Stalking with an Aimpoint

[GGC96]

Here’s one for you kit pests - Aimpoint

I recently spent some time out in Sweden with Aimpoint and got to learn a lot about this fantastic little aiming solution. Now, I can already hear many of you telling me that a red dot is purely for driven hunting. Yet in many countries over on the continent they will use red dots for stationary quarry when out stalking/tracking. I personally find it a fantastic tool for both.

I know that many of you shoot almost all of your deer out past 100m, in which case this post isn’t for you - but what about the woodland stalkers amongst you? Would a red dot be more convenient for your type of stalking as opposed to a traditional scope on 3x power or 1x power on a LVPO?

Thoughts ?

 

[NullMac]

Well actually...

Tried this years ago. I kept bumping stuff at 30 yards or so and struggled to get a scoped rifle onto them. So I put an aimpoint on the 308. I had a mix of red and roe. I went up to a 200gr bullet to drop the red on the spot.

Sods Law, the first thing I saw was a Roe at 200 yards. I could get into 160 and that was it. Flattened it. With a 2moa dot and a bit of careful zeroing you can make some drop adjustments

It wasn't something I persevered with, can't remember why, but you can do more than would seem possible at first sight (sic). I think I zeroed it on the bottom of the dot and could shoot some surprisingly decent groups.

It is fine if your eyes work properly...

 

[Overlay]

I tried the Aimpoint but I changed to the swaro Z8i for woodland on my 308 blaser and it works perfectly, to be honest a lot of the reason for change was me not really getting used to the Aimpoint, but I found the swaro variable and the pin dot very much preferable

 

[308rws]

Red dot sight - Wikipedia Red Dot sights are primarily designed for military assault rifles, driven hunting and pistols. Like all bits of kit they have their place. For example, if you are stalking quarry at very close quarters with multiple targets to cull quickly. A Red Dot sight enables you to handle your rifle like a shotgun with both eyes open, avoiding tunnel vision and thus maintaining situational awareness to acquire and engage. To be effective it requires regular practice (which you can do with a shotgun). Factoring 1x magnification and proximity of target, IMHO it is an aid for culling numbers quickly as opposed to selection of a specific target from a group. However, like many things it depends upon your requirement and skill. I have seen it used accurately and effectively out to 100m on static and moving quarry.

 

[Bowland blades]

If its not Running Game your perhaps better with a low mag scope or ability to wind the mag down. I have shot a stink load of Rabbits running just with a 6x42 and rats with 1.5 x on an airgun for rats . I dont shoot running deer unless they are needing stopping for whatever reason and then its use what you have time .
Red dots are certainly getting better but many have a dinner plate more than a dot

 

[Rafter]

I've got a single shot 308 I use for bush hunting in winter, with a Docter (now Noblex) 3 moa red dot on it. What a fantastic device for "point and squirt" shots. It is easier than iron (either open or aperture) sights, and less affected by rain due to the lens design. My mates were a bit dubious when I got it, now they all want to use it.

 

[finnbear270]

Just at the range yesterday, sorted these out for both driven and stalking, (I have previously put two red dot rounds into a target @ hundred on a boar test, bout an inch & a half in a small defined area).

 

[wytonpjs]

Currently trying the "combo" as I too bump a lot of woodland deer at short range - jury is out as the weight gain is negligible but I don't like the bulk. Life is always a compromise...............



Sadly, I could get hold of any Tier One medium Tac Rings so these are high ones. On the to do list to drop this as close as I can get comfortably.......

 

[308rws]

Currently trying the "combo" as I too bump a lot of woodland deer at short range - jury is out as the weight gain is negligible but I don't like the bulk. Life is always a compromise...............

View attachment 337857View attachment 337858

Sadly, I could get hold of any Tier One medium Tac Rings so these are high ones. On the to do list to drop this as close as I can get comfortably.......

If you’re happy to cant and shoot, you could offset the Red-dot @ 45 degrees on the scope tube direct which will reduce the bulk on top of your scope.

 

[wytonpjs]

If you’re happy to cant and shoot, you could offset the Red-dot @ 45 degrees on the scope tube direct which will reduce the bulk on top of your scope.

Saw those but they add to the side bulk and I'm not a "tactical guy". This was more on the lines that I power up the Zeiss when made ready and, if the snap shot opportunity presents, I just shoulder as normal and shoot. If I've time, I'll pop open the scope covers, adjust and shoot as normal, most probably off sticks. Often with woodland fallow and muntjac, it's literally a snap opportunity. I'm constantly scanning as I stalk and aware of the safety/SA, it's just down to the decision "do I have time to take a considered shot with the red dot", or do I let it pass. Invariably, its the latter.

 

[bowji john]

Very versatile bit of kit

Worn here on my R8 I also use it on my .22LR barrel from 25m to 100m off hand

I also use the z8i 1 - 8 but love the red dot for its simplicity and light weight

J

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

@Muntybuck5803 has an Aimpoint Acro offset at 45° on a Spuhr mount - seems to work well for him!

 

[salukiwhippet]

I stalk with iron sights a fair bit, do have a red dot on loan from a mate and I'm tempted to try it on the Winchester . Eyes aren't getting any younger!

 

[StephenToast]

When I'm stalking I aim to avoid the need to snap shoot deer, or shoot them on the run by being quiet and moving slowly.

 

[JMikeyH]

That rifle looks like it handles lovely. Do you notice the weight saving when mounting the rifle with a red dot as opposed to a light low-power scope?

 

[Overlay]

When I'm stalking I aim to avoid the need to snap shoot deer, or shoot them on the run by being quiet and moving slowly.

I’m using Z8i 1-8 on my 308 the FOV is brilliant in a woodland Stalking environment, on low mag, pin of a red dot and it’s still perfect for a longer shot
decent bit of all round kit

 

[Heym SR20]

I can’t help feeling that in the UK we have a fixation on massive cumbersome large magnification scopes. Accompanied by the need to carrying scaffolding sized shooting sticks etc to support them.

When actually a little red dot or at most a 4x32 scope or even just open sights would allow a much nicer handling rifle with very little downside. And if a deer is a little far you can always resort to a little deer stalking to get closer.

 

[Rafter]

/\ What he said. A red dot or iron sights makes the rifle a joy to carry.

 

[pendle]

I have used a hakko red dot years ago on a 243 I had . I will have to look for it.

 

[308rws]

/\ What he said. A red dot or iron sights makes the rifle a joy to carry.

What he said and for even more enjoyment take the moderator off as well.