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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 07-06-2018, 08:57 AM
kwesi kwesi is offline
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Default 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris

I need help understanding which is best for my application. I will use this for hunting feral hogs and yotes at 25-50 yards. Possibly out to 75. I prefer the $230 price point. Seems like the Vortex Viper and Burris FF3 are the best options. I’m was leaning towards the Viper but it’s only offered with the 6 moa. I would love to hear what others chose and how it’s working. I understand @25-50 yds the dot comparison is .75-1.5 vs 1.5-3.0 but without actually mounting & viewing it doesn’t help me decide. Thoughts? Any other suggestions or points to consider? I’m also leaning to the Raptor base in case that matters. Thx for guidance!
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:43 AM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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The size of the dot makes a big difference, in action shooting the 6 min. is much easier to "find" and speed makes a difference. In precision shooting the 3 moa allows you to pin point the target more easily. Your application has parts of both, so the main decision is how fast you need to acquire a target.

I was looking at Optics Planet just a couple days ago, and I thought I saw Vortex in both 3 and 6 moa. Another consideration is changing the battery. The Burris FF3 you can do from the top and doesn't disturb the zero. I'm not sure on the Vortex, you may have to remove the sight and replace from the bottom like the older Burris FF2. Either one is plenty rugged, bright and accurate.
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  #3  
Old 07-06-2018, 09:47 AM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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Hunting is all about shot placement. The caliber of the gun is not as important as hitting the right spot for a humane kill. I shoot red dot scopes quite a bit, usually with an adjustable size dot. One scope I use the most has dot sizes 2,4,6,and 8 min. For 50 yds. and beyond, I am always using the 2 minute dot to shoot a small group. For this application, I would choose the 3 minute dot to get the best shot placement.
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:48 AM
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I called Vortex. They said the Viper is only 6 moa while their Venom is made in 3 or 6 moa but costs more.
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:49 AM
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I have an Ultradot Matchdot which is adjustable from a 2 MOA dot up to a an 8 MOA dot. I've found for most uses I prefer the 2 MOA setting over my Ultradot with a fixed 4 MOA dot. I can't see a use for the larger 6 and 8 MOA dots outside of fast speed contest shooting. I'd go with the 3 MOA out of your choices.
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:55 AM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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I have a few Burris FF 3 MOA sights and they have held up well. I also have a Leupold Deltapoint Pro. I prefer the Leupold but it is nearly 2x the cost. I have no personal experience with the Vortex.

I recently got a Nikon P Tactical Spur 3 MOA that is very nice and in the same price range as the Vortex and Burris. The Nikon has 10 levels of brightness and separate buttons for brightness up/down. It also remembers the last setting after power down and up -- all advantages over the Burris. Of course I use a Raptor mount for the Nikon.

You may want to consider the Nikon.

Nikon link:
P-TACTICAL Spur from Nikon

Raptor link (Nikon mount is last one on page):
S&W Reflex Sight Mounts
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Old 07-06-2018, 12:55 PM
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Sounds like the 3 moa is the one. I was not aware of the Spur from Nikon. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Old 07-06-2018, 01:03 PM
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The Vortex Venom and Nikon Spur are like $13 different in price. The Venom has an auto brightness adjustment! Anyone have experience between these two?
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Old 07-06-2018, 01:28 PM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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75Vette uses the FF3 with excellent results and has nothing but praise for them. I’ve been doing some research myself and I think the FF3 is the ticket @ 3moa and is slightly cheaper than the Venom. If you want a slightly bigger moa dot the FF2 is 4moa and has excellent reviews as well.
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:11 PM
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Thx! The Nikon reviews are encouraging.
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:24 PM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwesi View Post
The Vortex Venom and Nikon Spur are like $13 different in price. The Venom has an auto brightness adjustment! Anyone have experience between these two?
I do not have experience with the Venom auto brightness but the Burris FF3 auto brightness never seems to suit me for range use. I always end up picking the lowest or medium on the FF3. With the Nikon's 10 settings one can really dial in the best brightness for lighting conditions -- same for the Leupold's 8 settings.
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Old 07-06-2018, 03:05 PM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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I have a 3moa vortex venom on a Raptor mount for my 629. Works really well....

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Old 07-06-2018, 10:51 PM
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revolver: I chose the Nikon. I had never heard of it until your post. Thank you! I just ordered your base. Thx for everyone’s advice.
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Old 07-07-2018, 12:32 AM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwesi View Post
revolver: I chose the Nikon. I had never heard of it until your post. Thank you! I just ordered your base. Thx for everyone’s advice.
I know you will like the Nikon.
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Old 07-07-2018, 01:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSBH44 View Post
75Vette uses the FF3 with excellent results and has nothing but praise for them. I’ve been doing some research myself and I think the FF3 is the ticket @ 3moa and is slightly cheaper than the Venom. If you want a slightly bigger moa dot the FF2 is 4moa and has excellent reviews as well.
l shoot with 75vette. l shoot a FF3 on a 629-4... Also shoot a

Magnum Hunter w/factory supplied UTG Leapers red dot...

FF3 is 3moa.. UTG is 8moa... I have shot BOTH guns at the

identical matches back to back... 100yd Field Pistol and 200Meter Big Bore...

l prefer the 8moa dot in the Leapers.. My scores are higher with

the larger dot also... Shooting from a STANDING position the

bigger dot feels more stable to me... The Leapers is about $35

from Midway. FF3 $200-$250 from Midway also... THe FF3 is a

neat little pkg with the Raptor mount.. The Leapers is big and bulky.

Sometimes SIZE matters
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Old 07-07-2018, 07:20 PM
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3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris 3 vs 6 MOA: 629 Hunter: Vortex vs Burris  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sw282 View Post
l shoot with 75vette. l shoot a FF3 on a 629-4... Also shoot a

Magnum Hunter w/factory supplied UTG Leapers red dot...

FF3 is 3moa.. UTG is 8moa... I have shot BOTH guns at the

identical matches back to back... 100yd Field Pistol and 200Meter Big Bore...

l prefer the 8moa dot in the Leapers.. My scores are higher with

the larger dot also... Shooting from a STANDING position the

bigger dot feels more stable to me... The Leapers is about $35

from Midway. FF3 $200-$250 from Midway also... THe FF3 is a

neat little pkg with the Raptor mount.. The Leapers is big and bulky.

Sometimes SIZE matters
For long distance paper punching or steel target silhouette shooting I would agree that the 8moa dot would be superior to the much smaller 3 or 4 moa dot . As far as a hunting scenario goes,I have very rarely if ever, shot at a deer out to or over 100 yards with my .44 revolver. For most if not all of the hunting conditions I routinely encounter here in the North east the 3,or 4 moa dot out to 50 yards in the woods would work perfectly.
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Last edited by RSBH44; 07-07-2018 at 07:21 PM.
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  #17  
Old 07-09-2018, 10:56 AM
kwesi kwesi is offline
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Heads up: Optics Planet has this coupon RDS13 posted this morning. Free standard shipping and 13% off! I purchased the Nikon Spur $190.96!
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