Don’t overwhelm yourself with the idea of red dot sights in your firearm.
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.
Type of Firearm
One thing’s for sure about the red dot sights; they work best with the ideal firearm in use.
So, be careful when choosing the sight for your rifle or pistols. Remember that red dot sights work well at a certain target distance only.
You’ll see that a red dot scope is suitable for close-range hunting as they are NOT MAGNIFIED. If your target is beyond 100 yards, you’re falling behind the precision shooting.
If you have an AR15, you’ll want the best red dot sights for AR 15 rifles.
Likewise, if you use a shotgun, you’ll want the best optics for that.
Power Source
Without power, your targets are invisible in a red dot sight.
Most red dot sights are battery-powered. So, your only problem is replacing the batteries after some time.
In general, red dot sights have long battery life that could last for years.
However, you better come prepared, ESPECIALLY when hunting in the field. Cold weather conditions could drain your battery power, so it’s best to have backup batteries in hand.
Reticle Sizes
Size MATTERS when it comes to the reticle of your red dot sight. It can affect the performance of a shooter at ANY range.
It can be a bit challenging to work with your reticle. Yet, you can have the PERFECT BALANCE between rapid target acquisition and point of aim with the right reticle shapes and sizes.
You’re better off with a 2-MOA dot for precise aiming.
You’ll find it harder to use larger dots with accuracy. So, it’s up to your preference for reticle size.
As always, you can adjust your reticles to shoot your target at any distance for a proper sight picture.
Co-Witnesses
Sometimes, a red dot sight needs a helping hand to get its job done.
That’s when your iron sights enter the scene!
When placed at the appropriate height, iron sights could work wonders with your red dot. Think of iron sights as secondary sighting systems when there’s an optic failure.
There’s a lower 1/3 co-witness whose front sight is found at the lower part of the optic window.
Accessories and Other Features
Still, there are other things you can look for in a red dot sight.
You’ll find most red dot scopes on the market are built for durability. They are made to be resistant to fog, shock, water, and even electromagnetic pulses (EMP).
Yet, manufacturers keep them user-friendly with quick installation procedures. The best thing is that you can customize your red dot scope to meet your demands.
You can have night vision with compatible red dot scopes. When set on this mode, the dot is TOO FAINT to be seen with a naked eye.
So, all you need to do is to put a night vision monocular behind it. When looking through the monocular, you’ll never worry about the intense light striking your eyes.
Another product you can add is a magnifier to your red dot sight. It is perfect when you’re shooting small targets over large target distances.
A magnifier works well with a reticle that comes with various holds for a drop. Make sure to choose one with a flip-to-side mount so you can turn it on or off with ease.
Price
Worried about the price of red dot sights?
Don’t worry; they are much CHEAPER than other gun accessories.
In fact, we have a list of the top red dots under $100 if you’re interested.
High-quality red dot optics can go a long way as rifle scopes can. That’s why they’re suitable for beginners or shooters with multiple firearms.
MORE EXPENSIVE red dots come with BETTER glass quality and recoil handling, among other features.
Expect additional attachments or mounts to add to the cost as they offer benefits you can’t get with the red dot alone.
Types of Red Dot Sight
One more thing to consider in choosing the right sight for your gun is the type of red dot sight.
The most common red dot optics are:
- Tube/Reflex sight
- Holographic sight
- Prismatic
Tube and Reflex Sight
Let’s start with tube and reflex sights.
In general, tube and reflex sights use reflective glass and LED to work with each other.
With these two items, a reflex sight uses a light projected into the mirrored lens. It then reflects the point of aim over the target image.
Eye relief IS NOT a significant factor in a reflex sight. You can shoot with both eyes open, so you have environmental awareness.
While not magnified, you can improve the visibility of your sight with a lighted reticle. Once zeroed in, your eyes WON’T deal with sight alignment anymore.
With this setup, a reflex sight is easy to use as 1-2-3. Just put the dot on your target and shoot.
Holographic Sights
Holographic sights come with an electronic reticle image sitting between the lens layers. A battery-powered laser diode illuminates this image.
They can also offer unlimited eye relief, so you don’t need to close an eye while shooting. Yet, they tend to be more expensive and have shorter battery lives.
Prismatic Sights
Instead of a lens, this type uses a prism to focus the image. With that, they offer a small magnification range.
They have their reticles etched, so you can still focus on crosshairs once you run out of power. Yet, they have an eye relief factor, so you NEED an eye to focus on your targets.
2. Using Your Red Dot Sight for the First Time
Before anything else, you might want to test your red dots. Turn on your unit and check if it’s working well.
You can adjust the scope brightness setting using the knobs or adjustments according to the apparent light condition when you’re in the field.
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
This step takes some trial and error. Worry no more; we got some tips to get your optics on point.
One guiding principle is to place the red dot sights in a spot that reduces the most line of sight. For 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
You’ll notice that zeroing a red dot is the same as you do with a riflescope. 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 pistol or any other gun. Establish the shooting position that gives you a great field of view for target acquisition.
With both eyes open, look at your target from a line distance. See if the red dot reticle is moving as it aims for your target.
Once the reticle meets your target point, you can now fire without question of accuracy. As you get used to your scope, you’ll notice that engaging your target is QUICK and EASY.
As a bonus, here’s a quick video to show you how to do it:
Conclusion: Clearing Up Loose Ends
If you want to aim and shoot with great speed and precision, a red dot sight is your ever-reliable buddy. It comes with great benefits at a low cost.
Indeed, hitting your targets becomes a piece of cake in a matter of time!
You’ll go a long way when using red dot (or green dot) sights, whether you’re on a hunt or competition. Check out this handy guide to see how red dots compare to scopes!
CHANGELOG: August 24, 2022 - Added 1 new article link August 3, 2022 - Added 1 new article link July 27, 2022 - Added 4 new article links, minor content edits May 25, 2022 - Made minor updates to content and formatting
