Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

[The Colonel]

My rifle build is almost complete. It a Remmy .308 in the AIAX chassis with Nightforce 5.5-22x56. Its been blueprinted, Bartlein Barrelled, Timney trigger, etc. It will be the rifle I train with deploy on SWAT callouts.

My question is this, I have considered a small reflex sight mounted on the side of the forend tube as a close quarters sight. I would like to get opinions on the feasibility of this setup. IS IT REALLY USEFUL? And worth the investment? I've looked at the Trijicon, Docter, and JPoint, but only online. I have not held any of these.

My main consideration for this setup is for the movement into position and come across your bad guy, or when your bad guy walks up almost onto your hide. (actually happened on one of our missions in the desert a few years back. Both snipers were powered up on their scopes and had to make shots at a man about 30 ft away) It seems a quick reflex sight might be appropriate for the up close encounter.

Thoughts and suggestions on sights?

Thanks in advance.

 

[socomike]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

It sounds like you have already justified having one. Not only have you justified it yourself, but it has been justified in a real life or death situation.

I think it is a great idea. Im not aware of any problems with running a mini red dot on a bolt gun. As far as suggestions, the Trijicon RMR and DocOptic are two great mini red dots. The RMR is about as rugged and high quality as you get.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

Being used more and more...

Check out Spuhr or GDI for a very good mount with built in plating options for the scopes you talked about

 

[Spuhr]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

It its usefull in a couple of occasions more.

if you have a an enemy at 150 yards and your scope is dialed for 850 yards, how handle that? click down to 100 yards or shoot him with the red dot?

Or if you have just fired in one direction at 500 yards with your main sight set at 16X and you get an observation in an other direction, then might also the reddot be a good alternative to find the target before looking into the main scope.

Here are some of our alternatives

Håkan

 

[Rprecision]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

In a LEO Sniper role, isnt that what your spotter is for ?

That and will you qual with just the red dot (Liability)

 

[The Colonel]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rprecision</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a LEO Sniper role, isnt that what your spotter is for ?

That and will you qual with just the red dot (Liability)</div></div>

We. (sniper and spotter) usually deploy with bolt guns in hand, and are both behind bolt guns in the hide. Depending on the mission, we sometimes deploy with an additional M-4 in hand and the bolt gun in the bag/pack.

As far as qualing with the red dot, that's a great point and I hadn't considered that. That will definitely need to be addressed.

As for the opinions, I appreciate it. It definitely makes it easier to justify another $300 piece of gear to add to an already expensive build. I know I'm not crazy for thinking it might be a useful tool.

 

[AzNooB]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

For your job, I think it would be crazy not to have one. If all you did was shoot F-class, then there would be some question about the need for a side mounted 1X optic.

 

[Rprecision]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Colonel</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rprecision</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In a LEO Sniper role, isnt that what your spotter is for ?

That and will you qual with just the red dot (Liability)</div></div>

We. (sniper and spotter) usually deploy with bolt guns in hand, and are both behind bolt guns in the hide. Depending on the mission, we sometimes deploy with an additional M-4 in hand and the bolt gun in the bag/pack.

As far as qualing with the red dot, that's a great point and I hadn't considered that. That will definitely need to be addressed.

As for the opinions, I appreciate it. It definitely makes it easier to justify another $300 piece of gear to add to an already expensive build. I know I'm not crazy for thinking it might be a useful tool.</div></div>

We run a precision SPR as the spotter rifle. Kills many birds with one stone.

I wish I could give you more advice but I have never used one on a precision gun. I can see the use. Usually if the spotter leads into the hide then he has the SPR.

Otherwise if things get that close, Glock 35 !

Dont rule out having a qual for just the red dot. Also you may want to incorporate that shooting into regular training and have logged shots with it.

Happy hunting

 

[Who Dat]

Re: Reflex sight as backup on bolt gun?

Me personally there is nothing wrong with a redundant back up sight, if it makes you comfortable get it. It is your life and the teams well being, nobody states a gun fight has to be fair. I am in agreement with the other guys spotter usally has the protection until it gets up close and personal then it is the sidearm. Good luck shopping!