Anyone use a piggyback mount for a red dot on their scope?

[Redheadkentuckian]

Just wondering if anyone has put a red dot on a piggyback mount on their scope? I think that could be helpful for dangerous game. I think I may do it on my bear rifle. What are your thoughts?

 

[Luvthunt]

Did not do on a DG rifle but did it on an AR using Burris mounts and red dot. It was a play rifle but it worked well on target play.

 

[EuroOptic]

Just wondering if anyone has put a red dot on a piggyback mount on their scope? I think that could be helpful for dangerous game. I think I may do it on my bear rifle. What are your thoughts?

I personally use one on my bear rifle, I have a Leica Amplus 1-6, with a Trijicon RMR mounted at the 90 degree point off of one of Trijicon's 30mm tube mounts.
Very quick, But you will need to be comfortable shooting with only 2 main points of contact on the weapon, as your cheek will probably not be touching the stock when you use the dot.
I have been using similar setups on AR style rifles for many years to great success in many circumstances.

-Jake

 

[Flbt]

Just wondering if anyone has put a red dot on a piggyback mount on their scope? I think that could be helpful for dangerous game. I think I may do it on my bear rifle. What are your thoughts?

It works with a ar being used as a hog rifle.
The really close running shots the red dot is quick

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

I personally use one on my bear rifle, I have a Leica Amplus 1-6, with a Trijicon RMR mounted at the 90 degree point off of one of Trijicon's 30mm tube mounts.
Very quick, But you will need to be comfortable shooting with only 2 main points of contact on the weapon, as your cheek will probably not be touching the stock when you use the dot.
I have been using similar setups on AR style rifles for many years to great success in many circumstances.

-Jake

Thanks for the response Jake l, I assume your primary optic is an LVPO correct? Wondering if I could even do it on a normal flared scope.

 

[EuroOptic]

Thanks for the response Jake l, I assume your primary optic is an LVPO correct? Wondering if I could even do it on a normal flared scope.

Works out just fine!
Biggest thing with larger objective scopes is A, getting over the elevation turret & B getting over the actual bell of the optic
The bell is hardly ever a real concern unless the optic is a 56mm, the elevation turret will present problems but I will oftentimes mount the dot at a 45 degree angle, splitting the difference between the elevation and windage turret.
Most of my usage for setups like that has been on AR10's in 7.62 or 6.5, But I have seen some guys in Europe using similar setups on R8's. I'll see if I can find some photos.


The mounts you use play a major role in this, the easiest would be this NightForce ring for a standard sporting rifle.

Rings
https://www.eurooptic.com/a425-nf-nightforce-multimount-30mm--a425
https://www.eurooptic.com/nightforce-885-low-ultralite-ring-set
My personal choice for top mounted red dot.
https://www.eurooptic.com/b-t-aimpoint-acro-p-2-35-moa-black-reflex-sight-ap-200691
https://www.eurooptic.com/b-t-aimpoint-acro-22mm-low-scope-mount-bt-212325

Those 4 items would present a very handsome, streamlined package with most normal sporting optics.

-Jake

 

[EuroOptic]

Good example of the 45 degree mounting method

Good photo showing both methods

https://www.eurooptic.com/reptilia-30mm-rof-sar-black-mount-for-trijicon-rmr-100-013
This is a mount very similar to the one shown in the photos for a Trijicon RMR footprint optic, It would work on 99% of your 30mm scopes as long as the tube of the optic has enough room to fit the mount, If it didnt you would need to use a mount similar to the nightforce one i talked about in my previous post.

-Jake

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

Good example of the 45 degree mounting method

View attachment 682215
Good photo showing both methods

View attachment 682216


https://www.eurooptic.com/reptilia-30mm-rof-sar-black-mount-for-trijicon-rmr-100-013
This is a mount very similar to the one shown in the photos for a Trijicon RMR footprint optic, It would work on 99% of your 30mm scopes as long as the tube of the optic has enough room to fit the mount, If it didnt you would need to use a mount similar to the nightforce one i talked about in my previous post.

-Jake

That’s awesome information! Do you have a mount for a vortex viper? I believe it’s a weaver mount? Not sure haven’t gotten it in the mail yet.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Redheadkentuckian - I see what you are thinking of and while it's good in concept, I'm not sure of the execution.

For a DG scope, most will choose something with a true 1x for the lowest power setting. This will allow for both eyes open instinctive shooting. In addition to this, most will also choose to mount the scope in QR rings or mounts. In the event of venturing into the thick brush, the scope can be removed and the iron sights used.

What rifle, cartridge and scope do you plan on using? Are you planning on mounting in QR mounts?

I'm not saying you shouldn't do what you are asking, just that you give it some thought as well as serious practice if you decide to do so. Regardless of the sighting system used, the hunter needs to be proficient with its use.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have that set up on two 3 Gun rifles. But wouldn’t use it on DG. And use Troy industries flip up irons at 45 degrees.

Some stages call for Irons only. Some are built to be close and fast (RMR). and some stages are longer and more precise. So all three sights can come in to play. The RMR is the first I would remove if I had to use only two. It would be the LP scope and irons

For Buffalo I like a low power scope with a illuminated dot

Elephant just an RMR

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

@Redheadkentuckian - I see what you are thinking of and while it's good in concept, I'm not sure of the execution.

For a DG scope, most will choose something with a true 1x for the lowest power setting. This will allow for both eyes open instinctive shooting. In addition to this, most will also choose to mount the scope in QR rings or mounts. In the event of venturing into the thick brush, the scope can be removed and the iron sights used.

