1x sights vs scopes

G

gringojosh

New member
I am trying to decide between a 1x "red dot" style sight or a scope for a .223 rifle. This would be for distances between 200-600 yards. I see military competitions at those distances where only iron sights are used. Does anyone else shoot a varmint/target rifle with just a 1x, instead of a more traditional magnifying scope?
 
A small dot on a red dot sight is 3moa. This would make it 18" at 600 yds. I use red dots on most of my handguns and have used them on ML and shotguns where the ranges are 100 yds or less. You won't find them very useful at the ranges you are talking about.
 
I had a Meuller panoramic red dot that was OK at 50 but was too big at 100 (approx 4 moa dot). Replaced it with a Nikon African 1-4x20. I like the scope better.
 
Scopes don't make you, or your rifle any more accurate. With good quality iron sights you are able to shoot quite well at longer distances, as long as you can clearly see the target. In bright light, on a firing range this is fairly easy.

A scope purpose is to make it easier to see your target, especially in poor light, or if the target is partially obscured as in a hunting or military situation. Even a non magnifying optic does this. Most dot sights are meant to make it quicker to get on target up close, not for precision shooting.

I like a low powered 1.5-4X or 2-7X scope for all around use. At the low powers they are quick on the target and provide almost the same field of view as the dot sights, and are actually quicker than using irons. Adjusted up to the higher powers they make it easier to see your target.
 
I have a red dot on my AR, but just purchased a lightweight 1-3x traditional optic for my AK.
Dots are great for speed and lowlight use, but they often subtend more of the target than I like, and dot magnifiers usually have awful views.

Can you use the dot (or irons) for varmints and other small targets at 100+yds? Sure. Are they best choice? Doubtful.
They're for hitting big targets quickly, at short to intermediate ranges.
 
When I had 21 year old eyes,

I could knock down about 50% of the 400 yard "pop up" targets with my M-1 Garand, using only the standard issue sights. I fired "expert" with the issue M-14, as well as the issue M-16, over the next decade, as each came into the inventory and was issued to the troops.

Now, half a century later, I must have a scope to even see targets at that distance.

"If it can be seen, it can be hit" is still a valid axiom.;)

Conversely, "you can't hit what you can't see" is still valid, too.
 
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