Hickory Creek Koolaid

[eastchannel]

How many grains total up front? 225 + regular insert or was it a heavier insert to start? Just trying to get an idea how much weight I can get up front with the same 300 spine arrow. Thank you, I appreciate it. Matt

The dca with 100 gr. broadhead weighs about 388 grains. Add 25 gr for the head, 100gr screwed to the insert from the nock end, & 12 gr. for the lighted nock. All comes out to 525gr. I used 25gr. brass weights and put blue locktite on the threads of each segment, let it set for 10 minutes, then screwed them to the back of the insert. A 8-32 threaded rod with petroleum jelly on the tip was used to screw the weight in. The regular dca brass insert weighs 50gr. & is threaded thru allowing you to add weight. All the heavier inserts I bought were not threaded thru, and I ended up cutting off 200 gr. inserts , then grinding down to the proper weight for the china arrows. None of the arrows were more than a grain or two different. Since I'm old enough to remember when they invented dirt, I like to tweak and play around with stuff. Hope some of this makes sense.

 

[mattpsu1]

Sounds good. Where did you get the 25 grain brass inserts? I didn’t know the DCA arrows inserts were threaded through. I just got my Mini a few weeks ago and haven’t purchased more arrows yet. Was definitely planning on adding some more weight up front. Only thing I’ve done so far was add the Vortex Crossfire scope. I did however have to remove the string silencers as they were contacting the lighted reticle dial. I’ll circle back to that one after the extended season. Any suggestions there?

 

[eastchannel]

Sounds good. Where did you get the 25 grain brass inserts? I didn’t know the DCA arrows inserts were threaded through. I just got my Mini a few weeks ago and haven’t purchased more arrows yet. Was definitely planning on adding some more weight up front. Only thing I’ve done so far was add the Vortex Crossfire scope. I did however have to remove the string silencers as they were contacting the lighted reticle dial. I’ll circle back to that one after the extended season. Any suggestions there?

25 grains brass archery weights on ebay, 48 pieces for between $16 & $17. I ordered these again last month, sent from overseas took about 2 weeks from ordering to receiving.

 

[kyler1945]

 

[kyler1945]

Update on my journey with the Mini.

It's another tool in the toolbox for me. Still hunting, ground hunting, late season open woods or bulky clothes, lazy because I've killed 2000lbs of critters this season, you name it. It's there when I don't want to tote the compound.

I had disassembled the mini thinking I might be swapping the shooting side, so I just put it back together. While in the process, I added a different scope(for the time being getting away from the red dot, which I'll get into in a second). Added a Vortex Crossfire II 1-4. I also added an extension on the stock to fit a non hobbit. While doing all of this I decided to lock down all the bolting and go over everything. I sighted the bow in for 27 yard zero (+-3" out to 30 yards with a 277fps 530gr arrow). Because I didn't have time to shoot fixed heads and ensure it would be dead on with field points, I went against my better judgment and screwed on some Rage's.

I have now shot at my second deer with the mini. I had a really nice buck chase a doe directly to my tree and stop at 15 yards to a bleat. I have the scope set at 3x to avoid the riser showing up in sight picture. It was an offside shot, so I attempted to turn as much as possible without the doe picking me up (she was about ten feet from me in wide open). I told myself as soon as I saw them running "this is cool, I wish that thing that happens in youtube videos of rut hunts would happen to me." Then two second later the doe is coming to a stop right under my tree. As he's bounding in I flashed back to the decision to put mechanicals on my arrow. I told myself "aim mid body. Don't get cute. This is going to happen fast." And so I did. He checked up to a trot and then stopped broadside at 15 yards. I'm thankful for the magnification in the scope so I didn't focus on his headgear. I aimed lower third right at center body and punched the trigger. My heart sank as I watched the arrow hit the deer high in the shoulder and stop with almost no penetration. The doe bolted at the shot, and he bounded the same direction and stopped at about 60 yards in some thick. I was rushing to cock the bow and send another bolt, but he disappeared over the hill.

