Vortex Razor Red Dot Sight (3 moa vs 6 moa?)

[MetalMike]

Hey all, I was hoping to get some advice regarding red dot sights.

I think I am going to purchase a Vortex Razor RDS, and it comes in either a 3 moa dot or a 6 moa dot. I am now wondering which one to get. It's purpose is going to be most likely for going on a combat shotgun for close-in/competition type shooting, but also might go on a semi-auto rifle for out to 100, maybe 200 yard shooting. I am not the most experienced guy when it comes to the situational application of red dots, so I am hoping y'all can school me.

Should I go with the bigger or smaller dot? What are the advantages of each?

Thanks!
MetalMike

 

[na1lb0hm]

well at 200 yards your 6 moa dot is going to be covering 12" at target.

looking between a 2 moa and 4 moa dot on my aimpoints, there isn't much difference in terms of "finding" the dot in close quarters. i suspect it will be very similar with a 3 and 6.

if you're planning semi auto out to 200, go with 3 moa.

 

[Yycadm]

agree. I've had the 6 MOA in past, have a 2 now. Less target obscured, still very easy to pick up on.

 

[supernova]

3 moa is still a little coarse at 100. 6 moa is for pistols. Aiming a rifle with a 6 moa dot would be like using a golf ball for a front sight. Well not quite but you get the idea. Also, the 3 moa isn't quite cut and dry linear. Brightness, glass quality, contrast etc can all affect just how large the dot appears in relation to the target. This is why red dots often seem like the dot gets bigger as brightness is turned up. Case in point I was using my 3 moa Razor at 100 yds yesterday with 100 yd smallbore targets (8" bull) and because it was so sunny out I was using max brightness which made the dot appear more like 6 or 7" in relation to the target. At shorter distances when image quality is better, the dot appears more like its stated size. Turning the brightness down helps quite a bit too. Just remember to use appropriate sized targets so you don't get bummed when the dot covers the entire target I'm really liking the sight so far. It is definitely a high end optic.

 

[MetalMike]

Thanks for the advice guys. So is there any advantage at all going with the 6 moa dot, say, if this was strictly for shotgun?

 

[Hrcboy]

In life large is usually better. But with red dot the opposite is true. No brainer go with 3moa.