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Opinions wanted, but only if you have experience!

4K views 37 replies 19 participants last post by  carver 
#1 ·
I have a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. My problem is seeing the sights anymore, eyes aren't what they used to be. I mounted a Simons Red Dot on it, but on bright days I have to crank up the power to see the red dot. At 100 yards the #4 dot is the lowest power setting I can see. And that dot, due to the bright light, and the halo effect that is created, will cover half of a deer's body. Not acceptable. I do not want to mount a scope on this rifle as the hunting I will be doing with it will be up close, and probably at a moving (hauling butt) deer. I've looked at Aim Points, but they simply cost more than the rifle is worth. What I need is a Red Dot, or hallo dot, for quick snap shots. I'm also considering replacing the front, and possibly the rear, sight with a high vizz sight. What I need is some helpful tips, or ideas from those of you who have faced this same problem, and solved it. What works well for me might not work for you, and the other way around. Do any of you have any ideas that I might explore?
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#2 ·
I have to wear very low power reading glasses which allow me to be able to see both front and rear sights AND the target which is always a good thing. Dont know if that would work for you but nothing ventured...
 
#3 ·
I wear tri-focals, and they don't help. The front sight is just go dark for me to pick up against a dark back ground. I can shoot off a bench rest, or with open sights, so long as I have a red dot on white paper. The contrast allows me to see the front sight. In the woods at moving targets, or those out beyond 50 yards is were I'm having the problem.
 
#4 ·
I purchased a Bushnell TRS-25 for my Ruger 10/22 last year when I switched to a threaded barrel without a front sight. It's certainly no EOTech (I have no experience with Aim Point products), but I like it well enough. Similar to your Simmons, you do have to turn the power up on bright days, but the dot doesn't grow as badly as some of the other red dots I've seen.

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-TRS-25-Reticle-Riflescope/dp/B00200E0HM

You also might try coloring your front sight with one of the silver "metallic" Sharpie markers. That will at least get you an idea if a brighter front sight would help.
 
#8 ·
Well, the price is right Josh, but I'm wondering how it will stand up to the heavier recoil of the .44 mag. The little research I've done so far is giving very good reviews on this sight, but all the reviews are coming from folks that shoot .223, and 5.56. I really like the 3MOA on this sight! Let me do some more research. Thanks!

PS, I use Testor's Fluorescent model paint on most of my front sights.
 
#5 ·
My eyes are getting kind of old themselves. I still prefer the iron sights but with my tri-focals, I have that same problem you mentioned. I went back to using bi-focal lens when I shoot and it is a tremendous help, I seem to be able to see the sights and the target much better.
 
#6 ·
Have you thought about a tang mounted peep sight with a hunting aperture?

No need to focus on the rear as your eye will automatically try to center the front sight in the aperture, not to mention they just look right on an 1894 while scopes and red dots look a bit out of place.
 
#9 ·
Thanks Grizz, but I don't think I can use a peep sight on running, jumping, deer! For shooting targets that might be the cat's meow, but I just don't think this is what I'm looking for!
 
#10 ·
Carver - my eyes are REALLY BAD. Can't shoot at all right now because of cataracs (I hope) and have to get to the Doc late next month. Obozocare messed up my medical stuff. I'm hoping it is just cataracs and not any worse damage from the shingles that went into my eye.

Have you considered a low power scope with a wide field of view? Maybe something under 4 power. I've always had problems with any targets that are not black and white. The green or orange ones have always been hard for me to see. That's why I was thinking a low power scope with heavy cross hairs and a wide field of view might be useful for you.

I don't use any of the newer halogram type sights or the red dots but that's just because my eyes don't pick them up well. Good luck - Jim
 
#11 ·
I know you said that you don't want to mount a scope, but it seems you're describing a problem that might be solved with a scope.

I hunt with a bolt .308, but I put a 2-8 power scope on it and I carry it on 2 power. I do hunt a lot in the brush and I can get on target really fast on that low power setting.
 
#13 ·
I use Skinner peep sights on my two Marlins, .444 and .357. I understand the issue of difficulty sighting in above 50 yards. You may just have to bite the bullet and place a scout scope at 4x. I have considered the same for my .444 but not yet. I like the peep site and on the bench, I can place a group within an inch and a half at 100 yards. That is getting more difficult evey year. As much as you wish to avoid it, nothing is better than scope with our old eyes. At some point, my .444 will have a 1.5 x 4 scope. I am not entirely happy about that prospect, but it is simply the reality of aging eyes.
 
