Red dot or scope?

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Budasac

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Hey guys,

Hoping you can help me outfit my new 15-22. I haven't even picked it up, yet I'm already fighting the urge to by stuff.

Anyway, I haven't fired a rifle in 25 years, and never used a red dot, but I see a lot you have them on your 15-22. I bought it because I can use it at my local indoor range, so I'll mostly be shooting at paper from 25 yards. But once a month or so I'll be taking to the outdoor range (100 yards). So what would be the best setup for me?

All opinions are welcome. Suggestions with model number would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Budasac said:
Hey guys,

Hoping you can help me outfit my new 15-22. I haven't even picked it up, yet I'm already fighting the urge to by stuff.

Anyway, I haven't fired a rifle in 25 years, and never used a red dot, but I see a lot you have them on your 15-22. I bought it because I can use it at my local indoor range, so I'll mostly be shooting at paper from 25 yards. But once a month or so I'll be taking to the outdoor range (100 yards). So what would be the best setup for me?

All opinions are welcome. Suggestions with model number would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

To some degree, IMHO, it depends on your eyes and your targets. Paper at 25 yds is close in, and a red-dot should suffice.

Bottom line, you can't hit what you can't see. If you need a scope to hit something at 100 yds, then look for a 1-4x scope. Use the 1x for 25yds, and zoom when you need to. Alternatively, consider a red-dot with a 3x magnifier. Take the magnifier off when shooting indoors, and put it on outdoors.

Beyond that, there are several threads providing recommendations on specific red-dots or scopes. To some extent, that decision comes down to price point.

HTH...
 
You will need a scope if you are going to do both, and a graduated scope. You will need to learn how to use the crosshairs to account for bullet drop at longer distance. You could use a red dot for both but it would have to be a pretty good one, and your eyes would have to be better than mine. Look at the UTG Bug Buster, it is setup to use at both short range and long range with out busting the bank. And is a pretty good optic for the money. You can get better, but you will pay for it dearly. Best bang for the buck in my opinion in a good optic for these rifles.
 
Lol, my kind of thinking! I was considering that. I was hoping there was a "perfect" setup for what I'll be using it for. Just looking for some opinions rather then wasting my money with trial and error.
 
I noticed a lot of guys have the Bug Buster, I was considering that but didn't know if I would be better off with the red dot. How well does the magnifier work with the red dot?
 
cjt50 said:
You get carried like I did and have 2 15-22s. 1 setup with a scope and the other with a red dot. (it's a sickness I tell ya ;) )
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This is what my wife is afraid of. I have a tendency to go overboard when I get into something. I call it being thorough and prepared. All she sees is $$$$.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
 
Budasac said:
This is what my wife is afraid of. I have a tendency to go overboard when I get into something. I call it being thorough and prepared. All she sees is $$$$.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
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Get one in pink and make it hers. Real men have no problem shooting pink guns. :D
 
Originally my neighbor and I were looking at the pink models for our daughters but they don't have compliant models (I'm in NJ). I may have to get another and make it pink for her. The wife is not interested. Both she and my neighbor's wife are opposed to guns. (They've been conditioned from being in this state too long.). I grew up here too but much closer to PA. I'm more of country boy at heart. I'd be happy living in a cabin in the woods, she likes the city. Go figure. But my buddy and I want the kids to be prepared for the inevitable Zombie Outbreak.:rolleyes:

We've been talking about buying a place somewhere in PA to get away once in a while and to have a place to bug out to when the SHTF. I'm only 20 minutes from NYC, so when it all goes down we're pretty much at ground zero.
 
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I am of the thinking a gun for Each use.....LOL... So i may be buying my Buddies 15-22 and then ill have 2

For Mostly 25yd shooting, red dot/reflex is best.... fast target acquisition and lots of Fun

If you Find yerself shooting 100yds then Look at optics for that....


Start with a red Dot/Reflex..... think youll be happy
 
A combo scope/red dot might work but if you just want to spend money on one I'd suggest a 1-4 power scope for 25-100 yards. It'll give you the flexibility for the indoor range and the outdoor range. You can even get an illuminated reticle depending on the manuf/model.
 
