Best red dot sight/scope under $100 for my 15-22?

[SW01SS]

Hi guys, I am having a hard time deciding what optic to get for my rifle. There are so many choices and I feel like it's impossible to confidently pick a single one without having them all in front of me and trying them back to back... Which isn't possible. I've looked at a few different UTG scopes in the $50-60 dollar range, and in the $70-100 dollar range the Bushnell trs-25, Sightmark Ultra, and Primary Arms has several that look very appealing and have great reviews. Actually they all (including the UTGs which are the cheapest and include some extras and cool features) have pretty good reviews. Can I go wrong with any of these? And I'm sure theres even more options than what I listed so I'm just confused and wanted to get some feedback and see what you guys are using on your 15-22s

 

[BigWaylon]

I considered the Bushnell and the PA red dots for my recent builds and also my 15-22. I ended up going with the Vortex SPARC (actually bought a dozen of them in the last year).

They're a little more expensive, but not bad. Mainly because a SPARC 2 has been recently released, but the original is a very nice unit.

I like the smaller 2MOA dot, and you just can't beat the Vortex Warranty:

Our VIP warranty is about you, not us. It's about taking care of you after the sale.
VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customer. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you. If we cannot repair your product, we will replace it with a product in perfect working order of equal or better physical condition.
You see, it doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all Vortex Optics riflescopes, prism scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, and monoculars.
•Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
•Fully transferable
•No warranty card to fill out
•No receipt needed to hang on to
If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

The VIP warranty does not cover loss, theft or deliberate damage to the product.

You can get one now from Tiger Outfitters for $124.99 after $20 coupon and free shipping.

Or, you can get one and a stripped lower from PSA for $159.99 (so cost of RDS is really <$100).

If that doesn't work for you, I'd flip a coin between the Bushnell and PA. I don't have any experience with the Sightmark.

ETA: here's an obligatory pic:

(Won't look like that after tomorrow...when barrel comes back from ADCO after being cut down to 4.5" and threaded to SiCo's o-ring engagement specs )

 

[harrym]

I have the UTG [around $60 at the time] on a 15-22. I like the QD mount -- it's sturdy and returns to zero. The red dot is OK for a plinker. Wouldn't put it on my AR15, though. I'm not really sold on the red dot system. Can't get used to having both eyes open.

 

[dstepatl]

I was told by the guy at my local range to just buy airsoft for a 15-22, the recoil isn't near strong enough to screw it up. That's his word, not mine, so I can't tell you. What I can say is I just bought the 15-22 a week ago today and shot it for the first time yesterday and from 50 yards with only a slight adjustment to the wind knob(before shooting) on the rear sight I was able to hit the 10(not in the 10, but literally the 10) on my first shot. Outstanding accuracy, though I'm only 25 and still have great vision at 20-10 in one eye and 20-15 in the other, so that might help.

 

[SW01SS]

The Vortex sounds appealing but $100 is really my max budget. In response to dstepatl, my iron sights are a mess. It seems so simple for everyone else... They just take the gun out and shoot and just like that they're nearly zeroed in without hardly doing anything. I have never zeroed in anything prior to owning this gun and I know you are supposed to take a shot, and then adjust your sight so its right on the hole you made, then aim for the center and repeat. However I aim for the center and the round doesn't even hit the target, so I have no idea what adjustments need to be made so I'm just blindly wasting ammo turning the knobs hoping I can land one on the target so I can adjust from there but I never succeeded... I'm a newb I know. But thats an issue for a whole different thread.

I bought a 30 dollar aimsports red dot. Worked good and I was able to get that one zeroed in unlike the iron sights. Held zero for 500-600 rounds between range visits and everything and at the range today it lost zero and started getting really bad. Turning off, started seeing a 2nd lighter dot under the main dot and the dot would go out after every shot towards the end of the day and I'd have to give the gun a firm tap and it would light back up. So I'm assuming the recoil became too much... So I am staying away from the airsoft stuff from now on.

