Tip 1: One Term, Many Models.
The term “red dot sight” is a general category of sighting devices. In general, a red dot sight does not magnify, but superimposes a glowing spot or reticle on the point of impact. They are surprisingly small, and are just as durable, waterproof, and easy to use and zero as a conventional scope.

Tip 2: Two Types.
The two major types of red dots are reflex and holographic. Reflex sights project an LED onto the optics, and the dot floats over the sight picture. Holographic sights use a laser to project a holographic image on the sight picture, and can typically produce more complex reticles. The laser does not project a beam onto the target – the glowing dot exists only inside the housing of the sight.

Tip 3: Everything Old is New Again.
The first patent for a ‘red dot sight’ was issued in 1900 to an Irish optical designer. By 1930 the Germans had installed them in fighter planes, and many military weapons systems used reflex sights in WWII. Wide use by the U.S. military in the Middle East has expanded the popularity of red dot sights.

Tip 4: The Advantages.
Some states do not permit scopes that magnify when hunting with muzzleloaders. For me, red dot sights provide better performance and a longer effective range than iron sights. With iron sights on my T/C Impact .50-caliber muzzleloader, I’m comfortable out to about 90 yards. With the Eotech sight, I produced very consistent 3-inch groups out to 170 yards.

Tip 5: The Downside.
These are electronic devices, and as such need batteries. The Eotech model I used ran on two AA batteries, making it a little heavier than units that run on button batteries, but AA batteries are cheap and easy to find. Battery life ranges from hundreds to thousands of hours, depending on usage, temperature, and device. Put a new set in at the beginning of the season and you’ll be fine, but pack spares to avoid disaster. Never go into the field without a backup set of batteries! (This goes for any electronic devices you take afield.)

Tip 6: Trick Your Eyes.
The thing I found difficult to do with a red dot sight is to keep both eyes open. This is not critical in a plinking or hunting situation, but after working on it, my shooting was better when using both eyes. One way to get used to keeping both eyes open is to cover the front of the sight and then aim at the target. With both eyes open, the eye on the glowing dot will superimpose the dot on the view of the other eye, and you can then align on the target. It feels a little strange at first, but it won’t take much time to get used to it.

Tip 7: Fast and Fun.
Red dot sights are very easy to use, and make target acquisition very fast. With a scope or iron sights, the shooter’s eye must leave the target and focus on the sight or reticle. With a red dot sight, the shooter keeps the focus of the eye on the target and can align the red dot on top of the target very quickly. Unlike a scope, red dot sights have a large area for eye relief and alignment. You can hold the dot on the target and move your head up, down, right, left, forward, and back, and the dot stays easily in view and aligned on the target.

« Top »