The setup where a red dot sight is mounted on a riflescope is very famous among IPSC shooters. In recent years, more and more hunters are beginning to recognize the potential of using this mixture. Why is it so famous?
Benefits of a red dot sights
Red dot sights are a perfect optical device for fast target acquisition at little distances. These compact devices are operating at 1x magnification, making it easy for the user to look through with both eyes open. Because of the 1x magnification and a thin layer of material that keeps the lens in place, the field of view is very wider matched to that of riflescopes.
On a driven hunt, a red dot sight makes it easy for the shooter to observe the movement of more animals. These optical gadgets are largely used during the day, which is why the illumination can be set to brightness compatible with lighting on a hot day. The eye relief is unlimited – the user’s eye does not have to be a specified position to view the dot. Finally, red dot sights are parallax-free, meaning that the aiming point is on target regardless of the shooter eye position.
Benefits of riflescopes
Riflescopes are an indispensible piece of equipment for a right shot. They magnify pictures, either at a variable or fixed power, permitting a thorough check of the target. To utilize an ethical shot, the hunter must determine whether the animal is perfect for harvest or not – at distances far away this is just possible with magnification. Most contemporary riflescope spec variable magnification, meaning that the user can adjust magnification based on the target distance.
Additional, riflescopes, mainly the ones with big objective lenses, provide great low-light performance. If animal is, let’s say, 150 m away, looking at it via a red dot sight will not bear fruit. Riflescopes with an illuminated reticle generally provide a wider illumination level span matched to that of red dot sights, permitting the shooters to perfectly tune the red dot based on the ambient lighting.
With riflescopes that provide high magnification, the user can adjust the parallax so that the picture is in focus at a specific distance. This way, remarkable accuracy is achieved, mainly at distances of more than 200m.
Benefits of the combined use for hunters
Now that we have pointed out the benefits of both optical devices, we can view the advantages of having a red dot sight mounted on a riflescope. If the target is within the distance of fifty meters, make use of the red dot sight, if the target is farther away, use the riflescope. A red dot sight is mainly helpful when target is up to 20m away – in such conditions, it is hard to aim at the target with a riflescope. Using this setup, you advantage from the benefits of both optical devices, meaning that you are prepared for every possible hunting condition.
Having a red dot sight mounted on a riflescope is more cost-friendly solution than buying 2 separate, 100 percent repeatable mounting solution. Many shooters question the hundred percent repeatedly that mount producers grant with some mounts. Some people favor fixed mounting solutions – with this setups, both the rings and the red dot mount on the ring are of the fixed type.
Disadvantages of the combined use
There are some cons to such a setup:
- Some might complain over the bulkiness and argue that the mixture is not attractive to the eye. By mounting a red dot sight on a riflescope, you include some weight – for some people having a riflescope on a rifle is already bulky enough.
- It might be more relax to use the red dot separately, but if you counter a scenario where magnification is required, swapping between a red dot sight and a riflescope takes away high time, even if the mounts you are using are one of the detachable type.
Successful example
The mixture of a red dot sight and riflescope excels in hunting conditions, where there is dense vegetation in single side and sparse variation on the other. During a driven hunt, each hunter is assigned a specific spot, generally in a forest – forests are best example where one encounters such a scenarios. In areas, where trees are sparse, hunters can utilize a riflescope to do a shot at a distance around 100 – 150m. In such cases, magnification is required to check the game before taking the shot.
Additional, when a hunter views an animal at such distance, there is extra time to plan on which animal is the most perfect for harvest. If animals come from the decision where the vegetation is lush, the branches and bushes will conceal the animal until it gets close by. In such scenarios, where you cannot clearly view an animal until it is 10-20 meters away, a red dot sight comes into action. 1x magnification permits you to look through with both eyes, and unlimited eye relief of the red dot sight gathered with an illuminated dot permits you to take the shot in a matter of seconds.
FAQs
What is considered “good battery life for red dots?
The unwritten industry standard for what constitutes a best red dot battery life is approximately 50,000 hours of battery life. Anyway, with improvements to the technology, there are now pistol-mounted red dots out there that are getting even more battery life than that of regular use like Olight Osight. Olight Osight provides 70000+ runtime on the lowest mode and 17+ days on the brightest setting.
Should I have a co-witness for my red dot?
The little answer is yes. Anyway, it is not strictly necessary if you cannot afford or manage it. Anyway, as latest as red dot optics and as durable as many of them are, there is forever a chance that they could become destroyed or be rendered inoperable by strange circumstances. In case that happens, you will be glad that you have backup iron sights that co-witness with your red dot.
Some red dots that generally change your rear iron sights incorporate their own set of rear irons so that you don’t have to have both on your gun or pistol. If your pistol has a red dot cut on it that does not get rid of your rear irons, then there are now dedicated co-witness sights out on the market at many heights depending on how high you want your co-witness to be.