scope vs red dot

A low magnification variable scope, such as 1-4x, 1.5-6x, etc. would allow you to fill both niches with one optic. You don't need huge magnification for that sort of maximum range.
 
You would likely find a scope to be much better for accuracy once its zeroed because the cross hairs are fixed in place unlike a lot of the red dots that depend on the shooter to keep them centred before they are close to accurate. 3-9x magnification should be sufficient at the distance you mentioned. You don't necessarily have to spend hundreds on a decent one either, the bushnell trophy xlt, nikon prostaff, etc start around $180 depending on your budget.
 
You only have to pre aligned your red dot on your bases and after you are sure it is perfectly zero you can take it of and do the same thing with your scope, its a matter of one minute to interchange, every rifle i use for hunting have a pre-zero back up sight... JP.
 
might look into the interchangable idea saves me buying another rifle ive looked through scopes in stores and i find with both eyes open with magnification on 4 or higher it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust will it get better the more i use the scope ??? i dont run into this problem with the red dot because there is no magnification
 
nympher said:
You would likely find a scope to be much better for accuracy once its zeroed because the cross hairs are fixed in place unlike a lot of the red dots that depend on the shooter to keep them centred before they are close to accurate. 3-9x magnification should be sufficient at the distance you mentioned. You don't necessarily have to spend hundreds on a decent one either, the bushnell trophy xlt, nikon prostaff, etc start around $180 depending on your budget.
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That's not how a red dot works. Red dot sights are intended to be parallax free for all practical purposes. The dot may appear to float around within the sight, but point of impact should be the same relative to the dot, regardless of where it appears to the shooter. A conventional magnified scope is adjusted to have zero parallax at a set distance and are thus more sensitive to correct placement of the eye relative to the sight.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about shooting with both eyes open at higher magnifications if you find it uncomfortable. This is something that works better at around 1-2x magnification.
 
I am not a fan of red dot sights, but acknowledge that lots of folks like them for ease of use and fast target acquisition.

A red dot sight gives you neither magnification nor light amplification - indeed, I find that in lower light conditions that the dot decreases my ability to see the target. (But I am getting older and my eyes ain't what they used to be!)

I first went to scopes on hunting rifles because of their light-gathering characteristics, and this is still highly important to me in those valuable few minutes of (LEGAL) dawn and dusk when critters tend to be moving.

I agree with the suggestion of a lower power variable, with a minimum objective lens diameter of about 32 mm.

Doug
 
Hi. Lose the red dot. Red dots, um, dots, tend to be too big for accurate long range shooting. A 4 MOA dot, for example, will cover the whole black on a target at 100. More will be covered at longer distances.
The kill zone on a moose or deer is only about 9". Hard to accurately place the shot with a red dot sight.
"...red dot sight gives you neither magnification..." Some of 'em do, but you still have a large part of the target being covered.
 
Doug said:
I am not a fan of red dot sights, but acknowledge that lots of folks like them for ease of use and fast target acquisition.

A red dot sight gives you neither magnification nor light amplification - indeed, I find that in lower light conditions that the dot decreases my ability to see the target. (But I am getting older and my eyes ain't what they used to be!)

I first went to scopes on hunting rifles because of their light-gathering characteristics, and this is still highly important to me in those valuable few minutes of (LEGAL) dawn and dusk when critters tend to be moving.

I agree with the suggestion of a lower power variable, with a minimum objective lens diameter of about 32 mm.

Doug
Click to expand...

:agree:

Red Dots are terrible in 1st & last light situations & the proper low power scope has much more field of view.

Plus I HATE things with batterys, they're always dead at the wrong time!!
 
I had a red dot on my SKS and dumped it pronto, and that was on a "fun gun"

For hunting, honestly, I'd say they are the worst option, worse than cheap open sights.

Get yourself a basic 3-9x40mm scope in whatever your budget range is and you'll be experencing your rifle in a whole new way.
 
i have the red dot on my brush gun and i love it for moving targets . i havent missed with it yet!! But im getting into more sit hunting and ill agree it doesnt suit that style of hunting thats why im looking at scopes
 
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