My arrow broke off at about 3-4" behind broadhead. By the blood spatter on it, it appears I didn't actually get any penetration past the break. And judging by the way the arrow behaved on impact, it appeared i didn't get any penetration beyond the broadhead. I followed sparse leg blood for about 600 yards or so before losing it.

I'm harder on myself than anyone else, so I'm pretty bummed about the outcome. I dozen different inputs from me could've generated a million different outcomes. Bottom line the shot was rushed given the circumstances, and I just yanked it. I hit at least 8-10" from where I was aiming with a scoped weapon at a still target 15 yards away. No excuses.

I took a few days to lick my wounds and did some tinkering today. Got it all dialed in and have exodus heads hitting with field points out to 50. This is what I had set up before my last round of tinker. Every deer I've killed the last 4-5 seasons has had two holes in it. This was a good reminder for me why I chose to shoot the equipment I do. I also added those limb saver silencers. They quieted the bow significantly, and there was no change in bow speed.

I will lose sleep over this one for many years. Not because I shot a rage. But because I put a pile of work into that opportunity, and totally blew a shot on the deer of a lifetime. I suppose that's just what happens when deer are moving quickly like that. But I'm feeling pretty confident in the setup once again.


It does bring up one issue I have on the scope. Given the magnification, and the need to really shoot with one eye closed for me in order to focus properly with that scope, it forced me into the decision to bleat and stop the deer. I don't really like to do that unless I feel the deer will move downwind of me or not stop at all. If I'm already drawn, I'm not even worried about the downwind issue. Most times a deer will stop and confirm what their nose is telling them. And usually that's too late - my arrow is on the way. But I if I had the reflex sight on there, I likely would've let the deer come to a stop on his own. And I would've had both eyes open. I may have felt less rushed on the shot option.

This scope solves the low light issue I suffered with the reflex sight reticles being too bright. I can see very clearly even before and after shooting light. That's a huge plus for making those shots right at the buzzers. But I really do miss the light weight, and both eyes open with the reflex.

How has everyone's experiences been with both light gathering scopes, and the reflex scopes? Specifically within the first and last 30 minutes of shooting light.

 

[philsanchez76]

Update on my journey with the Mini.

It's another tool in the toolbox for me. Still hunting, ground hunting, late season open woods or bulky clothes, lazy because I've killed 2000lbs of critters this season, you name it. It's there when I don't want to tote the compound.

I had disassembled the mini thinking I might be swapping the shooting side, so I just put it back together. While in the process, I added a different scope(for the time being getting away from the red dot, which I'll get into in a second). Added a Vortex Crossfire II 1-4. I also added an extension on the stock to fit a non hobbit. While doing all of this I decided to lock down all the bolting and go over everything. I sighted the bow in for 27 yard zero (+-3" out to 30 yards with a 277fps 530gr arrow). Because I didn't have time to shoot fixed heads and ensure it would be dead on with field points, I went against my better judgment and screwed on some Rage's.

I have now shot at my second deer with the mini. I had a really nice buck chase a doe directly to my tree and stop at 15 yards to a bleat. I have the scope set at 3x to avoid the riser showing up in sight picture. It was an offside shot, so I attempted to turn as much as possible without the doe picking me up (she was about ten feet from me in wide open). I told myself as soon as I saw them running "this is cool, I wish that thing that happens in youtube videos of rut hunts would happen to me." Then two second later the doe is coming to a stop right under my tree. As he's bounding in I flashed back to the decision to put mechanicals on my arrow. I told myself "aim mid body. Don't get cute. This is going to happen fast." And so I did. He checked up to a trot and then stopped broadside at 15 yards. I'm thankful for the magnification in the scope so I didn't focus on his headgear. I aimed lower third right at center body and punched the trigger. My heart sank as I watched the arrow hit the deer high in the shoulder and stop with almost no penetration. The doe bolted at the shot, and he bounded the same direction and stopped at about 60 yards in some thick. I was rushing to cock the bow and send another bolt, but he disappeared over the hill.

