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As a seasoned hunter and self-defense advocate, I’ve always been fascinated by the precision and convenience that red dot sights offer.
Over the years, I’ve gathered extensive experience and insights into using these modern marvels effectively.
I compiled a list of the 15 tips for using red dot sights that I wish I had known when I bought my first red dot sight. Those 15 tips include:
Select Appropriate Sight: Match the sight to your shooting needs.
Proper Mounting: Securely attach and align the sight.
Understand Sight Parallax: Learn about parallax and its effects.
Accurate Zeroing: Align sight with your firearm’s point of impact.
Both-Eye Open Shooting: Practice shooting with both eyes open.
Adjust Brightness: Set dot brightness to suit lighting conditions.
Regular Maintenance: Clean and maintain the sight routinely.
Familiarize Sight Picture: Get comfortable with the red dot view.
Practice Various Distances: Train at different shooting ranges.
Manage Battery Life: Turn off when not in use and carry spares.
Backup Iron Sight: Have a backup sight for emergencies.
Experiment with Dot Colors: Try different dot colors for visibility.
Windage and Elevation Adjustments: Learn to adjust for accuracy.
Shoot from Different Positions: Practice various shooting stances.
Mental Preparation and Practice: Stay focused and train regularly.
What is a Red Dot Sight?
A red dot sight is a type of non-magnifying reflex sight. It provides you with a point of aim in the form of an illuminated red or green dot.
Unlike traditional iron sights, red dot sights promote quicker target acquisition and improved accuracy, making them ideal for close-range hunting and self-defense.
1. Choose the Right Sight for Your Needs
The first time I dipped my toe into the sea of red dot optics was a journey of trial and error – first, I got the wrong MOA size, then the red dot optic didn’t match my pistol’s optic slide.
I quickly learned that not all sights are created equal. It’s essential to choose a sight that fits your specific shooting needs.
For close-range shooting and fast-moving targets, a sight with a larger dot (around 4 to 6 MOA) is preferable. For longer-range precision, a smaller dot (1-2 MOA) is more suitable.
My personal favorite is the 3 MOA dot – it’s versatile enough to promote precision and quick target shooting.
2. Proper Mounting is Key
Red dots must be properly mounted to ensure accuracy.
Ensure the sight is securely attached to your firearm and properly aligned. I remember the frustration of missing shots due to a loosely mounted sight – a mistake I never repeated.
3. Understand Sight Parallax
While red dot sights are generally parallax-free at certain distances, understanding the concept of parallax is crucial.
This means that the point of impact can shift if your eye is not centered with the sight.
Practice keeping your head still and eye aligned with the sight for consistent accuracy. This will also rub off on your other optics, such as your LPVOs and rifle scopes.
4. Zeroing Your Sight
Zeroing, or aligning your sight with your firearm’s point of impact, is critical.
I recommend you zero your red dot sight at a standard distance, like 25 yards, and periodically check and adjust it, especially after rough handling.
Pro Tip: You can use a laser bore sight to speed up the zeroing process – it will save you a lot of time and ammo.
5. Practice Both-Eye Open Shooting
One of the biggest advantages of red dot sights is the ability to shoot with both eyes open, enhancing situational awareness.
As a country boy who only shot with magnified rifle optics, it took me some practice, but shooting with both eyes open greatly improved my target acquisition speed.
6. Balancing Brightness Settings
One of the main advantages of using a quality red dot sight is the brightness settings, allowing proper vision in various lighting conditions.
Adjust the brightness of the dot according to ambient light conditions. Too bright can cause a starburst effect, and too dim can be hard to see.
I’ve found that the optimal setting is just bright enough to see the dot clearly without overwhelming your sight picture.
Oh, and remember, the brighter your dot, the faster your battery life runs out.
7. Regular Maintenance
I get it; red dot sights are durable; they’ll look after themselves.
Trust me when I say this: most red dot sights require regular cleaning and maintenance of your red dot sight, or else you can kiss that longevity promise out the window.
Keep the lens clean and check the batteries regularly. I once had my sight fail during a hunt due to dead batteries – I still label that hunt as the trophy elk that got away.
8. Familiarize Yourself with the Sight Picture
Getting used to the sight picture of a red dot sight can take time, especially if you’re transitioning from iron sight shooting.
Spend time practicing and getting comfortable with the new sight picture for better performance.
Also, not all red dot sights are the same; you get reflex sights, holographic sights, etc., and each takes some time to get used to.
So, practice aiming with your red dot, whether it is a Vortex reflex sight or EOTech holographic sight until you achieve a quick and proper sight picture.
9. Train for Various Distances
Practice shooting at different distances to understand how your red dot sight behaves, regardless if it’s for your red dot equipped pistol or your AR15 red dot.
This will help you gauge bullet drop and holdover at longer ranges.
10. Battery Life Management
Most modern red dot sights, like Holosun’s red dots, have extended battery life, but managing them effectively is still important.
Turn off the sight if it doesn’t have the stay awake feature, and always carry spare batteries.
11. Use a Compatible Backup Sight
Incorporating a backup iron sight can be a lifesaver in case your red dot fails.
I’ve found this especially useful in rugged outdoor conditions where electronic devices are more prone to failure. For this, you’ll either need a co-witness setup or an offset iron sight.
12. Experiment with Dot Colors
Some red dot sights offer different dot colors like red or green.
Experiment with different colors to see which works best for you in various lighting conditions. I’ve personally found green to be the best for me because of my vision problem.
But red is always a safe option, otherwise it wouldn’t be so popular.
13. Adjust for Windage and Elevation
Understanding how to adjust your sight for windage (left-right) and elevation (up-down) is crucial.
Spend time at the range adjusting these settings to see how they affect your point of impact.
14. Practice Shooting from Different Positions
Shooting with a red dot sight from various positions – standing, kneeling, prone – can feel different. Practice these to become a versatile shooter.
15. Mental Preparation and Practice
Lastly, no amount of technology can replace mental preparation and practice.
Just as you would train to anticipate the recoil on a .308, so too should you train to have a calm, focused mindset when shooting with a red dot sight.
Conclusion
Since Aimpoint released that first red dot sight back in the 1970s, we’ve seen how red dot sights have changed the shooting world, offering speed, accuracy, and ease of use.
By following these 15 tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of shooting with a red dot sight.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you familiarize yourself with your equipment, the better shooter you will become. Happy shooting!