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I have a 10/22 Lasermax which works great up to 25 yards and a Marlin Glenfield with a score for beyond.
 
Get both and use QD mounts.


BTW
Primary Arms has a new 1-6 coming out shortly. I want a couple myself when they release them.


*WARNING*
Extra optics lead to more firearms. Actually, extra anything leads to more firearms for most of us. I have a ton of brass I got from the neighbors shooting range (it's on a dude ranch and the guests have more money than I would know what to do with...lots of brass...I'm talking garbage cans full) and now I want several different caliber firearms just to load for.
 
I use a red dot with a x3 and x5 magnifier. That way close up i have the red, past 25 i have the 3 and past that i have the 5. They just flip off to the side.

Tad bit expensive but its pretty nice on my windham arms AR :-D
 
Smithsrevenge said:
I use a red dot with a x3 and x5 magnifier. That way close up i have the red, past 25 i have the 3 and past that i have the 5. They just flip off to the side.

Tad bit expensive but its pretty nice on my windham arms AR :-D
Click to expand...

Got a link or model #?
 
I use Red dots on both my 15-22 and my 5.56 Windham Ar. I use a Bushnell multi reticle on the 15-22 and an Aimpoint PRO on the Windham. Both rifles are set up to be functionally the same. I have no issues with either at longer ranges. But that is due to the pou of the two rifles. They are for defense and training for the Windham in the case of the 15-22. I picked up the 15-22 first and it got me hooked on the AR platform. They are my first tow AR style rifles. Before that I had spent years with bolt actions with high powered scopes. I typically used something in the 14-20 power for even .22lr for 100 yard and sometimes more shooting at the range. Reason being the high power helped me actually see where my rounds were hitting at longer ranges. With a lower, even high quality 2-7 say scope I could see well. But not see my impacts at 100+ yards. Even using "shoot n c" targets. With a mid to high quality scope it just makes a world of a difference when shooting longer ranges.

But I feel the AR platform to "not" be the best thing for ultimate accuracy. The design of the gun in many ways does not lend itself to great precision shooting. It is a fighting rifle and great at that. But not a good design for precision shooting for many reasons. That applies to both in the .22lr versions like the 15-22 and centerfire versions in 556/223. Not going to turn this into a debate on the fact. Just spend some trigger time on some decent bolt actions and you will understand what I mean.

IMHO a possible good bet may be to outfit the 15-22 with a red dot. And then pick up a .22lr in bolt action. Great ones can be had for $250-300 on up. Some of my best shooters have been inexpensive Savages. I had ones in standard as well as thumbhole stocks. Very nice shooters. Much of that due to the triggers which are good out of the box and great with a little tweaking. I still have a nice CZ with a 2-7 Nikon that is a great 50 yard or maybe 100 yard gun. Beautiful wood on it and very nice quality. I have bought and sold a lot of rimfires and that CZ with a Henry lever action I have will never leave me. Those two rifles are my favorite firearms I have ever owned. If you have any decent firearms place near you, you may be able to check the used section and find some gems. One of the local places that I do work for always has lots of used .22lrs in bolt action. It is just a much more enjoyable way to shoot longer ranges.

I am not bashing the 15-22 in any way. I love mine and have nothing but great to say about it. But I use it in its element. Plinking, tactical training and just general fun. After having a lot of experience with target shooting I just know it doesn't fit into the role in comparison to my experiences. But that is relative to the experiences of each individual. Had I never fired anything with precision, then I would probably be completely happy with the 15-22 for longer ranges. It is hard to think of or find anything more fun then a 15-22 for short range that is for sure. Just take it as some advice on where you will end up. Long distance shooting is slow paced and takes a lot of patience and work on technique. Now 100 yards is not long distance for a centerfire, but for a .22lr it is getting to the end of its general useable range. Past that and trajectory drop becomes severe among other issues. If your going to stick with rimfire, then I would say rock a 15.22 with a red dot and maybe pick up a nice bolt action for when you hit the 100+ range.

