You’ll probably agree that red dots are crucial to use, but getting them sighted can be difficult and sometimes frustrating. Beginner shooters can have challenges with how to sight in a red dot, and some experts face the same problems.
Is there a solution?
Fortunately, there are practical and easy ways to sight in a red dot with little to no intense calculations, even as a beginner. With the understanding of a few fundamental facts, you’ll find it easy to sight in a red dot.
In this article, you’ll learn about sighting in a red dot with and without shooting. Let’s get right into it.
How to Sight in a Red Dot
When sighting in a red dot, it’s important to consider moving the point of impact. You’ll observe a direction marked on the scope turret, especially on a rifle optic.
Conventionally, these directions appear as little arrows placed next to an R indicating “Right” and U signifying “Up” on the elevation and windage knobs.
How does that assist in sighting in a red dot?
The arrows signify the point of impact when you move the turret in that path. Hence, what do you do when your bullets are hitting low after being positioned appropriately on the paper target?
The answer is correcting in the direction indicating up. Note that you’ll also follow a similar technique if your bullets are hitting the left.
Make Adjustments to Hit the Target
Generally, you need to know how to adjust a red dot sight. Since you’re doing this by shooting, fire three shot groups and observe whether there’s a need for adjustments. Shooters typically count three to four clicks and start another round of shots until they are well-positioned in the target’s center.
Making adjustments and firing can heat the rifle barrel, which can cause a significant problem in impact shift. The major challenge many shooters face is that when the barrel is cool, the point of impact changes. Hence, the rifle is not appropriately sighted in, as you may have calculated.
Ways to Sight in a Red Dot Scope without Shooting
Some experts sight in a red dot without firing. Since firing could affect your impact point, it’s safe to consider sighting in a red dot without shooting your rifle. Note that these processes may require some careful calculations.
Confused about how to go about it? Here are the steps to follow:
1. Learn All Basics on Paper
If you’re a new shooter, you can start by learning everything you need to know about the red dot on the paper. It’s essential to understand things like choosing a rifle and aligning the gun.
Even though learning on paper doesn’t seem practical, there’s a lot that you can comprehend after reading a few lines of text. Ensure that you learn how to balance your eyes and choose a pattern for sighting in a red dot.
2. Calculate the Distance from Target
Since you wouldn’t be firing, measuring the distance between you and the target is crucial. There’s a need for you to know your target and estimate the number of yards.
How many yards can you cover?
If you’re a relatively experienced shooter, a range of 100 yards is good enough for you. However, if you’re a rifleman, 250 yards should be your minimum measurement. As a beginner, you should consider shooting in a range between 20 and 25 yards.
3. Prepare All Necessary Tools
When trying to sight in a red dot, it’s essential to gather all the necessary tools needed for the task. You’ll need crucial accessories for installation, like the mounting plate. Also, ensure that you take all the required precautions to prevent injuries.
What precautions can you take?
Ensure that you fire in an open area. Also, make sure that your rifle isn’t loaded, and take a break to rest your eyes—a crucial requirement.
4. Carefully Mount the Scope
Your arrangement should be firm when setting the scope. Look through the entire structure and ensure that you placed the scope appropriately above the receiver. Most importantly, tighten the receiver to minimize any unwanted movements. Use a Loctite for steadiness of the sight during recoils.
5. Ensure You Have a Clear View of the Target
Set your target and ensure that your range isn’t more than 25 yards, especially if you’re a beginner. This position is called close range, and there’s no need for a magnifier when setting the target range.
How to Sight in a Red Dot Scope on a Shotgun for Turkey Hunting
Sighting in your shotgun may sound complicated, but it doesn’t require any special steps. If you’re an expert, you may need to fire at a particular target many times, perform necessary adjustments, and try again until you finally hit your mark.
Step 1
It would be best if you started by setting your target downrange from your position. The target distance usually varies, depending on the kind of weapon. However, note that shotguns are typically sighted farther than conventional handguns.
Step 2
Load up your shotgun and position yourself to fire. Ensure that there’s no unwanted object beyond you and the target that the bullet would hit. Make sure you’re well stabilized when taking the shots.
In the first couple of shots, check if you’re hitting a particular area on the target. If your bullets are striking a specific region of the target, you’re on the right track. Ensure that your shots are consistent.
Step 3
Make the necessary adjustments to the scope based on how much you’re missing the target. Use the two dials on the scope that allows for up-or-down and left-or-right adjustment.
Now, what’s next?
After making all proper adjustments, continue by firing three or four extra shots to see if there’s a need for more adjustments. Continue firing until you’re hitting the target appropriately.
How to Sight in a Vortex Red Dot
Vortex red dots are cheap for the high-quality results a shooter gets in return. There are two schools of thought on how to use a red dot sight like the vortex for hunting or any other purposes.
First School of Thought
The first school of thought is sighting in a vortex red dot via support. This process involves the removal of many human errors when choosing a point of impact. It typically consists of the use of some form of support, like a bench rest.
Both beginner and expert shooters will gain a substantial confidence level when making adjustments to the point of aim. Shooters believe that there are no external factors to influence the point of impact. If you’re a new shooter, you may consider using support.
Second School of Thought
The other school of thought is sighting in a top-rated vortex red dot without support. In this process, you don’t use objects like a bench rest so as to avoid any specific external factors.
In most cases, expert shooters appear to love the unsupported method. If you’re going out for turkey hunting, you wouldn’t have the grace of a bench rest most times. So, why not train without it?
Conclusion
If you’re a beginner, you don’t have to go for the unsupported technique on how to sight in a red dot. Most times, shooters who fire without support have an excellent ability to hold a three-round group from a specific zeroing distance.
Shooting precisely without support may work for those who have mastered the basics of sight alignment, trigger control, grip, and how to aim a red dot sight. So, try learning all that first if you’re an amateur.
FAQs
What is the working technique of a red dot sight?
A red dot sight works by reflecting the emitted light from a light-emitting diode (LED) of its axis focus through a spherical mirror. It only reflects red light due to its coating. Hence, it prevents other light from disrupting the shooter’s reticle.
Where do I mount a red dot sight on an AR?
You can mount your red dot sight in any position you choose. However, ensure that it’s placed on the receiver instead of the handguard. Please take all safety precautions when mounting a red dot.
How accurate are red dot sights?
Red dots sights are very accurate, and they have a more remarkable improvement in speed. Compared to iron sights, you can get on target faster with red dot sights. Note that red dot optics are best sighted at a range of 100 yards. Beyond that distance, accuracy is determined by the scope’s dimensions or weight and the mark.
Do red dot sights work when it’s dark?
It could be challenging to shoot in complete darkness when sighting in a red dot. However, it’s not impossible when you pair it with a night vision device. Ensure that your red dot system is night vision compatible because if the red dot is too bright, it could damage the night vision optic.
What amount should I budget to buy a red dot sight?
There are various types of red dot sights, and the amount you spend typically depends on the design and size. A vortex red dot should be the right choice if you’re considering how affordable it is and the durability of your red dot sight.
Do they use red dot sights in the military?
Yes, the military makes use of red dot sights, which started in 2000. Since their introduction date, red dot sights have been beneficial and helpful, especially in speed improvement and stable accuracy.
Are Vortex red dots useful?
Yes, vortex red dots are essential and useful for the money. The products are great where there is enough space, and they perform well enough in other scenarios. Overall, they are significant and beneficial.
Article Summary
This article covers all important information that deals with mounting a red dot. It also teaches beginner and expert shooters how to sight in a red dot without shooting and shows the relevance of making adjustments when firing.
