For you hunters with RMR/red dot sights mounted on your double rifles what do you consider the effective range of your arm using the RMR/red dot and what MOA size is your dot ? Furthermore, what was the reason you installed such sight in your double…e.g. installed for a dangerous game charge at a close (30 yd ?) yardage ??? Faster target acquisition than a LPVO?? Easier to sight with both eyes open?? Weight saving ?? Other ??
Despite a trophy case of shooting medals won decades ago in iron sights on Service Rifle and Service Pistol matches, my eyes do not focus well on the front sight as they once did. Further, focusing on the front sight so the brain properly aligns in or with the rear sight may be a little hard if facing a charging animal, ie faster Target Acquisition.
I would very much prefer a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) such as a 1-4x scope with illuminated center dot than any reflex sight. At a pound or greater weight as compared to roughly 3 ounces for a SRO with mount, any scope will eliminate the fine handling qualities (movement of inertia) that my trusty Heym 88B provides. A reflex sight is a compromise.
Note: Astigmatism affects many older eyes. My SRO, RMR, Aimpoint, and other brand reflex sight dots appear to me as figure 8’s. My 1 MOA Trijicon dots appear as a 3 MOA blob when shooting 100 yard targets! My 2 MOA Aimpoint dots appear appoximately the same size blob as the 1 MOA Trijicon dots. Looking through my Leopold and Nightforce LPVO’s, their illuminated center dots are small circles without distortion. I believe I could reduce my group size by 30 to 50% if shooting with an LPVO rather than a reflex sight.
Prior to my recent tuskless hunt, the safari operator advised me that 30 yards would be a long shot. I sighted in at 50 yards, but also checked my 2-barrel 4-shot accuracy at 100, and 25 yards with the SRO. I also removed the reflex and shot my irons at 25 and 0 yards. All 4-shot groups centered within two inches of my point of aim and could be covered with my fist. I had minute of buffalo point blank range out to 100 yards.
I love shooting my .458 Win Heym. Satisfaction is heartwarming when I dial in a new load capable of 100-yard accuracy with both barrels.
Sight in at the range your PH tells you to expect your shooting but also shoot at longer and shorter ranges to find your dope.
50-yard groups with .458 Cutting Edge Bullets 450 gr solids and 420 Safari Raptors.
100-yard group with 420 Safari Raptors. I did not group solids at 100 yards because there was no reason I'd shoot at an elephant at over 50 yards!
100 yards with 470 gr CEB Safari Raptors. All targets shot with same zero on the SRO.
The above groups were shot from a standing bench on my backyard range. On safari, shooting from a set of sticks, one's accuracy may vary...
PS: Before someone comments... Yes, I do practice shooting off the sticks and also off hand. I even practice shooting the mighty .458 from a solid sitting position. Those positions do induce variables not found on the standing bench.
