Can't Zero Red Dot

[tomcatt51]

So, I must always insure that my eye is in exactly the same place in relation to the optic (kinda hard to do) when shooting each group.

You're kinda right. What you need to do is keep the dot near the center of the window. This will minimize parallax.

So, clamp down the gun with the dot on your target. Move your head so the dot moves to the edge of the window and see what the dot does on the target as you do this. Move so the dot moves around the edges of the window and see how much the dot moves on the target as you do this.

There is one distance where your red dot will be parallax free. As you move away from this distance parallax increases. Many scopes have adjustable parallax. On these you can change the distance at which the scope is parallax free.

Bottom line is: To minimize parallax keep the dot centered in the window.

 

[bodark]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the explanations. I am going to the range and investigate further, as soon as the mud dries up.

By the way, this is a UTG red dot with a parallex setting of infinity.

 

[bodark]

My problem is parallex. I went to the range this afternoon. I put the rifle in a rest with the red dot on the target at 50 yards. When I moved my eye up and down, and back and forth, the dot moved plus or minus five inches both horizontally and vertically (10 inches total in each direction). My groups stopped moving when I really concentrated on keeping the dot in the exact center of the optic. Keeping the dot in the exact center is a lot harder than I thought it would be so I am going to purchase a Vortex red dot that is supposed to be parallex free. I should have bought a better optic to begin with. I appreciate everyone's time and advice.

 

[tomcatt51]

My problem is parallex. I went to the range this afternoon. I put the rifle in a rest with the red dot on the target at 50 yards. When I moved my eye up and down, and back and forth, the dot moved plus or minus five inches both horizontally and vertically (10 inches total in each direction). My groups stopped moving when I really concentrated on keeping the dot in the exact center of the optic.

This is where "cheekweld" comes in too. I have Magpul MOE stocks. In part because I like the contour of the available thick butt pad but mostly because Magpul has different height cheek risers that snap on. With a C-more Railway a 1/4" cheek riser (not scope riser) puts the dot consistently in the center of the window effortlessly.
AR-15 CTR/MOE CHEEK RISER | Brownells

 

[bodark]

I can see how that would make it better. A red dot is supposed to be for fast acquisition at fairly short range. That is hard to do if you have to spend time trying to center the dot in the optic.

 

[mainegrw]

Something that I have done to get used to using a red dot on my rifle is to co-witness it with the iron sights. This allows you to find the dot at the center of the glass easily, as it should align with the front and rear sight to some extent, offering a good point if reference. This will not work for every rifle sight and dot setup, as I know some do not absolute co-witness. I set mine up like this on purpose, and set my iron sights for the same shooting distance as the dot. I found that doing this when shooting at the range, or even dry fire practice at home, has improved my dot acquisition and accuracy when using the dot only.



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[dlidster]

This is where "cheekweld" comes in too . . . With a C-more Railway a 1/4" cheek riser (not scope riser) puts the dot consistently in the center of the window effortlessly.

This is always great advice, but the OP (and others new to red dot sights) should regard this as desirable, but not absolutely necessary.

One of the many benefits of a red dot sight, especially in action shooting, is that the POA/POI will be the same whether the dot is in the center of the view field or way out on the perimeter.

I know nothing about UTG sights, but I have eight (8) red dot sights from various manufacturers, several of which are not particularly expensive. (Starting at $70ish.) All retain their horizontal POA/POI alignment no matter where the dot is on the glass. Naturally, the vertical alignment varies with distance as affected by trajectory. But this is related to ballistics and has nothing to do with optics.

 

[bodark]

Good advice about co-witnessing the sights and the optics, where possible.

I just bought a Vortex. I will let you guys know the results after I have installed it and been to the range. I will not blame the optic until I am sure it is not just me.

 

[bodark]

Final outcome. The Vortex sight made a huge difference. My groups no longer wander around. The dot does not move when I move my eye in relation to the optic. Also, as some of you suggested, I put my front sight in the raised position and used it as an aid to centering the red dot, and that greatly improved the effectiveness of the UTG sight, so that my group placement became consistent with that sight as well. Thanks to all for your time and helpful advice!

 

[franzas]

Try Green Dot, of if it's a heavy load, Blue Dot