Alternative Sights for 30-30W

[Idiot]

I've got an extra Marlin M336 chambered in 30-30 Winchester bouncing around in the closet. Although the notch and bead sights work okay, my eye sight could use a little help. Peep sights are okay and I use them. Scopes are better and I use them. But I've yet to try the red dot sights the military has atop their M4s. Have any of you guys used these kind of sights on a lever action rifle, or similar outfit? Do they work in all kinds of light and can they be used to the same degree of effectiveness up close and out there across the meadow (as peeps or scopes)? I know dot size is important and I've found a Nikon that can be adjusted to one MOA, but can that dot be seen out at 100 or 150 yards. Will they hold up? Please let me know what your experiences have been and if you have any recommendations.

Most of my shooting will be within 200 yards, out in the open, using Hornady's pointed 30-30 rounds.

[J Miller]

The only red dot sight I've had experience with was inside a store. When I aimed at a dark object I could see the dot, but when I aimed at something light, or out the window at something outside, the dot disappeared. I do not know if that's normal for this type of sight, but I'll stick with peep sights.

Joe

[Pete44ru]

I've mounted two types of optics on the bolt of Winchester 94's - a very small Beeman SS1 2x assault rifle-type scope on a BB94, and a smallish (1") Tasco Red Dot on a regular carbine.

Both were light enought to mount on a single short scope base, and traveled with the bolt - eliminating any top-ejection worries.

The same thing could be done today, albeit more expensively, using one of those reflex-type sights - like the Doctor sight.
I know it would work because I also owned & used the Doctor's forerunner - a Tasco Optima.
With all those, however, care must be taken at purchase to get the smallest dot available -since the sights were designed as pistol sights, and the larger dots obscure anything shot at longer ranges.

[nemhed]

I'm just not a big fan of the red dots. I have one on a 10/22. Half the time when I go to use it the batteries are dead because I forgot to turn it off, the other half it's set at the wrong intensity either too bright or too dim. I know some models have an automatic power off that would eliminate one problem and some models of the Aimpoints have extremely long battery life. Some of the models made by Trijicon operate off of ambient light through a fiber optic system with a tritium light source for low light situations, that sounds like the a good system to me but they are pricey. The models of Aimpoints and EoTechs that are favorites of the military and L.E. are also way too rich for my skinny pocketbook. My AR still wears it's standard issue low tech aperature sights. My hunting guns have low fixed power scopes. I'm also not a big fan of variable power scopes for similar reasons. I don't want to have to adjust or mess with anything at the moment of truth.

[Idiot]

Shucks, this option is fading like a year old battery. I appreciate the input.

[Hobie]

I have color deficient sight and can't always see the red dot of either laser or red-dot sights on target. Just can't distinguish the POA from the target easily enough. Better to shoot instinctively than slave myself to the sights.

Now, that pretty much applies for those radioactive night sights, too. Even if the front and rear are different colors, I can't figure which is which (for the dots). Then, try those fiber optic things. No go for me on those either. Plain old black post, good to go. Plain old duplex reticule, dittos, good to go. Try it before you buy it.

[mescalero1]

I taught my girlfriend to shoot a Ruger 10-22 with a Weaver Quick point on it.
I have played with a couple others.
I think they are ok, & instructional on " fun " guns.
I would NOT use them for anything other than "fun "