New .500NE double and thoughts on reflex sights?

[Johnny_2_Knives]

Good morning brains trust all the way from Queensland Australia .

I recently picked up my first double rifle in .500NE and to say I’m proud and humbled is an understatement. It has open sights and I wasn’t planning to do anything with the rifle as I love it the way it is. That said, after shooting it I am wondering if it’s worth the effort of getting it set up of a small reflex sight like I see on a lot of double rifles these days.

If I was to do so, what brand/make & model are you guys using?

Part of me says keep it the way it was built and part of me thinks it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

Cheers from Australia,

Al Kidner.

 

[PCC600]

View attachment 713276


Good morning brains trust all the way from Queensland Australia .

I recently picked up my first double rifle in .500NE and to say I’m proud and humbled is an understatement. It has open sights and I wasn’t planning to do anything with the rifle as I love it the way it is. That said, after shooting it I am wondering if it’s worth the effort of getting it set up of a small reflex sight like I see on a lot of double rifles these days.

If I was to do so, what brand/make & model are you guys using?

Part of me says keep it the way it was built and part of me thinks it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

Cheers from Australia,

Al Kidner.

And hello from Queensland . I am grappling with the same issue on a Rigby Shikari 500NE being built .

 

[deewayne2003]

Personally I like the Trijicon RMR 1moa……

Having said that, I wouldn’t change anything until you have become proficient and confident with the iron sights.

 

[Johnny_2_Knives]

Personally I like the Trijicon RMR 1moa……

Having said that, I wouldn’t change anything until you have become proficient and confident with the iron sights.

I grew up shooting irons and it’s not an issue but I appreciate your perspective and makes sense for sure.

 

[Warbeast]

As much as i love those clean lines and spotless Rib i would opt for a small Docter or RMR sight.

a well fittet Base shouldnt ruin the astetics too much and would ensure to have the lifelong opportunity to use it, even when the older eyes will fade.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Firstly, congratulations upon that beautiful double rifle Johnny, is it a Merkel? Please can you post more pictures.
I faced the same dilemma with my Heym 89b 450/400. The hunting objective was some plains game as well as buffalo, and up to about 80m range. I also enjoy shooting our big bore competition every month.
The first outing was a buffalo hunt, with open sights, and I missed two of them at about 80 metres. I also shot two competitions and only came mid-field, not great.
So the decision was made, and I fitted a Trijicon RMR. That was a journey in itself, the first was a 3.25moa on a regular type block mount, but the dot was way too big and the sight sat way too high for a good cheek weld. The set up evolved to a Trijicon 1moa on a Henneberger mount which is the lowest you can get and puts the base of the Trijicon just 1mm above the rib.
Perfection. I have won the comp once and come second twice, shot a buff bull faultlessly at 33 metres and an impala at about 80 metres.
If the furthest range you intend to shoot your Double is 50 metres, and upon large targets, by all means stick with the express sights. But if you are looking at further out, fit an RMR.

 

[Racer00]

Firstly, beautiful double. I am sure you will love the DR journey you are embarking on with it. Enjoy every minute.
When I got my first DR, I had JJ in Oklahoma fit it for a Trijicon 1 MOA RDO on his mount. Sits very low and easily comes off with just a shell casing if needed. It was a god send for my 64 yr old eyes. I agree with Kevin, that if you are shooting at 20-40 yds, unless you are Mr Magoo, you should be fine with open sights. But when that 50-80 yd shot opens up, you will be limited.
Secondly, I live in Michigan, USA, and have no DR friends nearby. Your DR competitions always intrigued me. Would anyone care to expound on how they work or what goes on at one? Sounds like a great way to shoot a DR more and build some skills you need under pressure while surrounded by like minded people.
Sorry, don't mean to hi jack your thread. Maybe one of you more experienced members would start a new thread addressing DR competitions.
Again, congratulations on a fine rifle.
Jody

 

[BeeMaa]

If you have "aged out" of irons, a RDO is the next best option. Unfortunately your beautiful rifle was built to align your head and eye with those iron sights, instead of the increased height of the red dot.

