Re: Anyone using a mini red dot on their bolt rifle?
I'm not trying to give you a hard time unnecessarily and I think a healthy debate brings out the strengths and weaknesses of a choice. So, in that spirit, I'll state my position and then you can feel free to shoot holes in it so to speak.
1. You are talking about putting two sighting systems on your weapon. this makes things more complicated. Sure you might get good at it while practicing, but what about under a real stressful situation where things become more reflexive? Are you going to instinctively cant your 15lb rifle and use the mini-dot when someone rushes you up close? Or are you going to instinctively point and shoot if he is 10 yards away. A second sighting system introduces unnecessary complexity. I see this as being just as likely to slow you down if you have to think about which sighting system to use.
2. Hunters who go after dangerous game use scopes with a very low magnification at the lower range (1x, 2x) just for the situation where they have to take a quick shot up close. The simpler and more elegant solution is to have a scope with a very low power setting and keep it on this low power setting by default. 1-10x, 2-12x, 2.5-10x scopes would serve this purpose very well. Such a scope would easily permit 15-25yard shots. Newer scopes on the market offer great options: very lower power settings while also offering respectable high-power settings. This is the real solution to the problem in my opinion. Leave the high-magnification benchrest scope off your tactical rifle.
3. It just looks errr "out of place."
This is more of a fashion statement, but I think rifles that are decked out like christmas trees look an awful lot like golfers that have too many gadgets on their bag and themselves. The rule usually is the more gadgets the golfer has, the more certain you are that they suck. Yes, there are plenty of useful tools, but more is not always better. Having two sight systems on one rifle is not better IMHO.
4. Indoor CQB style environments. So, you've got a long, 15lb sniper rifle with a high-power scope. Are you really going to carry that thing in the ready position as you slink around corners and open doors? With its long barrel, it is an easy target for someone to grab. It is heavy as hell and slow to bring up to the firing position on short notice as you spot your target. Isn't this why snipers either carry a pistol or an M4?
Respectfully,
Scooter