What rifle, cartridge and scope do you plan on using? Are you planning on mounting in QR mounts?

I'm not saying you shouldn't do what you are asking, just that you give it some thought as well as serious practice if you decide to do so. Regardless of the sighting system used, the hunter needs to be proficient with its use.

Weatherby Vanguard 300WM with a vortex diamondbacks 4-12 40

I am planning it for bear hunting whether I’m in a stand where I want a less magnification or curious on the efficacy in the case of charging game such as grizz or African DG. My job owns a gun range so I have the ability to train often

 

[EuroOptic]

Weatherby Vanguard 300WM with a vortex diamondbacks 4-12 40

I am planning it for bear hunting whether I’m in a stand where I want a less magnification or curious on the efficacy in the case of charging game such as grizz or African DG. My job owns a gun range so I have the ability to train often

with the Viper using a Doctor / Noblex footprint it'll be a little difficult finding a mounting solution, But ill do some homework on it for you and touch back.
My entire idea with it on my 45-70 bases off of the type of hunting i do with that gun, driven game in the brush. I can throw the rifle up and instantly have the dot, vs throwing the gun up on 1x and being a second or two slower to get a sight picture. I think it would be very useful on a hunting rifle running a 4-12.
As far as use case, I absolutely love a top dot for QUICK throwing the gun up and putting lead in the air ; I dont use it as a normal sighting system, much more of a emergency option IMO. As stated above, Training is everything but you can preform very well using the setup you have described.

 

[BeeMaa]

Weatherby Vanguard 300WM with a vortex diamondbacks 4-12 40

I am planning it for bear hunting whether I’m in a stand where I want a less magnification or curious on the efficacy in the case of charging game such as grizz or African DG. My job owns a gun range so I have the ability to train often

300WM isn’t legal for DG hunting in Africa and outside of a perfect headshot, that .30 caliber bullet isn’t stopping a charging brown bear. Most AK guides carry something larger like a 450MARLIN or 458WM for stopping a charge.

For African DG, it’s generally accepted that the stopping cartridges start at .458 caliber and go up. That doesn’t mean there aren’t those who carry a 375H&H for backing up on elephant, but they would be in the minority.

Clients and PH’s (or guides) have different jobs. The client is tasked with making a good first shot so that a messy follow up can be avoided. The PH’s job is to keep everyone in the hunting party safe and also make sure the client is happy with the outcome and the hunt in general.

These differences allow clients to use a variety of rifles and cartridges to suit their needs with while knowing a seasoned pro is behind them coaching and protecting if necessary. Most PH’s I’ve seen have nothing but iron sights on their primary stoping rifle.

If it were me going after brown bear, first I’d have my 375H&H with a Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 in QR mount. My backup are the irons with the scope removed. With the scope, I’m good to 300 yards…maybe a touch more. But an African PH isn’t normally going to be green lighting a shot at that distance.

I really think you’d be better off with a low power scope that has true 1x at the low end and mount it in some top quality QR rings. That is if the Vanguard has irons. The other option would be to have both the scope and RDO mounted in QR. Then you mount what you need at the time.

 

[Redheadkentuckian]

300WM isn’t legal for DG hunting in Africa and outside of a perfect headshot, that .30 caliber bullet isn’t stopping a charging brown bear. Most AK guides carry something larger like a 450MARLIN or 458WM for stopping a charge.

For African DG, it’s generally accepted that the stopping cartridges start at .458 caliber and go up. That doesn’t mean there aren’t those who carry a 375H&H for backing up on elephant, but they would be in the minority.

Clients and PH’s (or guides) have different jobs. The client is tasked with making a good first shot so that a messy follow up can be avoided. The PH’s job is to keep everyone in the hunting party safe and also make sure the client is happy with the outcome and the hunt in general.

These differences allow clients to use a variety of rifles and cartridges to suit their needs with while knowing a seasoned pro is behind them coaching and protecting if necessary. Most PH’s I’ve seen have nothing but iron sights on their primary stoping rifle.

If it were me going after brown bear, first I’d have my 375H&H with a Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 in QR mount. My backup are the irons with the scope removed. With the scope, I’m good to 300 yards…maybe a touch more. But an African PH isn’t normally going to be green lighting a shot at that distance.

I really think you’d be better off with a low power scope that has true 1x at the low end and mount it in some top quality QR rings. That is if the Vanguard has irons. The other option would be to have both the scope and RDO mounted in QR. Then you mount what you need at the time.

Oh, I am sorry. I think it is misconstrued, I do not plan to hunt DG with the 300WM, I will use this rifle for black bear, hogs, and deer in the eastern us and out west, black bear and pronghorn. The red dot is to help in case I need a quick shot like the example Jake had (or in the off case I am charged if spotted and stalked by a black bear, which anyone has skinned a bear knows how small the skull really is in relation to the head that would be a crazy hard shot on a animal sprinting at you. But, still better than looking down the scope or drawing a sidearm) I was more wondering about how the piggyback mounting platform would be effective, rather than this rifle in particular, on DG and Grizz, sorry for the mix-up. I plan on using camp guns when I get to go on Safari.


Best,
Red

 

[BeeMaa]

Not a problem. Your initial post talked about dangerous game, and on AH...that usually means African DG. I understand what you are doing but still feel that hunting black bear with a scope that has 1x at the low end would have you covered for those type of shots. Obviously, it's your call.

Let us know how the hunt goes.