Try to get the lowest possible RDO/mount combination that works for you. Personally, I like the AimPoint T2, but it may look out of place on your double. One thing I do know that the adjustments on AimPoint optics are EXACTLY what they say they are...not so much with Trijicon. However, once you get them sighted in, there's no problem.

@Mark A Ouellette has several threads on what he recommends and has a couple of doubles with optics on them already. I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

 

[Foxi]

Good morning to Australia,
I'm no expert on double rifles, and I'm certainly not from Australia.
But I have a Burris Fast Fire 3 on my Ferlach and I'm happy with it.
The most stable would probably be an Aimpoint.
Unfortunately, the aiming aids detract somewhat from the beauty of these rifles.
But you can only really afford something like that when you're older, and by then your eyesight isn't what it used to be. There's hardly any advantage without some disadvantage .
Congratulations on the rifle and caliber.
These locking lugs and crossbars are also very popular with German gunsmiths.
Please tell us more about it.

 

[RichieG]

Beautiful rifle, congratulations!
I’m sure most of us would prefer not to need a sight on our double as they spoil the lines. I capitulated though and fitted an RMR on my Heym 88b and it made a massive difference to my competence and confidence. It’s also quite small, neat and unobtrusive. Good luck with your decision and enjoy shooting your rifle.

 

[375Ruger416]

Beautiful rifle and congratulations!

For my 48th birthday this year, I began having difficulty reading small print and resolving things unless they were just at the right distance…. I’m afraid I’m on the downward slope of vision. Seemed to happen overnight lol.

I’ve been using red dots on my pistols and carbines for a few years now and they are undoubtably faster and more accurate than iron sights. I would highly recommend one for a double or other DG rifle for expected shot distances of 100 yds or less. I can shoot farther and faster with my red dots than my iron sights or all of my firearms.

I have leupolds, vortex, aimpoint, and trijicon. I would recommend the aimpoints or the trijicons. Smaller aiming point is better - there is no problem resolving a small dot! It grabs your eye like you wouldn’t believe!

I would go with whatever optic you can get a small, unobtrusive mount for that best fits the lines of your beautiful rifle. You will be much faster and more effective!

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

@Mark A Ouellette has several threads on what he recommends and has a couple of doubles with optics on them already. I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

Thanks @BeeMaa

On my Trusty Heym 88B .458 Win sits a Trijicon SRO with one MOA dot. Thus far it has aided my aging eyesight with a buffalo, zebra, warthogs, giraffe at 116 yards, and a wildebeest at 150 yards. Also, it is soon to take a tuskless!

Jack O’Connor stated in the early years of rifle scopes catching on, “When a man needs reading glasses, it’s time for him to shoot with a scope.” Wise words…

 

[DWB]

I always say:

Red dots are like open sights.... Just better!!!!

 

[AZDAVE]

I am blessed as I still see irons well, but put a 1 moa trijicon on my 500/416 and 9.3x74 for a couple night hunts. They make a huge difference. So they are staying on my doubles.

 

[Philip Glass]

View attachment 713276


Good morning brains trust all the way from Queensland Australia .

I recently picked up my first double rifle in .500NE and to say I’m proud and humbled is an understatement. It has open sights and I wasn’t planning to do anything with the rifle as I love it the way it is. That said, after shooting it I am wondering if it’s worth the effort of getting it set up of a small reflex sight like I see on a lot of double rifles these days.

If I was to do so, what brand/make & model are you guys using?

Part of me says keep it the way it was built and part of me thinks it would be a worthwhile upgrade.

Cheers from Australia,

Al Kidner.

I have the Kahles Helia red dot mounted in my double. I just had the rib grooved for it to mount so it does not detract in anyway from the look of the double. It makes the gun more versatile.