I have to agree with T/C fan, anything over 2x is hard to hold steady at least for me. I hunt deer with a contender in 44 & 357 caliber and I replaced my 1.5x on my 44 mag with a red dot scope and I love it. I then decided to put one on my 357 barrel as well. I've taken one deer with the 44 and two with the 357 mag and think they work as well as the 1.5x if not better for my hunting purposes. But if you go red dot, do at least invest in one of considerable quality. My brother-in-law went the cheap route ($16.99 from Homier made in China) and it cost him the biggest buck he has seen in his 30 years of hunting. I think with scopes and their optics that you do in fact get what you pay for.

Good luck which ever way you decide to go.