A red dot sight is a non-magnified, lighted sight that can be fitted on a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. The reticle of a red dot sight is made up of reflected or projected LED or laser diode light into the field of view.
For hunters and shooters, red dot sights are quite useful. They promise to improve your rifle’s accuracy and quickness. This implies that you will be able to obtain your goal without difficulty.
Purchasing a red dot sight is a significant investment but choosing the best red dot for hunting is easier said than done. In a market flooded with numerous red dot sights, you may find yourself unhinged on what to pick for your hunting rifle.
As a result, you must be cautious when selecting a unit to ensure that you get the right model. Today’s posts shed light on red dot sights for hunting arming you with all the necessary information to find the best red dot sight for your hunting rifle.
We will start by looking at the pros of using a red dot on your hunting rifle, shall we?
Advantages of a Red Dot Sight
- Capabilities for Faster Targeting
It’s simple to swiftly focus the reticle once you’ve acquired the target, focus the reticle on it and fire the gun. It is no longer essential to align the sights and aim for a long time.
A red dot sight provides a higher level of precision while shooting at a moving target. This comes in handy in close-range situations where time is of the essence.
- Unrestricted Eye Relief
For most sights, the distance between the shooter’s eye and the sight is important. With a red dot sight, however, there is no limit to how much eye relief you can get.
This allows for speedier targeting by removing some of the restraints that come with using another type of sight.
- Great for Low Light
In dismal light situations, red dot sights are simple to aim. In low light, most sights’ crosshairs become invisible, but a red dot is naturally visible.
- Versatile
Red dot sights are incredibly versatile optics. They can be used on virtually any platform, whether a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. They are also compatible with hunting tools, competition guns, and tactical weapons.
Limitations of a Red Dot Sight
- A red dot sight is primarily made for close-range shooting scenarios which makes it unsuitable for long-range shooting.
- Red dot sights require batteries unlike other optics such as rifle scopes which sight without the need for a battery
- Come with a single power and lack advanced reticles. This means the shooter makes a lot of guesswork when firing. To make the most out of the reticle you need to practice.
Factors to Consider when Selecting a Red Dot Sight
Red dot sights have over the years gained popularity. Shooters and hunters use them on various firearms. Because of that, manufacturers have flooded the market with so many models.
Choosing a red sot sight is thus pretty challenging. We have put together the following key factors to make it easier for you to settle for a model.
Projection Type
Both holographic and reflex sights are red dot sights. The sight is lighted from the front of the lens for holographic projection.
To aid in aiming at a target, a holographic red dot sight is made by projecting a laser diode light onto the viewing window.
In recreational red dot sights, reflex sight projections are popular. A reflex sight is a gadget that projects an LED light into your field of vision from behind the lens.
Reticle Style
Because it aligns the weapon with the target, the reticle is effective. All reticles have an illuminated design to make shooting in low-light situations easier, but they don’t have to be red or just a dot.
Because they all differ, it’s best to pick a hue and pattern of red dot sights that ensures comfortable shooting. There are a variety of styles available, including a single dot, crosshairs, and bullseye patterns in red or green.
A decent sight should be able to change to the preferred color and use a variety of patterns. The reticle’s size is frequently changed as well. Targeting is usually faster with a larger dot. Because you need to naturally orient your attention to the center of the reticle to find the target quickly, fancy styles should be avoided.
Housing Configuration
A red dot sight can be made in either a tube or an open shape. The tubular design resembles a classic sight.
The shooter can use this sort of housing to attach filters and protective covers to the lens. In bright sunlight, this makes the red dot sight easier to see.
On the other hand, open sights lack the classic tube style. They consist of only the simple basics, a source of illumination and an objective window to see through.
Because an open housing configuration has minimal space for flair, it is impossible to use filters to improve the viewing experience.
Battery Life
Another important consideration when choosing a red dot sight is its battery life. Knowing that the battery will be there when needed gives you peace of mind. When using a red dot sight with short battery life, the light may fade out just as you’re about to aim at a target.
Targeting becomes more difficult without the reticle, and accuracy is adversely affected as a result. LED-based reflex sights consume significantly more energy than their holographic counterparts.
Before the battery life on a decent sight runs out, it needs to be used for about a thousand hours. In addition, turning the sight off when not in use will go a long way in preserving battery life.
The battery life can also be affected by the weather condition you shoot in. So, it would help if you always carry a backup, especially in cold weather.
Controls
When choosing a red dot sight, how you zero the optic and modify brightness settings are pertinent to have in mind.
Buttons are far better than wheels, and lower turrets offer an easier way to get you on target and stay there. Besides, they facilitate seamless and fast modifications, and recessed turrets are slip-free and won’t lose zero if they get bumped or dumped.
Glass Quality
Glass quality is essential in any optics. For a red dot, go for a model with extra-low dispersion glass.
High-end red dots also have glass coatings that help in glare reduction and deliver clear, crisp, and bright target images. It would be best to have fully multi-coated glass for the best results.
Tips for Selecting a Red Dot Sight
- Compatibility with Rifle
Not all sights can be mounted on any rifle. They’re made specifically for certain guns and will only fit flawlessly on certain models. The sight you want to buy should be compatible with your firearm.
- Weight and Size
Check that the sight is the proper size for your gun and storage space. The weight of the red dot sight has a significant impact on the overall weight of the rifle. To ensure that the precision of your aim is not affected, the rifle should still be handled proficiently with the sight.
- Mounting the Sight
It’s critical to attach the sight to the hunting rifle. If the slight is off to some degree, it will impact your aim. Make sure the sight is straight by mounting and adjusting it slowly. When you want to aim at a target precisely, you’ll need to mount the sight correctly.
Conclusion
Adding a red dot sight to your hunting rifle will dramatically improve your shooting speed and precision. It is worth noting that even with a red dot, skillful shooting requires practice. Many features should be considered before making a purchase decision. Having a red dot sight with the appropriate attributes will transform your hunting.