Red Dot with magnification vs low power scope

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J

Jestes5

Member
Aug 12, 2020
12
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CO, United States
Wondering if someone could recommend a red dot with any magnification. 4 power would be adequate. Most of my shooting is within 40 yards. 

And how accurate is it to use a red dot compared to a low powered scope. I like the compact size of a red dot and/or a low powered scope. I have an older 4x Bugbuster scope but the mil dots are very large and sometimes block the view of the target. A scope that size or a bit smaller would be great. Is there one with decent glass and good light transmission at a reasonable price?
 
It comes down to personal preferences but I think you would be dissatisfied with a red dot based on your comment about the mildots on the 4x scope blocking your view. That situation will be worse with a red dot. Aiming precision just isn’t a strength of red dots. Its strengths are quick target acquisition and no maximum eye relief.

Also, the trajectory of air rifles and air pistols is such that we need multiple aim points like mildots. Most red dot sights do not have this feature, though I did get one marketed for crossbows with 3 vertical dots that I put on a pistol, and I like it pretty well. 
 
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https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/sometimes-less-is-more/?referrer=1

Above thread is about a light weight 4x Leupold.

I have only tried a 1x red dot and have an astigmatism so I'm not the right guy to answer your questions. I suspect I'd be more accurate with my 1x scopes if compared on the same rifle. However, if I had to take a quick shot at something I suspect I'd be more likely to hit it with the red dot, despite the fuzzy double-dot I see due to my astigmatism.


 
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Hello Optics bounce on my gun back and forth, with that said, currently on my Rti priest I have a Meopta 1-6 with the bdc reticle which has an illuminated red dot (only). With that setup at 6 power and 45 yds groups are about 1/2 inch. It has a 100yd parallex setting so its clear but not as nice as I would like. On 1x its like looking threw a good red dot sight (and much clearer) but groups open up to 1 inch or so a 45yds. On a Lcs19 I have an Eotech with a 3x magnifier at 45 yds groups are 1/2 inch + at 3x and one inch + at 1x. Both are nice set ups but depends on what you are looking for either will keep every thing around an inch at 45 yds no mater what power setting. The Eotech set up is nice because you have a real red dot for close or or speed, no eye relief issues, nv capable, and just flip up the magnifier when needed. This set up really shines if you use nv. The Meopta 1-6 is nice because everything is self contained and depending on the reticle you go with you may have hold over points. One more thing just reread your post so ran outside and powered to 4x much clearer at 45yds than at 6x also very usable all the way out to 45 yds. Hope this helps Eric
 
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kindof depends what your doing with it, 40 is quite a bit further than 20 and i wouldnt want a red dot for small stuff at 40, deer or big mutated rabbits or something wouldnt be a problem lol... for close range it would be great, for instance in the back around the chicken coop i have a bunch of trees and bushes and theres alot of squirrels and an occasional rat or rabbit with distances never more than 25y or so, if my eyes were better i'd use a red dot for that or even open sights, but i use a 4X .. even with cheap ones, most fixed 4X's have great field of view, eyebox, light weight and clarity and a duplex usually will be pretty fine in the middle .. i use a 30$ gamo on my main close-in squirrel eradication rig lol ... seriously, its better than just about anything else thats going to weigh 3 times plus more and 4X is good for shots out to 50 or so at squirrel dimensions no problem ... for a bench rig though with a bipod etc, you will want something better ... so conclusion- if you got good eyes and need that 'fast tracking' ability nailing a squirrel running across a limb, or engaging multiple moving squirrel targets in an infested spot with a semi-auto bullpup, im getting myself worked up here lol, yeah a red dot would be great, otherwise i'd get a low power scope, and i wouldnt drop a bundle on a heavy fancy one either, you wont be gaining much if anything doing that ...
 
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As another poster noted above, I have had many different sighting mechanisms on my pistols (rifles not so much). I didn't stop at scope or red dot but also tried lasers on a couple and still use open sights for close range use. The scope ended up back on almost all for me personally. I have 2 pistols with scopes mounted in see through mounts and I use the open sights for close shots or moving situations and use the scope further out and when time permits. See through mounts aren't the best thing ever made but the function they provide is great even if the execution is not always the best. Others may be served better by another option, especially if shooting at moving targets, but for me I can hit a smaller target more consistently with the scope than with a red dot. The laser is great if lighting allows it to be visualized but that often is not the case. As usual, almost always different workable options exist.
 
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088RD92MX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_T2CTZ335X08FDDYBR



I installed this on my air force talon ss. .25 cal. about 6 mths ago the gun shoots hn barracuda hunter around 680-700fps use it for under 50yds around yard pesting. This scope impressed me very clear glass better than my Hawke and comparable to optisan that cost 4x more . The etched glass with fine line reticle is nice for precise shots and turrets are positive clicks and accurate. I bought the gun used wit a red dot on it since installing this scope it changed the way I use the gun and accuracy of of my shots on target. I have expensive scopes and some cheaper ones this one has impressed me so far. jmo
 
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