My sport so far...and red dot question.

[VTvibe]

So i bought the sport a few months ago, and i LOVE it! Here it is pictured with my ruger p95 9mm. So far, i have put a bipod/forgrip onto it, a blackhawk pistol grip, troy sling, quad rail, led light, and pictured here a bushnell t-32 red dot.
Well i have since returned the red dot because it was 5 moa and it was wayyyy too big of a dot. So now im trying to decide what red dot to get, as now i have a bushnell 3-9x scope on it that i had laying around, but i really dont shoot past 75 yards. With the amount of ammo i go through (about three hundred plus a week) i really cant afford a nice eotech or aimpoint (or my dream scope, trijicon acog!) for my rifle. So PLEASE help me decide a good red dot for around 200 dollars. I really like different reticles, such as t dots, circle dots etc...
I am looking at a primary arms multi reticle, or a lucid hd7 (Will that co witness with a half inch riser?), vortex strikefire, or a bushnell elite t dot...but any more recomendations are definitley appreciated!

 

[storeyteller]

Nice set-up.
I don't have any experience with any of the optics you mentioned, though I have heard good things about the lucid hd7, vortex strikefire, and bushnell elite t-dot. Some of the guys that have 'em will chime in before too long.
I am currently using a Burris AR-332 that I really like alot. That being said, it is out of the price range you mentioned (around $300).

Good luck, stay safe and happy hunting.

 

[Plinker1962]

I have the Vortex Strikefire on my Sport and it co-witnesses perfectly out of the box. Attached is what it looks like on the Sport and a target used to zero it in at 50 yds. Vortex offers 2 models of their Strikefire....one for the AR and another for hunting. AR model is what you want.

 

[VTvibe]

yeah i am really leaning towards the strikefire....i just really like to have different reticles than the plain dot, but its not that big a deal. i actually just saw an eotech drop of price on amazon, for 360...so maybe ill wait a week and but that. but i do kinda prefer tube style red dots... ugh, i cant make up my mind! i like the screw in magnifier, it still has room for BUIS right?

 

[VTvibe]

the more i look at the lucid i am liking it too...justnot sure how high it is from rail...

 

[JaPes]

The M&P 15-Sport & The Ruger P95, two of the most underestimated and under rated firearms by internet conjecture. I commend you on your choices. I have both myself.

I can't give you a good recommendation for a dot scope. I mounted a Primary Arms M3 clone that has a 3MOA dot. It works well, but I prefer to shoot irons. I have a 1 MOA Bushnell Trophy "T" dot mounted on my 15-22.

Because of the lack of rifle ranges near me, your shooting volume of 300 rounds per week is amazing to me. I'm green with envy.

300 rounds per week X 4 weeks = 1,200 rounds fired per month.

1,200 rounds fired per month X 12 months = 14,400 rounds per year.

I see the .223 ammo in your picture is in a plastic MTM case (or similar). Are you hand loading / reloading ammo?

 

[MichiganScott]

I've got the Bushnell Tactical Elite T-Dot 1x on a couple of mine. The dot is 3 MOA, which seems to be just the right size to be both quick to pick up and small enough for long range precision.

I've also got a 1x5 scope on a RRA 6.8 AR. I've gotten to be quite fond of low power variables on my rifles over the years.

 

[VTvibe]

The M&P 15-Sport & The Ruger P95, two of the most underestimated and under rated firearms by internet conjecture. I commend you on your choices. I have both myself.

I can't give you a good recommendation for a dot scope. I mounted a Primary Arms M3 clone that has a 3MOA dot. It works well, but I prefer to shoot irons. I have a 1 MOA Bushnell Trophy "T" dot mounted on my 15-22.

Because of the lack of rifle ranges near me, your shooting volume of 300 rounds per week is amazing to me. I'm green with envy.

300 rounds per week X 4 weeks = 1,200 rounds fired per month.

1,200 rounds fired per month X 12 months = 14,400 rounds per year.

I see the .223 ammo in your picture is in a plastic MTM case (or similar). Are you hand loading / reloading ammo?

Thanks! I love both of these firearms....except right now my ruger is having issues jamming, failure to eject, and i cant figure it out why. Going to bring it to a gunsmith friend of mine to see if its necesary to send it back to ruger. Hopefully i just need new magazines.
But yeah, living in rural vermont, with not much to do besides work, i go shooting very often, either in my back yard or some pits down the road if i wanna make a mess and blow stuff up!!
And no reloading, i just buy quantity of ammunition and keep em in those cases, i wanna get into it some day though...

i think im going to go with the lucid hd7 for a red dot. I like the screw in magnifier and multi reticles, i am also leaning towards primary arms with a magnifier but dont think i would be able to have BUIS as well so prob a no go. Bushnell t dot is also a viable option too...so indecisive, sorry!

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

My advise my friend is start saving for an eotech or Aimpoint. During that time just keep honeing your markmenship skills with what you have. Then when you can afford a better optic. It will help make you an even better shooter.

