Cant decide between a red dot sight or a scope

[Legitmw]

I was about to order the Primary Arms Red Dot sight. its 89 bucks.

I was thinking having a scope with adjustable magnification could be good.. right now, all of my shooting is at 25-30 yards at our backyard range.

I feel like no magnification is necessary there and i would be fine with just the red dot. and im only 18, and dont want to spend 500 bucks on a sight. its a .22 for plinking. I dont need an amazing optics system for this gun right now.

so idk.. red dot sight or scope with like a 4-9X adjustable magnification.

I think I would prefer a red dot, but i just dont know enough about optics at this point

 

[chuck s]

25 to 30 yards is pistol range. You need a telescope for a rifle at that range?

Get the dot.

-- Chuck

 

[rck281]

I agree - get the dot. I'm not familiar with the one you are looking at but I would suggest one with selectable dot size. Big (4-8 MOA)for close up and small (1 MOA) for distance.
Bushnell makes a nice one for about the same money.

 

[Scuds03]

With this gun I think the best all-around is a Red-Dot. I can still nail the 6 inch plates at 100 yards pretty consistantly (average 8 outa 10 shots) with a simple red dot. I do have 20/20 vision though; small magnification might be better if your eyes can't keep up with the distance.

 

[Legitmw]

Bushnell Trophy 1x28 Red Dot Sight Auto On/Off Riflescope - Bushnell 730132A

here is a good bushnell. im considering going with this just because its a bushnell, as opposed to an aimpoint copy

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

I shoot anywhere from 25yds to 50yds and had a red dot. I didnt care for it and bought a cheap $32 scope from walmart with $10 mounting rings and I have been blowing out the center of targets since. Your mileage may carry.

 

[Legitmw]

Primary Arms M4 Style Red Dot - Primary Arms - For Optics Accessories & More | Weapons Optics | Firearm Supplies

heres the PA red dot im considering. its either this or the bushnell... small possibility someone will talk me into a scope

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

If you are trying to get the smallest group possible on a piece of paper then a magnified optic is the way to go. If you are shooting at cans and stuff that bounce around then using a 1x red dot is easier to find the target and a heck of a lot of fun.

 

[Rustpot]

If you are trying to get the smallest group possible on a piece of paper then a magnified optic is the way to go. If you are shooting at cans and stuff that bounce around then using a 1x red dot is easier to find the target and a heck of a lot of fun.

Agreed. The red dot is about the same as using iron sights, but with a few improvements; low-light contrast, more forgiving to your head position, focus on the target, easier to use both eyes open, no fuzzy ghost ring to try and put a post in the center of, field of view extends around the reticle so you're not losing sight picture as badly during shooting, etc.

Scope for trying to keep the same accuracy you can easily achieve at 25 yards with iron sights at longer distances. Which is why I plan on getting a magnifier for my red dot on a flip mount, best of both worlds.

I think if I were going to buy another red dot it would be a 2MOA M3 or a Micro, needing a riser for lower 1/3 cowitness and the bulky profile of the M4 doesn't appeal to me. Green can be nice, especially if you're going to be shooting in the desert or targets that would contrast better than red, but red will still get the job done fine if you turn up the intensity. Plus switching colors can shift zero- I think I read that on some [other] reviews.

The other thing I like about the PA M3 is having 7 brightness levels. A lot of similarly priced and cheaper clones have around 3. Shooting indoor I only need setting 2 or 3, and outside with the sun to my back 5 was good, lower when in the shade.

 

[~tc~]

If you are trying to get the smallest group possible on a piece of paper then a magnified optic is the way to go. If you are shooting at cans and stuff that bounce around then using a 1x red dot is easier to find the target and a heck of a lot of fun.

x2 - I went with a low magnification (1.5-4.5) scope as the best of both worlds since I do all kinds of shooting with it, but seems I only use the low end and the high end ... if I had it to do over, I would more highly consider a red dot + magnifier.

 

[Legitmw]

yea the shooting i do is at gallon water jugs, cans, and a metal target system.

I just need to decide between a PA or the bushnell.. im so terribly indecisive.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

yea the shooting i do is at gallon water jugs, cans, and a metal target system.

I just need to decide between a PA or the bushnell.. im so terribly indecisive.

Here is what the Bushnell will look like on your rifle. There is also a Picture Thread here with a bunch of different optics.

 

[Legitmw]

... I actually dont like the looks of the busnell. im leaning more towards PA right now. I have only been reading great things about them.

What are the differences between the M3 and M4? I know the M4 takes AA's and has a better battery life, but thats it.

Sorry I have a million questions

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

... I actually dont like the looks of the busnell. What are the differences between the M3 and M4? I know the M4 takes AA's and has a better battery life, but thats it. Sorry I have a million questions

Me neither. .... but I had a Tasco laying around and it worked great until I figured out what I wanted for the 15-22.
As far as the differences between those PA scopes.... check your PM box.

 

[Legitmw]

Just ordered the PA M3. Thanks for all the input, it helped a ton. and Phil thanks for the links, they helped a lot

 

[borntoraisehogs]

When I was 18 , I could see through closed eye lids well enough to shoot the skeeters off the chickens with open sights. Fancy pants dots and scopes, bah.
Shoot iron sights for a bit longer and use that scope money to take your gal out for a nice hamburger. The kind Tony Stewart sells.
wait .. dots ..variable scope at 30 paces... You like girls right?

 

[jagen heie]

found a taco red dot for like 35 bucks at wal mart. im thinking about getting it. i mean i made that money at work just going to early meetings

 

[Legitmw]

I was just buying some ammo at wal mart and saw the $35 red dot. looked pretty good for that price.

haha and i dont think i need to save up to go to burger king. just because im looking for a cheap sight for my plinking gun, doesnt mean im flat broke. ive got plenty of money to spend on food. food is very important. i like food.

 

[TKaz]

Burgers?

Hell just go get a pizza, my wife and I would much prefer pizza.

I have a NcStar red dot scope on mine and it works just fine and I'm half blind.

Your going to find that you will be trying different scopes now and then and in time you'll find what works best for you and yours. it is very smart though to ask like you have been and get some others insight and opinions.

Good luck & enjoy!

 

[fishdoc]

I have shot Bullseye for many years up to 50 yards.

A red dot is great. I reccommed a Millet or Ultra Dot. I agree, get a 1 min dot at these ranges.

Good Luck