Aimpoint Hunter 34L

PaulT · Feb 16, 2011

I'm looking to get some feedback on the Aimpoint Hunter 34L from anyone who has used this sight.

I am contemplating putting one on a big bore, back-up rifle and have many unanswered q's regarding its suitability, i.e

* field of view at close range
*quality of optics in poor light conditions
*will they stand-up to heavy recoil
*eye relief.

I would certainly appreciate any feedback from current or past users of this optical sight.

Thank-you in advance,
Paul.

Uncompahgre · Apr 28, 2011

I haven't tried the 34L but do have the older 9000L model on my 416 Rigby. According to Aimpoint their red dot scopes can handle the recoil from any rifle made. FOV is great. I was instructed by Aimpoint and learned to shoot my 9000L with both eyes open. IMO this makes it a great dangerous game scope. The glass is fine considering the low power of the scopes. Eye relief is huge. One great thing with the Aimpoint is that there is zero parallex. If you can see the red dot from whatever position your head is in, that is where you will shoot. You do not have to be in alignment with the Aimpoint unlike a traditional crosshair scope. I really like the adjustability of the red dot intensity throughout the course of the day. I believe my next Aimpoint will have the 2 MOA dot. IMO the 4 MOA is great to 75 yards, after that the dot is too big for precision shooting.

PaulT · Apr 28, 2011

Hey Uncompahgre, much appreciate the excellent feed-back.

My intended use would be on my .458 Lott which is used as a back-up gun on my buffalo hunts here in Australia.
Most of our shots are at close range in heavy cover but as the season progresses and the ground cover dies and dries off shots tend to be at greater distances, and at times when I am required to put in a finisher or stopper at 100yds plus, I'm finding it to be a more difficult task, with open sights, as my eyes begin to age.

Most (all) of the shots I take are at moving targets in marginal circumstances and as an instinctive type shooter I'm thinking that a reflex sight such as the Aimpoint might be the way to go.

How do you find the battery life ?
Are they common type batteries ?
Is the 2 moa dot small enough that requires some "concentration" to see or is it blatently visible ?
Is there much weight in a sight of this type ?

Thanks heaps for the help and advice,
Paul.

Uncompahgre · Apr 28, 2011

For technical information I suggest you go to Start US The scope is not any heavier than any normal scope. The batteries in my Aimpoint are going on 4 years old. Granted I don't expect yours to last that long with daily use. I think they claim 50,000 hours. Even with that I always carry a spare pair. The batteries are a common style. Even at close range I think you will like the 2 MOA dot. By adjusting the dot intensity you can fine tune it for different conditions. Aging eyes was one of the reasons why I chose the Aimpoint. I'm near sighted and it is a real chore to get rifle sights and the target to focus at the same time even with progressive bifocals. By learning to use the 34L with both eyes open it should work very well for moving targets, again this was another reason why chose the Aimpoint to begin with. For me, I have been completely satisfied with my 9000L. If is possible to do so, take the 2 MOA 34L and a 4 MOA 9000L outside at your optics dealer and play with them in bright sunlight and shaded areas, follow moving people in the scopes with both eyes open and I think you will appreciate this method. For long range shots you can always close your off eye. My 9000L is the only sight that I use with both eyes open. I even close my off eye when shooting my bow. Good luck. Let me know what you decide.

PaulT · Apr 29, 2011

Thanks again Uncompraghe, first hand experience sure beats speculation every time.

Your feedback has certainly answered my unknowns on this type of sight and helped in deciding if it will meet my usage expectations.

I have yet to decide on either the 9000l or the 34L, the 34L having a much larger tube diameter.
Reccomendation from Aimpoint for use on a Lott was given as the 34L.

Given your response I think it would make an ideal quick response type sight, that over longer than normal distances, (100-200yds), on large game on the run, might provide a more precise aiming tool than standard open sights.

Much appreciate your help with this,
Paul.

Pheroze · Jun 12, 2015

PaulT, I am wondering about your experience with the 34L. I am thinking of moving my Leupold off the 375 and using the 2MOA 34L. I am wondering if it is good past 200 yards. I have no business shooting out past 300 anyways. Thanks

PaulT · Jun 13, 2015

Pheroze,
I never ended up trying it, so cannot report any field experience.

In saying that I can say that I have had a look at the 34L's at a number of shows now and think as a medium range sighting aid they would be perfect.
Much more instinctive to use than a scope, faster to aquire target and large field of view.

My only unknown is how they would handle the constant jarring of a .458 Lott ?
I would think/hope you would be fine on a .375, probably not as precise as a proper scope but a faster "reflex" type sight very well suited to running game and fast shooting scenarios.

If you do try it out i'd appreciate it if you drop me a line to let me know how it worked out.

Cheers,

Paul.

TokkieM · Jun 13, 2015

Sorry guys only picked up the post now. Had a 34 L on my Sauer for a while and it worked very well,even took a pig or two at night. Running shots and fast target acquisition situations are it's bread and butter. Tested it out to 100 meters on the range and it is accurate enough for anything you may want to shoot,would not advise shots over 160meters,for me it is just not accurate enough.
Switched it onto the Lott for a couple months and there too no issues. Aimpoint is very good and nice guys to do business with. Looking into a new H2 for my double now.

Pheroze · Jun 13, 2015

It is very challenging to decide what would be best. From my experience shots are under 200m and I really would not like to shoot if the animal is moving quickly. So i bet for 90% of my type of hunting it would be great. I believe there is a 1-3x magnifier of some sort that can be added on. If I take the plunge I will certainly post my thoughts. Thanks for the info.

Aimpoint Hunter 34L

PaulT

Uncompahgre

PaulT

Uncompahgre

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Pheroze

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