458 Win Mag

[Fish2table]

So I’m thinking about putting either a red dot or a 1.5x something on my Montana Stainless/ Synthetic 458 Win Mag. I know the scope would add more weight. Anybody have any experiences they would like to share with pros and cons for that caliber range ?
Thanks
Fish

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

I have a RMR on a 458wm Ruger No.1. The only downside from my experience with it so far is that the coating on the RMR makes it difficult to see down range in lowlight conditions. I have a Leupold 1-4 I’m about to throw on to see how I like that vs the RMR on my next range day (Wednesday). I can give a better comparison after that

 

[Mountaineer]

I have a 2.5x8 on mine. Been shooting warthogs, impala, and a red hartebeest at 250 yards.

 

[illini]

I have a rmr on my 458 win mag. I like it 50 yards and in. I shoot a scoped rifle much better at 100 off sticks.

 

[Fish2table]

Ok thanks everyone for the input. My rifle has open sights. Im leaning towards a low power scope I think so far.

 

[Andrew62]

Weight can make quite a difference when carrying a rifle for miles and miles. An RMR red dot will add about 1.2 oz plus mount to a gun, a Leupold VX1x6-24 will add 16.2 oz plus rings, for a total of an extra 15 oz. Red dots have no magnification, not as bright as a 1.4 or 1.6 scope. A number of things to consider when deciding.

 

[matt85]

Most modern guns are entirely too light for caliber! I wouldn't be concerned about weight unless the gun is going to break 12lb.

I like my Leupold 1-6x24 with the built in red dot.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Weaver fixed 2x (could be 2.5x) on my 458windbag, good for anything I have pointed it at
Gumpy

 

[SRvet]

Whatever scope you choose, look carefully at eye relief… 90mm is minimum and 100mm or more is much better! The red dots are fantastic in this respect

 

[Fish2table]

That’s a great point. Thank you.

 

[Fish2table]

I’m leaning towards the Trijicon Accupoint 1-8 red post. It seems like it would be good compromise between the scope and RMR.

 

[SLG]

Too much weight for me. I have a fixed 2.5 on one 458 and a variety of other scopes on another (Blaser). I do not like RDS on those guns, but that's me. I run an RDS pistol everyday and on M4's for 30 years. Just not on my bolt guns.

 

[Nhoro]

I have found that a 1x scope with a red centre dot works like an rmr. Both eyes open and put the dot on the target. Not exactly the same but it works. And you can crank it up to 6 or 8 for planned shots.. I am sure if you go to your local range and see if people will let you look through them. The action shooters probably have both on ARs

 

[hoytcanon]

I use a Leupold 1.5-5X with Illuminated Center Dot on my .458 Carbine... it is a good choice for most scenarios.

 

[Vintageguy]

I have a 458wm bolt gun that I regularly could get 3 and 4 shot one hole groups off the bench and occasionally off sticks at 50 yards with open sights. Accuracy wasn’t a problem. But I did an experiment one day with our resident pet deer. She walked passed me one hot sunny day and went over by my hay bales in a dark thick patch of thorn trees. I just happened to be cleaning that rifle while sitting under a shade tree. So I walked over and experimented with sight pictures. These were my findings.
1. Target and rifle in light. Great
2. Target in light rifle in shade, ok
3. Target in the thicket rifle in light, bad
4. Both in the shade of thicket, worst.
Went and got my red dot. This fixed and sight visibility but didn’t help with making out the target at all.
Next, I grabbed my scoped rifle. Everything solved. Trijicon accupoint with green dot.
I wanted to take my next buffalo with this gun and open sights but considering the client’s one job is to make the best first shot possible,… that is best accomplished with a scope. So, I mounted the Trijicon with quick detach rings.
The deer was very difficult to make out standing in the dark thicket at midday. How much more so with a black buffalo?

 

[Xpraetor]

For a .458 - WM , Lott , etc.... an LPVO is the max optic I would mount on a big bore, in my opinion a big bore configuration should be same as that of a shotgun, close range use. RMR type optics w/ open emmiters are adequate in heavy vegetation, but for moderate to sparse vegetation sunlight glare from the side or behind can make an open emmiter useless. If a small form-factor Red Dot is preferred, then a closed emitter like the AimPoint ACRO or similar would be my choice.