Red dot 🔴 options

Just another vote towards some sort of LPVO. You need something to take advantage of the accuracy of that rifle. The best red-dots with like 2MOA will 'cover' 4" of a target at 50 - you could do better with a BUIS, if you can use them - I can. A red-dot is fine for a Fast Shot at a 'paint can' but not for hunting IMO.
Edit - Can-down pointed out I had 'reversed' the "dot coverage' - s/b 1" covered at 50 yds. - but I still do better with BUIS 😉
 
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Buck1950 said:
Just another vote towards some sort of LPVO. You need something to take advantage of the accuracy of that rifle. The best red-dots with like 2MOA will 'cover' 4" of a target at 50 - you could do better with a BUIS, if you can use them - I can. A red-dot is fine for a Fast Shot at a 'paint can' but not for hunting IMO.
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A 2moa dot will cover about an inch at 50yards. If the rifle,ammo and user can keep all the shots in a 2 inch circle at 100 yards from field positions, the dot will be plenty accurate for rabbits and grouse out to 50 yards.

I agree that a nice compact LPVO would suit the gun but no reason a red dot can't fill the pot.

Any red dot with a small dot size will work. For hunting I prefer red dot's that allow for flip up caps to keep the lenses dry if the weather is bad.

Can't really go wrong with a used Vortex if your on a budget, they are one of the few companies that offer lifetime warranty with no receipts needed.

Osight also has a lifetime warranty and they are making some nice sights but they are not flip cap compatible yet.

OP another thing to consider is astigmatism. I didn't even know what it was till I bought my first red dot years ago and thought it was defective...... turned out it was me that was defective! :)

I've learned to live with a slightly flared dot and it's not a problem, but it's something to be aware of, some red dots perform better then others if you have astigmatism and some people with bad astigmatism choose to go with an etched reticle and a 1X prism optic over a red dot.

You will likely end up with multiple optics down the road so I wouldn't sweat it to much.... watch the EE and jump on a good deal when you see one if your on a budget.

A benefit of a good scope over a red dot is that it will draw in more light and help you see small targets hiding in the brush better specially in low light hunting scenario's.
 
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Couple comments:
- most LPVOs will have a fixed parallax in the 100-150, yard range, which is likely outside where you're going to be doing a lot of your shooting. IIRC, primary arms makes a rimfire specific LPVO but I don't have any first hand experience with it
-the Primary Arms prisms are a neat concept, but I don't believe they make one with a 22lr specific reticle. I had a 3x on a Ruger ranch in 7.62x39, and while I was a fan of the compact size and the reticle, I ended up ditching it due to having to mount it so high and far back for eye relief.
- I've got a couple of Holosun red dots (403 on a Grey birch 10/22 and a 509 on a Beretta 1301) and have found them to be excellent for the price point.

As others have pointed out, a 2moa dot covers a 1" circle at 50 yards, which is the entire point of aim if you're taking head shots on grouse or squirrels. Not to say it can't be done with a red dot, but a mid power optic with a ballistic reticle and/or exposed turrets as well as adjustable parallax or parallax fixed at a typical range for rimfire will be a lot more versatile. Additionally, it won't be much heavier/costly than a lpvo.
 
Good point on the parallax issue HSLD2023, I only have one LPVO that has an adjustment for shooting in close, they are out there but not as common.

Better to get a rimfire scope for sure.
 
Exactly my earlier point - ever 1-inch 'dot coverage' is pretty 'vague' if you're shooting grouse or squirrels -or even rabbits if you dont' want to 'blow 'em up'. IMO a low-cost choice would be to try an amazon 'cheap' LPVO and 'learn' to shoot to compensate for any 'parallax variance' that may exist. It's usually NOT an issue for 'hunting range' shots unless you're 'reaching out' with that Fine Rifle !
 
Buck1950 said:
Exactly my earlier point - ever 1-inch 'dot coverage' is pretty 'vague' if you're shooting grouse or squirrels -or even rabbits if you dont' want to 'blow 'em up'. IMO a low-cost choice would be to try an amazon 'cheap' LPVO and 'learn' to shoot to compensate for any 'parallax variance' that may exist. It's usually NOT an issue for 'hunting range' shots unless you're 'reaching out' with that Fine Rifle !
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I find it's not so much the parallax error but the blurry image that can be an issue, low magnification helps in that regard.
Another factor is the person's eyesight. If I can see it I can hit it with irons or a red dot, as I get older I notice that I can't always see things as well as I did with younger eyes. I'm lucky in that I didn't really notice much change until my late 40's....
 