 

[oneyeopn]

You can get an UltraDot Pan-A-Vis with the one MOA dot. I had one but when I turned my sport into a long distance shooter I sold it to a friend. I now regret the decision to sell it because it was a great holographic sight and perfectly cowitnessed, the optics are great and you can see it well even in bright sunlight. I have tried to buy it back but he loves it too much to even think about it, LOL

 

[VTvibe]

My advise my friend is start saving for an eotech or Aimpoint. During that time just keep honeing your markmenship skills with what you have. Then when you can afford a better optic. It will help make you an even better shooter.

I was waiting for someone to say this! Haha...i know i should, but im inpatient...i actually saw an eotech that takes aaa batteries for 360 dollars on amazon...maybe i can wait another week for one more paycheck!
oneeye- i have never heard of that optic, ill check it out, thanks.

 

[Stebo]

OK, let me ask a contrary question. Given that the Aimpoints and Eotechs are "better" than my Vortex (and they damn sure better be, given the prices), will they really make you a "better shooter"?

I'm not trying to flame anyone, but I haven't shot either and would really like to know. Isn't red dot sights and better shooter an oxymoron?

 

[imku]

Stebo, "Better shooter" or better anything in MY opinion is opinion/personal experience based. Back to the question will it (Aimpoint/Eotech) make you a better shooter. No, but in my case it did enhance accuracy and expanded certain abilities. I spent time with irons/MBUS and have no problem hitting center mass at 25-50yards, with a RDS I can to the same with better groups. To me it's all about trigger time to personally get "better" I've had the pleasure of shooting with the Vortex, Eotech, and Aimpoint. In my opinion, all will do just fine for target/range time. For other applications, some like the fact the Aimpoints and Eotechs have long proven records. With that said I did think that the Vortex was a very nice option for a RDS at a fraction of the prices of the others.

 

[JaPes]

Thanks! I love both of these firearms....except right now my ruger is having issues jamming, failure to eject, and i cant figure it out why. Going to bring it to a gunsmith friend of mine to see if its necesary to send it back to ruger.

My brand new P95 stainless is on it's way back from Ruger. I had it in my possession less than 24 hours.

With either of the two magazines, the slide won't strip off a round form the mag. The slide contacts the rear of the case, and stops. It did this when manually cycling the handgun using dummy rounds & under live fire.

IMO, just call Ruger. Their CS representatives are a pleasure to deal with. They e-mailed me a UPS next day label, and off it went. It's not critical for me to have my P95, just mildly annoying.

And no reloading, i just buy quantity of ammunition and keep em in those cases, i wanna get into it some day though

Take my advice, pick up your spent brass and save it. At the volume you shoot, you'll end up reloading and you'll be glad you saved your spent cases. The cases are one of the more expensive components of a complete round of ammunition.

Heck. Save all the reloadable cases for any caliber you shoot.

 

[VTvibe]

ill probably have to send it to them, as i found out its probably the extractor...its double feeding. but i just cleaned the **** out of it and the mags so im taking it out today with a different type of ammo along with my sport...crossing my fingers i wont have to send it as it is my only handgun and i feel better knowing its always in my glovebox/under my bed!

 

[oneyeopn]

yep save your cases, if you dont use them you can always sell them or trade them. It seems to me that after cases have been shot once they seem to work better. I dont know if they get work hardened or what it is but my reloads with once fired brass seem to shoot better than my loads with brand new brass.

 

[stormspotter]

You will need to decide which red dot is best for you. I chose a Vortex Strikefire red dot only and am pleased with it.

The below groups were fired at 50 yards with 23.7 gr. TAC and Sierra 65 grain Gameking and 69 grain OTM bullets.

I still have my irons, co-witnessed, if needed.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Since I am so indecisive with my setups and hate to buy expensive things i wont like to use, I chose to simply purchase a cheap $40 UTG red dot for my rifle. I ran iron sights for a while, then a scope, finally the red dot. Before I toss down the $$ on a quality red dot, I figured I'd try a cheapo to see if I even like shooting with it as I didn't enjoy the scope and irons weren't very exciting to me. I figure if I like using the red dot I could ditch it on EBay when I buy a quality dot later on.

Zeroed out at 50 yards with a bipod and bench. Needless to say, I do enjoy using a red dot.

Started left and walked it in.

If it holds zero til Xmas I'll be happy. Then I can buy a nice one.


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

 

[VTvibe]

i decided on a lucid hd, for 200$... from what i read it has exactley everything i want, multi reticles, co witnesses 1/3 out of the box, rugger and holds zero, and allows a screw in magnifier... i cant wait to give it a try!

on another note, i went out shooting a couple hours ago and my ruger is still jamming, but man do i love their customer service! they are sending a pre paid mailing slip and said it will only take ten business days! The sport performed flawlessly, like it always does. Put some tanerite inside of a tv, and it was possibly the coolest explosion i have ever seen...

 

[storeyteller]

Tanerite good!!

 

[Natsmith77]

Another vote for the PA Microdot with the AMD mount. Excellent product for the money.

 

[w0ady]

i prefer the micro style sights personally. currently i have a cheap utg dot on my 15-22 but at the next level up, i really like the PA micro dot. the bushnell trs-25 and konus sight pro atomic are around the same price of $100. the vortex sparc has caught my eye for $200 though because it has a 2 moa dot which would be better for long range targets.

