Red Dots on an AR15 + other ignorant questions :)

[Cholo]

I have an AR15 .223/5.56 with a 1:7 twist that I bought for a SHTF gun. It has the typical raised front sight with an MBUS rear peep. I shot it for the 1st time last Sunday after owning it for about 4 years. I was good at 50 yds. Off to the 100 meter range. You're kidding me, right? I need a bigger boat (sight). Scopes are out. I'm looking at all the red dots and their reviews. My head aches. Everything leads me to the Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic...but the price--$437 :shock: http://www.amazon.com/Aimpoint-PRO-Patrol-Rifle-Optic/dp/B007GDR0I4

I've got my eye on the Burris Fastfire III for $200. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007I9D8QE/ref=as_li_tl?tag=opticsden-20&ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007I9D8QE&linkCode=as2&linkId=MJU6U42JHUYQH63N

I like the Aimpoint 2MOA dot, the Burris is 3MOA which is fine. Anything else I should look at that's a good bang for the buck?

I shot 160 rds. of PMC 55 gr. FMJ's without a hitch. Reloading is out right now because I'm going thru physical therapy for my right shoulder. With the 1:7 twist, are the 62 gr. bullets a better choice than the 55 gr's.?

I'm new to AR's, so I'm sure I'll have more questions. I already want to get rid of that std. front sight.

Thanks!

 

[gramps]

Hi Cholo. I just took a cheap $60 Red Dot off my AR because it wouldn't hold zero from one outing to another, so I am back to the iron sights. I have talked with others, and they don't use Red Dots for that reason. Perhaps someone who has had a good one will chime in with more positive results.
gramps

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have tried a few different red dots.
Just about all the lower priced red dots are made in China and will eventually have problems.

Aimpoint is what I use.
They are pricy but Aimpoint makes excellent red dots.
They have a very long battery life.
They hold their point of aim.
The eye relief is excellent. You can mount them anywhere on a gun.
They will take lots of abuse.
They are made in Sweden.
They are also the ones that invented the red dot.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The RedDot that is most often recommended for handguns is the UltraDot, either in 1" or 30mm. If they can hold up to handgun abuse they should be ok on a rifle. They come in several configurations and prices are fairly reasonable.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQuery=UltraDot&cm_mmc=ps_bing-_-bing-_-OP_Red_Dot_and_Holographic_Sights_Beta_B-_-ultradot+sights

 

[9x19]

I started off with Aimpoints (M3 and PRO), but these days I run Vortex Spitifres on my short ARs... it is a prism type sight so even if the battery dies the reticle shows as black (like a conventional scope). It has a dot inside a circle that will light up either green or red (and for me, the green works better in bright sunshine). It also has adjustable focus so aging eyes don't have to deal with a fuzzy dot. They run around $250 new these days (that includes a removable "AR height" mount), but I've never had an issue and Vortex stands behind their stuff really well if I did.

I run a Truglo Triton (~$50 with the same circle-dot reticle) on some of my .22s and they hold up fine, but the ARs have a bit more recoil so I'm not sure they would last as long on them.

Good luck

9mm SBR

5.56 SBR

.300AAC SBR

 

[Rumrunner]

I used the UltraDot 30mm on mine and worked fine. It co-witnessed with the front sight so even if battery died, I could still hit a man sized target further away than I could probably legally do so.

I have the another of same red dot on my Super Redhawk 44 and had it on my 480 before that w/o issues. Plus they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I have never used an AR but I have a vortex venom on my 300 bo that works great and they do stand behind what they sell. My son has the same one as above and it works good for him.

 

[22/45 Fan]

I have never used an AR but I have a vortex venom on my 300 bo that works great and they do stand behind what they sell. My son has the same one as above and it works good for him.

The Vortex Viper is a good choice but the newer Vortex Venom has some worthwhile improvements including the fact the battery can be quickly changed without removing the sight from it's mount. The prices are the same for both.

 

[Cholo]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll probably buy one of your recommendations. I'm not really into AR's, but I have learned that they're expensive to decorate. The front sight has to go. I don't like seeing it when using a red dot so will go with a folding one. The trigger sucks. It's okay when standing, but is lousy off the bench where you feel all the grit, creep and heavy let off. A Timney will cost about $300 installed :shock:

If you're looking for what I think is a good price on 62 gr. .223's, here's the link. Make sure you hit the *Select* arrow to get 500 for $175 shipped no tax and it also comes with a $10 rebate.

http://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-ae-223-remington-62-gr-fmj-ae223n-p-4248.aspx

 

[hittman]

I was just looking at one of these tonight .....

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/index.html

Elcan M145 tactical scope.
Elcan have legendary optical brilliance with calibrated LED illuminated ranging reticle.
Scope can be removed and re-attached and still retain zero. Very birght in low light conditions.
These are trade-ins and less then 1/3 what the sell for new. They are a 3.4 power.

$469.

 

[tinman]

AimPoint co-witnessed to the irons. It can be removed and remounted with no loss of zero. Battery lasts for years...but this one gets changed yearly. It is one of my work guns.....I buy the good stuff so I don't have to worry about it failing when it's needed...............ever. :idea:

 

[Ruger Nut]

I have my flame suit on, so, whatever you throw at me won't work.
I have a cheap $19.95 Fieldsport red dot on my AR-556. Watch these (2) videos below and then you will know why.

https://youtu.be/C1Ej1unT0mQ
https://youtu.be/HsGaGhVosDk