ENDED: Fwd of receiver optic? Irons practice instead

[KWhorenet]

Quick question: I know it's not too common but has anyone put a scope or red dot forward of the receiver ? If so what are your thoughts after using it?

I've all but accepted I may have to.
Been practicing with the 30-30 in fairly thick Gippsland scrub, but struggling with standard irons. I'm not 15 anymore and finding it hard to focus in the right eye, taking way too long. Recently diagnosed stigmatism/short sightedness
(Half tempted to start shooting left handed as I'm a bit ambidextrous)

Been sussing out forward mounted red dot vs scout scope (with appropriate eye relief).

Leaning towards the Aimpoint H-1 micro red dot 2MOA ~AUD$630

Others I've considered:
dot Vortex SPARC II 1x22 2MOA ~AUD$330
dot Bushnell Trophy TRS 1x25 3MOA ~AUD$200
fixed scout Leupold FX-2 2.5x28mm ~AUD$495 + rings
variable scout Burris 2-7x32mm ~AUD$530 + rings
variable scout LW' Hi-Lux 2-7x 32mm ~AUD$275 + rings

* 'Pearson's No Drill rail' http://www.mod94scoperail.com/index.html ~ AUD$100 It also has it's own adjustable rear site if optics ever crapped out.

Need to look through the H-1 and try to get a look through a scout scope to compare.

Any ideas welcome.

[North East]

Aimpoint Hunter 1X red dot...2 MOA.

[KWhorenet]

Aimpoint Hunter 1X red dot...2 MOA.

I had a look at yours and it looks neat sitting back in a normal position for sure. I guess if I even considered a scout scope, especially a variable the weight will be comparable to the H34S like yours and it's something very interchangeable to another rifle if and when.

Might have to mock one up and strap it on to get a feel for it. Weight and size wise sitting forward.

[North East]

Aimpoint Hunter 1X red dot...2 MOA.

I had a look at yours and it looks neat sitting back in a normal position for sure. I guess if I even considered a scout scope, especially a variable the weight will be comparable to the H34S like yours and it's something very interchangeable to another rifle if and when.

Might have to mock one up and strap it on to get a feel for it. Weight and size wise sitting forward.

They only weigh about 400 grams...light as...you don't notice them...and they easily handle .30-06 recoil.

[cuvy]

I've got a Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm, in a S&K scout mount, on my mauser. Pretty happy with the optical performance of it in low light. I've not tried a red dot on that rifle, but from using red dots on other rifles, I think i prefer the leupold for the slightly increased precision of the 2.5 mag and fine cross hairs. I got mine from Abelas in campbelltown for I think $440. The Bushnell TRS-25 seems to be pretty good value as far as red-dots go.

One thing to note with the Leupold - the rear ring needs to clear the rear bell of the scope by I think 3/4" otherwise the reticle could be damaged. If you're mounting with fixed rings (as opposed to a picatinny rail) this could cause you problems with placement.

I would have preferred the Burris 2-7x32 scout, but it was too expensive and wouldn't have arrived in time for a hunting trip I was going on.

I've used an NC Star pistolero 2-7x32, which I believe is basically the same thing as the hi-lux - it was ok in bright conditions, but terrible in low-light. I avoided it and the hi-lux due to the low light performance.

[KWhorenet]

Aimpoint Hunter 1X red dot...2 MOA.

If you get a chance would you mind looking through it with your eye 10"-11" back from it to simulate being mounted in front of the receiver.

Also, did you get rings with it or were they an expensive extra?

[North East]

Aimpoint Hunter 1X red dot...2 MOA.

If you get a chance would you mind looking through it with your eye 10"-11" back from it to simulate being mounted in front of the receiver.

Also, did you get rings with it or were they an expensive extra?

The Aimpoint scope can be mounted just about anywhere on the rifle. Mine is about 8" from the eye. The thing is there is no parallax error. Just get the red dot on target and shoot...doesn't matter where your head position is. The 34 mil rings are included with the scope. $800.00 all up.

[on_one_wheel]

Red dot sights are great for fast target aquasition at shorter ranges, i find the only issue is reflections in the lens during low light and very difficult at night using lights.

I prefer a good laser.

[Mich]

If you get a chance would you mind looking through it with your eye 10"-11" back from it to simulate being mounted in front of the receiver.

The Aimpoint are very good and flexible.

I've used one on a Scout setup before without issue.

It's different, need to change your muscle memory of where you look after shouldering it as you expect it to be closer, but once used to it's fine.

[KWhorenet]

Was ready to pull the trigger on the H34S for $800
but I've missed the AUD exchange rate boat. Elks don't have one in stock and clayton's prices up to $1000 with aimpoint rings

Look like more practice in the bush for me

[cooker]

i find the only issue is reflections in the lens during low light and very difficult at night using lights.

I haven't really done much with them but I know what you mean about using at night.

Hard to see much more than the dot I found.