I agree that for proven reliability Aimpoint and Trijicon are the safest choices.
There may be other manufacturers producing red dots that are just as reliable. The European Doctor sights get strong reviews.
@Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS uses a Burris on a .416 Remington without any problems. Other professionals probably use other brands with good results. Some may simply buy the best of the few brands available to them.
If I have a choice in "safety of flight" or "save my butt" equipment, I will select the proven most reliable items available.
The math of recoil provides that for average weight of rifles and .40 bore and larger cartridges, we can expect recoil of 60 to 100 foot pounds of energy. While I have never shot a .50 caliber hunting rifle, those who do regularly tell me they are more of a strong puch than a sharp kick in the shoulder.
Let us consider that recoil velocity negatively affects optics as much as does the recoil energy. In general, a faster projectile accelerating down a barrel may produce more stress on optics and mounts than a slower projectile that has higher recoil energy.
Then there those obnoxious muzzle breaks. A recent conversation with an engineer at Tally Manufacturing provided that rifles with breaks cause problems for their exceptionally strong mounts. Those rifles are in .30 to .416 super speed lightning bolt chamberings, not in 500 Nitro. The trouble is the rifles are in full recoil until the expanding gas is vented out of the side holes in the break. Then that rearward motion is violently changed, retarded, or somewhat reversed, depending on the direction of the vented gasses. Those rifles must be terribly hard on optics.
The 378 Weatherby is regarded as one of the most severely recoiling rifles made. It launches a 300 or more grain bullet at very high velocity for hunting purposes. I want a red dot that can withstand that type of abuse!