If there was a good Eotech replica I could find that would be cool. Otherwise I'm leaning towards the Primary Arms at the moment.

 

[Vinney47]

It would be hard to beat this for your $100

Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Dot Optic

 

[SW01SS]

It would be hard to beat this for your $100

Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green Dot Optic

Thats a killer deal thank you for sharing. Battery life isn't listed there but after looking around on other sites it seems to be about 2000 hours vs PA's claimed 10,000 hour life for their sight. However I like that the Vortex has the option for a green dot and also automatically shuts down after a certain period of time. I also like how it looks. Such a hard choice...

 

[bburnette252]

Not under $100 but close enough, I couldn't be happier with it. Chances are your local walmart has them

Bushnell TRS-25 .... $110


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vinney47]

Thats a killer deal thank you for sharing. Battery life isn't listed there but after looking around on other sites it seems to be about 2000 hours vs PA's claimed 10,000 hour life for their sight. However I like that the Vortex has the option for a green dot and also automatically shuts down after a certain period of time. I also like how it looks. Such a hard choice...

10,000 hours is just over 400 days. So as long as you remember to change the battery once a year you could just leave it on.

Still... I really really like the green dot option. Among the things I shoot at are bulls eye paper targets and clay pigeons. They along with others have red or very reddish centers that the red dot can get washed out on. It's still visible, but green is MUCH easier to see. It's easier on the battery life as well.

I have had experience with the sightmark ultra shot as well. It's held up really well, and I really like the clean view you get with it - no knobs or battery compartments are in your view at all, views like an EOTech. The metal shroud over the glass gives it extra durability also. The green dot version of it (Z series) runs around $100, but goes on sale at Cabelas a couple times a year for $75. Battery life is much, much less, however. Quick detach mount option is a plus IMO.

 

[BigWaylon]

OP...if you can't zero in the factory sights, you need to aim at a closer target. Once you get it lined up left/right, proceed to shoot further distances adjusting elevation until you're where you want to be.

The Vortex Strikefire is a nice unit as well, just a little bigger than the other ones you posted.

Once you pick on and get it sighted in, you can start adjusting your irons to hit the dot, and that should get you close.

Some of the RDS units out there have an extreme long battery life due to the fact they're intended to be left on...so when you grab the rifle in a HD situation it's ready to go. The others have the auto-off mode.

 

[RO73]

I'm a big fan of the primary arms micro dot. I've had quite a few on different rifles and they have never let me down.

 

[cyphertext]

You have two issues here...

1. Iron sights. What distance are you shooting at while trying to zero? Also, what type of iron sights are you using?

2. Optics. Your first decision needs to be what type of optic you want to shoot, red dot or magnified optic (scope). This will depend on the type of shooting you want to do. For close range shooting where the name of the game is fast target acquisition and a hit is a hit, the red dot is great. It allows you to get on target quickly. However, for longer distance, or trying to shoot small, tight groups, a scope is the better choice. Some will run a red dot with a magnifier, but to me that just says you should have bought a low power, variable scope.

If you go the red dot route, the Bushnell TRS-25, Primary Arms, and Vortex SPARC are all very popular. These have been tried and selected by many users. They are the cream of the crop of the budget optics. If budget is the issue, I would not venture outside of these three.

As far as inexpensive scopes, I like the Simmons .22 mag with adjustable objective, or the Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 AO. These are not AR, tactical style scopes... but they are fairly decent rimfire scopes.

 

[SW01SS]

10,000 hours is just over 400 days. So as long as you remember to change the battery once a year you could just leave it on.

Still... I really really like the green dot option. Among the things I shoot at are bulls eye paper targets and clay pigeons. They along with others have red or very reddish centers that the red dot can get washed out on. It's still visible, but green is MUCH easier to see. It's easier on the battery life as well.

I have had experience with the sightmark ultra shot as well. It's held up really well, and I really like the clean view you get with it - no knobs or battery compartments are in your view at all, views like an EOTech. The metal shroud over the glass gives it extra durability also. The green dot version of it (Z series) runs around $100, but goes on sale at Cabelas a couple times a year for $75. Battery life is much, much less, however. Quick detach mount option is a plus IMO.