My arrow broke off at about 3-4" behind broadhead. By the blood spatter on it, it appears I didn't actually get any penetration past the break. And judging by the way the arrow behaved on impact, it appeared i didn't get any penetration beyond the broadhead. I followed sparse leg blood for about 600 yards or so before losing it.

I'm harder on myself than anyone else, so I'm pretty bummed about the outcome. I dozen different inputs from me could've generated a million different outcomes. Bottom line the shot was rushed given the circumstances, and I just yanked it. I hit at least 8-10" from where I was aiming with a scoped weapon at a still target 15 yards away. No excuses.

I took a few days to lick my wounds and did some tinkering today. Got it all dialed in and have exodus heads hitting with field points out to 50. This is what I had set up before my last round of tinker. Every deer I've killed the last 4-5 seasons has had two holes in it. This was a good reminder for me why I chose to shoot the equipment I do. I also added those limb saver silencers. They quieted the bow significantly, and there was no change in bow speed.

I will lose sleep over this one for many years. Not because I shot a rage. But because I put a pile of work into that opportunity, and totally blew a shot on the deer of a lifetime. I suppose that's just what happens when deer are moving quickly like that. But I'm feeling pretty confident in the setup.


It does bring up one issue I have on the scope. Given the magnification, and the need to really shoot with one eye closed for me in order to focus properly with that scope, it forced me into the decision to bleat and stop the deer. I don't really like to do that unless I feel the deer will move downwind of me or not stop at all. If I'm already drawn, I'm not even worried about the downwind issue. Most times a deer will stop and confirm what their nose is telling them. And usually that's too late - my arrow is on the way. But I if I had the reflex sight on there, I likely would've let the deer come to a stop on his own. And I would've had both eyes open. I may have felt less rushed on the shot option.

This scope solves the low light issue I suffered with the reflex sight reticles being too bright. I can see very clearly even before and after shooting light. That's a huge plus for making those shots right at the buzzers. But I really do miss the light weight, and both eyes open with the reflex.

How has everyone's experiences been with both light gathering scopes, and the reflex scopes? Specifically within the first and last 30 minutes of shooting light.

Sorry to hear that man. If it makes you feel better I missed the biggest buck of my career this year too (with a slug gun). 2021 was a bit of a disaster. My mini has been perfect this year however with 4 deer harvested out of 4 shots taken (using 150 grain Magnus stingers). I use a fixed 4 power Hawke scope and LOVE the extra 15 or so minutes it gives me on either side of sun up or sun down. I have a reflex one of my squirrel guns and I hate it when a few squirrels wait to move till 15 min after sunset and I can't see them any more. THat's what is keeping me from switching to a reflex on the mini. I'll get back to licking my 2021 deer season wounds now, and let you do the same.

 

[kyler1945]

Sorry to hear that man. If it makes you feel better I missed the biggest buck of my career this year too (with a slug gun). 2021 was a bit of a disaster. My mini has been perfect this year however with 4 deer harvested out of 4 shots taken (using 150 grain Magnus stingers). I use a fixed 4 power Hawke scope and LOVE the extra 15 or so minutes it gives me on either side of sun up or sun down. I have a reflex one of my squirrel guns and I hate it when a few squirrels wait to move till 15 min after sunset and I can't see them any more. THat's what is keeping me from switching to a reflex on the mini. I'll get back to licking my 2021 deer season wounds now, and let you do the same.

I can't complain - I shot my first elk, and biggest bow buck, and have killed 6 total deer. Still hurts. Good info on the scope. Glad to hear you're liking the extra shooting time.

 

[mattpsu1]

Update on my journey with the Mini.

It's another tool in the toolbox for me. Still hunting, ground hunting, late season open woods or bulky clothes, lazy because I've killed 2000lbs of critters this season, you name it. It's there when I don't want to tote the compound.

I had disassembled the mini thinking I might be swapping the shooting side, so I just put it back together. While in the process, I added a different scope(for the time being getting away from the red dot, which I'll get into in a second). Added a Vortex Crossfire II 1-4. I also added an extension on the stock to fit a non hobbit. While doing all of this I decided to lock down all the bolting and go over everything. I sighted the bow in for 27 yard zero (+-3" out to 30 yards with a 277fps 530gr arrow). Because I didn't have time to shoot fixed heads and ensure it would be dead on with field points, I went against my better judgment and screwed on some Rage's.

