Border Between Red Dot and Scope?

[seeker_two]

To clarify, I have very little rifle experience, spending most of my time with handguns. My definition of "long-range shooting" is anything over 100 yards, and my opportunities for that are few and far between.

When deciding on an optic for a .22lr rifle, what would be the deciding factors in choosing between a red-dot optic or a magnifying scope? Would a RDS be a better choice for sub-100yd shooting? Or, would a 3x-4x scope serve me better?

And, does the type of rifle matter? I currently have an old Romanian bolt-action rifle, but I do want a 10/22 in the future. How much difference does action type make here?

Help me understand these things.....

 

[jmohme]

This is probably just me, but red dot seems like a close range choice. Say 25 yards max.
But I have old tired eyes, so magnification is important for me.

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

Red dot is easily good for over 100 yards depending on target size. If you just want hits , a red dot is quicker, but if your shooting squirrels or for groups, obviously the scope would be a better fit. I would scope your bolt action and put a red dot on the 10/22 when you get it for fast plinking

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Can't help much, but I don't know about you, but my eyes are bad enough that I need magnification at 25 yards.





Edited grammar.

 

[zackmars]

It depends. My hunting .22 has a scope, and old bushnell banner 4-10

My pest control/plinking .22 has a red dot

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

Red dots can't be beat up close. 22lr @ 100yds, you'll want magnification if your looking to print tight groups.

 

[popper]

I use a RD with a 3x magnifier. Mag flips out of the way when you want. No, it's not on a 22LR.

 

[Maverick44]

RDS is just fine out to 100 yards. An LPVO would be a good compromise between a RDS and a traditional scope if you can't decide.

 

[Byrd666]

What about a Prism Scope with a 3 times or (X) times flip to side magnifier?

 

[EZ-E]

If you don't plan on shooting out past 50 yards a red dot would be fine for plinking. Also keep in mind the brighter the dot the more it will block the target. If I was shooting past that I'd throw a 3-9×40 & leave it. I'm running a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12 on a Ruger precision rimfire & a Ruger 10/22 with Volquartsen barrel. Here lately I've been shooting them @ 200 yards.

 

[Chupacabra Hunter]

Red dot for plinking, scope for hunting. If it a 22, wont matter much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Just get an iluminated red dot Scope you can turn it on and off with a small button whenever desired. TaDa!

 

[toddnjoyce]

Use case needs to drive the optic choice. People laugh when they saw my CZ455 with a 4-24x50 ffp on it. Then watched me shoot 1” bullseyes at 200yds with. And then put 5 shot 1 MOA or less groups at 100. It now has a 3-9x40 on it for benchrest stuff

My 10/22 isn’t built for that and has a Sig Romeo Zero on it and that works well for what plinking.

 

[Rafe]

Here's a Pew Pew Tactical article from last summer that talks a bit about LPVOs vs RDS+magnifier, and then reviews some budget-priced LPVOs. Might be of some use.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-1-6x-scope/

 

[SimonRL]

RDS is just fine out to 100 yards. An LPVO would be a good compromise between a RDS and a traditional scope if you can't decide.

Agree. Look at an LPVO with an etched reticle. I think it’s the best of all worlds. Keep an eye out for something like this. I recently got this set up from Palmetto State on a daily deal for $300

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 Gen 2 Riflescope w/ AR-BDC3 Reticle & Vortex Sport Cantilever 30mm Ring Mount 2" Offset

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 Gen 2 Riflescope w/ AR-BDC3 Reticle & Vortex Sport Cantilever30mm Ring Mount 2" Offset

palmettostatearmory.com

 

[RaySendero]

People laugh when they saw my CZ455 with a 4-24x50 ffp on it.

I ain't laughing! I got a 6-24x50AO on my 10-22.
I use it for targets and varmints on property.

Have shot targets out to 400 yards.
Typical varmint shots are 25-60 yards
Longest on pest was a snapping turtle at 170 yards.