Best red dot for under $250

[dvdcrr]

I am going to be putting a red dot on a 22 rifle which is short and compact and was needing input on the best red dot for $250 or less. This is a casual use rifle that needs to be somewhat reliable, so I am excluding the $39 red dots. I am looking for something plausibly dependable in the long term. There are new models all the time and so I though I would seek advice on whats out there. Really my only criteria are 3 moa or smaller dot and ability to mount low, built for real not for toy airgun.

 

[jmr40]

I have a Vortex SPARC that meets you criteria. It is not a $1,000 battle tested sight, but for $200 is the best thing I've found under $600. I've tried the $100 and under sights and found them to be junk. The SPARC has a 2 MOA dot and precise adjustments making zeroing and decent long range accuracy possible. One of the problems I had with some cheaper units was accurate adjstments. Getting them zeroed was a challenge as I chased groups all over a target.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-SPARC-Red-Dot-Sights-C2988.aspx

 

[StrutStopper]

Bushnell TRS-25. Works pretty good, won't break the bank.

 

[gotzero]

For that money you can get a Burris Fastfire II and Burris AR-F3 mount.

This combination offers a nice red dot, the right height, lots of protection, and best of all the combination weighs .22lbs. This is the combo I use on lightweight AR-15s. Most of the bigger red dots weigh the better part of 1lb (on the same scale, EOTech EXPS units are .68lbs).

 

[cja245]

You could get an Ultradot. They have quite a few options in that price range

 

[Southside830]

Tru-glo is the best cheap option. +- 75$$. I have one on a Windham ar and it holds zero just fine. I have a aimpoint pro on my Colt so I have a quality optic to compare it to. If you want a battle proven red dot save a couple hundred and get an aimpoint.

 

[PO2Hammer]

If you want a tube style sight, Ultradots are probably the best in their price range. You can get 1" or 30mm versions.
On a .22 carbine the tube styles sights are better IMO.

 

[akv3g4n]

Tru-glo is the best cheap option. +- 75$$.

I have to second the TruGlo. I have one on my Tapco converted SKS. Really good red dot for under $100. I've haven't babied it and it holds zero and works every time out. Also meets your 3 MOA minimum.

 

[Fishbed77]

I have a Vortex Strikefire (~$150) on my CMMG dedicated .22LR AR-15 upper, and it's been a perfect optic for that use. It's far from my Aimpoint PRO, but still vastly better than any red dot you'll buy for under $100.

Technically, it's a 4 MOA dot, but I honestly can't tell the difference between its dot size and the size of the 2 MOA dot of my PRO.

 

[Litlratt]

Consider a C More Railway with 2MOA dot. There's a reason C Mores are very popular in USPSA, Steel Challenge, etc.

 

[needmorecowbell]

You'll find there are many great choices. I personally really liked the 4 reticle option, 2,000 hour AAA battery life and all favorable reviews on the Lucid HD7, so that's what I got. It' a great red dot for $200.

 

[Dlowe167]

Ive got a Tru-glo Dual color red or green dot on my Keltec PLR. works great,$80 from Cabela's. U can change elevation & windage. U switch red or geen for day or night. But ive seen Tru-glo red dots for $40 at most gunstores

 

[wnycollector]

I own both the Lucid HD7 and the Bushnell TRS-25. The Bushnell is mounted on my 7.62x39 Saiga. The Lucid is on my CMMG 22 upper. Either will do the job for less than $250.

 

[dvdcrr]

Thanks for the suggestions! I looked at the Bushnell tr 25 but they were out of stock and impulse bought the Burris fastfire III. I'll let you know how it worked.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Thanks for the suggestions! I looked at the Bushnell tr 25 but they were out of stock and impulse bought the Burris fastfire III. I'll let you know how it worked.

Nooooo!!!

 

[FrankCastleThePunisher]

Vortex Sparc for around $200.00