I have now shot at my second deer with the mini. I had a really nice buck chase a doe directly to my tree and stop at 15 yards to a bleat. I have the scope set at 3x to avoid the riser showing up in sight picture. It was an offside shot, so I attempted to turn as much as possible without the doe picking me up (she was about ten feet from me in wide open). I told myself as soon as I saw them running "this is cool, I wish that thing that happens in youtube videos of rut hunts would happen to me." Then two second later the doe is coming to a stop right under my tree. As he's bounding in I flashed back to the decision to put mechanicals on my arrow. I told myself "aim mid body. Don't get cute. This is going to happen fast." And so I did. He checked up to a trot and then stopped broadside at 15 yards. I'm thankful for the magnification in the scope so I didn't focus on his headgear. I aimed lower third right at center body and punched the trigger. My heart sank as I watched the arrow hit the deer high in the shoulder and stop with almost no penetration. The doe bolted at the shot, and he bounded the same direction and stopped at about 60 yards in some thick. I was rushing to cock the bow and send another bolt, but he disappeared over the hill.

My arrow broke off at about 3-4" behind broadhead. By the blood spatter on it, it appears I didn't actually get any penetration past the break. And judging by the way the arrow behaved on impact, it appeared i didn't get any penetration beyond the broadhead. I followed sparse leg blood for about 600 yards or so before losing it.

I'm harder on myself than anyone else, so I'm pretty bummed about the outcome. I dozen different inputs from me could've generated a million different outcomes. Bottom line the shot was rushed given the circumstances, and I just yanked it. I hit at least 8-10" from where I was aiming with a scoped weapon at a still target 15 yards away. No excuses.

I took a few days to lick my wounds and did some tinkering today. Got it all dialed in and have exodus heads hitting with field points out to 50. This is what I had set up before my last round of tinker. Every deer I've killed the last 4-5 seasons has had two holes in it. This was a good reminder for me why I chose to shoot the equipment I do. I also added those limb saver silencers. They quieted the bow significantly, and there was no change in bow speed.

I will lose sleep over this one for many years. Not because I shot a rage. But because I put a pile of work into that opportunity, and totally blew a shot on the deer of a lifetime. I suppose that's just what happens when deer are moving quickly like that. But I'm feeling pretty confident in the setup once again.


It does bring up one issue I have on the scope. Given the magnification, and the need to really shoot with one eye closed for me in order to focus properly with that scope, it forced me into the decision to bleat and stop the deer. I don't really like to do that unless I feel the deer will move downwind of me or not stop at all. If I'm already drawn, I'm not even worried about the downwind issue. Most times a deer will stop and confirm what their nose is telling them. And usually that's too late - my arrow is on the way. But I if I had the reflex sight on there, I likely would've let the deer come to a stop on his own. And I would've had both eyes open. I may have felt less rushed on the shot option.

This scope solves the low light issue I suffered with the reflex sight reticles being too bright. I can see very clearly even before and after shooting light. That's a huge plus for making those shots right at the buzzers. But I really do miss the light weight, and both eyes open with the reflex.

How has everyone's experiences been with both light gathering scopes, and the reflex scopes? Specifically within the first and last 30 minutes of shooting light.

Which Limbsavers did you use? Just wanna make sure I order the right one. This is all new to me. I had to remove the string jacks after I installed my scope due to silencer contacting it. I didn’t try relocating it for the time being but may revisit that after the season but do like the idea of the limbsavers and a heavier arrow setup. Thanks, Matt

 

[Jtaylor]

Sorry to hear that man. If it makes you feel better I missed the biggest buck of my career this year too (with a slug gun). 2021 was a bit of a disaster. My mini has been perfect this year however with 4 deer harvested out of 4 shots taken (using 150 grain Magnus stingers). I use a fixed 4 power Hawke scope and LOVE the extra 15 or so minutes it gives me on either side of sun up or sun down. I have a reflex one of my squirrel guns and I hate it when a few squirrels wait to move till 15 min after sunset and I can't see them any more. THat's what is keeping me from switching to a reflex on the mini. I'll get back to licking my 2021 deer season wounds now, and let you do the same.

