Torn between red dots

[portejw]

Afternoon folks. Yes, I read multiple other threads on optics, and with the advice in them I was able to narrow down to one of these, so please don't yell!

NJ-restricted 15-22, zero modifications. I'd like to keep stock sights as backup, but it's not absolutely necessary. Read lots of good things about these three sights, and from what I can tell each of them performs great. Realistically, all my shooting will be done in the 25-50 yard range. I know all of these are 1x, but if I ever have the opportunity to shoot at 100y+, will I need a new scope or can I just add a magnifier to the rail after one of these? If I'm going to need a new scope (if/when), I'll research a bit more and find something that starts at 2x.

Thanks!

Leapers UTG Red Dot Sight 38mm Tube 1x 4 MOA Red Green Dot Low Medium

TRUGLO Red Dot Sight 30mm Tube 1x 5 MOA Dot Integral Weaver-Style Base

Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight 1x 25mm 3 MOA Dot Integral

 

[akviper]

I put the Bushnell on my 15-22 as it mimics my Aimpoint T1s on my 223 guns. It works great and you can get an inexpensive riser that will give you the socom lower 1/3 iron sight set up where the dot is a bit above your iron sights but they are still readily usable if needed.

The red dot is good for hits past 100 yards without any magnification but you can add a magnifier if you want. Mount the red dot as far forward on your receiver as you can as this allows you to avoid any tunnel vision and mounting of NV or magnifiers behind the red dot.

Watch for sales on the Bushnell or Cabelas coupons as you can find them for $10 to $20 less than Micway. Bushnell is very good about customer service if you have a problem. I've been very happy with my set up.

 

[sithlord]

Remember, aim small, miss small. Smaller MOAs allow you to aim small.

Realistically, all my shooting will be done in the 25-50 yard range.

At 25 yards, you don't need to do much to "miss small". For 50, 1 MOA = .5 inches, so 4 MOA is a 2" spread.

I know all of these are 1x, but if I ever have the opportunity to shoot at 100y+, will I need a new scope or can I just add a magnifier to the rail after one of these?

Depends largely on your eyes, your target, and your desired grouping. You can't hit what you can't see. I have a 4 MOA Leapers Red/Green dot that allows me to hit 3" clay pigeons at 100 yards. 4MOA at 100 yards = 4"... I have to switch to green-dot mode because the red and orange clash too much, tho.

Also, you might consider one that offers different reticles. A circumflex dot (larger MOA circle with center dot), cross-hair, cross-hair circle, etc, may provide better/easier target acquisition.

While the addage of "buy cheap, buy twice" might be true, if you aren't sure what you want, it might be better to spend less on something to see if you like it first.

HTH...

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I know all of these are 1x, but if I ever have the opportunity to shoot at 100y+, will I need a new scope or can I just add a magnifier to the rail after one of these? If I'm going to need a new scope (if/when), I'll research a bit more and find something that starts at 2x.

Seems to me, this question is better suited to someone shooting a real AR... .223 or bigger. The 22lr has just horrible ballistics at 100 yards +, and I just can't think of any reason why someone would want to make a plinking rifle try to reach out in those distances. The 15-22 looks a lot like an AR and mostly acts like one... but it isn't one. I rarely, if ever, shoot my 15-22 at over 50 yards and at that distance, a simple red dot (TRS-25 for me) is just fine.

 

[Bamabred]

Well, I ordered the Leapers once. The red dot wasn't crisp at all. It looked like a small galaxy so I sent it back. Then I bought a Primary Arms 30mm. With that said I have a Leapers 3X9 on my AR that I love. My point is that the QC is iffy. If you get a good one, then they are great optics for the money.

You can't go wrong with the Bushnell, but obviously it cost more (if that's a consideration).

 

[roushstage2]

The TRS-25 is your best bet out of those three. Many people use them and they work well. It will also be more than fine for the distances you'll be shooting with a .22LR. Remember: red dots are for faster target acquisition. Scopes are for precision. If you want to keep your iron sights on there, get a high riser so you get 1/3 lower cowitness. It is the more popular method of cowitnessing, though, there are some that like absolute (medium riser).
ETA: Also, do not focus on the red dot when shooting! A lot of people do that. Focusing on the dot and not your target will make the dot look fuzzy and out of focus. You need to look past the dot (focus on the target) and it will appear nice and crisp and small, like it should be. The idea is the dot is in your line of sight when you have cheek weld, so you simply look at your targets and move the dot onto target, and shoot (fast target acquisition).

 

[shield]

+1 for Bushnell TRS-25. Works well for me.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have a couple of TRS-25 on 9mm PCCs.......I'll give them a thumbs up!!

My rule of thumb for ..22lr. out of a 15-22
50yds = good to go
75yds = ok but do-able
100yds = we are maxing out...it's a fun challange but only on paper.......go to a .22mag or .17

but; give me a CZ 452...... well that's another story!!!!!!

 

[portejw]

Thanks for the input folks. Based on the reviews I had ready both here and at Midway/Amazon, I was already leaning towards the TRS-25. Just ordered that with a high-riser. $110-ish from Midway w/ free shipping, plus the $20 rebate.

Ended up doing a lot of optical research the past few days. RD vs scope, co-witness, etc. I'm sure it will make more sense to me eventually, but it's a lot of info to absorb at first. Thanks for your patience and feedback

 

[spider2k]

you need the MID riser for the trs-25 to co-witness if im not mistaken.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

you need the MID riser for the trs-25 to co-witness if im not mistaken.

Yep, the medium profile mount gives an absolute co-witness. The high mount gives a 1/3 co-witness. I like the absolute.

Amazon.com: UTG Medium Profile Riser Mount with 3 slots: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Ss%2B1Mf3dL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Ss%2B1Mf3dL

 

[portejw]

Well, I'll try it with the high mount and 1/3 first. If I don't like it, I'll grab a medium one at the range. I've seen them there before, so I'm not too concerned with it. It's all just a matter of personal preference, right? There's no one absolute better way?

 

[RedNeck Jim]

There's no one absolute better way?

Of course there is an absolute better way. Whatever you like best.

 

[roushstage2]

1/3 lower gives you a better view if you don't have a folding BUIS. I now have a folding BUIS, but don't plan on ordering a new mount. The upside is I can leave my rear BUIS up and still be GTG.

 

[bbqbob51]

1/3 lower gives you a better view if you don't have a folding BUIS. I now have a folding BUIS, but don't plan on ordering a new mount. The upside is I can leave my rear BUIS up and still be GTG.

The illustration is a great explanation of Co-witnessing. Thanks for posting.