Since I started hunting, I have always cared more about practical hunting accuracy than target shooting precision; I originally liked handgun scopes when I first started hunting. It took time to get used to them and become proficient at quickly finding the target in a long eye relief scope. When I started hunting in grizzly country, I needed a system that could be good for both hunting and bear defense. The gun needed to be a double action revolver chambered in 44 mag. As for optics, a reflex sight/red dot was an obvious solution because I could easily and quickly aim with it if I needed to defend myself from a charging grizzly. With practice I knew I would be able to shoot farther and more accurately than I could with iron sights. I first picked the Ultradot 30mm 2MOA Gen 2. After some use, I liked that it is well-built, has different brightness/dot intensity levels, and has an excellent track record. Many hunters have been using Ultradot sights for years with great success.
Since I like dialing drops better than holding over the target, I began looking to upgrade my Ultradot. I can work with holdovers very efficiently, but if I can choose, I will always choose to be able to dial my drops. On my 629, I can quickly shoot deer or larger size animals at 150 yards, but further than that, it becomes a challenge to efficiently and consistently compensate for bullet drop. I harvested a spike with my 629 Stealth Hunter topped with Ultradot30mm at 150-155 yards, but any further would not be something I am comfortable with when it comes to hunting. A few weeks before harvesting that buck, I took a shot at a coyote at 103 yards, and I shot just over it. To be 2.5 inches low at 150, I had to be about 3 inches high at 100. Zeroing 3 inches high at 100 does not impede my ability for deer, pronghorn, or elk, but it becomes increasingly difficult as the target animal becomes smaller.
When I learned about the Matchdot II, I immediately wanted to try one. The Matchdot II is available in both a green and red dot so I decided to try both. I am fortunate to have good eye sight and generally do not have an issue with red dots and the “star burst” that some people may have due to having an astigmatism. Considering that we are in the fall hunting season, I decided not to change up my hunting guns already set up for the season. Instead, I tried the green Matchdot II on my 350 Legend BFR and the red on my Buckmark Hunter.
During the first range session, I managed to zero both guns and test them a little before sunset which if you are a hunter know that is prime time in the field and is often when a game animal presents itself. The excellent quality glass was apparent; I had no problems using it in low light. I was impressed with the possibility of choosing a dot’s size or between two different reticles. The 2MOA dot helps when shooting at further distances, while the 8 MOA dot or one of the reticles would be great for spot and stalk hunting in thick woods where distances are rarely beyond 50 yards. The larger dots or reticles will aid in rapid acquisition should a hasty shot be required.
The second range session was even more fun. I worked on dialing to compensate for bullet drop. The 350 Legend BFR with green Match Dot II worked great while going back and forth between 50 and 355 yards. Dialing to compensate for bullet drop was very easy, and the 1MOA increments are more than adequate for hunting accuracy. As a hunter, we need to be able to place our shot within the vitals of an animal which on average is an 8 to 12 inch target. I used the red Matchdot II on my Buckmark and successfully dialed for bullet drop and hit targets out to 150 yards which is no small feat for a 22 LR pistol!
In addition to the target turret, it is nice to have the off position in between intensity settings. This allows me to return to my previous sight intensity setting very rapidly which could make all the difference in the field.
The green and red versions of the Matchdot II are identical. The only difference is the dot color. I find that the red worked much better for my eyes, especially in low-light conditions.
In the end, I can only say that I am very impressed with Ultradot’s quality, design, and features. I will try to use one Matchdot II on one of my hunts later this season.
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3 responses to “Ultradot Matchdot II by: Mladen Simovic”
I just bought the green light version of the Matchdot 2. I have a Matchdot mounted on a Smith and Wesson Performance Hunter in 44 magnum. This model is the older red colored sight.
Just curious. How do you compare the green dot vs. the red dot?
Pretty much the same except that my eyes liked better red version since red color is little darker than green, especially during the brightest part of the day I did notice that I was getting something that could look like a “star burst”, at least in some light conditions, during the day was working great. It seems like I am getting old.
From the feedback I have heard over the last year. Some people love green and some love red. It literally comes down to what your eyes like best. I find that both are functional but I do think red works better in bright light. Green works well in low light for me.