is very light, a couple of ounces, and very compact. I am able to shoot much better groups with it as opposed the iron sights. Big question for me is durability. There was a good article in the last issue of African Hunter on red dots and Ganyana seems to be an advocate of the red dots.

Let us know how this works out, I'm interested in mounting one on the front ring of my .458 Lott and I'm curious as to how well it lasts and what the accuracy potential is.

quote:

They claim it will be replacing all scopes in the future.

someone told also that today we should live on moon or that we should be all dead.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Spring

Well set up AR.
Take a look at the EO Tex 4x magnifer.

Be sure to get the mount that allows you to swing it to the side [right side of the rifle].

It makes hitting a 12" plate at 400 yards easy.

Thanks, Tony. It's a fun gun to shoot, though I mostly find myself playing with it on full-auto rather than trying to pick off targets at long distance. That said, it sounds like the magnifier would really be a quality addition to the EOTech and definitely add a dimension I don’t have. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll look into it.

Vic

Check it out. They work really good giving you the best of both worlds, ie upm close and fast, and a little magnification for longer shots.

My last up close work rifle was a Colt Commando.
On it I had a Leupold CQT with 1 to3x magnivication.

I liked it very well as it had a reticle whether or not the batteries were good.

My personal EO Tec is the one that uses the Lithium 123 batteries and they do have a long service life.

Also since thay are the same batteries the mounted lights take I always have plenty of them on hand.

The current African Hunter has a comparison of several sights. I seem to remember that a critism of the eotech models was the tendency to move under recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan Chick:
The current African Hunter has a comparison of several sights. I seem to remember that a critism of the eotech models was the tendency to move under recoil.

Most Eotech and Aimpoint style sights are designed for .223 and .308 rifles. The other problem is that a lot of these sights are mounted either by one screw on a Picitiny rail system, or with quick-detach clamp-on mounts. Under heavy recoil this would cause problems.

The EoTech has been successfully used on 50 BMG weapons. I have pounded them unmercifully and have faith in their ability to survive anything my shoulder can survive.

Mounts are an issue with any sighting system. If they don't work ... one has a problem!