Can-down said:
I find it's not so much the parallax error but the blurry image that can be an issue, low magnification helps in that regard.
Another factor is the person's eyesight. If I can see it I can hit it with irons or a red dot, as I get older I notice that I can't always see things as well as I did with younger eyes. I'm lucky in that I didn't really notice much change until my late 40's....
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In terms of parallax, I have ran non specific scopes on rimfires and currently have a swaro 3-9x 36 on my Annie 1710 and have the diopter adjusted for a clear image on objects from very close to about 40 yards. Beyond that the image is a bit blurry but when hunting grouse and rabbits I am unlikely to be shooting past that distance. When target shooting out to 100 or beyond I simply adjust the diopter settings and I have a clear image. Seems to work fine.
 
Hunter John said:
In terms of parallax, I have ran non specific scopes on rimfires and currently have a swaro 3-9x 36 on my Annie 1710 and have the diopter adjusted for a clear image on objects from very close to about 40 yards. Beyond that the image is a bit blurry but when hunting grouse and rabbits I am unlikely to be shooting past that distance. When target shooting out to 100 or beyond I simply adjust the diopter settings and I have a clear image. Seems to work fine.
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If that gets the image clarity and reticle where you like it that's great, the diopter won't do much for any parallax image shift but as long as your cheek weld is consistent that's likely not going to cause to much issue at short range.

Sounds like you have good taste in rifles and optics..... :)

Now that LPVO's are up to the 1-10X power range there are a few companies adding parallax adjustment dials..... but it comes at the expense of weight.

I have an older Weaver V3. 1-3X, I don't know what the parallax is set at but it's clear up close at rimfire hunting ranges, probably weighs less then 10 Oz's. and has a simple duplex reticle. Something similar with maybe 1-4 and a reticle with some drop points for .22lr would be pretty sweet but I can't think of anything like that on the market.

Have you shot much with red dot's? Do you have astigmatism?

A modern micro red dot will be about as light weight as you can get and if your vision is good should work well.

I like the idea of the dot size representing the group size or under as it boils down to "put the dot on the spot".... some people prefer a sight picture with a post and square notch and the top of the post below the impact, which works well for target shooting, I've always. prefered bead front sights and setting them so when the bead covers the aimpoint it's on and then it's a matter of holding low or high to compensate for different distances. I treat a red dot the same.
 
Buck1950 said:
Exactly my earlier point - ever 1-inch 'dot coverage' is pretty 'vague' if you're shooting grouse or squirrels -or even rabbits if you dont' want to 'blow 'em up'. IMO a low-cost choice would be to try an amazon 'cheap' LPVO and 'learn' to shoot to compensate for any 'parallax variance' that may exist. It's usually NOT an issue for 'hunting range' shots unless you're 'reaching out' with that Fine Rifle !
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I agree, Parallax shouldn't be much of an issue inside of 50 yards from field positions, but a fine red dot should keep the lead where it's needed if the shooters eyes are up to it.

The UTG Bugbuster comes to mind in the cheap amazon category but their price has gone up and they've changed to a push button illumination model vs the older dial illumination... not sure if they are still good value today.

Edit, did a quick search out of curiosity, and it looks like they make a 3-12 version and Marstar has one in stock for $300.00.
 
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I may be swimming against the current here, but IMHO a quality, accurate .22lr is the kind of gun that I would likely be using on very small targets that require precise shot placement. For that reason, this is the place where I would be using high-quality glass with decent magnification. A gun like the one in your pic deserves some power in a scope and has the accuracy potential to capitalize on that larger, clearer image.

I've got a couple .22's with red dots, mainly because they allow cheap practice with red dots. It's certainly not because a red dot encourages maximum accuracy. :)

Keep in mind also that the optical quality of the image in virtually every red dot is complete garbage when compared to even a low- or mid-range magnified scope. People pay big bucks for scopes that deliver tack-sharp, crystal clear images with perfect colour rendition. But they buy red dots that deliver images that are dim, fuzzy, off-colour and show no detail...but, hey, they're red dots so they must be cool.
 
