Originally Posted by
NEhomer
Thanks for the feedback folks.
uncle, I'm THIS close to dropping the cash on a rifled barrel. Thing is, we'll have this year with these prime acres left untouched but I don't know what the future will bring and how much logging, tilling, building the owner will be doing in the upcoming seasons. That's why I'm hesitant to drop coin on a whole new set-up.
Even at 50yds, the barrel and bead blot out the vitals so it's my thinking that the red dot will increase precision...esp in fading light. I have no expectation that I'll gain rifle accuracy, just a clearer view at 50 - 60 yds. It's not wing shooting so I'm not clear how target acquisition would be a problem.
Some of the advertised cantilever mounts require that they be soldered to a smooth rib and mine's not smooth. The one advertised by Gallard Industries seems to clamp nicely but I cannot get a response from them so they may not even be in business still. I have a few weeks to figure it all out still so by opening day I'll have some solid plan.
A red dot has a very small field of view is how target acquisition could be a problem. Finding a moving animal in the woods won't be easy. I have had the problem your talking about with the bead being to big. The big white bead on some rem barrels is to big. The small steel bead Ive had great luck with out to 70 yards or so.
If you buy good stuff though it will hold its value very well. You should be able to get on ebay and buy a used rifled barrel and then later if you don't need it you should be able to easily get your money back out of it.
If you take care of it a rifled 1187 barrel is as good or better than cash as long as you can swing the investment.