#15 ·
Guys, this is not a problem I can't solve. And I will solve it with out a scope. Scopes limit your ability to get on a moving target, acquire a point of aim, and get off a shot. Imagine some one throwing a clay pigeon for you, and you have to shoot it with your rifle, in the air, using a scope. When hunting cut overs, and honey suckle thickets, you just may have a deer jump up literally right under your feet. When that deer runs, it won't be in a straight line, and it won't be on the level, as the deer will be jumping logs, brush, and making fast turns. You may have a couple of seconds to get off that shot, and that's all. It just ain't going to happen unless you can acquire that target really fast. I can still hit thrown targets with a pistol, or rifle, but that's a close up shot. Add in some distance, and I tend to loose that all important front sight in the back ground. And that's the problem I'm trying to solve.
 
#24 ·
A low power, wide angle scope is as fast to bring up and lock on target as open sights are. They also have the advantage of brightening and clarifying the objective. Make sure the eye relief is proper and commit your cheek weld to memory when you bring the gun up. I'm also at the age where I can't get the rear sight, the front sight and the objective into focus anymore, glasses help but still don't bring me back to the vision clarity of my youth. I went to a Williams receiver mounted peep sight on my 30-30, and a 2-7 X scope on the .375WCF (both Marlins), both are immense improvements over the factory sights. Ya gotta do, what cha gotta do.
 
#16 ·
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

That's about all I've got for you Carver.
 
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#17 ·
It is applicable! And I assure you that I need to be reminded from time to time!
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#18 ·
I gotta tell you, the options all suck. Age is not for the faint of heart. In all honesty you can look at expensive holo sights, red dots or similar sights, longer eye relief pistol scopes at low (I like 2 power) magnification or peep sights for a 30-30 type rifle.
Quick shots with slow eyes are not going to get any easier, perhaps start looking at buckshot as a real solution? I am not busting your a** but things are what they are; you can read what this fellow has to say but it is more applicable to target shooting.

http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/nwongarts.html

Maybe lookk at the mojo sights?
 
#19 ·
I'm going to buy a Nikon or Leupold 1x4x20mm scope for my rifle, I have cataracts just starting but I do have "Floaters" and low power and wide field of view is my answer. I find that with my 3x9x40 Leupolds I very rarely take them off 3x. I think the 1x4x20 scope is lighter and faster to get into action. Most of my Elk and Deer are taken in black timber, so a 4x top end is no handicap.
 
#20 ·
I have that very same red dot problem.And im ticked off because I realy wanted to hunt with one. I can not belive I went throught every red dot scope, sight what ever that Bushnell carrys and half of aim point optics and nothing! We tried everything under the sun. The only thing helped at all was a set of glasses they(brothers)called them field glasses. anyway you could change the color lens for different conditions.there were 4 different colors to chose from. I thought it might just . work but it was short lived. Good Luck
 
#22 ·
When I first saw your post I thought, that might work. Then I realized the fact that a grenade has a timed fuse! But you got me to thinking;
 

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#23 ·
I use a TRU GLOW 3x9 It has red and green adjustable light and it has black cross hairs that light up so if it is dark I use the green and when I am in light I use the red but when it is real bright out the black cross hairs stay visible.
This is on my .50 so it will hold up to anything.
And I did not break the bank buying it. It was under $200.
Mike
 
#25 ·
#28 ·
Allot of people put down Tru Glow scopes because they are cheaper then others but after putting them to the test I have not been disappointed. I even have a Tru Glow on my S&W 29 .44 mag and that one is years old and still holds true.
I started using them to test them to see how long they would last. I have not yet blown one up.
Mike
 
#29 ·
It might be a little on the high end of your price range. But, it will definitely fill the bill-

http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-fastfire-w-picatinny-mount-4-moa-dot-mat-fastfire-sight.html

I'm not sure anything cheaper will hold a zero as well after you shoot a few rounds. I have used Bushnell and have a cheap Barska. Both will do fine for a few rounds. But after 15 or twenty rounds they will tend to wobble a bit off zero. (Still fine for static targets out to about 50yds, but, not good enough for a running deer that far away.)

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#30 ·
Now you've given me another option. I'll have to look into these some more. About 1/2 to 1/3rd the price of an Aim Point.
 
#31 ·
Not experience with 1894 in 44 mag here, but 1894 in 41 mag should be pretty close. Williams FP with peep taken out(making it a ghost ring ), orange fiber optic front.

Doe at about 50 yards, buck at about 15 moving in heavy cover, not moving fast but quick throw up and shoot. Works for me anyhow.
 
#32 ·
Not experience with 1894 in 44 mag here, but 1894 in 41 mag should be pretty close. Williams FP with peep taken out(making it a ghost ring ), orange fiber optic front.

Doe at about 50 yards, buck at about 15 moving in heavy cover, not moving fast but quick throw up and shoot. Works for me anyhow.
That would work for anyone not legally blind. I was just looking at options for fast instinctive shooting. I'm not trying to be a butt here, so please don't take the question I'm going to ask you as such. Do you think you could throw a can in the air, and hit it with your rifle?
 
#38 ·
Sounds good to me, my reservations are already made.
 
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