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Can-down said:
If that gets the image clarity and reticle where you like it that's great, the diopter won't do much for any parallax image shift but as long as your cheek weld is consistent that's likely not going to cause to much issue at short range.

Sounds like you have good taste in rifles and optics..... :)

Now that LPVO's are up to the 1-10X power range there are a few companies adding parallax adjustment dials..... but it comes at the expense of weight.

I have an older Weaver V3. 1-3X, I don't know what the parallax is set at but it's clear up close at rimfire hunting ranges, probably weighs less then 10 Oz's. and has a simple duplex reticle. Something similar with maybe 1-4 and a reticle with some drop points for .22lr would be pretty sweet but I can't think of anything like that on the market.

Have you shot much with red dot's? Do you have astigmatism?

A modern micro red dot will be about as light weight as you can get and if your vision is good should work well.

I like the idea of the dot size representing the group size or under as it boils down to "put the dot on the spot".... some people prefer a sight picture with a post and square notch and the top of the post below the impact, which works well for target shooting, I've always. prefered bead front sights and setting them so when the bead covers the aimpoint it's on and then it's a matter of holding low or high to compensate for different distances. I treat a red dot the same.
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I run the strike fire 2 on the Buckmark and whether red or green dot it’s a bit washed like a blurry star, not horrible but noticeable.
Thinking more that the LPVO may be the way to go.
 

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Hunter John said:
I run the strike fire 2 on the Buckmark and whether red or green dot it’s a bit washed like a blurry star, not horrible but noticeable.
Thinking more that the LPVO may be the way to go.
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Right on, sounds like you also have astigmatism, along with a fair amount of experience with optics ranging from basic red dot's to Swarovski's..... :)

I've noticed that for my astigmatism, some red dots perform better then others, I assume it's different for each of us.
Prism optics are nice but their eye releif is typically short, though that seems to be improving with newer models.

Do you have any reticle preferences? What's the budget?

Do you want this setup to be light weight? I get the feeling you've got options and this does not need to be a "do it all" setup.

If you own any pistols with RMR cutouts, the new Osight XR with a picatinny adapter would be a super light weight red dot for the rifle and also work well on your pistol.
It has a multi dot size reticle (2 or 6 MOA dot)with 32 MOA ring option as well. I have one of their S2 sights which is a bit smaller then the RMR unit and uses the RMSc footprint. The dot looks crisp to my eyes.
 
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Can-down said:
Right on, sounds like you also have astigmatism, along with a fair amount of experience with optics ranging from basic red dot's to Swarovski's..... :)

I've noticed that for my astigmatism, some red dots perform better then others, I assume it's different for each of us.
Prism optics are nice but their eye releif is typically short, though that seems to be improving with newer models.

Do you have any reticle preferences? What's the budget?

Do you want this setup to be light weight? I get the feeling you've got options and this does not need to be a "do it all" setup.
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Doesn’t have to be light weight as those are harder to shoot offhand ( hunting) for reticles I prefer simple and have no use for Christmas tree type setups so simple cross hairs is what I have on all scopes ( all Leupold minus the one swaro) .
Read really good reviews out of Europe regarding the amplus 6, 1-6, ( not as much in NA) that has me intrigued but likely can’t go wrong with the Leupold 1-5 x 20 with the fire dot. Use the dot while hunting and the basic cross hairs for longer range target shooting . Hmmm
 
Hunter John said:
Doesn’t have to be light weight as those are harder to shoot offhand ( hunting) for reticles I prefer simple and have no use for Christmas tree type setups so simple cross hairs is what I have on all scopes ( all Leupold minus the one swaro) .
Read really good reviews out of Europe regarding the amplus 6, 1-6, ( not as much in NA) that has me intrigued but likely can’t go wrong with the Leupold 1-5 x 20 with the fire dot. Use the dot while hunting and the basic cross hairs for longer range target shooting . Hmmm
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The 1-5 fire dot leupold would work well for sure, illumination is a no brainer these days for hunting.
Not familiar with the Leica Amplus but it looks nice as well.
 
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