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Can anyone recommend a decent red dot (or reflex) sight?
I can't afford an Aimpoint so is there anything cheaper that is worthwhile...it has to be able to handle the recoil of .30/06 level cartridges but otherwise I am easy...
Are the Konus or Holosun things worth bothering with?
I don't know what modern ones are like, but, about four years ago I bought a, Vortex I think, it had a lifetime warranty etc etc. It was actually a really good dot. Problem was it did not shut off automatically and so I always found the batteries were flat when I really needed them not to be. So long story short, all I can add is that whichever one you go for be sure to look for an auto off feature in it :)
Thanks, I was just looking at a Vortex Crossfire...
The good old Bushnell TRS-25 is a very good option. It is a 3 MOA dot though. Not sure if that is within your specs... bit it is only $350 new and as far as I know, airgun suitable.
3 MOA is OK - does the TRS-25 have an auto shut off?
I have a trs-25 on my 44mag, great wee scope but it’s getting a bit old now so about to get replaced.
Looking at a Holosun 403, they get good reviews and only $400 - worth considering that as an option
Cheers
Had a vortex , Shit dot, turned into a clover on the brighter settings
Holosun or Sig sauer, depending on the model, some as low as $400ish. I had a Sig sauer romeo 4 and Holosun 403 mounted on a 45-70 and 44mag. Hundreds of rounds fired, zero issues both had crisp 2moa dots.
I've had a Holosun HS503GU since '16. Been mounted on AR15 and most recently on a Bergara BA13 .308. Great little sight, haven't had a problem with it and it has auto shut-off. I have mild astigmatism of eye so dot can go a bit starry on brightest settings, but that's a vision problem to be aware of, not a RDS problem
I've got a vortex spitfire gen 2 prism with 3X mag on my .223, it has both illuminated and etched reticle so operates as a red dot and a mini scope even if the battery goes flat. And it is only slightly larger than the bushnell trs-25 on my 10/22. I find the 3X prism perfect for .223, can use both eyes open like a red dot in close range bush shooting but stil enough magnification for shots out to 300m if needed. Same would apply to any calibre used at less than long range.
I have a Sig Romeo 5 as my jack of all trades red dot . the one that i just mount on anything , as long as it has pic rail from pistols to 308 it does everything well . good battery life durable with easy to change mounts , and it was cheap.For my
permanent mounts i use holosun's
Centre fire rifle or shotgun I would go with Holosun. 65 MOA Circle dot versions are really good for shotgun.
Dot is very well formed and crisp which is what you want for longer range shooting, I use mine out too 200m on 6-8" plates with a 7.62x39.
Vortex Razor or Venom are also good. I run a venom slide ride on one of my center fire pistols, a Razor on one of my 10/22.
"The Gun Shed" sells Nutrek red dots which so far appear to hold up well on centrefire and 0.22 pistols but the dots are slightly fuzzy so ok for close range stuff.
Plenty of options around, best to look through some / try some before buying if possible.
Depends on what it's used for but below are my experiences.
Minox RD1 - compact and seems to last forever on a battery but does not auto shut off. I ran it for about 2 years and often forgot to turn the dot off between sessions and I never replaced the battery. Crisp 2moa dot and clear optics, I had it on a Tippmann and often found myself shooting rabbits and pooks out to 150m quite happily. Still have it and will use it again.
Aimpoint PRO - a little bit bigger and longer battery life but similar experience to above, I still have it and will use it again but didn't put a lot of time behind it. Nice a clear with a crisp dot.
Burris AR332 - a little bit bigger again but is a fixed 3x zoom and has a reticle you can use without needing to turn it on, great if you forgot to turn it off last time and have no battery life left. This has a big doughnut reticle with a centre dot and then 3 or 4 "mildots" between the centre dot and the doughnut edge, I find this fantastic for knowing bullet drop and use it daily out to longer ranges quite happily. Quite a fan of this scope.