The Hawke is a really good scope, I highly recommend it on the Mini.

 

[kyler1945]

Which Limbsavers did you use? Just wanna make sure I order the right one. This is all new to me. I had to remove the string jacks after I installed my scope due to silencer contacting it. I didn’t try relocating it for the time being but may revisit that after the season but do like the idea of the limbsavers and a heavier arrow setup. Thanks, Matt

SuperQuad Split Limb Dampener - 2 Pack

Designed to reduce bow noise and vibration, the LimbSaver SuperQuad split-limb dampener is designed to fit 95% of all standard and wide split limb bows, regardless of thickness or distance between the limbs. The SuperQuad can be installed in two orientation options for either wide- or...

limbsaver.com

 

[woodsdog2]

Sorry to hear you lost that buck @kyler1945. That blows. However, that deer is most certainly alive and well if it carried on for 600 yards plus. And don't beat yourself up about incorporating the use of mechanicals with your Mini. The QDMA (now the NDA) published an article approximately a year ago summarizing the results on wounding loss with archery gear and crossbows on a southern military base. Essentially, the takeaway showed crossbow hunters using mechanicals actually had the LOWEST rate of wounding loss and highest recovery rate over all other combinations. This is all from memory so don't hold me to the exact details but essentially, crossbow hunters using mechanicals had a 97% recovery rate. And the sample size was quite high so they were quite happy with reliability. I believe the next most effective combination was at least 4-6% points less!! The author equated this with the speed of crossbows with wide mechanicals compared to vertical bows. Now I am certainly an advocate for a heavier arrow and a razor sharp, beefy COC head for my bowhunting. However, there may be something about this theory. I still think in my mind a fast moving ping pong ball is s till just a ping pong ball and will still hurt less than a slow-moving brick all else being equal. However, ther is something to be said for faster moving mechanicals on game. If I can find it I'll post a link.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

How has everyone's experiences been with both light gathering scopes, and the reflex scopes? Specifically within the first and last 30 minutes of shooting light.

I use the same Crossfire. Worked great in broad daylight this year! I did have one opportunity at last light where it didn't come through for me as hoped. Doe and fawn came hopping by at last call, literally. Like, less than 2 minutes on the clock. I was in a tree on the transition between hardwoods and a dark patch of hemlocks. They were bumped by a hunter walking out a touch early and they ran from hardwoods where visibility was easy into the hemlocks where it was less so. She ran right under my tree and stopped at 20 yards quartering away just inside the hemlocks. I could still see her with the naked eye. When I lifted the Mini to acquire a sight picture I couldn't find her in the reticle. I looked up and found her again, and went back to the scope only to lose her again. At that point I heard her hop off deeper into the dark woods. It may have only been a doe, but I only get so many opportunities to harvest deer here in Vermont, and I got this scope for this very situation, as it has happened several times in my 9 years hunting. I seem to often have deer encounters close in those precious last minutes of light. I've never tried a red dot.

 

[Micneador]

Those that like the little reflex sight ought to look.at the AT3 Tactical ARO on Amazon. I've got one on my 410 turkey gun and 22 long rifle pinker. Great co.pany and a great budget product

 

[kyler1945]

I think I've settled on a winner for my mini.

I liked the vortex crossfire ii 1-4 for the low light - light gathering capabilities. I didn't like it because getting into a magnified scope in close quarter hunting situations sucks. I was googling the name of the scope for some information and came across a vortex crossfire red dot scope. Kinda silly they name them the same name but whatever.

The thing that caught my attention was that it settings for night vision. And lots of reviews saying the lowest settings are too weak/dull. And the price was 150.00. I took a gamble, figuring I can just return it if it doesn't work out. Well, It's perfect.