Best of luck which ever way you go.
 
Rook82- Thanks for the thoughtful and informative response. Great advice and something to think about. (Any excuse to buy another gun). It's much appreciated, as are all the responses.
Great group you guys have here.

I think I may opt for the red dot first and take it from there. I'll have to do a little research on them. Unless someone has a suggestion.......
 
Why not do both.

image-2.jpg
 
get multiple optics--I have irons a red dot a 4x16 for long range and a night vision 3x scope-----guess I should seek counceling lol
 
The Bugbuster is a nice compact 3x9 scope with a luminated reticule. The optics are fairly good between powers and the mildot style crosshairs light up nicely (red or green) if you want. On an AR with the pyramid front sight I had to add 1/2" riser blocks to co-witness with the sights. One important thing, the Bug Buster will add a pound of weight to your rifle. On another AR I used a $40. Bsa Deerhunter 2.5 x scope in a cantilever mount $19, it is clear, long eye relief, wide field of view and has held up quite well....light weight also.
 
My AR has an Eotech with 3x flip up magnifier. That is the best of both worlds, unless you expect to become a sniper. I have super quick acquisition up close and if I shoot further out, I just flip up the magnifier. For this old man, I can hold nice tight groups out to around 100 yards. A younger employee of mine holds tighter groups at over 200 yards with this setup.

I agree completely with Rook82. The 15-22 is just not very accurate. It is a 3 MOA gun which means even as close as 25 yards, it will only shoot 3/4" groups. As you get out further, say 100 yards, you are talking 3" groups. Why put magnification on such a gun? I run the TRS-25 red dot on my 15-22 and it does all I could ever want or need as I never shoot that gun over 50 yards... normally 25 -30 yards.

Again, as Rook82 says, if you want accuracy and want to shoot further out, get a more accurate gun. I went with a CZ 455 Varmint, which is a tack driver & very much so a sub MOA gun. That gun has the accuracy to warrant magnification & longer range shooting, so I use my Leuopold Mark IV 4.5-14 scope on it. I would not buy such a scope today, especially for a .22 but it is one I already had for my AR.
 
I run Aimpoint optics but if you don't want to break the bank look into Primary Arms...

here is my HD setup on my Colt... Aimpoint Comp M4s & Aimpoint 3X Magnifier in LaRue Tactical mounts






here is the Primary Arms version

PA red dot
PA magnifier
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I was looking at the red magnifiers but they're a bit pricey. I think I'm gonna just get a red dot and a BugBuster and play around with them. Probably gonna look for a larger cal. rifle used at my LGS for the outdoor range as well. Thanks again for all the great responses.
 
Budasac said:
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I was looking at the red magnifiers but they're a bit pricey. I think I'm gonna just get a red dot and a BugBuster and play around with them. Probably gonna look for a larger cal. rifle used at my LGS for the outdoor range as well. Thanks again for all the great responses.
Click to expand...

UTG (Leapers) seems to be an excellent company as far as warranty repairs go.

If you get a 'Bug-Buster' are you gonna get the wheel, too??

I just recently sent a scope back for warranty work and got an e-mail yesterday saying they were replacing the whole unit for me.
Only problem is that scope is OOS right now, so I rit them back saying I'd gladly pay the difference if any, for a 'Bug-Buster' w/wheel.

That was Friday so I haven't heard back yet. Turn around time has been 2 weeks so far.
 
Budasac said:
I want the kids to be prepared for the inevitable Zombie Outbreak.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

My strategy for the 'Zombie Outbreak':

I gots MJ's "Thriller" on my playlist so when they attack, I play that really loud. They start bustin moves and I moonwalk outta there!!

It's either that or learn how to run!! (Cuz on "The Walking Dead" they all act like their on xanex or valium) and Zombies don't seem able to move fast!
 
having (2) .22's is having best of both worlds.

having (1) .22 with a red dot AND magnifer is better then all the worlds combined!

if i had to choose between these two setups, i'd choose red dot/magnifer.

red dot magnifer combo



top is m&p 15-22

 
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