Scope vs Ultradot for 454/357 Hunting

[Huntolive]

For a 357 or 454 Casul for hunting, do you suggest a 2X or 3X scope or an Ultradot or Matchdot?

I have an Ultradot on my SRH 454 and have another i am considering mounting on my 627 PC 357. The Ultradot definitely helps me get an extra 25-50 yards of accuracy for hunting/target, and scopes on a handgun just seem too bulky to me and also could be a health hazard on the 454 casul, plus I hear mag. makes it hard to hold steady on POA.

BUT, I have also heard that with a stigmatism (which I have) that red dots don't work well, and the dot becomes more of a star blast even with glasses.
For me, I can still see the Ultradot dot reasonably clearly, but not perfect with my glasses. I still am better w/ red dot than w/ iron sights.

So is a scope in my future?
Pros and cons of Ultradot vs scope? What is best level of magnification for pistol hunting? Ultradot vs Matchdot 2? Ultradot for those w/ stigmatism?

 

[V-fib]

I have a 357 Taurus tracker with a Ultradot matchdot scope. I tried two regular hand gun scopes with long eye relief and was constantly pulling my gun in and out to try and get a good scope picture. like you I do have astigmatism corrected with implants but it's still slight (not as bad as it was when I wore glasses) With the red dot I still get a slight "bloom" of the dot but not bad. The red dot is much easier to bring up and hold on target. make sure you get a good red dot the cheap ones won't hold up to the .357 recoil.

good luck
v-fib

 

[98Redline]

My 44 Super Blackhawk Hunter wears a Matchdot and is good out to past where the 44 is good at.

That being said, if I were doing it again I would go with an Ultradot 30mm (4 MOA dot) and be done with it. 99% of the time my Matchdot sits on the 4 MOA dot and never moves. I thought that the switchable dot size would be a bigger benefit than it really is.

Also the MatchDot, with the longer center section will not fit between the standard Ruger rings, so you need a rail to boot.

On a 454, I might be tempted to go with a 2X scope, but that would only be a "might"

 

[bandur60]

I have the Matchdot (30mm) on my mountain gun and a 2X Nikon on a Magnum Research Lone Eagle (7mm-08.) The Duplex crosshair is quicker for me to pick up but I've shot smaller groups at 50 yd with the red dot --- go figure. Agree with the 4 minute dot, 2moa is pretty small and no more accurate for me, the larger dots just cover too much territory. Must admit I've only put 40 rounds through the 7/08, still working on loads for it.

All things considered, I think the Ultradots are da bomb, I have four (only one Matchdot). The one on the Henry 22 is a hit with any kid!

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks guys

Thanks,
that's what I thought.
BTW, I went out w/ my Ultradot the other day on the 454 and w/ glasses, the clarity of the dot was the least of my problems. Think I'll stick w/ ultradot.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have an ultra dot on my BFR (475/480). Have a 2x Leupold on my SRH (480). I prefer the ultradot.