I mounted the scope, sighted it in, and the lowest setting is dull enough to shoot at the buzzers in the yard. Bingo!

Being able to keep both eyes open with a close quarters moving target, and also to look for branches or brush, is key. I drilled a doe at 44 yards with the new setup. I guessed her for 40, had a solid rest (I was sitting on ground with both arms resting on knees). Dot is dead on at 27, 10" low at 40. Entrance was just behind her elbow. Death run murder scene blood trail for 75 yards until she ran into a tree and was done.

I bought the 1-4 thinking if I didn't like it, I'd put it on my .444. I'm pleased with how this turned out. If anyone experiences the red washout in their red dot sights in low light conditions, and don't want to spend 1000.00 on one that will get dull enough, this is a winner. I also like that it's a 2moa dot. I like a smaller dot for this, it feels just like my pins on my bow.

It might be a piece of crap, but it's got vortex lifetime warranty.

Life is good!

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I think I've settled on a winner for my mini.

I liked the vortex crossfire ii 1-4 for the low light - light gathering capabilities. I didn't like it because getting into a magnified scope in close quarter hunting situations sucks. I was googling the name of the scope for some information and came across a vortex crossfire red dot scope. Kinda silly they name them the same name but whatever.

The thing that caught my attention was that it settings for night vision. And lots of reviews saying the lowest settings are too weak/dull. And the price was 150.00. I took a gamble, figuring I can just return it if it doesn't work out. Well, It's perfect.

I mounted the scope, sighted it in, and the lowest setting is dull enough to shoot at the buzzers in the yard. Bingo!

Good intel. Thanks for sharing. I like the confidence I get from the CF2 reticle with its yardage marks, but I'm pretty sure I lost that doe this year due to getting in and out of the scope at the buzzer as you mentioned. Nice little package with that red dot also. The CF2 is huge.

Tough tradeof.

 

[philsanchez76]

I think I've settled on a winner for my mini.

I liked the vortex crossfire ii 1-4 for the low light - light gathering capabilities. I didn't like it because getting into a magnified scope in close quarter hunting situations sucks. I was googling the name of the scope for some information and came across a vortex crossfire red dot scope. Kinda silly they name them the same name but whatever.

The thing that caught my attention was that it settings for night vision. And lots of reviews saying the lowest settings are too weak/dull. And the price was 150.00. I took a gamble, figuring I can just return it if it doesn't work out. Well, It's perfect.

I mounted the scope, sighted it in, and the lowest setting is dull enough to shoot at the buzzers in the yard. Bingo!

Being able to keep both eyes open with a close quarters moving target, and also to look for branches or brush, is key. I drilled a doe at 44 yards with the new setup. I guessed her for 40, had a solid rest (I was sitting on ground with both arms resting on knees). Dot is dead on at 27, 10" low at 40. Entrance was just behind her elbow. Death run murder scene blood trail for 75 yards until she ran into a tree and was done.

I bought the 1-4 thinking if I didn't like it, I'd put it on my .444. I'm pleased with how this turned out. If anyone experiences the red washout in their red dot sights in low light conditions, and don't want to spend 1000.00 on one that will get dull enough, this is a winner. I also like that it's a 2moa dot. I like a smaller dot for this, it feels just like my pins on my bow.

It might be a piece of crap, but it's got vortex lifetime warranty.

Life is good!

View attachment 60123

Bet it feels awesome to come back and close the deal on one after your last outing. Congrats! When you say the new scope has settings for night vision, does that strictly mean it is capable of very low/dull dot settings? Does the glass actually enhance your night vision vs. your naked eye? I have a $60 red dot on my Mark 4 and have it on me for squirrels, but I cannot use it during about the last 15 minutes of legal shooting light.

 

[mattpsu1]

I think I've settled on a winner for my mini.

I liked the vortex crossfire ii 1-4 for the low light - light gathering capabilities. I didn't like it because getting into a magnified scope in close quarter hunting situations sucks. I was googling the name of the scope for some information and came across a vortex crossfire red dot scope. Kinda silly they name them the same name but whatever.