My only issue with the Sightmark is that the adjustment dial for elevation is right in the center on top right in the way of the dot. I have the same problem with my **** Aim sports red dot I can't look down the sight and make elevation adjustments at the same time. Perhaps I'm not going about it correctly but I noticed the real Eotechs aren't like that. Otherwise I love the quick detach, and looks of the Sightmark although a 25hr battery life is extremely weak. It's the only Eotech replica I've been able to find.

 

[SW01SS]

You have two issues here...

1. Iron sights. What distance are you shooting at while trying to zero? Also, what type of iron sights are you using?

2. Optics. Your first decision needs to be what type of optic you want to shoot, red dot or magnified optic (scope). This will depend on the type of shooting you want to do. For close range shooting where the name of the game is fast target acquisition and a hit is a hit, the red dot is great. It allows you to get on target quickly. However, for longer distance, or trying to shoot small, tight groups, a scope is the better choice. Some will run a red dot with a magnifier, but to me that just says you should have bought a low power, variable scope.

If you go the red dot route, the Bushnell TRS-25, Primary Arms, and Vortex SPARC are all very popular. These have been tried and selected by many users. They are the cream of the crop of the budget optics. If budget is the issue, I would not venture outside of these three.

As far as inexpensive scopes, I like the Simmons .22 mag with adjustable objective, or the Bushnell Banner 4-12x40 AO. These are not AR, tactical style scopes... but they are fairly decent rimfire scopes.

I was attempting to zero at 25 yards with the iron sights and they are the factory iron sights that come on a non-MOE 15-22.

Thanks for the explanation between scopes and red dots. I think a red dot would be better suited for me now and I can buy a scope later down the road.

What are the differences (if anything besides looks and battery life) of the microdots like the trs-25, and PA microdot, compared to the Vortex Strikefire and larger PA red dots?

 

[cyphertext]

I was attempting to zero at 25 yards with the iron sights and they are the factory iron sights that come on a non-MOE 15-22.

Thanks for the explanation between scopes and red dots. I think a red dot would be better suited for me now and I can buy a scope later down the road.

What are the differences (if anything besides looks and battery life) of the microdots like the trs-25, and PA microdot, compared to the Vortex Strikefire and larger PA red dots?

For zeroing those sights, set the sights to mechanical zero...
Turn the front sight post until the bottom is flush with the front sight base. On the rear sight, turn the elevation drum (the one on the bottom of the rear sight) to the Z marking and turn the windage knob until the line on the aperture lines up with the line on the sight base. You are now ready to zero.

Print out the target from the link below, hang it at 25 yards, and follow the directions on which sight (front or rear) and which direction to turn the sight. You will change elevation with the front, and windage with the rear. Once you are zero'd at 25 yards with this technique, I have found that I can bottom out my rear sight, (turn counter clockwise until it stops at the 5/3 mark) and I am good for 50 yards. For 100 yards, you would turn the elevation drum in the other direction, past the Z mark, but I have not shot it at 100 yards with the irons enough to work out the best setting.

Target http://www.bobdbob.com/~deneb/doc/targets/m4-carbine-zero.pdf

As far as the dots, there aren't huge differences in operation between them. The micro dot type are physically smaller, weigh an ounce or two less. Sometimes the diode on the TRS-25 is in the way for lower 1/3 co-witness. I believe PA addressed that with their red dot.

As far as dot sizes, smaller is not necessarily better. A larger red dot is easier to pick up with your eyes, allowing you to be on target quicker. However, a larger dot will cover more of the target... it really depends what you are shooting. If you are shooting 8 inch steel plates, a 2, 3, 4, or 6 MOA dot is going to let you see some of the target and make hits.

