Red dot vs scope

[vonn]

I have never used a red dot sight and was curious to know what level of accuracy to expect compared to say 4 power scope at 100 yards or so. Thanks,all comments are welcome.

 

[eyegots2no]

Well---I tried an inexpensive red dot on a 22 rifle and I did not like it.

However---I have not tried any of the better red dots so, my words may not be too valid.

However, with what I did have, it seemed that the dot was really to big for precise bullet placement---cross hairs seemed better for me.

You might determine the size of the red dots, ie. are they 1 inch a 100 yards or are they 3 inch (In other words they cover up 3 inches).

Then consider sized of cross hairs. I think my 4x has crosshairs that are 1.2 inch at 100 yards.

 

[jpromano]

I've never used a scope but I can tell you that a red dot is very accurate up to 75 yards in my opinion. Past that range I imagine the scope would be much more accurate

 

[MichiganScott]

The size of the group you get with a dot will depend on the size of the dot and the size of the target. Experienced target shooters using the proper size aperture front sight with the appropriate rear peep can shoot one hole groups if everything aligns perfectly.

I have AR's with dots, scopes, and iron sights, depending on planned usage. My personal preference is a low power scope in the 1-4 or 2-8 range. You can shoot fast on the low powers and shoot long on the higher.

 

[686-380]

I just acquired my first red dot sight (Trijicon MRO) and am suitably impressed. That said, I think jpromano is correct about the 75 yard limit.

If you want an example you can watch my video on youtube -
Trijicon Minature Rifle Optic (MRO) Overview
by Ed Rogers 674 views 6 days ago

I can't post the link because the mods take exception. Anyway, the tree is about 30 yards away and the target is about 25 yards away. Good luck!

 

[webfarmer]

I can't imagine a properly working scope ever being less accurate than a red dot. I can tell you, based on my M&P 10 and the use of an Eotech 552 XR AND a Leupold 3X9X50, the Leupold improved groups at the least by 25% at 100 yards. I haven't removed the scope since then so can only compare the same load I was shooting. Been working on new loads and bullets since then. But I think telling you at least a 25% improvement (likely more) is my experience. I also cannot relate the difference on my M&P 15 as it sports an Eotech 512 and a 3X magnifier and nothing else except for iron sights. Not the same animal. Good luck!

 

[sgtsandman]

This may help you some. Nutnfancy: Scope vs Red Dot: [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YmIioKk9_E[/ame]

 

[Rick_A]

Some precision is lost with a red dot, but if you can see your target and hold over appropriately at range it's still practically accurate.

For all around use I like a good 1-4x myself.

For shooting smaller targets at longer ranges it's nice to have 7 to 9x or more on the top end.

 

[cyphertext]

If your goal is to make the smallest groups possible from a bench, then a scope is the right choice. If you are trying to get on target as quick as possible and a hit is a hit without much concern about how small the group is, then red dot.

 

[Rastoff]

The answer seems obvious; the red dot will be about 4 times worse. But the truth is not that simple.

Yes, a magnified optic has the potential for smaller groups, but only if the shooter is capable of those groups. I have shot sub MOA groups with my EOTech and it had a 1MOA dot.

I shot this group at 50 yards with that EOTech:

Shot this group at 200 yards with a 4x scope:

Even though these measured close to the same MOA, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have shot the second one with the EOTech.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have never used a red dot sight and was curious to know what level of accuracy to expect compared to say 4 power scope at 100 yards or so. Thanks,all comments are welcome.

If you're shooting 100yds at a paper target offhand you'll likely not see much difference. If you are shooting from a rest you'll likely see groups open up some with a 1x red dot vs 4x, but the human eye is pretty good at finding center on a paper target. Depends on you, rifle, ammo and your expectations. Nevertheless, if your shooting is going to be from a rest get a magnified optic, and don't be shy about the magnification level.

I mostly shoot offhand at steel plate from 50 to 200yds with a red dot. I find magnified optics more difficult because they magnify my movement which makes me more tentative and slower with little benefit. Even with a magnified optic at 1x setting (there is still always some magnification) I don't like having to be aligned just right with the optic. 1x red dot will spoil you in that regard.

