Red Dot Sights

[mt3030]

I have never used these sights on rimfires before. But due to there being no parallax issues and considering the ranges at which .22 rimfires are used, they seem to me to make a lot of sense. I just noticed that both Tasco and BSA are making these sights with clamps for the 3/8 inch grooves found on most rimfires. I know the red dots would not allow the precision of a cross hair, but I'm thinking along the lines of "minute of soup can or cottontail".  
 
Who has used them on their rimfires? How did it work? What suggestions can you make? How do the qualities compare to the prices? Thank you.
Wally

[Shorty]

I have agonized over trying one of those.  What keeps me from doing it is the fact that almost all of them are 5 MOA dots.  That would cover a small target within 100 yds.

[mangulator]

mt3030, I have used the Tasco and BSA with good results on my muzzleloaders  but the only problems I find with red dots is the red dot can be hard to see on bright days and snow covered ground. Shorty, is correct at 100 yard the red dots can cover a 5 MOA. You may find that under 50 yards this would be acceptable accurracy.

[Finn]

I to am trying to decide whether to put one on. Some of them have as low as 1 moa dots, i just don't know how well they would work at night here in Mi. for coyotes or if I'd be better off with a conventional scope.

[jh45gun]

If you can afford one that has a 1moa dot I would suspect they work great. The larger dots may be good for snap shooting ect where speed is valued over accuracy. I like them on my xbows and my shotgun but for rifle work since I cannot afford the 1moa ones I stick to peep sights or scopes. I have tried the 4 moa dots and found them lacking for precise accuracy that you can only get from a scope. But I have never shot a critter with one I would suppose a larger critter they may work well. but for head shots on smaller animals at longer distances there may be little room for error. I guess you will not know until you try it? IF you do get on a 1moa I think would be the way to go. Jim

[jh45gun]

Forgot to add on some of the better ones they come with a polarizing filter for shooting on them bright days. Other ones do not have them which is too bad as it would be a good accessory.

[Keith L]

While the red dot may work for yotes I question the choice of using a rimfire (even 22Mag and 17HMR) on that large an animal.  In my book northern yotes need a centerfire to properly ground them.

I have a red dot on a Browning Buckmark pistol that works great for pistol distances.

[jh45gun]

Keith not sure how tough nothern Yotes are I never shot one just some fox during hunting season but I will tell you that a 22 mag has been used for years as a poachers favorite. Ask any Game Warden. If they can kill a deer cleanly with one shot in the right area I would think they would do the same for a coyote. The Key is the right area you must be able to place the shots consistantly at the distance your shooting. I agree a center fire leaves less room for error but I would think a 22 mag in the right hands would do the job. The 22 mag is big for its size if you know what I mean. As far as smaller calibers doing a larger job read about some of the eskimoes what they use and what they shoot.

[uncle joe]

I bought a Bushnell Trophy 1 x 30 at Dicks Sporting Goods. It has mutiple reticles and a screw on tube extender as well as a filter. So far I am satisfied with it.

[K.K]

I have a cheap BSA on my Mark III pistol, and switch it to my 10/22.  despite it's cheap price, it's been very reliable and accurate.  Not as accurate as a scope, but very fast.  I think that I paid 30 bucks for it.  There are more expensive ones out there, but this model suits my small game and plinking needs.