I have a Bushnell Trophy red dot on one of my rifles that has 4 different reticles. It has a 3 MOA dot, a 10 MOA dot, cross hairs, and a circle with 3 MOA center dot. I use the circle reticle on that one the most. Easy to pick up with my eyes. The newer version of this sight has red and green, and can also be picked up for less than $100.

Oh, don't forget mounts in your budget. They can run from about $20 to several hundred... for what you are looking at though, a $20 mount from Primary Arms will probably fit the bill.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Primary Arms or Vortex. Nuff said.

 

[SW01SS]

For zeroing those sights, set the sights to mechanical zero...
Turn the front sight post until the bottom is flush with the front sight base. On the rear sight, turn the elevation drum (the one on the bottom of the rear sight) to the Z marking and turn the windage knob until the line on the aperture lines up with the line on the sight base. You are now ready to zero.

Print out the target from the link below, hang it at 25 yards, and follow the directions on which sight (front or rear) and which direction to turn the sight. You will change elevation with the front, and windage with the rear. Once you are zero'd at 25 yards with this technique, I have found that I can bottom out my rear sight, (turn counter clockwise until it stops at the 5/3 mark) and I am good for 50 yards. For 100 yards, you would turn the elevation drum in the other direction, past the Z mark, but I have not shot it at 100 yards with the irons enough to work out the best setting.

Target http://www.bobdbob.com/~deneb/doc/targets/m4-carbine-zero.pdf

As far as the dots, there aren't huge differences in operation between them. The micro dot type are physically smaller, weigh an ounce or two less. Sometimes the diode on the TRS-25 is in the way for lower 1/3 co-witness. I believe PA addressed that with their red dot.

As far as dot sizes, smaller is not necessarily better. A larger red dot is easier to pick up with your eyes, allowing you to be on target quicker. However, a larger dot will cover more of the target... it really depends what you are shooting. If you are shooting 8 inch steel plates, a 2, 3, 4, or 6 MOA dot is going to let you see some of the target and make hits.

I have a Bushnell Trophy red dot on one of my rifles that has 4 different reticles. It has a 3 MOA dot, a 10 MOA dot, cross hairs, and a circle with 3 MOA center dot. I use the circle reticle on that one the most. Easy to pick up with my eyes. The newer version of this sight has red and green, and can also be picked up for less than $100.

Oh, don't forget mounts in your budget. They can run from about $20 to several hundred... for what you are looking at though, a $20 mount from Primary Arms will probably fit the bill.

Thanks for the info. For my iron sight difficulties, I currently have it set at mechanical zero and my rounds still miss the 12 inch target. I am just going to bring it in closer to 10-15 yards and work back to 25. I am leaning towards this now https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-AA-Battery-Red-Dot-GEN-3-p/pa-aasdg3.htm 10,000hr battery life and it comes with a mount, however I don't know if it will cowitness with my iron sights. I am going to check out the Bushnell Trophy now.

 

[cyphertext]

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards this now https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-AA-Battery-Red-Dot-GEN-3-p/pa-aasdg3.htm 10,000hr battery life and it comes with a mount, however I don't know if it will cowitness with my iron sights. I am going to check out the Bushnell Trophy now.

The description says it will give you lower 1/3 co-witness. I've never used that particular sight, but Primary Arms stands behind their products, so I wouldn't have any issues with ordering one!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

We ain't fancy around here. To zero an optic first start out by shooting at a small object on a dirt bank. See where the bullet strikes the dirt in relation to the small object. Adjust accordingly. Shoot at paper for fine tuning.

Bore sighting is easy too. Remove upper from lower. Remove bolt. Set upper on something steady so you can look through the barrel, then look through the sights. Adjust sights in the direction of what you see through the barrel. Repeat till you are close. Shoot at paper for fine tuning.

If you want a red dot get a Primary Arms MicroDot or Bushnell TRS-25 with riser.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

We ain't fancy around here.

Nor here in Mississippi. Most of the time, when putting on a new sight, we just shoot at paper. If we miss the paper... we get closer. Then once we are in the ballpark, we back up & finish the job.