 

[gwpercle]

Typically a red dot sight doesn't magnify, it only provides a red dot to sight with. I find small dots better for accuracy at close pistol range ( 3 moa).
Larger dots are used for speed shooting and not as precise as the small dot.
Scopes magnify the target, the higher the power the bigger the target appears.
At 100 yards the red dot might be no more accurate than open iron sights, the bigger the dot the worse the accuracy.
At 100 yards the 4X scope will allow greater (more precise) accuracy.
For up close speed shooting a red dot with a 5 , 8 , 0r 10 moa sight.
For 50 up to 75 yards a red dot sight with 3 moa will be good for accurate.
When you are 100 yards , I go with a scope, at least 4X but 6X is useful .
Gary

 

[scooter123]

My experience is that Red Dots are pretty much equal to a good iron sight setup in produced accuracy. Meaning with the help of some 1 diopter reading glasses I can shoot 1 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards with my 300 blackout using flip up iron sights and without the reading glasses I can get nearly identical results with a Red Dot.

 

[crracer_712]

If you go red dot, try to get parallax free

 

[Lou_NC]

Personally, I consider a red-dot a useful tool for low-light battlefield conditions, which is not something I encounter in my travels. I can understand why the military prefers them.

My own preference is a 1-3x scope. I like the Weaver 1-3x 20mm and have it on several rifles.

Some advantages of a scope: No batteries required (ever), no switch to remember to turn on (or off), when set to 1x, can easily be used with both eyes open (just like a red dot), offers 3x (or greater, depending on scope) magnification when needed (or simply desired), scopes are typically more compact than a holographic red dot sight.

Accuracy at 100yds? Should be a wash. Accuracy depends on 1) The capability of the RIFLE to maintain a good group, 2) Aiming depends on the shooter's ability to hold a consistent sight alignment with whatever sighting system he chooses. A red dot with an appropriate MOA dot choice for 100yds should be the equal of a scope.

Lou

 

[BAM-BAM]

For a "general purpose utility rifle" for use in W. Pa. woods and small fields.......in my case a Ruger 77/357, a Mini-14 or a CZ 527FS in .223........... I like a 1-4x20 Leupold or a 1-3x20 Weaver.... with crosshairs heavy enough to see against Pa. trees and underbrush.....

AR or other SHTF rifle (can't hunt with a semi in Pa.)...........Aimpoint red dot........... w/ a 2-4 MOA dot........fast action shooting at "large varmints".

Target/ or shooting from the bench rifle ......a "suitable" Scope for the shooting I'll be doing....to give me the ....smallest groups and POA=POI

Hunting rifles ....... scopes .......2-7 or 4-12..... depending if the target is a squirrel, coyote or deer.........

Sniper rifle....... a fixed 10X scope seems to be the way the Army, Marines and those Navy guys seem to prefer........


Bottom line ...... different tools for different jobs

 

[gwpercle]

A red dot is also useful for us older guys, who can no longer focus on iron sights, I had given up shooting pistols untill I stumbled upon a Ruger MKII that had a Millet SP-1 red dot sight mounted....that opened the door to my being able to shoot again. These new compact dots look even better for hand gun use.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Bottom line ...... different tools for different jobs

Exactly.

Of course then comes the question of folks buying a battle rifle then agonizing over precision target shooting from the bench. Well ya know.....

 

[BAM-BAM]

Exactly.

Of course then comes the question of folks buying a battle rifle then agonizing over precision target shooting from the bench. Well ya know.....

ya.......................

......different tools for different jobs!!!!!








Send a $400 or so to LaRue.........for a quick detach Aimpoint mount and a QD scope mount for the appropriate scope.........................

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Send a $400 or so to LaRue.........for a quick detach Aimpoint mount and a QD scope mount for the appropriate scope.........................

And that's what I did. I ordered my Aimpoint from LaRue which came with their QD mount. Though it was a bit more pricey.