The thing that caught my attention was that it settings for night vision. And lots of reviews saying the lowest settings are too weak/dull. And the price was 150.00. I took a gamble, figuring I can just return it if it doesn't work out. Well, It's perfect.

I mounted the scope, sighted it in, and the lowest setting is dull enough to shoot at the buzzers in the yard. Bingo!

Being able to keep both eyes open with a close quarters moving target, and also to look for branches or brush, is key. I drilled a doe at 44 yards with the new setup. I guessed her for 40, had a solid rest (I was sitting on ground with both arms resting on knees). Dot is dead on at 27, 10" low at 40. Entrance was just behind her elbow. Death run murder scene blood trail for 75 yards until she ran into a tree and was done.

I bought the 1-4 thinking if I didn't like it, I'd put it on my .444. I'm pleased with how this turned out. If anyone experiences the red washout in their red dot sights in low light conditions, and don't want to spend 1000.00 on one that will get dull enough, this is a winner. I also like that it's a 2moa dot. I like a smaller dot for this, it feels just like my pins on my bow.

It might be a piece of crap, but it's got vortex lifetime warranty.

Life is good!

View attachment 60123

How does your sight picture look? I’m new to this and am I right to assume that the limb is visible through the scope with no magnification?I did get the Crossfire ii and I do really like it but as others have mentioned, it’s quite large. I’d be more then happy with a single red dot and no magnification so long as I could shoot right up to the buzzer. Thanks, Matt

 

[kyler1945]

Bet it feels awesome to come back and close the deal on one after your last outing. Congrats! When you say the new scope has settings for night vision, does that strictly mean it is capable of very low/dull dot settings? Does the glass actually enhance your night vision vs. your naked eye? I have a $60 red dot on my Mark 4 and have it on me for squirrels, but I cannot use it during about the last 15 minutes of legal shooting light.

it means you can use it with night vision goggles.

 

[kyler1945]

How does your sight picture look? I’m new to this and am I right to assume that the limb is visible through the scope with no magnification?I did get the Crossfire ii and I do really like it but as others have mentioned, it’s quite large. I’d be more then happy with a single red dot and no magnification so long as I could shoot right up to the buzzer. Thanks, Matt

limb and stirrup in picture. One eye open it is obvious. Both eyes open your binocular vision completes the image in your head.

either way it doesn’t bother me.

keep in mind, when it’s really dark, it’s still hard to shoot, for many reasons unrelated to scopes. I just don’t want my scope to make it worse. This one doesn’t.

 

[DB4x4]

I think I've settled on a winner for my mini.

I liked the vortex crossfire ii 1-4 for the low light - light gathering capabilities. I didn't like it because getting into a magnified scope in close quarter hunting situations sucks. I was googling the name of the scope for some information and came across a vortex crossfire red dot scope. Kinda silly they name them the same name but whatever.

The thing that caught my attention was that it settings for night vision. And lots of reviews saying the lowest settings are too weak/dull. And the price was 150.00. I took a gamble, figuring I can just return it if it doesn't work out. Well, It's perfect.

I mounted the scope, sighted it in, and the lowest setting is dull enough to shoot at the buzzers in the yard. Bingo!

Being able to keep both eyes open with a close quarters moving target, and also to look for branches or brush, is key. I drilled a doe at 44 yards with the new setup. I guessed her for 40, had a solid rest (I was sitting on ground with both arms resting on knees). Dot is dead on at 27, 10" low at 40. Entrance was just behind her elbow. Death run murder scene blood trail for 75 yards until she ran into a tree and was done.

I bought the 1-4 thinking if I didn't like it, I'd put it on my .444. I'm pleased with how this turned out. If anyone experiences the red washout in their red dot sights in low light conditions, and don't want to spend 1000.00 on one that will get dull enough, this is a winner. I also like that it's a 2moa dot. I like a smaller dot for this, it feels just like my pins on my bow.

It might be a piece of crap, but it's got vortex lifetime warranty.

Life is good!

View attachment 60123

Why did you mount the red dot all the way back like that, just out of curiosity?