 

[Foxtrot]

OK, let me ask a contrary question. Given that the Aimpoints and Eotechs are "better" than my Vortex (and they damn sure better be, given the prices), will they really make you a "better shooter"?

I'm not trying to flame anyone, but I haven't shot either and would really like to know. Isn't red dot sights and better shooter an oxymoron?

If you can aford the Aimpoint or the EOTech then go with those, they are better.

A red dot does not make you a better shooter. Skill is what makes you a better shooter and you gain skill by practice in the basics of shooting the platform. Red dots are intended for faster target acquistion and to supplement good skills you should already have, not to make up for lack of skill.

Assuming the weapon and red dot are in good shape, if you are not shooting consistent .75" groups or better at 50 yards AND less than 1.5" groups at 100 yards, with M193 or M855 ammo and a red dot then either you need some more practice and improvement in the basics, have a physical problem, or the dot is too big.

 

[Foxtrot]

You can get an UltraDot Pan-A-Vis with the one MOA dot. I had one but when I turned my sport into a long distance shooter I sold it to a friend. I now regret the decision to sell it because it was a great holographic sight and perfectly cowitnessed, the optics are great and you can see it well even in bright sunlight. I have tried to buy it back but he loves it too much to even think about it, LOL

Hey i've got one of those sitting on the bench, had it for a while. Its a good red dot for light sport use shooting.

Something people may want to take a look at for mid range red dots are these two:

Ultradot 6 - Advanced Tactical Aiming System (look at the picture too, looks like the M&P15 OR its mounted on)

Lucid HD7 Red Dot Sight (If you get the Lucid, call them first to make sure they are still shipping the screw in 2x magnifier with them. Some people have told me recemtly they did not get the 2x magnifier with theirs.)

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[oneyeopn]

Hey i've got one of those sitting on the bench, had it for a while. Its a good red dot for light sport use shooting.

Something people may want to take a look at for mid range red dots are these two:

Ultradot 6 - Advanced Tactical Aiming System (look at the picture too, looks like the M&P15 OR its mounted on)

Lucid HD7 Red Dot Sight (If you get the Lucid, call them first to make sure they are still shipping the screw in 2x magnifier with them. Some people have told me recemtly they did not get the 2x magnifier with theirs.)

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Foxtrot; Nowhere within 150 miles of me do they have any tactical or 3 gun matches, there is some Palma style matches about 100 miles away which I have a rifle for. Here we generally punch paper, shoot prairie dogs, or call yotes. I do all three. My primary AR is set up with a 6-24x50 Bushnell for long distance prairie dog hunting, I have a homebuilt AR that we say is my wifes it has a counterfeit eotech and is great for a hundred but she just punches paper.

 

[Stebo]

... either you need some more practice and improvement in the basics, have a physical problem, or the dot is too big.

That probably describes me fairly accurately, although I can hit the 1.5" group at 100 with my 308 Weatherby. I should probably ditch the Vortex and go with something like oneyeopn describes (6-24X50 Bushnell) for my ORC.

 

[Foxtrot]

The Vortex StrikeFire Red Dot Scope was mentioned, the two I gave links to are comparable in the same mid range class with the same general visual and physical profile with a little different pricing but in the same general price range and are still decent optics for the class. There is a variation in specifics as to features and mounting but thats with just about everything anyway.

So don't call it tactical then, call it a red dot, or call it your "dang hunt'n red dot", or maybe call it the "Yotes Engagement Fast Acquistion Targeting Enhancement System"

Take the word tactical out and your left with a red dot thats comparable to the Vortex that people were talking about anyway.

 

[VTvibe]

ruger sent out to arizona for repair, lucid hd 7 on its way to my house from amazon...cant wait to try it out.

on a seperate note, i was shooting tula ammo the other day, first time i bought the cheap russian ****, and everything was going fine and i was thinking to myself 'man i might as well be buying this stuff all the time', than it happened. it jammed up for the first time since i have owned the sport. I was soooo pissed! mainly at russians though, the shell expanded inside the chamber and i had to stick a rod down the muzzle just to pry the dang thing out! it was crazy....needless to say that will be my last time buying cheap russian ammo, but at five bucks a box it was far too tempting!
thanks for all of your suggestions though, from what i have read and seen, the lucid is definitely the one for me....until i can afford an aimpoint or trijicon!

 

[VTvibe]

got the lucid today and zeroed it...so far its great, exactly what was described by the seller. the absence of the 2x magnifier kinda annoys me, but ill fork up the 25 bucks that its going for on amazon (it did say in the description that it is no longer included, even though theres a spot for it in the packaging of the scope). Only time will tell if this scope is a bang for the buck, but so far it is looking like it is. crisp, clear and awesome looking on my sport. ill post pictures in the near future.

on a seperate note, i picked up some pmc x-tac light armor penetrating rounds for only six bucks a box at a gun store up north from me...pretty stoked.

 

[Foxtrot]

Glad you got it finally. A few people had told me they did not get a magnifer with theirs either so its looks like they don't include the magnifier any longer, probably was just an introductory thing.