Leupold VX-Freedom RDS Red Dot Sight -update decided to give one a try

[Westside88]

I’m wondering if anyone has used this red dot sight? I’m thinking of trying one on my 44 mag lever action and possibly my muzzleloader. As I’ve aged I’m finding it more difficult to use open sights effectively. My primary thought would be the 44. It has a rail so this one should be ready to go. Appreciate any feedback

[huntnphool]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,286876.msg3900606.html#msg3900606

[huntnphool]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,287068.msg3902813.html#msg3902813

[Westside88]

Thank you

[Westside88]

I decided to go ahead and order the one that comes with a mount. After reading the info in the shared links, I would probably get lower mounts for my Knight Muzzleloader, but for now I'm going to start out with my 44 mag lever gun and see what I think.

[BKMFR]

I have one on a Marlin 45-70 lever action, and one on a Paramount Plus Muzzleloader. I am very satisfied with them, they work great and hold zero after heavy recoil.
I had one on a Ruger RedHawk 22 Hornet, but it was too large of a unit for the pistol for my liking.
I like them!!
BKMFR

[Caseknife]

I have one and the only issue I have is that the red dot has a bit of flare.  Could be my eyes though.

[huntnphool]

I have one and the only issue I have is that the red dot has a bit of flare.  Could be my eyes though.

 You are correct, it’s your eyes.

[Westside88]

After reading some of the previously shared info, I decided to give a red dot a go. I figured I’d start with the 44 mag rifle and maybe set up the muzzleloader later. I haven’t had a chance to shoot with it yet, but will soon

[WSU]

Mine is great when it’s light. It seems horrible in low light to me. All I could see is the dot.

[huntnphool]

Mine is great when it’s light. It seems horrible in low light to me. All I could see is the dot.

 Did you try turning the brightness down?

[WSU]

Mine is great when it’s light. It seems horrible in low light to me. All I could see is the dot.

 Did you try turning the brightness down?

I tried the lowest setting. It was in dark timber on a rainy day but not right at dark or anything.

[Goshawk]

The Leupold Freedom red dot is one of the very few times I was very disappointed in their product. The dot was flared out like a red headlight, not crisp and clean like their Deltapoint Pro line. I quickly returned it.

[jjhunter]

I couldn’t convince NF to make me one.   Should get my RDS today. I bought the muzzleloader version.   We’ll see….

[Parasite]

I much prefer a prism red dot sight .... too bad there isnt as many on the market. Prism red dots are so much more sharp, and the ability to shoot with the red dot turned off is valuable.

[HntnFsh]

Picked one of these up the other day. Just looking through it. The only time I dont have the red flare is on the very lowest setting. For those of you that are using them is that fairly common?  Would running it on the lowest setting be an issue, say in bright daylight etc? I dont want to try to get it mounted up if its not going to work. Would appreciate any insight into this.

[10thmountainarcher]

That’s pretty common for red dots. You change the dot to be just visible depending on the amount of light. Take it outside during the day and experiment with it, then do it in a dark room.

[yogi]

Used it this year found out lowest setting is best at low light and higher setting is best for sunny conditions

[JWBINX]

Red flare will occur only on the highest settings in low light situations.
It will diminish as you turn down the intensity.
That is the sweet spot.

[Rigby416]

I just purchased one to try on a muzzleloader.  Waiting on rings to mount it up.  The mount setup that it came with isn't compatible with the EABCO base/peep sight combo that I use for open sights.  Can't wait to try it.

[HntnFsh]

Thanks for the info. I'll mess around with it in different light situations and see what I think!

[JWBINX]

I installed mine on a Knight Bighorn and the only issue is, you need the lowest rings you can get
because the comb height of the stock is so low that you have to raise your cheek off the stock
to see thru the red dot. The only solution would be a cheek piece.
The RDS sight works very well, especially on my AR pistol.

[Sundance]

I looked at the RDS and opted to go with the Holosun SCRS. I was able to mount a pic rail without interfering with my Williams peep sights and attached the red dot. If the red dot fails or I go to a different state I can remove the sight with one torx screw and my peeps are good to go, I also like the shake awake feature.

[HntnFsh]

Any suggestions for quick detatch rings for my Bighorn?

[huntnphool]

I installed mine on a Knight Bighorn and the only issue is, you need the lowest rings you can get
because the comb height of the stock is so low that you have to raise your cheek off the stock
to see thru the red dot. The only solution would be a cheek piece.
The RDS sight works very well, especially on my AR pistol.

 Check out the other thread

[Ghost Hunter]

I have one and the only issue I have is that the red dot has a bit of flare.  Could be my eyes though.

 You are correct, it’s your eyes.

My eyes don't like red.  Have to look for green dots.

[trophyhunt]

Went with the trijicon, dayyymn they are expensive!!

[GWP]

The green dot one I have has two “thermal” sight settings plus the other regular settings. Have not played with it much but in a dark room the two “thermal” settings are barely visible. Might work for low light.

[jjhunter]

Talley base; NF 34mm low rings.