optics? Red dot or magnification?

[hognfrog]

I find myself in need of sight assistance, due to age, when target shooting. I am wondering what would be recommended for my new Mark IV hunter and target? I would like to stay near the $150-$200 range. Any thoughts or help appreciated.

 

[22/45 Fan]

I have a Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot on my MkIV and it is a great sight. Far better quality then the $30 specials you see advertised and not nearly as expensive as the C-More, Accupoint, etc. You can find them for about $70 to $90 and I don't see a reason to spend more unless you have a specific need. They are easy to zero, use a readily available CR2032 battery and battery life is very good.

You will need a Picatinny/Weaver rail and Ruger, Weigand and many other suppliers have the right one to fit your gun. The MkIV takes the same scope mount rails as the earlier MkIII and 22/45 so they are easy to find.

 

[hognfrog]

Thanks Hunter, I will do some research on your suggestion

 

[rugerjunkie]

If you go with a red dot , pay attention to the dot size if its mainly for target shooting. A 4+ moa dot and all you will be is frustrated with its accuracy. About 2 moa is the smallest I ever see available , and for a 22 plinker/target shooter , thats borderline in my opinion. For your stated use , I'd be looking at a variable power handgun scope if you are trying for itty bitty groups.

 

[contender]

All good info.

A red dot is not as serious target precision as a fine crosshair scope. A red dot is easy to see, and makes for excellent shooting & such. But as noted,,, pay attention to the MOA of the dots. A 2 moa means the dot will "appear" to be 2 inches at 100 yds. A 4 MOA will appear to be 4 inches at 100 yds. That is why it's not easy to get very tight & precise groups with a red dot.
Scopes,,, about 2X to 4X are best for most folks.

So, decide what your intentions are & select what will work best. I use both & find I like them both for different applications.

 

[hognfrog]

at 70 with my vision I am leaning toward a red dot simply because I think I would have better luck with both eyes open and looking down range rather than thru a scope? Thoughts?

 

[Rumrunner]

Red dots are fast and easier to use, especially when not using a rest. A scope has the advantage of better accuracy but usually a rest is preferred.

For hunting I prefer red dots. At the bench, 1 inch 50 yards groups are obtainable. The Bushnell TRS-25 is small and light and an excellent choice.

One note, many complain that the red dots are "fuzzy" and not a round dot. At 63, I wear glasses and need them to see a clear dot. Without them I get a starfish effect. When shooting scopes, I don't use my glasses.

 

[contender]

Rumrunner makes some more excellent points. As our eyes age,,, we need corrective glasses. Scopes can be focused to our eyes,,, but a red dot can not. Make sure your glasses allow you a clear dot,,, or you will see the star effect of them.

 

[22/45 Fan]

Rumrunner makes some more excellent points. As our eyes age,,, we need corrective glasses. Scopes can be focused to our eyes,,, but a red dot can not. Make sure your glasses allow you a clear dot,,, or you will see the star effect of them.

I'm 74 and certainly know all about aging eyes. Make sure your glasses have a good correction for distance vision and the red dot will be round and sharp. The Red Dot is set to appear at "infinity" so your distance correction is what you need to use.

 

[rugerjunkie]

You should have both eyes opened also even with a scope...

 

[22/45 Fan]

You should have both eyes opened also even with a scope...

If and only if you are not "cross dominant". I am and cannot shoot with both eyes open.

 

[hognfrog]

Sadly I am cross dominate, right handed but left eye is dominate.

 

[contender]

Cross eye/hand dominance is not as uncommon as you'd think.
If on the range,, you can put a piece of Scotch tape over the dominant eye's lens,,, to make the less dominant eye do the work.
You can also learn to shoot with the less dominant hand.
Or, you can "cant" the gun to allow you to use the less dominant hand with the dominant eye.
But,,, even so,, you should TRY hard to shoot with both eyes open. I say this to help you become a better shooter.
You do not walk around with one eye closed,,, or drive a car with one eye closed, or any other activity. You have already "learned" how to do most other things with both eyes open,,, you have to work on treating shooting as any other activity.

There are world class action shooters with cross dominance,,, and they often use the Scotch tape method. It allows them to keep both eyes open, & see the entire stage & where they need to move in a "natural" way.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I use THIS one for one of my T/C barrels and it does very well.
I really like the idea of being able to set the dot diameter (2 or 4
or 6 or 8 MOA) depending on which one I need. It's the high end
of what you want to pay, but I'm very happy with mine.

 

[hognfrog]

Ok, did some research and searching and decide to go with the Bushnell Trophy Hi-rise optics on sale($79.99) at Midway with free shipping. Since the hi-rise is removable I can decide how to mount it once it arrives. Rounded up to help the NRA so total was $81.00. I couldn't find it any cheaper.
Thanks for all the input and information, I will try it out on my new Mark IV Target when it arrives in a couple days.