What would be a good brand that will hold zero.I have one of the 2x Reds that has to be adjusted about every 20 rds. Like the extra magnification but would go back to a 1x if I have to. Check the mount and its ok. Looking for something for less than a $100 if possible.
Red-dot that won't lose zero?
- Thread starter Satch
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wally
Member
I've one of the cheap CDNN 20mm red dots on a .44mag and so far its held up well.
Are you sure the zero is really shifting and you are not using it like a scope and focusing on the dot instead of the target? With irons your clearest focus must be on the front sight. With a scope your eye must focus on the reticle which if the scope is good is basically in the same plane as the target image.
But with a red dot sight you must focus on the target looking thru the dot for alignment. Its different enough to mess folks up and get lots of these devices bad reputations. If your eye focuses on the dot you are effectively introducing a parallax that depends on your eye position. Trust me, if you look at the dot instead of thru the dot accuracy goes bye-bye.
HTH,
--wally.
Are you sure the zero is really shifting and you are not using it like a scope and focusing on the dot instead of the target? With irons your clearest focus must be on the front sight. With a scope your eye must focus on the reticle which if the scope is good is basically in the same plane as the target image.
But with a red dot sight you must focus on the target looking thru the dot for alignment. Its different enough to mess folks up and get lots of these devices bad reputations. If your eye focuses on the dot you are effectively introducing a parallax that depends on your eye position. Trust me, if you look at the dot instead of thru the dot accuracy goes bye-bye.
HTH,
--wally.
rchernandez
Member
1" Ultradots exclusively on my .22's and .45's. Make sure the mounts are tight. I prefer the Burris Z-ring in low and super low. The rings that come with the UD scope also work well. 50 yard to 25 yards is 5-clicks up/down on my pistols.
For under $100, you might also look into Millet's.
For under $100, you might also look into Millet's.
M2 Carbine
member
Satch, possibly something has come loose inside the sight. I bought a half dozen cheap "No Name" Red Dots a few years ago and the internal lens was loose in every one of them.
I don't recommend anything but I'll tell you what I do.
I own and have bought more Red Dot sights than probably most people on THR.
I have something over a dozen of them on pistols, rifles and shotguns. I have several brands but what I use the most is $30 BSA. I just recently bought six more because the model isn't being made anymore.
It's a matter of cost and what works.
For what one very high quality Red Dot costs, I can buy about 12 BSA sights.
Over the years I've had several Red Dot sights go bad. 2 Aimpoint, 2 Tasco, 1 BSA and a ATN that was junk from the day I bought it.
Of course you expect the quality of a $400 Aimpoint type sight to be 1st class, and it is. And you expect a $400 sight to hold up very well and as far as I know they do.
The surprise is (in my experience) the cheap BSA Red Dots hold up extremely well and holds zero as good as anything I've used.
Would I be upset if one of my cheap sights failed? Not really, but I've got several spares just in case.
I'm really suprised that something so cheap works so well but don't buy one because of me, for surely you will get the worst piece of junk BSA made in a month.
My good friend has a $$$ Aimpoint Red Dot that makes the BSA look like a cheap tincan. But will the Aimpoint put bullets on target better than the tincan? Nope.
A couple of my $30 BSA sights.
Ithaca 12ga.
Kel Tec PLR .223
KT PLR target using BSA.
AK pistol
Ruger 22/45
I don't recommend anything but I'll tell you what I do.
I own and have bought more Red Dot sights than probably most people on THR.
I have something over a dozen of them on pistols, rifles and shotguns. I have several brands but what I use the most is $30 BSA. I just recently bought six more because the model isn't being made anymore.
It's a matter of cost and what works.
For what one very high quality Red Dot costs, I can buy about 12 BSA sights.
Over the years I've had several Red Dot sights go bad. 2 Aimpoint, 2 Tasco, 1 BSA and a ATN that was junk from the day I bought it.
Of course you expect the quality of a $400 Aimpoint type sight to be 1st class, and it is. And you expect a $400 sight to hold up very well and as far as I know they do.
The surprise is (in my experience) the cheap BSA Red Dots hold up extremely well and holds zero as good as anything I've used.
Would I be upset if one of my cheap sights failed? Not really, but I've got several spares just in case.
I'm really suprised that something so cheap works so well but don't buy one because of me, for surely you will get the worst piece of junk BSA made in a month.
My good friend has a $$$ Aimpoint Red Dot that makes the BSA look like a cheap tincan. But will the Aimpoint put bullets on target better than the tincan? Nope.
A couple of my $30 BSA sights.
Ithaca 12ga.
Kel Tec PLR .223
KT PLR target using BSA.
AK pistol
Ruger 22/45
wally
Member
IF something shoots loose on a cheap red dot, try a drop of loc-tite -- what have you got to lose?
I do find most of mine eventually need some loc-tight on the screws that hold the battery compartment to the body, this had nothing to do with zero but caused the dot to be intermittent.
--wally.
I do find most of mine eventually need some loc-tight on the screws that hold the battery compartment to the body, this had nothing to do with zero but caused the dot to be intermittent.
--wally.
cheygriz
member
Get an Aimpoinmt and be done with it.
For less than $200, you're paying for junk, and you're going to get junk.:banghead:
There are no bargains in this life. You get what you pay for.
For less than $200, you're paying for junk, and you're going to get junk.:banghead:
There are no bargains in this life. You get what you pay for.
3 gun
Member
Can't go wrong with a Millett SP series red dot. I've used one on a M1a for over 2K/rd with no problems. Natchez has'em on sale for under $100. FinFeatherFurOutfitters has'em for even less!!
AK103K
member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2002
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- 7,610
I agree. I've had a number of the "cheaper" dot sights, with varying success, but all had some sort of problem. The Aimpoints have been flawless.
If your looking for something with on off zero repeatability, you cant scrimp here either. Good mounts like good sights cost money, and for a reason.
As the old saying goes...."only a rich man can afford cheap stuff". Buy quality once, cry once and be done with it.
They're OK, though a bit spendy. I've had a couple over the years, but have stuck with UltraDots exclusively for quite a while now. I've had an UltraDot (the same one) mounted on the slide of my bullseye 1911 for more than 15 years with no problems.
jrfoxx
Member
I have a Bushnell Trophy red/green dot on my AK and havent had any issues with it in 2 yrs and MANY rounds.Got it from Cabela's for $100.Nice scope, I really like it.
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