If you’re a beginner and practicing your short-range shooting, look no further than a red dot as your companion.
I learned how to shoot with a red dot when I was first starting, and everything I learned back then is still applied now.
Gone are the days where you have to rely on outdated iron sights!
You might struggle using a red dot sight at first. But, you’ll see the benefits of using it for improving speed and target acquisition over time.
Here are the steps in using red dot sights for accurate shooting.
Contents
A Shooter’s Guide on How to Use a Red Dot Sight
1. Choosing the Best Red Dot Sights
Before anything else, you should choose the PERFECT SIGHT for your gun. Among several types of sight available, there must be one that suits your needs and style.
In choosing the right sight for your firearms, here are some things you need to consider as a shooter.
I will delve much deeper into this topic, but some things to consider are the following:
- Type of firearm
- Power source
- Reticle sizes
- Co-witnesses
- Accessories
- Pricing
- Type of red dot
2. Using Your Red Dot Sight for the First Time
After you’ve found your red dot of choice, you might want to test your red dots. Turn on your unit and check if it’s working well.
I always start off by adjusting the brightness setting using the knobs or adjustments according to the light condition.
You can configure it upon arrival, but make sure to get the ideal red dot sights for your needs.
When shooting under low-light conditions, you’ll notice a fuzzy or halo effect on your red dot reticle if it’s TOO BRIGHT.
Otherwise, the reticle disappears when your brightness settings are too low under bright light conditions.
3. Mounting Your Red Dot Sights at the Right Place
It took me a bit of trial and error to nail this step, but I got some tips to get your optics on point.
My guiding principle is to place the red dot sights in a spot that reduces the most line of sight.
For me personally and most shooters, the most comfortable spot for the optic is over the ejection port.
Yet, the ideal place for the optic varies among gun types. In rifles, the BEST SPOT is on top of the receiver for stability and balance.
For handgun shooters, you NEED an appropriate mounting plate to replace the iron sights.
Whether you’re using shotguns, pistols, or rifles, you need to tighten your unit with some attachments.
You might also want to consider other things when mounting, such as space and weight issues.
Also, keep in mind that a closer dot will give you a wider field of view.
Most red dots come with a rail attachment already and other necessary tools.
If not, you can use common tools like Allan wrenches and hex keys to mount your red dot in place.
4. Zeroing In Your Red Dot Sight
Zeroing a red dot is the same as you do with a rifle scope!
If you have iron sights as a co-witness, you’ll need to do extra steps to enjoy its advantages.
To zero in your dot with accuracy, you need to set your target at a close target range.
When you line up both your iron sights and red dot, ensure that the dot is ALIGNED with both the rear sight post and front sight post.
Once the dot is on point, you can take test shots until the dot reaches the impact zone.
To check this, see if the recoil is zero when aiming to avoid accuracy problems.
Take MORE SHOTS to see where your bullet lands relative to your target at a given target distance.
Once the bullet hits the point where the dot is located, you can tell you have already zeroed in your scope.
What Happens When You Zero in Your Scope?
You can now shoot ACCURATELY within close target ranges.
If you want to use a red dot scope for long-range hunting, you must buy attachments to magnify your sight picture.
A red dot scope with a target range NOT HIGHER than 100 to 200 yards provides TOP-TIER red dot sight accuracy!
For convenience, you can get a hybrid scope that lets you switch from close-range to long-range shooting.
5. Shooting with Red Dot Sights
Now, you’re ready to shoot with your red dot pistol or any other gun! Establish the shooting position that gives you a