I have a Mossberg 702 Plinkster that I bought for vermin elimination and for fun plinking. I currently have a 3-9 x 32mm scope on it, which works fine for slow shots further out. But if I just want to shoot fast on multiple targets, I was thinking a red dot sight would be more ideal. Which would you all use? The farthest I usually shoot is only 50 yards or so.
Optics for a .22 LR Semi-automatic
- Thread starter AdamSean
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SteelChickenShooter
New member
I've tried several brands of red dots. Had mixed results. Tried them on different guns for different purposes. The only red dot that I presently use is the Nikon. It cost more, but I like the sharp, well focused, pin-point dot.
But then I shoot Cheerios, peanuts and swinging golf balls as targets with a handgun. Put this sight on a .22 rifle for short range work, and I imagine it would be fine. Some say a red dot washes out on a white paper target in daylight, so you need to watch for that. A green dot could be an advantage if that sort of thing is an issue.
But then I shoot Cheerios, peanuts and swinging golf balls as targets with a handgun. Put this sight on a .22 rifle for short range work, and I imagine it would be fine. Some say a red dot washes out on a white paper target in daylight, so you need to watch for that. A green dot could be an advantage if that sort of thing is an issue.
L_Killkenny
New member
Red dots can be very fun and useful for close in targets but they bring their own set of issues with them. Top issue on the list is you really do get what you pay for. I can get by with el'cheapo scopes but when it comes to red dots the cheap ones rarely hold up IME (cheap internal electronics are not conducive to long term durability). Top that off with lack of magnification and the need for batteries and they "can be" more trouble than they are worth.
You may think about trying a lower powered scope. 1.5-4x is a great all around scope and my favorite is 2-7x. I use both for hunting thick timber shooting running deer, coon, coyotes and rabbits.
Not saying that red dots and halosights are bad. Just don't expect much out of them until you start getting to $150 on up and keep an extra battery tucked away in your wallet (been there, done that).
You may think about trying a lower powered scope. 1.5-4x is a great all around scope and my favorite is 2-7x. I use both for hunting thick timber shooting running deer, coon, coyotes and rabbits.
Not saying that red dots and halosights are bad. Just don't expect much out of them until you start getting to $150 on up and keep an extra battery tucked away in your wallet (been there, done that).
SteelChickenShooter
New member
That's probably why I don't have any low cost dots anymore. The only one I kept was the best performer, and it cost well over $200.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
I don't agree, but I understand. My idea is that there does not have to be a cost restriction when buying optics. Just because the rifle is not expensive, doesn't mean you can't spend the money or should not spend the money on optics. My silhouette rifle cost $200 and the scope that worked the best was $455. You can have a lot of fun and good accuracy in a number of lower priced firearms. Spending more for great optics just makes for a better combo. Granted, if the particular firearm cannot benefit from good optics, then you would be correct by not over spending.
Hi, In a trade I aquired a S&W MP15-22 that had a BSA red dot on it. Tried it, OK just did not help these 55y/o eyes find the target and I saw a need for magnification and put a Simmons 22 MAG 4X32 I had in the gun drawer on it. Much easier on the eyes and I may just yet look for a BSA Sweet 22 if I can get another for clearance price like the one on My CZ American .22 I bought for $34 shipped .
....WVleo
Put a 1x4 scope on it. You can shoot both eyes open at 1x. It might not be
quite as fast as a dot, but it's darned close. Plus you can crank it up when
you want to reach out past rock throwing range.
For cheap I've tried Simmons shotgun scopes. OK, but they are not a true
1x, more like 1.1 or 1.2. Some people have no problem with that, I do.
A bit more money is the Weaver 1-3x. Sweet little scope. Have one on
a AR truck gun, no problems.
Bigger, heavier and a bit more money---Millett DMS-1. 1-4x, illuminated
dot. Kinda Sorta knockoff of the Meopta Meostar.
Lots of them out there. Look for a true 1x on the bottom end, clear
optics, and a price you can live with.
quite as fast as a dot, but it's darned close. Plus you can crank it up when
you want to reach out past rock throwing range.
For cheap I've tried Simmons shotgun scopes. OK, but they are not a true
1x, more like 1.1 or 1.2. Some people have no problem with that, I do.
A bit more money is the Weaver 1-3x. Sweet little scope. Have one on
a AR truck gun, no problems.
Bigger, heavier and a bit more money---Millett DMS-1. 1-4x, illuminated
dot. Kinda Sorta knockoff of the Meopta Meostar.
Lots of them out there. Look for a true 1x on the bottom end, clear
optics, and a price you can live with.
L_Killkenny mentioned the same thing I would: lower powered scopes.
The first scope I put on my .22 was of the common, inexpensive 3-9x variety. It was okay, but for my purposes (plinking and hunting), the top end of the magnification were never really needed, and the image became a bit hazy at 7x or higher (probably wouldn't have been a problem with a more expensive scope).
I decided to switch to a fixed 4x scope. I liked that scope well enough, and it had better eye relief. Then one night racoons were causing problems out in the yard. I grabbed the gun and snuck around the corner of the house. When I raised the gun, the combination of darkness, close distance, and limited field of view made it difficult to get the racoons in my sights.
After that, I decided something that offered a wide field of view would be preferable for quick shots at small game and varmints. I got a 1.5-5x scope. It's actually a shotgun scope, but it's not much bigger than a .22 scope and has the same 50 parallax. Now when hunting, I keep the scope dialed low in case I need to get on a critter fast, but I like having the option to zoom in if I have the time.
I put a red dot on a .22 pistol some years later and temporarily gave thought to a red dot/hologram sight for my .22 rifle, but, aside from reducing weight, I can't think of any situation where a red dot would be better than my scope, and I can think of several where it would be worse.
The first scope I put on my .22 was of the common, inexpensive 3-9x variety. It was okay, but for my purposes (plinking and hunting), the top end of the magnification were never really needed, and the image became a bit hazy at 7x or higher (probably wouldn't have been a problem with a more expensive scope).
I decided to switch to a fixed 4x scope. I liked that scope well enough, and it had better eye relief. Then one night racoons were causing problems out in the yard. I grabbed the gun and snuck around the corner of the house. When I raised the gun, the combination of darkness, close distance, and limited field of view made it difficult to get the racoons in my sights.
After that, I decided something that offered a wide field of view would be preferable for quick shots at small game and varmints. I got a 1.5-5x scope. It's actually a shotgun scope, but it's not much bigger than a .22 scope and has the same 50 parallax. Now when hunting, I keep the scope dialed low in case I need to get on a critter fast, but I like having the option to zoom in if I have the time.
I put a red dot on a .22 pistol some years later and temporarily gave thought to a red dot/hologram sight for my .22 rifle, but, aside from reducing weight, I can't think of any situation where a red dot would be better than my scope, and I can think of several where it would be worse.
MOshooter65202
New member
I use several different magnified traditional scopes from a fixed 4 power to variable 4-12 power scopes for plinking,shooting,and hunting on my 22s.
With practice and a properly adjusted magnified scope a person can learn to shoot fast action targets.
With practice and a properly adjusted magnified scope a person can learn to shoot fast action targets.