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EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? #203133 11/04/2019 1:00 PM
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45MAN Offline OP
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I AM JUST GETTING INTO RED DOTS. I HAVE A BURRIS FFIII ON A 7 1/2 INCH RUGER SINGLE 7 327 AND AN ULTRADOT GEN 2 2 MOA ON A 7 1/2 INCH BFR BISLEY IN 500 JRH. THE 327 IS SIGHTED IN @ 65 YARDS AND THE BFR @ 50 YARDS. A LOT OF RED DOTS ARE 4 MOA AND COVER UP A LOT OF ANIMAL AT LONGER DISTANCES. SO I AM WONDERING WHAT RED DOT SIGHTS, WITH WHAT MOA SIZES, WORK ON WHAT SIZED TARGETS UP TO WHAT RANGES? FOR NOW I AM KEEPING SCOPES ON MY PRIMARY DEER HUNTING HANDGUNS.

Last edited by 45MAN; 11/04/2019 1:01 PM.

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Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: 45MAN] #203136 11/04/2019 2:03 PM
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karl Offline
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I typically use scopes on most everyting, but started playing with red dots recently. I gravitate to the 2moa models with 10+ intensity level adjustments to help limit dot size and bloom to increase precision.

In a high contrast target setting I was quite comfortable out to 100 yards (depending on the rest) and in the right situation could see shooting much farther. The problem I had was in dimly lit situations where I couldn't clearly differentiate the animal from the background. This included, dawn and dusk shooting, animals in shade, woods hunting... I find myself moving back to scopes.

Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: karl] #203137 11/04/2019 2:14 PM
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Whitworth Offline
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The farthest shots I've taken on an animal with a 4 moa Ultradot 30 was 125 yards, but it was a big animal (moose). I think 100 yards is very doable with a 4 moa dot. Just takes some getting used to.


Max Prasac

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Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Whitworth] #203140 11/04/2019 3:00 PM
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Randy M Offline
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Rey, I absolutely love my Trijicon RMR Type 2 1MOA. That's right, it's a 1 MOA. Surgical pinpoint accuracy as far out as you want to shoot.


The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Randy M] #203142 11/04/2019 3:13 PM
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Whitworth Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Randy M
Rey, I absolutely love my Trijicon RMR Type 2 1MOA. That's right, it's a 1 MOA. Surgical pinpoint accuracy as far out as you want to shoot.


RMRs are really nice sights. I have one - somewhere...I need to dig it up.


Max Prasac

Semper Fidelis

BIG IRON: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6aXjMH5C30

Gun Digest TV's Modern Shooter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGo-KMpXPpA&t=7s

Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Whitworth] #203143 11/04/2019 3:39 PM
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98Redline Offline
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My personal limit with a red dot would be 100 yards. That has less to do with the dot size and more to do with the lack of magnification.

I have recently been playing with the MRDS type reflex dots like the Leupold Delta Point and RMR. My initial thought was that they were not quite as good as the tube type sights, however the more time I get with them the more I think they are pretty evenly matched with the tube style.

Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: 98Redline] #203144 11/04/2019 4:35 PM
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Russell Offline
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I got into the 'red dot' sight in the early '90's (92?)with a Tasco ProPoint II Spd Dot (12 MOA) mounted on a Sweede carbine. I considered it 'good' to a 100yds. I now run mostly Ultra Dots, 2, or 3 MOA depending on the model or Burris FFIII's, 3 MOA and consider them 'good' to 125yds, depending on the size of the critter being hunted. My LR handguns get scoped.


It's not the gun, but the man behind it.

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USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Russell] #203254 11/06/2019 1:19 PM
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jcp161 Offline
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I have a FF III on my Glock 10 mm and have used other dots on my revolvers for deer and squirrel. 50 to 75 yards would be my personal limit for deer and probably closer to 50. Anything further than that and I would want a scope. I don't use a dot for squirrel anymore and prefer to use a scoped pistol.

Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: jcp161] #203261 11/06/2019 2:47 PM
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Memtb460 Offline
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I went with the 2 moa, as to ?not? cover too much target at extended ranges. While not there yet, my goal is to proficient enough for deer/antelope sized game out to 150 yards! memtb


You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

~Molɔ̀ːn Lab? Sk?la~
Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Memtb460] #203263 11/06/2019 3:00 PM
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Willicd76 Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Memtb460
I went with the 2 moa, as to ?not? cover too much target at extended ranges. While not there yet, my goal is to proficient enough for deer/antelope sized game out to 150 yards! memtb


I think that's very doable. I feel comfortable at 200yds with a 4moa dot when lighting is good.

Re: EFFECTIVE HUNTING RANGE OF RED DOT SIGHTS? [Re: Willicd76] #203280 11/07/2019 1:09 AM
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sw282 Offline
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l use red dots about 90% 0f the time in IHMSA in Field Pistol out

to 100yds and @ 200meters in Big Bore. l have a FF3 on one revolver..

Another has a variable size Match Dot Ultra Dot. The one l use MOST

is a Leapers UTG 8moa on a 629 Magnum Hunter. With the FF3 and

Match Dot l can precise at a specific spot on the steel ''animal''.

With the 8moa Leapers l simply cover the target at the longer

ranges past 150meters... lnside 100 yds/meters l can choose my

shot with any of the three sights... 0n a shoulder weapon the Military

has pretty good success to 400meters


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