I am using a Bushnell Banner 1.75-5x shotgun scope. Has the circle X reticle.
With the lower magnification is exactly what I need because I think the undergrowth and limited range are very similar for us, plus the reticle is fast on target too.
The low magnification is not much different than irons and making it on target is about as quick as irons. And the little extra magnification is welcome at longer distances too. Sometimes I like to zoom in better to see what's-what.
The shotgun scope is well suited for the kind of hunting that we deal with trees and bushes and stuff and with good eye relief too.
For low light or night, would be night vision all the way obviously. Might look a little goofy, but as Han Solo once said, it may not look like much kid, but she's got it where it counts
One of the big draws for the blackout is the powder burns quickly, which gets the bullet up to speed very quickly despite the short barrel. With ballistics similar to 7.62x39 And I think both of us agree that it does fine for whitetail (and hogs I hear).
As for clarifying about not using Loctite, no I don't understand that either. Just don't Loctite the setscrew. This is probably one of those times where it's easier just to follow directions than trying to understand why.
I will admit that I like nitride barrels too. So far, I think I have ended up with three or four of them so far.
But I don't have any problem with a good stainless barrel either.